Astro Marines

Created by fellow Glest modder Mr War, Astro Marines adds a new playable faction to Annex: Conquer the World. Mr War created the largest faction available for Annex, all with original unique units. They have the most heavily armored infantry in the game even without upgrades. With Strong, supporting Vehicles. However their increased firepower and armor means they cost more than similar units from the main factions. Astro Marines are now updated for Annex 4.0.

Story

Astro-Marines are the elite of Earth Forces, descended directly from the first Combat Astronauts of 21st Century. Deployed by dropship to the far reaches of the galaxy, Astro-Marines establish bridge-heads and respond to incursions by enemy forces. Of the millions of recruits who apply each year, only the best make it through training; training fatalities are high!!!

Installation

http://www.indiedb.com/mods/astro-marines-mod/downloads

Unzip archive into the “techs” folder in your application data path.
for example on windows: C:/yourusername/AppData/Roaming/Annex_Ctw/techs/
Once Installed it will show up as its own techtree option, and select “Astro Marines” under techtree in custom game menu.

Crimson Maidens

Yea that is right, I made a mod of my own game.

For fun I put together a faction using mostly re-skinned models from the other factions with some unused models. The theme is more of mecha influenced units, with of course female infantry. This faction is focused on infantry supported by long range combat vehicles. They lack in any heavily armored vehicles which can make prolonged battles difficult, however they do have numerous upgrades for their infantry, and vehicles. Currently they have a hero unit, Falcon but currently no super weapons.

Story

With an increasing global conflict over crystal energy, leads to unrest and civil war in the areas of the world not governed by the three main powers (Alliance, Republic, and Shadow) of the world. Rebels, Militias, and Gorilla factions, secretly backed by the great powers, are growing world wide. No where is this more prevalent than in the Southern Wastelands. Dozens of tribes in the area waged savage war over territory disputes. In the chaos rose the Crimson Maidens, who fight to end the conflict in the Southern Wastelands. The Maidens are a female only army consisting of many victiums of the war, from those who lost their family, to angry rebels, all the way to elite military defectors who are tired of fighting for someone else’s gain. For years the maidens used bribes and secret support from all world powers to amass a military large enough, and advanced enough to dissuade any military action in the region. Their ultimate goal is to end the world powers influence in the region using the very equipment that they sold to them.

Installation

https://bitbucket.org/annexctw/annex-addons/downloads/crimson_maidens.zip

Unzip archive into the “techs” folder in your application data path.
for example on windows: C:/yourusername/AppData/Roaming/Annex_Ctw/techs/
Once Installed it will show up as its own techtree option, and select “Crimson Maidens” under techtree in custom game menu.

NOTE: I included The Astro Marines as a selectable faction, however you will need to install Astro Marines separately, otherwise selecting that faction will cause the game to crash.

Boasting nearly twice the game content: New armies, new modes of play, new maps, new tilesets, and much more refined gameplay, Annex 4.0 will seem more like a completely new game!

Annex: Conquer the World, a freeware strategy game for Windows, Linux and and OSX powered machines is having its biggest update ever! This update includes two new unique armies: the Alliance Renegades and NEO Republic, 30 technology tree options, all new maps and scenarios, a new soundtrack, new sounds and voices, and new units to choose from! As of release 4.0 the game is now FOSS licensed!

Latest gameplay video:

Game Description:

Annex: Conquer the World is an anime themed real time strategy game that brings fast paced combat with a diverse arsenal. Play as one of four factions: The East Ocean Alliance, the NEO Republic, the Shadow Organization, or the Renegades as they struggle for dominance all over the world, competing for a priceless red mineral. The game now contains 4 factions, over 30 tech trees, original maps, and tileset. Built using open source RTS MegaGlest, the focus of the game is multi-player and single-player skirmishes. However there are also scripted scenarios/missions!

New Content:

– 2 New Factions: Alliance Renegades and NEO Republic
– Shadow Organization units: Vixen (hero) and Sentinel
– New Tilesets: Apocylapse, Metropolitian, Overcast, Brightland, and Outland
– Increased Level cap, unit re-balancing and refined gameplay.
– New Technology tree options: Simple Battle, Simple Deployed, Ready for War, and Insanity.
– All Technology trees now have a (D) Double Damage or (H) Half Damage variation.
– Improved graphics, lighting, and particle effects
– Save + load game feature
– New maps and scenarios
– New soundtrack, voice overs and sound effects.
– FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) license

Media:

Annex: Conquer the World 4.0 by Krazy Keet Games is available now! Get it here:

Installers:

Windows:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-installer-windows-32bit-v4.0.exe

Linux 64 bit:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-installer-linux-x86_64-v4.0.run

After downloading the installer package, you need to make it executable. Use your file manager/browser to browse to the directory containing the downloaded file. Right-click the file, select the option to inspect and change this files’ properties/permissions, and make the file executable by its owner. Now double-click the file to execute it.

