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SMACX=Alien Crossfire!
July 28 1999 -- Markos Giannopoulos |  |
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Yes, we finally now what SMACX is! The expansion pack of SMAC will be named Sid Meier's Alien Crossfire(as you can imagine the initials are SMAC :)), and according to the official press release it will be in the stores late this year. What will it contain?
"seven new playable factions, several new technologies and secret projects, and a new plot that continues the story of humanity's struggle to colonize a hostile alien world" in short. The story has actually started to be publicized, and you can already
the first episode of Alien Crossfire.
The main idea of the plot is " the original inhabitants of the planet Alpha Centauri have returned to reclaim their world. The aliens, though, are split in a brutal struggle. They engage in
battle over the planet, nearly destroying each other in the process. The survivors jettison to the planet's surface where humanity has been building a new home. Now the
humans from Earth are caught in the crossfire. Will they band together to defeat the aliens or will other alliances be formed?".
We don't know if Alien Crossfire(we really need a shorter "alias" that is other than "SMAC" :)), will include any new features(beyond the new factions technologies and
secret projects, but the press release does mention an included faction editor. The official site has changed and now the front page of alphacentuari.com sends you to aliencrossfire.com. The slighlt re-designed site includes the new episodes of the story, as well
as information on the new factions. Right now there is only the profile of the Cyborgs, leaving us waiting for more :)
The estimated price is $29.95 according to the press release, which contains more details. So, what do you think? Vote in our new poll!
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Bigger Beta Team To Test SMAC-X
July 8 1999 -- Dan Quick | |
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We have just heard from Firaxis that they will shortly be increasing the size of their public beta testing team. This team will be drawn upon to volunteer their services on Firaxis' upcoming SMACX data disk, Sid Meier's Antietam, and future unannounced products. Previous experience with Sid Meier's games is by no means a prerequisite, but testing experience on commercial games is!
If you wish to participate, email the following information in the following format to publicbeta@firaxis.com:
- Name
- Daytime Phone Number
- Email Address
- Previous Game Testing Experience (references prefered)
- Brief example of technical writing (1-2 paragraphs)
- Reason for wishing to participate (1-2 paragraphs)
On behalf of the staff and administration of ACS, good luck to all qualified that apply!
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Limited Beta Confirmed
June 28 1999 -- Dan Quick | |
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We would like to draw your attention to this thread in Firaxis' forums. Jeff Morris, in response to the question which of the company's upcoming games will be open to a public beta test, the following portion of his response came as an unexpected surprise:
"SMACX will certainly have a limited public beta test, but we're also looking to establish a reliable team of public testers to draw upon at various times. Stay tuned for more details".
Indeed we will! :-D
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Firaxis, What Is SMACX?/MFS Poll
June 20 1999 -- Markos Giannopoulos | |
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Our SMACX poll ended after 688 votes. Apparently Firaxis' choice not to announce much info on SMACX, smac's expansion disk, have worked. 35% Of the people wondered "What is SMACX?", while 29% responded "With closed eyes!"!
Another 23% was sceptical("I'll wait to see what it will contain"), and the rest had varying opinions: "I'll wait for players' comments" 7%, "For $5 I might" 3% and "Not a chance" 0%, which was actually 4 votes.
On our 6th poll, we ask you what to you prefer to play. I hope we have covered all posibilities. Oh, MFS stands for Maps-Factions-Scenarios... :)
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SMACX Poll Results/Who do you hate?
5 May 1999 -- Markos Giannopoulos | |
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513 Votes on our SMACX poll, and here are the final results on the question
"What do you want more in SMAC's Expansion Disk?": New game features 28%, New factions 23%, New base facilities, special projects, etc 19%,
More editing possiblities 10%, New maps, scenarios 9% and finally, No bugs 7%. If only Firaxis could make all of that true :)
We now have a new poll, on which faction you hate the most. Vote!
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Expansion Anyone?
8 April 1999 -- Dan Quick | |
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Firaxis is testing the water to see if the temperature of public interest is right for a possible SMAC expansion. Tim Train started a thread in both
our and the official SMAC forums today on this very topic, spurring some immediate postive responses
(and more to come, for sure). The letter reads as follows: "Hi all, I trust everyone is enjoying Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. Firaxis is exploring the possibility of a new installment in the world of Alpha Centauri-an expansion disk (SMACX, for lack of a better designation)
that adds some new twists and turns to the familiar surface of Planet. I'd love to hear what people want to see in a SMAC expansion disk, so here's your chance to put in your $0.02. A few guidelines:
- We're looking for new faction ideas, base facilities, Secret Projects, unit components,
native lifeforms, landmarks, orbital facilities-basically anything.
- Preferably, ideas should fit into the existing parameters of the game. So a base facility
that increases nutrient resources collected would be great, but 'add minefields to the
game' would be more problematic, since no code currently exists for such a feature.
Feel free to post responses or send them directly to me at ttrain@firaxis.com ... thanks for your input and support!".
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