History VideoGame / Tribes

* TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers: You start with the multi-purpose light class, the Pathfinder, the Multipurpose medium class, the Soldier, and the.........offensively-focused heavy class, the Juggernaut instead of the multipurpose CQC expert, the Brute.

* LevelEditor: ''Tribes 2'' (and all subsequent Torque UsefulNotes/GameEngine games) came with a simple but fairly powerful in-game level editor, which allowed users to freely place, rotate, and resize (pre-made) buildings and objects, shape the terrain, and so on, with support for custom objects. If the level designer kept to vanilla objects, the map could also be played by anyone without requiring a separate download.

* GameMod: ''Tribes 1'' and ''2'' were built from the ground up with the [[UsefulNotes/GameEngine Torque engine]] and designed to be extremely moddable. Sure enough, a ''staggering'' array of mods have sprung up over the years, some of which change the games so completely that they cease to be recognizable. As an added bonus, mods that do not have custom models or textures can be played on servers without having to install the mod, ensuring that it's never difficult to get players on a modded server.

* "Tribes 3: Rivals" is marketed as the "proper" 3rd game in the series and (at the time of writing) is set to release some time in Q1 2024, although closed playtests can currently be played for free periodically. It's being developed by Prophecy Games, a studio that initially began as a subsidiary to Hi-Rez Studios before eventually spinning itself off into its own studio.

* ''Tribes 2'', was released in March 2001 and on Linux in April. It was bigger, badder and came with its fair share [[ObviousBeta of bugs]], but it was loved all the same. It received a Platform/PlayStation2 port in the form of ''Tribes: Aerial Assault'' in 2002. The [[ArtificialHumans Bioderms]] present in the game [[ContinuityNod debuted]] in ''{{VideoGame/CyberStorm}}.''

* ''Tribes 2'', was released in March 2001 and on Linux in April. It was bigger, badder and came with its fair share [[ObviousBeta of bugs]], but it was loved all the same. It received a UsefulNotes/PlayStation2 port in the form of ''Tribes: Aerial Assault'' in 2002. The [[ArtificialHumans Bioderms]] present in the game [[ContinuityNod debuted]] in ''{{VideoGame/CyberStorm}}.''

* ''Tribes: Ascend'' is free to play FPS released in April 2012, created by Hi-Rez Studios (creators of ''{{VideoGame/Global Agenda}}'') with [[BribingYourWayToVictory microtransaction]] [[ClassAndLevelSystem character classes]] (Each class has some customization - like swapping out a SMG for a shotgun or a shield pack for a sensor jammer, but each class has a clearly defined role). Access is simple, all one needs to do is register an account and download the client; either through UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} or a separate program. There are several game types, all of which revolve around conflicts between the Blood Eagle and Diamond Sword tribes.

* ''Tribes: Universe'' is an upcoming {{MMORPG}}, Hi-Rez promises an experience much like the older games and [[WordOfGod have stated they are using Tribes 2 as a frame of reference.]] Key differences will be vastly expanded battlefields and player counts. Character progression is stated to be based around "diversifying options in combat" rather then making you "inherently stronger." [[DevelopmentHell This installment was put on hiatus]] while they focused on ''Tribes: Ascend.''

Many of the games have since had their offical master servers shut down: ''Starsiege: Tribes'' in July 2007, ''Aerial Assault'' in November 2008 and ''Tribes 2'' in November 2009. ''Tribes: Ascend" has had its support mostly withdrawn despite servers still being present. However, ''Tribes 1 & 2'' now have multiple community-run master servers, and continue to have strong player bases to this day. ''Aerial Assault'', being a [=PS2=] game, was not so lucky.

Many of the games have since had their offical master servers shut down: ''Starsiege: Tribes'' in July 2007, ''Aerial Assault'' in November 2008 and ''Tribes 2'' in November 2009. However, ''Tribes 1 & 2'' now have multiple community-run master servers, and continue to have strong player bases to this day. ''Aerial Assault'', being a [=PS2=] game, was not so lucky.

[[http://www.garagegames.com/ GarageGames]] ([[TheTropeFormerlyKnownAsX formerly]] Dynamix) developed ''[[http://www.legionsoverdrive.com/ Legions: Overdrive]],'' a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Tribes 1''. Some former members of Dynamix are also helping create ''VideoGame/FireFall'', a [=MMOFPS=] which bears many similarities to the ''Tribes'' series, such as the extensive use of jetpacks. ''[[https://www.playmidair.com/ Midair]]'' is an upcoming "''I can't believe it's not Tribes®!''" shooter that was successfully crowdfunded.

[[http://tribes.wikia.com/ Has its own wiki]]

* AscendedGlitch: The "skiing" bug of the original ''Tribes'' was so widespread and loved that it became a game play feature in every game to follow, even when the series left Dynamix's hands. ''Tribes 2'' [[AllThereInTheManual mentioned it in the manual]] and had brief a tutorial on it, while ''Tribes: Vengeance'' and ''Tribes: Ascend'' gave it a distinct bind and more unique handling, leaving the jump key to be merged with the jetpack key.

* [[EverythingsBetterWithSpinning Everything's Better With Spinfusors]]

* [[HoverBoard Hover Bike]]: In ''Tribes 2'' and ''Ascend''.

** An update gave the Infiltrator 2 new skins, along with a new melee animation. Said animation is just a [[StreetFighter Zangeif-style green punch.]]