The graphical installer will show up and display the Annex license. Install the game into your home directory (default location) or a location of your choice (within the boundaries of where your Linux user may write to, so probably anywhere below your home directory only). Once the installer completes, a Annex starter/shortcut will show up on your window managers’ application menu.

Compressed Game Files:

Windows:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-game-windows-32bit-v4.0.7z

Mac OSX:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-game-macos-v4.0.zip

Linux 64:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-game-linux-x86_64-v4.0.tar.xz

extract annex_release_3_linux_32.tar.xz to your home directory
run: ./annex -or- chmod +x ./annex ./annex.bin
./annex

Linux 32:

http://annex.megaglest.org/releases/4.0/Annex-game-linux-x86-v4.0.tar.xz

extract annex_release_3_linux_32.tar.xz to your home directory
run: ./annex -or- chmod +x ./annex ./annex.bin
./annex

If game still does not work, please consult this Troubleshooting FAQ for all MegaGlest based games:

http://docs.megaglest.org/MG/FAQ#When_I_click_the_game_icon_nothing_happens.2Fa_window_just_opens_and_closes

After more of a year in development, Annex: Conquer the World 4.0 is out October 5th! A massive update to the open sourced, anime themed, real time strategy game.

THE TIME HAS COME!! Annex: Conquer the World, a freeware strategy game for Windows, Linux and and OSX powered machines is having its biggest update ever! 4.0 includes two new unique armies: the Alliance Renegades and NEO Republic, along with updates of the previous East Ocean Alliance and the Shadow Organization, 30 technology tree options, all new maps and scenarios, a new soundtrack, new sounds and voices, and new units to choose from! As of release 4.0 the game is now FOSS licensed!

Latest gameplay video:

Game Description:

Annex: Conquer the World is an anime themed real time strategy game that brings fast paced combat with a diverse arsenal. Play as one of four factions: The East Ocean Alliance, the NEO Republic, the Shadow Organization, or the Renegades as they struggle for dominance all over the world, competing for a priceless red mineral. The game now contains 4 factions, over 30 tech trees, original maps, and tileset. Built using open source RTS MegaGlest, the focus of the game is multi-player and single-player skirmishes. However there are also scripted scenarios/missions!

New Content:

• 2 New Factions: Alliance Renegades and NEO Republic
• New Shadow Organization units: Vixen (hero) and Sentinel
• New Tilesets: Apocylapse, Metropolitian, Overcast, Brightland, and Outland
• Increased Level cap, unit re-balancing and refined gameplay.
• New Technology tree options: Simple Battle, Simple Deployed, Ready for War, and Insanity.
• All Technology trees now have a (D) Double Damage or (H) Half Damage variation.
• Improved graphics, lighting, and particle effects
• Save + load game feature
• New maps and scenarios
• New soundtrack, voice overs and sound effects
• FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) license
• Official Installers for Windows and Linux systems

Media:

MORE UPDATES!!!!

Some Last minute changes to Annex Conquer the World 4.0:

New Shadow Organization Hero: VIXEN

Shadow’s top spy and a dangerous saboteur. While not as armed as other the heroes (only armed with a concealed sub-machine gun) her strengths are her ability to confuse and manipulate her enemies.

She has two abilities:

Charm

Cost 155 EP (Max 300)

An attack that does not deal damage, but instead charms that unit, and surrounding units with her charisma, bribery, whatever it takes. Thus reducing their will to fight. This lowers all nearby units armor by 100%, Attack by 50%, and speed by 50%.

Hack Production

Cost 155 EP (Max 300)

Needed: Shadow Lab

Well trained in database hacking, this move can be used on a single structure, completely shutting down its systems, halting any unit production for a significant amount of time. In order for this move to work VIXEN must move close to the structure to work, so be careful of enemy turrets.

New Renegade Hero: Rogue Kestrel

That’s right shes a hero in the Alliance Renegades as well, sort of at least. In this alternative reality Kestrel defected from the alliance with the rest of the Renegades, However in doing so she loses her access to nuclear weapons, and powerful air support. Instead gaining these two abilities:

Retreat

2 Ep per step (300 max)

This move skill, increases her speed by 50% with a cost of 2 ep per step. Any surrounding ally unit will also have their move speed increased by 50%. Great for hit and run tactics, saving your attack forces from annihilation, or just getting forces where the need quickly.

