Armada (video game)

Infobox VG| title = Armada


developer = Metro3D, Inc.
publisher = Metro3D, Inc.
designer = Mark Jordan
Roger Fang
engine =
released = October 31, 1999
genre = Action / RPG
modes = Multiplayer
(1-4 players)
ratings = ESRB: E (Animated Violence)
platforms = Dreamcast
media = GD-ROM
requirements =
input = Game controller

"Armada" is a video game that was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 1999. Earth has been destroyed by the unfathomable Armada, giant space aliens of unknown origin with unknown purpose. Fleeing in whatever was available, humanity took to the stars in a desperate attempt to survive. Eons later, humans have split into 6 distinct groups who maintain a shaky alliance against the Armada. An "Asteroids"-like RPG, "Armada" was a sci-fi shooter that allowed 1-4 players to fly about the universe, fighting the enemy, performing missions and improving their ship. The player would gather credits to buy power-ups for their ship, allowing them to voyage deeper into enemy territory, blow up ever more powerful Armada, and perform missions of increasing importance and danger as the alliance fights not only for answers as to why the Armada attack, but for their very lives.

The Story So Far...

Long ago, our ancestors departed from planet Earth and traveled to the stars. We knew that if we remained on Earth, the Universe would eventually send an asteroid our way. We needed to spread out into space.

After 10,000 years of survival and evolution in alien environments, a multitude of diverse human variations emerged. We adapted to life on countless worlds and harnessed unprecedented powers of matter and energy, but the sum of human knowledge lay scattered across the universe. Despite all our achievements, we could not share our unique understanding of one another.

In this time of separation, a massive biomechanical Armada took notice of the Earthborn tribes and engaged humanity in centuries of unrelenting warfare. We could not communicate with the Armada, and we did not know what crime we had committed that would cause these aliens to seek our destruction.

The Armada consumed worlds and ended civilizations with cruel efficiency, but six of the Earth-born tribes survived to form Allied Command. When the six races formed the Alliance, many separate traditions came together to create a stronger unity. We were able to save our civilization on a single world and together we developed the technology to defend ourselves from the aggression of the Armada.

You are born to an era of hope and reunification. As captain of a starship, your growth and your triumphs champion the cause of all the Tribes in our war against the Armada.

The Races

Terran –The Terrans remained on Earth until the Great Armada Invasion of 4057.Biosphere colony ships set course for the Nomad’s last known destination: the Nexus system. Many generations of Terrans lived and died during the centuries-long journey, but Terran engineering and ingenuity kept the travelers alive. The Struggle for the survival forged the previously decadent Earth-dwellers into a society of rugged and forthright frontier explorers. Today, Terran military technology is second only to Nomad hardware and is without equal in the domain of precision engineering and overall sturdiness.

Nomad –Nomads boarded the first sleeper ship to be launched from Earth 10,000 Standard Years ago. They sought to escape a life of mistreatment as space miners, soldiers, and servants. The Nomads choose not to live terrestrially because they were genetically engineered to survive in zero-g environments, at low pressures. Earth-dwelling Terrans feared them, for Nomads appear brutish and their bodies continually twitch and flex, like the pulsing of a heart muscle. Since the Nomads do not live on the worlds they exploit, they tend to not be as concerned with the fate of planetary civilization. The Nomads produce ships optimized for combat, sparing little room for creature comforts or reserve life support.

Eldred – The Eldred were born of the Scarab Disunity of 5470. Eldred society is comprised of strict matriarchies where dominant females control 5-10 subservient males. The Eldred spent many years in hiding from the Armada before joining the Alliance. They developed a technology that helps screen the Alliance City from the attention of the Armada. The Eldred field-disruptor technology makes them an essential ally in the war against the Armada, but Eldred culture makes them wary of cooperation in defending their region of space. The Eldred have great mistrust for the Vorgans and believe that the Vorgans have somehow been in communication with the Armada.

Scarab – The Scarab departed from Earth with the Terrans, but in 200 million smaller seed ships. The Scarab strictly regulated their brains through implants and formed colony mind groups. The Scarab respected Terran autonomy and did not impose Unity upon them. The Scarab hurried to join their distant cousins only to find themselves trapped in the grip of the Armada. The Scarab Unity constructs technology that emphasizes speed over firepower; in order that they may continue to observe the universe unmolested.

Drakken – Long ago, Earth Government offered all violent, political felons amnesty if they would volunteer to participate in the experimental Space Ark Project. After the felons took over the ships and imprisoned their captors, they discovered that they had all been part of a new Nomad project to create a deep space human. The Drakken were able to flourish in a largely dead area of space by breeding a hierarchy of food-grade humans capable of converting solar radiation into nutrients through a process similar to photosynthesis. Many modern Drakken citizens bear a greenish skin tone that is a reminder of their sordid history.

Vorgan – The Vorgans were the first to arrive at what is now known as Allied Command. The Vorgan people are genetically distinct from other Earthborn races in that they possess an auxiliary communication organ in their brain. This organ produces and receives a range of alpha-wave modulations that constitute the Vorgan language. The Vorgans excel in science and have developed technology to manipulate energy fields in order to help repair damaged systems.

equel

*A sequel, , was under development, originally for the Dreamcast, then for the Xbox and possibly the PS2. However, due to repeated delays and redesigns along with limited resources, the game was canceled after spending over 4 years in varying degrees of development.

Rights Ownership

*In 2005, EvStream, an independent game development studio formed by former development members, purchased the rights for Armada.

Links

*Armada Online - PC online continuation

External links

* [http://www.armada-online.com "Armada Online"] - official site
*moby game|id=/armada|name="Armada"

Credits

*Director: Mark Jordan
*Game Design: Mark Jordan, Roger Fang
*Programming: Roger Fang, Titus Wilson
*Game Art: Shaun Tsai, Mark Jordan, Eagle
*Sound and Music: Jeff Hofmann
*Opening Cinematic: Jonathan Chen, Andy Harbeck, Jeff Hofmann, Scott Krehbiel, Jake Morrison, Colin Raesler
*Voice Talent: Jacquie Bernal, Randall Frizado, Amy Himes, Jeff Hofmann, Mark Jordan, Meredith King, Gayle Lewis-Rally, Jake Morrison, Catalina Quijano, Jonathan Rhys Williams