Birth of the Empires (a turn-based 4X strategy game set in space)
Hello
The current version reflects the current progress of the project. Features of the current version may be changed in the final version. We highly appreciate your suggestions for improvement. If you find a bug, please let us know. In the following text, this project/application will be abbreviated by "BotE".
Have fun, the BotE-crew Homepage: http://www.birth-of-the-empires.de
BotE is a turn-based 4X strategy game set in space in the style of classics such as Microprose's Master of Orion 2 or ST: Birth of the Federation, playable in single- or multiplayer mode (LAN, Internet). Goal is to gain control and supremacy over the galaxy, either by diplomatic or military means. Divergent victory conditions can be set before starting.
People having played the mentioned Microprose games above will find BotE very familiar in terms of gameplay and controls. Choose one of six major empires and lead it up its way from a single star system in the beginnings of space flight to a full-blown galactic power challenged to keep either peace or its power in the galaxy. Opponents can either be taken by human players or a challenging AI. Main features are a complete resource management and trading on a planetary system level, aliens and random events, diplomatic interactions, intel actions like espionage and sabotage, ship battles and invasions, bribery and intergalactic warfare.
Installation hints: You can choose setup language which will also determine game language after installation. So if you choose German in setup the game will be german version, the same with English which it should auto-detect when you are using an english Windows version. So to sum it up, the installer is multi-language.
Important game hints: To get to the in-game options menu, you need to move the mouse at the top corner of the screen above the "End turn"-button. This will activate a menu bar where you can save a game or open in-game chat with other players. Via GameSettings some options are available e.g. start options like difficulty levels like BABY, EASY, NORMAL, HARD and IMPOSSIBLE. If any problems appear just run BotE as an admin.
Playing BotE will get much fun to you, completely free and for many hours, alone or with your friends online or in local LAN matches.
The upshot: A well-done game for turn-based strategy fans.
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System requirements
CPU with at least 1 GHz at least 256 MB RAM 200 MB of free diskspace Soundcard WindowsXP(tm), Windows Vista(tm), Windows 7(tm), Windows 8(tm) operating system or Linux with WINE
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1.4 Copyright
§1 - Birth of the Empires (BotE) represents a software which can be used freely for PRIVATE USE and by private citizens only. All other uses, including COMMERCIAL USE by members of any type of corporation, are strictly forbidden. PUBLIC USE is also not allowed unless specifically approved by the copyright holder.
§2 - As copyright holder my person always has to be mentioned explicitly and no other person may be mentioned additionally except for copyrighted content which is owned by the respective copyright holders. Their Terms of Use are fully applied here in this context.
§3 - BotE source code is under "Microsoft Reciprocal License (Ms-RL)" license.
§4 - Changes to the source code are permitted as long as my person is mentioned as the author of the project (see §2) and the changes made are not violating §3.
§5 - Any modifications of this application are permitted, if they do not violate §2-3 or the copyright terms of third parties.
§6 - It is not permitted to use BotE to enrich yourself financially by any means.
§7 - It is not permitted to use BotE for any commercial purposes.
§8 - It is forbidden to use any of the pictures, graphics and designs depicted in BotE for commercial projects or to distribute them. Exceptions need the permission of the copyright holders.
§9 - This software may not be offered by third parties (for example freeware/shareware sites) on the Internet on their own, i.e. without the knowledge or consent of the copyright holders. Doing so neglecting this rule means those persons take full responsibility for the provision of the download. The author of this software reserves the right to the sole dissemination to other sources (for example: download portals).
Derived and non-derived images from external authors and websites inherit the copyright license given by those authors on their websites. Do not use anything provided with the BotE download without checking its copyright license on the respective original author's website beforehand. In case of doubt whether the image is from an external author and in case of no explicit copyright information given to a specific image in our release, please ask for copyright clarification or search the author for yourself and do not use the picture until copyright has been cleared for your intended use BEFORE reusing it for example uploading it on a website. In this readme.txt, you will find the Internet addresses for all images (sometimes only for groups of images, not each specific image file). Some images are Creative Commons or even public domain so please check the given author's homepage for the latest copyright details.
All graphics and multimedia contents are protected by their respective copyright holders.
Parts of the Heyoun race skin menus feature design elements rebuilt from scratch from artwork of the Star Trek Customizable Card Game (ST-CCG) TM by Decipher, Inc. No copyright infringement intended.
Some race images contain background artwork not done by the artists themselves but edited by us without the artists' knowing. These background images were googled on the web. Also, no copyright infringement intended.