Decoy Squad

155 EP (300 max)

This attack spawns a squad of 3 Decoy Tanks. They have similar armor stats as a Rogue Tank, however they do not do damage when they attack and they loose 15 hp a second. They still look like they are attacking though so it may be difficult for the enemy to tell the difference. This attack works at quite a long range, and it works best when performed outside the enemy’s vision, as getting spotted might give the secret away. There may be other ways to tell as well.

PS Original Kestrel is still available in the Alliance Faction!

Annex: Conquer the World takes place during the Great Crystal War, a chaotic war that spans across the globe. Fueling the war are red crystals, the answer to the world’s energy crisis. A scientific breakthrough showed the vast energy potential stored in what was once thought to be benign minerals. This allowed for a rapid development in technology, as well as immense economical gain by the export of the crystals. Here is a rundown of the biggest contenders in the race for global dominance:

East Ocean Alliance

Player level: Easy
Background:

The East Ocean Alliance is a unified defense force, with the goal of maintaining global peace. Formed after the end of the Chasm War, many of these nations were devastated by the massive invasion of the Cruix republic, until the republic was finally defeated and driven out by the Kingdom of Alandia. The Alliance fought a second war with the Cruix Republic thirty years later, and was able to deliver a crippling blow to the republic by use of the first atomic weapons. In the past 30 years since the Alliance maintained its dominant role in global affairs, with Alandia acting as the head. At the outbreak of the Crystal War, the Alliance found itself fighting a war on two fronts: The war against the NEO Republic in the north, and the war against the Shadow Organization in the Southern Wastelands. A year into the war a failed attempt at a coup d’état against Seng a former Alliance nation, resulted in the defection of several divisions of the Alliance military and the formation of the Alliance Renegades.
Nations:

Leader Nations:
Alandia
Paltina
Verinna
Satilite Nations:
Cadotha
Galoini
Jerear
Seatha
Thelandra
Galoma
Defected Nations:
Seng
Gameplay:

The Alliance is pretty straight forward, and offers a large variety of unit classes and strategy, with some of the best quality units in their class. There is also a good balance between armored short range weapons and powerful long range support weapons. The Alliance also has two tech structures: the Silo and Tech Lab, each with its own set of upgrades. This allows the player to have a choice of High tech support units (Tech lab), or Low tech brute force units (Silo). This forces the player to pay a lot more, and wait a lot longer for tech tree progression than other factions. However, once the entire techtree is complete you will have a fearsome army at your disposal. the Alliance also has a unique hero unit Kestrel Aside from incredible attack, defense, and hp regeneration, she also can control two super-weapons, the Airstrike (requires Tech Lab) and Nuke (requires Silo)
Techtree Map:

NEO Republic

Player level: Easy
Background:

Once the mighty Cruix Republic, the NEO Republic is a nation rebounding from the brink of economic collapse. 50 years ago the Cruix Republic, with its huge deposits of oil and gold, Cruix was able to acquire an extremely powerful military force. A military force with the most advanced + well trained armored divisions in the world. With them the republic launched a successful invasion campaign against the nations surrounding the East Ocean. One by one the small nations quickly were over run by the Republic’s military might. Until they met their match, in the final 2 years of the war. Alandia, a wealthy nation built on trade between the East and West Oceans, with its vast wealth was able to outlast the Cruix Republic’s now worn out military. Which ended the Chasm War However, despite their defeat Cruix still remained as the industrial powerhouse of the world and quickly bounced back. 30 later the Republic launched a second campaign against the new East Ocean Alliance. Catching the Alliance unprepared, as Cruix’ tanks outclassed the weaker tanks of the Alliance. However, the Alliance was able to catch up technologically, and was able to push Cruix out of Alliance territory. To ensure that Cruix doesn’t come back, Alliance leaders decided to use their secret atomic weapon against the republic’s biggest industrialist complexes. This in combination with the immense cost of fighting these two wars left Cruix in financial ruin. For 40 years the republic was in chaos, civil wars, and public unrest, until 10 years ago when Senator Sigel Viper and his family came into power. Harnessing the newly discovered power of the crystals, he was able to re centralize power under his authority, and secretly rebuild the nations military. At the start of the Crystal War, Viper ordered an invasion of the crystal rich nations in the north.
Location:

Northern Contenent
Gameplay:

First thing you will notice is the lack of base defenses. The only defense structure is the pillbox. While more armor than any other defense structure, they are only effective against Infantry and unarmored vehicles, and cannot engage air units. To defend using the Republic, its best to supplement lines of AT Rifles, and Snipers, as well as place your fortress in the front lines as it can defend itself against ground tanks. Also recommend purchasing the Advance Walls Upgrade to increase structure hp. The Republic military strategy revolves around brute Ground power and quick and cheap deployment. The faction lacks in a proper Air force, with only very average jet fighters, To increase your units effectiveness, promote some officers and keep them nearby. They will increase their attack by 10 and also have an ability “Raise Morale” that quickly restores unit HP. Much like the Alliance the Republic has two tech structures (Command HQ and Fortress) and a Hero unit (Karina), unlike the Alliance, though you must produce a Command HQ before the Fortress. Karina also carries the faction super weapons the Nuke (requires Fortress) and the Republic Wrath (requires Command HQ)

Techtree Map:

Shadow Organization

Player level: Intermediate
Background:

Due to the secretive nature of this organization, little information is known about this dangerous faction. Here is the data we have:

The Shadow Organization is a terrorist organization involved with the black market trade of crystals. While having cells around the world, they are believed to be centered around an region known as the Southern Wastelands, which is rich is crystals. There is a belief that many non Alliance nations willingly trade with the Shadow Organization, and even allow and cover their bases within their borders, in exchange for weapons sales. Its believed that they spend much of their income on crystal research, weapons development, and even bio-engineering. As a result, heir military is extremely well equipped and well trained, even more so than some of the largest nations of the world. They regularly attack convoys of both Alliance and Republic crystal harvesters. It is believed that they are responsible for various assassination attempts of leaders in both the Alliance and NEO Republic. Unfortunately, there is no information on who is in charge, and even less information on what is their true intent.
Location:

Unknown
Gameplay:

The Shadow Organization have some of the best offensive units in the game, but are limited by their lack of unit variety, and armor. Their combat priority tends to be close range combat rather than mid range or long range, and higher priority on speed than defense. The exception to this is the Scorpion tank, which can transform from a medium tank, to a long range bombardment turret. This faction allows you to recruit a squad of 3 elite Infiltrators. Infiltrators are far superior than standard infantry, and with proper tactics can eliminate a small base on their own. Unlike the Neo Republic and the Alliance there is only one tech building, the Shadow Lab This faction also has two separate super-weapons: the Shield Generator and the Orbital Strike Relay. The Shield Generator, when activated will create an energy bubble which renders units practically immune to damage within the shield, for a few seconds while, the Orbital Strike can call down a energy strike (or two) via Satellite. You can have both simultaneously but doing so can drop your population significantly. The hero unit for Shadow is Vixen, the worlds top spy who can easily cause havoc across the battlefield. She has the ability to hack buildings to stop their production, and to charm enemy units to reduce their combat effectiveness.

Techtree Map:

Alliance Renegades

Player level: Advanced
Background:

Not all members of the East Ocean Alliance are happy with how Alliance runs things. The Alliance has a pecking hierarchy with most military + economic trade and support being focused on the Larger economic powers, while the smaller nations tend to be forgotten, all the while these small nations are forced to pay tribute in order to be a part of the Alliance. During the course of the war the small agricultural nation of Seng refused to participate in the war against the Neo Republic, and couldn’t pay tribute due to its poor economic standing. However, despite pleads from their government the Alliance nation of Paltina branded this nation as a traitor, and sent several divisions to Seng in at attempt to subdue and make an example this ‘rogue’ nation. However, during the course of the operation, many Alliance soldiers were appalled by the extreme violence, and abuse that divisions from the nation of Paltina invoked on the citizens of Seng. Even more so at the Alliance just turning a blind eye to the matter. This forced several divisions to defect from the Alliance, including an elite division from Alandia, and attack the Paltinian Military station there. Paltina withdrew and the defected divisions formed the Alliance Renegades, to protect the nation of Seng. Unfortunately a heavy counter offensive by the Alliance proved too much for the relatively small Renegades. While prepared to fight to the last man the Renegades were saved by a surprise attack on the Alliance from The Shadow Organization. Seeing no alternatives the renegades signed a contract with Shadow, agreeing to harvest the crystals in Seng in exchange for weapons and money by the organization. Their goal is the removal of Corrupt nations in the Alliance, in particular the nation of Paltina.
Location:

Rain forests of Seng
Gameplay:

As former Alliance soldiers, This faction has a lot in common with the Alliance faction. However, this faction does not have the direct firepower that the other nations have, meaning the player has to play strategically, utilizing ambushes, hit and run, and sneak attacks to win. Standard direct engagements can win if your lucky, but cannot be your main attack tactic. While not having as many unique units as other factions, this faction has unique tactical options that the other factions do not. A Unit that can switch from 7 different equipment at any time, an light assault vehicle able to be airlifted across the map, can summon attack drones, launch long range cruse missiles, and a powerful Acid bomb which deteriorates armor over time and can be used to block incoming enemies with a wall of deadly acid. Tech tree is very simple and straight forward with only one tech building (Satilite Uplink). Like shadow you can recruit 3 elite Commandos much like Shadow’s Infiltrator. Commandos however have the ability to call a drone strike. In this reality Kestrel also defected with the Renegades, however she no longer have access to their nukes or airstrike ability. Instead she has the ability retreat, which increases her speed by 50% and all nearby teammates, as well as the ability to deploy a decoy squad of tanks. These decoys do not do damage, but can take a good amount of punishment. Useful for making a wall to protect your units or a distraction.

Techtree Map:

All Four Factions will be playable in release 4.

Only the East Ocean Alliance and the Shadow Organization are playable in Release 3 (current)

The Sentinel is a slow full armored infantry unit recruit-able at the barracks after Advanced Weapons upgrade is purchased. Unlike other infantry they have the same armor type as vehicles. Meaning they are resistant to small arms fire, flame weapons, and snipers. However they are weak against rockets, tank shells, and energy weapons, especially concentrated attacks (no splash radius) such as EML and AT Rifles.

Luckly, because they are infantry they have hp regeneration.

Armed with a Minigun, they can dispatch infantry with ease, and can attack light/unarmored vehicles to some degree of effectiveness.

The last unit I’m introducing in upcoming release.

The Sparrow was a the main Alliance Fighter/Bomber until the development of the superior Harrier. Originally designed to be small and carried underneath long range bombers, however the idea was scrapped, but sparrows were still deployed as the main fighter of the Alliance for 30 years.

The Renegades stole many unused Sparrows in their defection from the Alliance. Due to their relatively low numbers the Renegades only deploy them in must have situations.

They are armed with 2 forward nose guns for air to air combat, and a small payload of bombs for ground targets.

As the Sparrow is an outdated aircraft it is outclassed in air to air combat by fighters from the other factions. Despite this Sparrows can prove useful in tactical bombings of base defenses, harvesters, and light vehicle formations, as well as hunting down gunships. A squad of sparrows can overcome the more modern jets if good tactics are used.

Note: the Sparrow is notably smaller than most air vehicles. To be able to produce a Sparrow you first must get the “Call for Air Support” upgrade at the Satellite Uplink Structure.

PS: Inspired by the XF-85 Goblin

Default: Standard machine gun, good vs infantry

Rocket Ranger: Anti structure + anti air rockets

EML Ranger: Long range anti tank beam weapon

Acid Ranger: Strong anti Infantry

I decided to expand upon the Rangers equipment by adding two more equipment types:

Scout Ranger: High vision, increases range of adjacent vehicles

Scout Ranger: Ranger equipped with a laser designator, and other various sensors to detect enemy positions and relay them to adjacent units. Scout Rangers have much higher vision than other units and increase the attack range of adjacent vehicles, including aircraft, by 5. It is unarmed so it cannot defend itself. You are limited to only 2 of these units, and their effect does not stack.

Repair Ranger: High vision, increases range of adjacent vehicles

Repair Ranger: Straight forward, It repairs adjacent units, even in combat, though not as quickly as a factory. While there is no limit to how many you can produce, the repair effect does not stack. It is unarmed so it cannot defend itself.

This adds some interesting strategies to the Renegades Faction.

Simple Battle Tech Tree Gameplay

Video showing a new simpler tech tree option. This tech tree limits player to two infantry types (Standard and Anti Tank), and 4 Vehicles (Harvester, IFV, Tank, and Siege). No Tech structures. This mode is great for those who want a simpler and faster game, or for beginners who are overwhelmed by the large number of units per faction.

Alliance Renegades Gameplay

Short Video Preview showcasing some Various units of the Alliance Renegades in action. Some notable units include The Ranger, a simple jeep with the ability to switch its equipment for a variety of roles, the Commando, well trained infantry armed with a powerful handheld EML gun, and an ability to call a attack drone strike, the Stalker a light assault vehicle capable of being airlifted across the map, and the Demo Ranger an explosive chemical weapon which has a DOT effect for any unit within the blast radius.