tavmod/ProTA readme.txt

ProTA - https://prota.tauniverse.com
A rebalancing of Total Annihilation by the pros that stays true to the original game.


Mission

Our mission is to bring a renewed vitality to Total Annihilation by making every unit relevant without compromising the essence of the original game. We acknowledge the inherent conflict in our goals, aiming for a middle ground that retains the familiar pace and strategies while infusing new life into underutilised units.

1. Maximising Unit Relevance

Our primary objective is to ensure that every unit in ProTA serves a meaningful purpose within the gameplay. Through careful adjustments and enhancements, we strive to make all units useful, offering players a diverse array of strategic options without diminishing the core Total Annihilation experience.

2. Preserving the Total Annihilation Experience

We are committed to maintaining the original pace and strategies that players know and love. ProTA seeks to retain the familiar feel of Total Annihilation, allowing players to employ classic strategies and tactics while incorporating the newfound usefulness of units.

3. Affordability and Pace

ProTA adopts a strategic approach to unit balancing, prioritising either the reduction of costs for weaker units or strengthening within the current cost framework, depending on the unit and situation. The decision between these two options is made on a case-by-case basis, ensuring the best fit for each unit. Importantly, ProTA strives to avoid increasing costs, maintaining affordability and pace. This ensures units are affordable and replaceable, readily deployable to contribute to the action as soon as possible. ProTA underscores the significance of fighting over and reclaiming wreck fields, adhering to the original game's emphasis on dynamic play rather than adopting a passive strategy of waiting for expensive units to be constructed.

4. Minimal Changes to Established Units

Acknowledging the significance of player familiarity, ProTA strives to make minimal adjustments to frequently used units. This approach ensures that gameplay retains its distinctive identity, staying true to the essence of the original units while providing a sense of continuity for seasoned players.

5. Asymmetric Balance between Arm and Core

ProTA recognises that Arm and Core factions are not mirrored but are balanced asymmetrically. This deliberate asymmetry contributes to the richness of gameplay dynamics, allowing for diverse strategies and interactions between the factions. Importantly, ProTA aims for a balanced asymmetry that ensures both Arm and Core factions remain viable choices on all maps. The goal is to provide players with the freedom to choose their preferred faction without being constrained by the map, fostering a diverse and strategic playing environment.

6. Community Feedback and Evolution

ProTA is built upon the extensive experience and insights of long-time, high level players of the original game. To maintain ProTA's integrity, we prioritise input grounded in real-world gameplay experiences, especially valuing perspectives from seasoned players. However, all feedback is valuable, regardless of experience, provided it aligns with the mod's goals and is substantiated with evidence or replays.

7. Real-World Gameplay over Numbers Critique

ProTA highly values feedback grounded in genuine gameplay experiences. While numbers and data are important, our primary focus is on the real impact of changes in live matches. We approach critiques based solely on game files with caution, recognising the concrete goals we aim to achieve in practical gameplay. It's important to note that some of the data can be misleading in different ways, and our emphasis on real-world experiences helps to navigate through potential discrepancies.

8. Enhancing Gameplay Interaction

ProTA is dedicated to refining the player experience by enhancing the user interface and usability within the constraints of the TA engine. With the addition of intuitive hotkeys and an extended build menu, our aim is to make navigation more seamless and player-friendly. We recognise the limitations imposed by the engine but strive to optimise the available interface elements for improved gameplay accessibility.

By navigating the challenges that arise and exploring exciting possibilities, our commitment to honoring Total Annihilation's legacy persists. Our goal is clear: to craft the ultimate Total Annihilation mod that both seasoned veterans and newcomers can proudly call their own. We deeply appreciate our community's insights, which contribute to the delicate balance of our conflicting goals. As we strive to enhance your gaming experience, we hope we've done our players proud, by elevating Total Annihilation gameplay to new heights. Here's to another 4000 years of total war.


Credits

In the collaborative journey of bringing ProTA to life, a dedicated group of individuals has contributed their time, expertise, and passion. Their collective efforts have played a vital role in shaping the mod and enhancing the Total Annihilation experience. Here, we express our sincere gratitude to those whose contributions have been instrumental in the development and success of ProTA.

