Forces of Corruption news - Expanding Fronts mod for Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

We are proud to announce that a new version of Expanding Fronts is on the horizon. This new version features an extensive amount of changes, new units, buildings, and an entirely new playable civilization to conquer the galaxy with!

Many modders throughout GB's history have attempted to, with varying degrees of success, add to or alter SWGB's civilization roster. Expanding Fronts is proud to announce that we have added a ninth playable civilization to the game. Fully integrated into both single and multiplayer gameplay as well as the Scenario Editor, this is the first completely functional 9th civ to ever be added to GB. This new civilization is none other than the Zann Consortium, originally featured in Petroglyph's fellow SW RTS game Empire at War.

Headed by the crime lord Tyber Zann, The Zann Consortium is a vast criminal organization based on infiltration and sabotage. The consortium gains much of its technology through the black market and its network of Defilers - agents who establish and maintain illegal operations throughout the galaxy. Zann's strengths lie in powerful mechs and siege weapons, backed by two deadly new unique infantry units:

Defiler (Fortress) - Defilers are Zann's top agents, responsible for spreading corruption throughout the galaxy. Defilers carry powerful grenade launchers that can deal severe damage to mechs, structures, and packed clusters of infantry.

Vornskr (Animal Nursery) - These predatory canines native to the planet Myrkr have the unique ability to detect the Force. They use this power to aid in hunting their natural prey, the Force-sensitive Ysalamiri. The Consortium exploits this unusual talent, capturing and training these beasts to sniff out infiltrators - particularly Jedi.

In addition to Zann's toys, the roster of every civilization is being extended with three new generic units, and a new defensive building.

Interceptors (Airbase) - Escort duties are handled superbly by the Interceptor. These fast and agile craft can fly circles around their competition, and can quickly swat down nearly any aerial opposition. However, their flimsy armor and weak capabilities against ground units keep them locked into their anti-air role.

Attackers (Airbase) - Where air-to-ground superiority is needed, look no further than the Attacker. These flying gun platforms can unleash devastating firepower against infantry and mechs alike, and their heavy armor will keep them safe while doing so. Attackers are slow and costly, but can shred nearly any enemy ground force to ribbons in moments.

Transport Mechs (Mech Factory) - Otherwise called APCs, Transport Mechs are armored ground vehicles that can safely and quickly move troops to and from the frontlines. Their combat capabilities are sub-par, but they have good defenses and a low cost.

Anti-Air Batteries - Cheap defensive structures designed to stop early air raids in their tracks with a wall of laser cannon fire. Anti-Air Batteries can be built quickly and for a low cost, but their poor durability means they won't last long under sustained enemy fire.

In addition to the new civilization, units, and buildings, the Scenario Editor has also been greatly expanded upon. Several new triggers have been implemented, and existing ones modified for increased functionality:

Accumulate Attribute/Tribute - These two triggers can now draw from an extended library of over 200 attributes. Count kills and razings to and from individual players, create functioning EXP systems, and more!

Display Instructions - This essential effect has been updated to add a bit more color to your campaigns. The text entry now accepts 20 new named colors to display, and can additionally draw from any of the 256 colors in the game's palette!

Give/Remove Ability (New!) - A pair of new effects that allow you to alter numerous properties of a unit, applying and removing traits like Stealth, Shielding, Detection, and more!

Change Unit Property Object (New!) - This new effect puts the power of a miniature genie editor right into the Scenario Editor itself. Nearly any property of any unit can be altered from health, to speed, to the projectile it fires. Handcraft your own technologies and apply them universally to every unit!

Change Unit Data (New!) - This is a scaled down version of Change Unit Property Object; your changes affect only selected units rather than all units of a type.

We know that everybody has been patiently awaiting an update, and we're very pleased to say that you won't be waiting much longer. All of the new stuff you've seen here and more will be available for download on March 1st. We look forward to seeing you on the battlegrounds.

As much progress as we've made, we are still looking for additional hands to help put Expanding Fronts together. If you have experience in 2D art, 3D art/animation, Random Map/AI scripting, or general editing experience with the AoK/SWGB Genie engine, and would like to contribute to the Expanding Fronts project, feel free to contact the project head Gen_Rhys_Dallows. Alternatively, you can post a message in our project thread at SWGB.HeavenGames.com