Back in 1998, Dynamix released one of the most influential games for the PC, Starsiege: Tribes. The game was followed by Tribes 2 in 2002, then Tribes: Vengeance in 2004. While Vengeance was the last game in the Tribes franchise, it wasn't necessarily the last Tribes-like game from the developers, and it might not be the last Tribes game we see.
Tribes will be celebrating its 16th birthday. By now most Tribes fans know the story of Tribes’ accidental success, but for those PC gamers who weren’t absolutely sucked into this high-flying shooter in 1998, allow me to give a (very) brief crash course.
In part 2 of this interview with Chris "The Man Who Killed Starsiege Tribes" Mahnken, the former producer for Tribes: Vengeance talks about what he likes best about the franchise, why it's unique, and some of his Tribes 'pet peeves'.
How did a six-year-old, critically-acclaimed game franchise die and why has it been so hard to revive? Who and what killed it? Chris Mahnken, the producer for Tribes: Vengeance, tells us about the events that 'killed' the franchise's hopeful revival and its final installment released in 2004. Chris also offers thoughts for the new owners of the franchise at HiRez studios, who will once again try to revive the franchise with their forthcoming titles Tribes Ascend this year and Tribes Universe later on.
Awesome read. I really felt Tribes: Vengeance had potential but it felt rushed and they cut support not long after release. I thought the combat aspect was awesome but reading that confirms the suspicion of the lack of support from Vivendi.
Tribes:Ascend is doomed unfortunately. Unless they do something crazy like make a console game with the intention of it being played with mouse and keyboard there is no hope.
Holy smokes, I have'nt played Tribes 2 in a Loooooooooooong time. I think I still have that game around somewhere, and the OST it came with. I don't know if it would run (right) on my current computer.
Great game, but I don't see another one coming out.
I hope so.
Of course, people will call it a Halo clone. Lol.
Halo owes a LOT to Tribes.
Shazbot!
oh wow Tribes that takes me back. man i hope they bring this franchise back, Tribes was awesome.
Must admit I haven't been following garage games at all so I didn't know the details about Legions and Play Tribes.
Tribes 2 was not nearly as bad as some of the reception it got from hardcore fans, it was much better than vengeance. As a old frequent forum member at tribalwar I had the chance to see some of the devs talking about things.
They all seemed content with making these casual, low cost games. I don't particularly have an interest in playing them. This could perhaps mark a turnaround. With things like Steam and with their engine and knowledge AND the Tribes IP it does sound likely that maybe we will see a digital full game release from them.
I hope it's a true Tribes 3. That would make my decade.