* AbnormalAmmo: Perhaps the most notable is the Spinfusor, also known as the Stormhammer, a weapon that fires [[PowerGlows glowing blue]] [[StuffBlowingUp explosive]] [[DeadlyDisc discs.]] There have been a ''ton'' of them in ''Ascend'': Light, Dueling, (Pathfinder), standard, Spare(Soldier), MKD, MK-X,(Juggernaut), Heavy, Devastator, (Brute), and Stealth (Infiltrator). The stealth Spinfusor shoots red disks, while the MKD shoots green discs and has [[AreaOFEffect an increased splash radius]] relative to the Soldier's version. The Juggernaut can also unlock a Spinfusor as a type of grenade used by manually ''throwing'' the disk at people's faces. Also rather [[FanNickname lovingly known by players as]] "the exploding frisbee launcher". Versions that can fire two discs before reloading were later added, [[MeaningfulName known of course as "Twinfusors"]], as well as "Blinksfusors", whose discs inherit their firer's velocity.

* AirJousting: This doesn't really happen due to the imprecise nature of the flight mechanics, but two players flying head-on at each other brandishing Spinfusors comes damn close. As of ''Ascend'', this trope can be played straighter with melee attacks.

* AbnormalAmmo: Perhaps the most notable is the Spinfusor, also known as the Stormhammer, a weapon that fires [[PowerGlows glowing blue]] [[StuffBlowingUp explosive]] [[DeadlyDisc discs.]] There have been a ''ton'' of them in ''Ascend'': Light, Dueling, (Pathfinder), standard, Spare(Soldier), MKD, MK-X,(Juggernaut), Heavy, Devastator, (Brute), and Stealth (Infiltrator). The stealth Spinfusor shoots red disks, while the MKD shoots green discs and has [[AreaOFEffect an increased splash radius]] relative to the Soldier's version. The Juggernaut can also unlock a Spinfusor as a type of grenade used by manually ''throwing'' the disk at people's faces.
** Also rather [[FanNickname lovingly known by players as]] "the exploding frisbee launcher".
** Versions that can fire two discs before reloading were later added, [[MeaningfulName known of course as "Twinfusors"]], as well as "Blinksfusors", whose discs inherit their firer's velocity.

* HighAltitudeBattle: This can occur, what with [[OminousFloatingCastle floating bases]], [[CoolPlane air vehicles]] and everyone having [[JetPack jetpacks,]] though it can be hard to hit your opponent, especially with non-HitScan. Some servers even have a special kill message for [[DifficultButAwesome mid-air, direct hit Spinfusor kills.]]

* HitScan: The Sparrow pistol, Eagle pistol, and the Sniper Rifle in ''Ascend''. All the other weapons are projectile based. ''Tribes 2'''s only hitscan weapons are the Laser Rifle and the Shocklance.

* GameMod: ''Tribes 1'' and ''2'' were built from the ground up with the [[GameEngine Torque engine]] and designed to be extremely moddable. Sure enough, a ''staggering'' array of mods have sprung up over the years, some of which change the games so completely that they cease to be recognizable. As an added bonus, mods that do not have custom models or textures can be played on servers without having to install the mod, ensuring that it's never difficult to get players on a modded server.

* LevelEditor: ''Tribes 2'' (and all subsequent Torque GameEngine games) came with a simple but fairly powerful in-game level editor, which allowed users to freely place, rotate, and resize (pre-made) buildings and objects, shape the terrain, and so on, with support for custom objects. If the level designer kept to vanilla objects, the map could also be played by anyone without requiring a separate download.

** In a late Beta patch of ''Ascend'', a Secret Code function was added to the menu. The most popular cheatcode, by far, is [[spoiler: [[SonicTheHedgehog GOTTAGOFAST]]]]. What does it do? [[spoiler: It replaces kilometers per hour for SANICS in the speed measurements.]]

* ShortTitleLongElaborateSubtitle: Technically, the first game of the entire series dates back to Metaltech: Earthsiege, which was developed as a competitor product cum precursor(using some of the same development team) to Battletech: Mechwarrior. Starsiege was originally titled "Earthsiege 3: Starsiege." This naming convention, if properly recorded, would bring us to "Metaltech: Earthsiege 3: Starsiege: Tribes: Vengeance."

* UsefulNotes/AustralianAccent: The "Disker Dundee" voice pack gives your character the "Screen and Television" variety.

* HighAltitudeBattle: This can occur, what with [[OminousFloatingCastle floating bases]], [[CoolPlane air vehicles]] and everyone having [[JetPack jetpacks,]] though it can be hard to hit your opponent, especially with non-HitScan. When this happens, [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome it's usually pretty awesome.]] Some servers even have a special kill message for [[DifficultButAwesome mid-air, direct hit Spinfusor kills.]]

[[http://www.garagegames.com/ GarageGames]] ([[TheTropeFormerlyKnownAsX formerly]] Dynamix) developed ''[[http://www.legionsoverdrive.com/ Legions: Overdrive]],'' a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Tribes 1''. Some former members of Dynamix are also helping create ''Videogame/FireFall'', a [=MMOFPS=] which bears many similarities to the ''Tribes'' series, such as the extensive use of jetpacks. ''[[https://www.playmidair.com/ Midair]]'' is an upcoming "''I can't believe it's not Tribes®!''" shooter that was successfully crowdfunded.

* SpiritualSuccessor: ''Legions: Overdrive (AKA Fallen Empire: Legions)'' & ''FireFall''

* AchievementMockery: One of the accolades that earn you points is "llama grab", gotten when you pick up a flag at a very low speed--which is likely to result in you dying before you get much anywhere with it, screwing up a faster moving teammate's grab attempt, and dropping the flag somewhere that's harder for you to pick up until the flag automatically goes back to the stand. While it still gives you points, it's less than even a standard flag grab and the description even says "not for use in any highlight reels".