There have been a number of questions come up after the announcement that we will be releasing Tribes using the InstantAction technology earlier this week.   I've taken the liberty of writing up a quick FAQ that addresses some of the more common questions I've heard.   

If you want to learn more feel free to stop by the booth at GDC and ask for me.

What Everyone Wants to Know Now

Q: When is it coming?

A:  I don't know yet. Hopefully soon. 

Instant Action Technology

Q: How does the website PlayTribes.com amount to more than just "tribes in a browser"?  Can't I get all the same functionality playing the game standalone from an installer?

A: The platform that PlayTribes is built upon provides us with a unique opportunity to present a community experience for the game Tribes that has never been seen before.   The core technology itself enables us to stream down the game, and perform automatic updates to it when a user returns to play again.  Both clients and servers can be updated automatically, providing very fast turnaround for bugfixes and additional content.


Q: What other kinds of features can you provide in the web that I can't get in standalone?

A: In the future the website can be used for a great number of things including, a repository for user demos, custom client configurations that follow you from computer to computer, player stats, etc.   The instant action web platform allows us to build all of this functionality into a website that we can also play the game in, which is pretty cool.


Q: Is play tribes based on the same site framework as InstantAction.com?

A: PlayTribes.com is based on our new InstantAction platform that can be used to create individual light-weight websites to play games in.  Because of the modular architecture of the platform, the PT.com website is very small and focused on just one thing, Tribes.   There is a total of 1 page on the site when the game window is not being shown, and when the game is shown you can go fullscreen with ease to forget the web is even there.   The site is all about making playing Tribes so convenient that you might just want to play it again (or try it for the first time.) 


Q: Will I be required to play the game from within a browser page?

A: The game will not have the restriction of only being able to run from within the PlayTribes.com site.   However some community features integrated into the site in the future,  such as persistent stat tracking may require you to be playing within the web-page to access.

Game Technology

Q: How has the game been updated with respect to it's Graphics and Rendering pipeline
A: While we have not provided updated graphics files for the game, it is possible to create your own high resolution replacement textures.  Updated effects may be added in the future as time permits.

Q: What changes have been made to the original game that would make me want to play this new one over the copy I already have?
A:

    * Base scripts have been completely re-organized to be easier to understand with an extended set of common server admin functions built in
    * Base client configuration will be competition ready and configurable in the GUI, without need for custom scripting
    * Many bugs and security holes have been patched in the engine
    * Game runs excellently on Windows Vista
    * SIMD framework added (MMX/SSE/etc..)
    * Extended scripting language additions and functions that offer extended scripting functionality for modders, without sacrificing backwards compatibility
    * Ski Script built in to base client so there's no more need for crushing your space bar
    * and of course the Terrain bug on Stonehenge has been fixed.
    * Zip files replace proprietary (.vol)Volume files for data storage
    * PNG files replace proprietary (.pbmp)palettized bitmap files for True color texture support


Q: I heard from [here/there/somewhere], speculation that mods would not be supported, is this true?
A: From the beginning of this project a goal has been to make sure that mods are not sacrificed.  Mods may need to adjust a few things here and there to work with the new base game scripts with the new version, but should work with relatively small amounts of fixing up.

Q: What if my mod needs to have custom art or data downloaded to the client. 
A: There are no immediate plans to directly distribute them through the site, so we may have to filter them from the server list for players that are in browser.  Luckily most mods don't require extra art and files.  We may selectively seek the permission to release a community made resource through our website from the author, at our discretion.

-- Dynamic_Derek added when it's coming so people don't have to ask. 

I for one welcome our new Tribes IP overlords.

when are we going to get some screenshots of the new interface?  Is there a top secret beta version of this game within instant action?  If so, I demand access, Justin!

Remember, if you've got new questions that aren't in this FAQ please ask them here.  That way we can respond and keep it all confined to this thread.  The FAQ can also be updated to include some of the questions that pop up to further help people find answers in one location.

Its free, right?
What is the release date?

11 years ago.

I'm all for this.  I'm also curious to know the outlook of what we should expect about cheat prevention.  It's been too big of a concern throughout most of the life of this game.

Here's a question

Where was the source code hiding?

Oh another question!

I listened to the podcast (thanks!), and wondered if you were going to also include DOX maps etc that everyone has come to play?

What kind of documentation will we be getting on these? As a modder, I need infos. To however much surprise, there's even large total conversions still being worked on for this game.

And since you have the source, can we get some multi-platform love, pretty please? I'll send pizza, or beer, hugs, whatever, to whoever has the authority to make that happen. I'd like to not have to put Wine between my server and my Linux, if it's at all possible.

I dont forsee multi-platform as being an option at all.

Have a listen of the podcast (see this forum's topics or the blog for a link), they mention that its no where near portable.

On a special zip drive in a special closet of a special someone.

What of the master server? Now that you own the IP, does that include www.dynamix.com ?

If you hosted a master at t1m1.masters.dynamix.com:28000, you guys could let everyone know of the upcoming goodness, even the poor sob's that haven't updated their client with a working master, and those crazy Brazilians still running 1.8 servers.

I've been running a master at t1m1.tribes0.com and there are 4 others out there-
t1m1.masters.tribesmasterserver.com
t1m1.pu.net
skbmaster.ath.cx
kigen.ath.cx
Please put us out of business.

I'm to tired to dig up my post about a Mod/Custom content database, but it pretty much speaks for itself. Mod/Content database where users can search, vote etc.

I'm also to tired to frame that as a question, but if you still don't get it in my morning, i'll do a write up.