
If you brake, you’ll get a boost of speed to leap ahead of your opponent when you’re done. This means that on a flat out straight run, side by side with another cycle, you will both be going the exact same speed unless one of you brakes or has braked in the recent past. While the original light cycles had no option to brake or slow down, Amagetron Advanced not only allows you to brake and slow your speed, but adds a tactical element by giving you a speed boost after you finish braking. Braking, for example, is one of the ways that strategy is introduced. This one, however, has innovations that make it far more complex and interesting than the original 2D version as well as 99% of the other 3D versions, including the retail ones that cost an arm and a leg. They are usually pretty boring, with little or no strategy involved in winning or losing.

While there have been tons of games that supposedly make the light cycle action from Tron fun and exciting, the fact is that most of them just suck. Last but not least, the gameplay in Armagetron Advanced is truly an innovation for this kind of game. There are a ton of options to tweak the AI and its basic parameters but the best way to get decent opponents is to just jump in and play. Essentially, this means that the longer each ‘bot is around, the smarter it gets, just like you. If the new action still leads to failure, it will continue trying new strategies every time that specific situation comes up, until it finds a successful action. If the different decision results in longer survival, that action is written to the ‘bot’s program so that it can repeat the success.
#Armagetron advanced series#
Every time the ‘bot takes an action or series of actions that leads to failure (destruction of the light cycle), it records that information so that it can make a different decision in the future. the gLATIS system, basically speaking, allows the ‘bots to learn from their mistakes. Pretty nifty, huh? You know a technology must be advanced when they have a brand new acronym for it. Armagetron Advanced uses a set of programming codes (called an algorithm) to control the ‘bots called gLATIS, which stands for (g class) Learning Artificial Tron Intelligence System. There’s a video showing you more information about the programming that runs the ‘bots here, but suffice it to say that this is not your father’s oldsmo-bot. Secondly, Armagetron Advanced has some pretty sophisticated artificial intelligence running its ‘bots (computer controlled opponents). The game also offers team based play, either in single or multiplayer modes. The split screen option means that this is a game you can enjoy with friends even if none of them has a computer. With that in mind, the developers also offer the option to hook up multiple input devices (keyboard, mouse, gamepad) as long as you have the available USB ports on your computer. The keyboard can get a bit crowded with four total players on it but each player only needs 3 keys (left, right, and brake) to effectively play. You can play with up to 3 of your friends on the same computer, using split screen technology. The game also offers an option that stands out as an innovation for this kind of game. Additionally, Armagetron Advanced offers the ability to add your own AI controlled opponents, known as ‘bots, but more about that option later. All three of these methods offer the ability to play with your friends or even complete strangers.

Armagetron allows you to join a server hosted by a friend (direct IP connection), join a server listed on the official main server (internet connection) or you can start and host your own server and submit its location to the main server online. This game doesn’t disappoint in that area, offering multiplayer options as part of the core experience, rather than a late-developed add-on to the game.

This is a must for any game that is based on Tron, as the whole concept of the game is ‘play to survive’ so competition and elimination are absolutely a requirement. Armagetron Advanced seeks to set itself apart from the pack in three distinctive ways, and does a great job with all of them.įirst, Armagetron Advanced offers multiplayer gaming goodness in a few different formats. To be sure, there have been a number of retail games associated with the films as well, but most of these have been disappointing, with the notable exception of the 80s arcade hit.
#Armagetron advanced movie#
The movie Tron (and its sequel) have inspired tons of hobbyist game-writers to create the various different games seen in the film as games. Armagetron Advanced is multiplatform (Windows/Mac/Linux). With split screen multiplayer, sophisticated AI, and innovative game play, Armagetron Advanced is already a great game, and the developers are constantly working to make it even better.
#Armagetron advanced free#
Armagetron Advanced is a completely free game that simulates the light cycle duels seen in the movie Tron and Tron Legacy.