This mod has been fine-tuned and play-tested by an all-star cast of OTA commanders:
TAG_Venom
TAG_ROCK
PRO_rANDY
Tiptushi
TAG_Metn
timmyfred
TAG_Sensation
FFAxPostal
TAG_Dominator
Gnug215
OZ_coolnick
BTU_Natas
TAG_Mastah
Gnug115

In addition to the help of the play-testers, the mod would not have been possible without the efforts of the following people:

gamma
Instrumental in scripting, gamma brought a wealth of experience to balancing discussions. We are grateful for the permission to incorporate TA Mayhem scripts, fixes, and models.

Switeck
Leveraging numerous fixes from Switeck's TA Bugfix, we enhanced the mod's functionality. While not in complete alignment from a gameplay perspective, Switeck's work has undeniably elevated the mod.

ArmouredFish
Offering substantial support in scripting, ArmouredFish played a crucial role in implementing game-changing fixes, such as non-blocking sea wreckages. His extensive TA knowledge proved invaluable throughout the development process.

Vohvelieläin
Contributing significant modding expertise, Vohvelieläin aided in editing models and scripts, enriching the overall quality of the mod.

Axle1975
Addressing recorder issues and providing a platform for competitive play on taforever.com, the contributions of Axle1975 have left a lasting impact on ProTA. Additionally, his significant work on the TA engine, including bug fixes and the implementation of game-changing features, has further enhanced the mod's overall experience.

FunkyFr3sh
Integral to ProTA's functionality on modern operating systems, FunkyFr3sh played a crucial role by adapting his software, CnC-DDraw, to seamlessly integrate with TA. This ensured full compatibility and functionality, addressing potential issues on newer platforms. Furthermore, FunkyFr3sh's expertise extended to valuable contributions in fixing issues within the TA engine, enhancing the overall performance and stability of the mod.

poosticks
A comprehensive TA guide served as an essential reference throughout the modding process, aiding in the verification of unit statistics and other details.

Idec Sdawkminn
Leveraging insights from TAU forum posts, particularly "Complete Unit FBI Guide" and "Comprehensive Weapons Guide," Idec Sdawkminn's resources played a crucial role in learning the intricacies of modding TA.

zwzsg
Thanks to zwzsg's TAU forum posts, knowledge was acquired that facilitated the implementation of non-blocking sea wreckages.

SnakeInTheMirror
Acknowledging the significant work on the TA complete colour enhancement pack, we incorporated the team colours orange and teal, and enhanced the existing yellow, enriching the visual experience within the mod.

PlasmoidThunder
Identifying sound category bugs and providing additional insights, PlasmoidThunder's expertise ensured a more refined end product.

TAAN
Integrated some of the Evolva models by TAAN for a visual boost, some as-is and tweaking others to enhance the mod's aesthetics.

ACE_Beeky
Regular reference to ACE_Beeky's TAU post, "A Guide To Every Unit In TA," ensured comprehensive coverage and understanding, catching details that might have been otherwise overlooked.

Wotan
Effectively challenging the perspectives of anti-mod players, Wotan demonstrated what was achievable through modding.

Dragun101
Elevated the mod's visibility by promoting it to a wider audience and incorporating ProTA into SCTA mod showmatch live streams.

Postal
Played a pivotal role in mod promotion through the Total Annihilation Replays YouTube channel. Also, Postal's Core Commander knowledge and contributions to balance discussions have been invaluable.

timmyfred
Assisted in maintaining motivation during Postal's absence, contributing to various tasks such as testing fixes, actively participating in playtesting, and consistently engaging in discussions on balance improvements.

TAG_ROCK
Has played a pivotal role in showcasing the mod's gameplay, dedicating significant playtime, offering valuable assistance, and generously contributing funds for new 3D models. His dedicated involvement has been indispensable to the project's success.

Tristan
Preserving the mod's visual coherence, Tristan's 3D models for new units seamlessly assimilate into the theme, capturing the essence of Cavedog's original design. Throughout the collaborative process, his keen attention to detail and receptiveness to our ideas and thoughts fostered a dynamic exchange, resulting in finely crafted additions to the mod.


We extend our gratitude to anyone inadvertently omitted from this list. Your contributions have been invaluable to the success of ProTA. A heartfelt thank you to all players, casters, map makers, feedback contributors, content creators, and everyone who has lent their support in any form. Your collective efforts have played a significant role in shaping the success of ProTA, and we appreciate your dedication to the Total Annihilation community.