For playback of music and sound effects, the FMOD Sound System is used in BotE. FMOD Sound System, copyright © Firelight Technologies Pty, Ltd., 1994-2010
© 2004-2013 Sir Pustekuchen
1.5 Terms of use
Neither copyright holders, nor someone else can be made responsible for any damage to your system caused or possibly caused by BotE. You are only allowed to use BotE, if you accept this point and all other points mentioned in 1.4.
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1.7 Credits
Producer: Sir Pustekuchen
Idea: Sir Pustekuchen
Programming: Sir Pustekuchen CBot Anonymissimus Revisor chrisfirefox plotnik01
Design & Graphics: Sir Pustekuchen Malle Zunder magicmot nemesis5 pd rainer YOT-Project other contributors (see further down below)
Text: Malle Topper Homeros Sir Pustekuchen Luther Sloan Data master130686 Grammaton Cleric Kyle Katarn73 rainer Amun
Data: Sir Pustekuchen rainer Scav Malle Alamar
Balancing & Testing: master130686 Dennis0078 Andi47 Grammaton Cleric Sir Pustekuchen rainer
Music: Eric James Sandman reel2 George R Powell Edgen MarkySpark Kevin MacLeod
Voices: Kenneth_of_Borg Kate Flanagan Krista Flanagan Mike Strobel
English Translation: Malle Matress of Evil denzil85
Manual (german): Gottesanbeter rainer Xenox Malle Sir Pustekuchen
Wiki: rainer Dennis0078 Amun
Ship graphics: Major race ships: Atrocities magicmot Minor race ships: Kevin Williams Dieter Ludmann and other artists (see corresponding credits file in ../Graphics/Ships/ folder)
Background music: Coalition of Planets: Eric Fu-Wah James http://www.myspace.com/ericjames/ Heyoun Trade Union: reel2 "The Birth of a Legend" http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/264050 + George R Powell "One Last Sunset" http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/317246 Khaoron Empire: Edgen "STOGAM - The Battle Begins" http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/163447 Rotharian Star Network: MarkySpark "Blood Throne Battle V" http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/370234 Cartare Union: Sandman "Cirrus March" http://botf2.star-trek-games.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4284 Omega-Alliance: Kenneth L. Welch "Starlight Requiem v2r" http://homepage.mac.com/klwelch/music.html
other music: Lose game: Kevin MacLeod - "For the Fallen" Win game: Eric Fu-Wah James "Finale" http://www.myspace.com/ericjames/
Fonts: Coalition of Planets: League Gothic http://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/fonts/7-league-gothic (Open Font License, http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&id=OFL&_sc=1 ) Heyoun: Liberation Serif https://fedorahosted.org/liberation-fonts/ (GPL v2 with Font-exception, see special license file) Khaorons: Klingon Dagger (John Tackett aka K'mel) Rotharians: Mandala http://www.aimwell.org/Fonts/fonts.html (GPL v3) Cartare: Final Frontier (Allen R. Walden; free to distribute) Omega-Alliance: LilyUPC http://www.microsoft.com/typography/fonts/family.aspx?FID=272
Character artwork: Major Races: Coalition of Planets: Tim Appleby http://bdimonkey.wordpress.com/ Heyoun: Aaron Sims http://www.aaron-sims.com/ Khaorons: Baptiste Henry http://www.sewan.com/ Rotharians: Till Maginot http://blog.maginot.eu/index.php?seite=people&people=till&/ Cartare: Taehoon Oh http://www.taehoonoh.com/ Omega-Alliance: Andrew Kincaid http://redfishimagery.com/
Minor Races: Albert Feliu http://albertfeliu.com/ : Adryl Athari Chewark Minali Nezaka Sytaplet
Alex [Brutikong] Velazquez : Mozwar
Andrew Kincaid http://redfishimagery.com/ : Aszrethans Kelnorians Krepraans Remri Templans
Arild Anfinnsen http://www.arildwiro.com/ : Aldren Ardren Nundosa Zhordanians
Artur Grzegorczyn http://www.madgameart.blogspot.com/ : Nynjan Riejson
Baptiste Henry http://www.3dlinks.com/GalleryDisplay.cfm?ArtistID=3881/ : Rurians
Bojana Nedeljkovic : Azorans
Can Tuncer http://www.cgcan.com/ : Aleubites Bentans Urenglers
Ching Lau http://lauch3d.com/ : Excalbians
Dmitriy Kuznetsov http://daemon3d.com/ : Eptirel Keraune Klaanirans Merdinians Tacmacs Wollones
Dr. Markus Lutz http://www.marcus-lutz.de/ : Alemnians Antromel Goboqon Kyrians Yaroborte
Jean-Marc Labal http://3djml.com/ : Ehlenes
Jean-Sébastien Rolhion http://www.designpicture.com/ : (Aqindoan2) Angoliths Baon Cains Chamorans Hiro'akkes Karorr Nacha'urr Nuumbar Okotai Thremdomas Vorians Xegges
Julian Johnson Mortimer http://johnson-mortimer.co.uk/ : Bandoleri Bretarians Callanec Corvellians Drizzi Fallorans Giradorn Hakonians Heraklete Levans Lokonor Mardus Miryads Mureans Nesaterians Orlans Osseti Scytorians Taltrades Tarokans Tarokese Tarokians Tarokohe Tarokuri Tarokytes Torgoni
Kevin Williams http://kwstarships.co.uk/ : Xibren
Martin Aichner http://www.necs3dart.com/ : Bao'begach Bonerans Droglith Elay Kanorre Lisitans Lukarians Thom Tuc Viebaran Vulmar Xanthonans Zarovianes Zetarians Zuringlians
Pascal Blanché http://www.3dluvr.com/pascalb/ : Aihlinn Andromedans Aqindoan Ankarans Belamar Berut Bitorians Bosniakes Deshant Kryorans Miramari Nordanians Phiori Sjapamarain Skalatians T'arada
Paul Tosca http://paultosca.com/ : Delarians
Peter König http://peterkonig.com/ : Canovek Einar Pambuka
Petr Nasirov http://5k3d.com/ : B'war Dougtaeks Hazeti Phorath
Piotr Slomowicz http://www.piotrslomowicz.com/ : Enerans Malodans
Robin [Overflow] Marshall : Adamen
Sebastien Sonet http://xxeb.net/ : Bothasiori Hungoma Irdans Janaians Ta'ichu Ventrakans
Steve Burke http://burkestudios.com/ : Vikarmo
Taehoon Oh http://www.taehoonoh.com/ : Storgor Vawdor Vorgor
Tim Appleby http://badpolygon.com/ : Brane Kaetrophates Sevar
Timur Baysal http://www.taron.de/ : Arcasans Baflides Brac Deritians Hanchac Malingorr Palan Xyretians
Tyler Breon http://tylerbreon.com/ : Ba'a Kraetumir Yimandar
User Interface menu design:
Coalition of Planets: Zunder Heyoun Trade Union: Zunder (build menu and general design), Malle (finished remaining menus from that build menu design pattern) Khaoron Empire: pd http://www.optisch-edel.de/fo/hbk/back2.jpg (general design and main style element), Malle (created all menus using pd's design element) Rotharian Star Network: Zunder Cartare Union: nemesis5 Omega Alliance: magicmot
Buildings graphics: Jason Leader aka "ForeverZ": http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/Index.cfm/FuseAction/ProcessSmartSearch/istIncAuthor/ForeverZ/blAuthorExact/y and other contributors, see complete list in separate credits file in folder ../Graphics/Buildings/
Troop graphics: Aaron (sharecg.com) Andrew Kincaid Arild Anfinnsen http://www.arildwiro.com/ Artur Grzegorczyn Daniel Doerksen (deviantart.com) Dennis0078 (BotE) eRe4s3r (deviantart.com) FeroxX-Gosu (deviantart.com) Henry Baptiste Kandzaemon (deviantart.com/) Keith Thompson (deviantart.com) magicmot (BotE) Magneto1969_Stock (deviantart.com) Nikolay Yeliseyev Taehoon Oh Till Maginot (http://blog.maginot.eu) and other contributors, see complete list in separate credits file in folder ../Graphics/Troops/
Planet graphics: Textures and renders:
NASA http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/
www.celestiamotherlode.net , namely Tom Wilson aka "Fungun": http://www.geocities.com/fungun/
http://www.spiralgraphics.biz/packs/planet/index.htm
Earth system: http://planetpixelemporium.com/planets.html
Freeorion.org (all images from there are licensed under Creative Commons, see their website for further details)
Piratentunte http://www.worldranking.de/newsflash/planeten_grafiken_243_148.html
Wolfgang Sigl http://www.whiskeysierragrafics.com/
Sir Pustekuchen
Yesterday or Tomorrow http://www.yot-project.net
San Monku http://www.sanmonku.net/
Fallen_Warrior http://www.battleclinic.com/docks/dock.php?id=881#881
Photoshop Planetenusertutorials
SavageDragon (from sharecg.com)
Tethys
Malle
From Deviantart.com users (To access the artist's website there just go to the deviantart website and enter the name below in the search box):
KaizokuBG
Fragile_stock
Parad1gm
Fune_Stock
Tigg_stock
Savage_Stock
moonfishing_stock
Bareck (Chris Emmons)
Qzma
WinterglowStock
Superiorgamer
tovasshiCC
bmjewell_stock
TerraSpaceStock
TTOCloud
s_Forge_Planet
JerichoPro
Hafunui
AKLP
GeoffJesterPemberton
SparkStudios
Somnicelestia
Parasky
XvendettashredX
Acridx
Amitabho
PanDeVida85
Andr0o
The__archer
Magneto1969_Stock
Edited and adapted for the game by: Malle
Sun graphics (in system panel) Star Trek Supremacy
Race logos: Coalition: Hawksmont: http://hawksmont.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/globe24.jpg Heyoun: Anders Sandberg: http://www.orionsarm.com/authors.html#AS Khaoron: Netcades: http://www.netcades.com/learn/FuturisticWallpaper/images/Final2.gif Rotharian: snecx.com: http://www.photoshop-tutorials.biz/author/SNECX.com/ Cartare: Wifislax 3.1: http://www.wifislax.com/index.php respectively http://www.photoshop-tutorials.biz/author/SNECX.com/ Omega: Andy: http://www.devcustoms.com/exposed-fossil-abstract.dev
Event screens: Erik Schumacher http://www.xkire.de/ StartScreen San Monku http://sanmonku.deviantart.com/art/Spaceship-86044999 Colonization event Steve Kilby: http://wittswallpapers.com/Kilby/kilby.html Blockade Bombardment First contact with an another race Failed invasion Successful invasion eRe4s3r http://ere4s3r.deviantart.com/ AlienEntity Combat menu background Gameover (when you lose a game) HullVirus Extinction of a race matiiii http://matiiii.deviantart.com/art/Space-art-resource-psd-68887393 Victory (when you win a game) NASA http://mt360.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/larger-hubble-image.jpg Research success
Galaxy backgrounds: Coalition: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/jpeg/PIA01322.jpg Heyoun: University of Colorado, University of Hawaii and NOAO/AURA/NSF http://www.noao.edu/image_gallery/html/im0849.html Khaoron: Star Trek Supremacy fan game Rotharian: moonchilde-stock (deviantart.com) http://moonchilde-stock.deviantart.com/art/Heart-of-Fire-Nebula-Stock-100596152 Cartare: NASA, H. Ford (JHU), G. Illingworth (UCSC/LO), M. Clampin (STScl), G. Hartig (STScl), the ACS Science Team and ESA, STScl-PRC02-11c http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlnasa/OtherPRINT/picture/OmegaNebulaM17.jpg Omegan: moonchilde-stock (deviantart.com) http://moonchilde-stock.deviantart.com/art/The-Maelstrom-Nebula-Stock-122555462
Anomalies: (some of the following were created by Sir Pustekuchen using Paint.NET out of the radioactive nebula image) Radioactive nebula: Star Trek Supremacy http://startreksupremacy.com/ Neutron star: Star Trek Quasar: Star Trek Supremacy Radiopulsar: Star Trek Supremacy X-ray pulsar: Star Trek Supremacy Biphasic nebula: Star Trek Supremacy Meaturean nebula: Star Trek Supremacy Magnetar: Star Trek Supremacy Torion gas nebula: Star Trek Supremacy Continuum rip: Star Trek Supremacy Gravitational Distortion: Star Trek Supremacy Ion storm: Star Trek Supremacy Deuterium nebula: Star Trek Supremacy Black hole: NASA, Dana Berry / Skyworks Digital http://www.astronomie-heute.de/sixcms/media.php/976/Blackhole_1920.jpg Wormhole: NASA http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/images/content/255402main_BlackHole_print.jpg
Symbols and other small graphics: Small resources icons: nemesis5 YoT-project Research symbols: nemesis5 voxelgeek see also separate credits file in folder ../Graphics/Research/ Thumbs-up clipart in combat menu: egore http://www.openclipart.org/user-detail/egore Tactics icons in combat menu: vjeko1701 Trophy/Cup in Empire status menu: jadedreflection http://jaded-reflection.deviantart.com/art/Cup-03-85716437 Troops icon in system view and on laden transporters: Josh http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2033 Cloak icon on cloaked ships: Josh http://www.freeorion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2033
Some race descriptions: Jerron http://www.annor.de and http://www.weltenbastler.net
Copyright by Sir Pustekuchen ©2004-2014