Colony

Colony is a 2009 online multiplayer strategy Flash game developed by Krin.
It serves as a tribute to his favorite game StarCraft, with the announcement of its sequel inspiring him to make it."Colony: New Strategy Game". Armor Games. July 23, 2009.
While not considered one of Jacob Grahn's games, he did program the back end of its multiplayer; using his recently released Blossom Server as a base."June". Jiggmin. July 1, 2009."Colony is Online!". Armor Games. July 30, 2009.
Colony was met with acclaim and went on to receive over 10 million plays. Jayisgames praised the game's hybrid gameplay for offering diverse strategies without being overly complex."Colony Review". Jayisgames. August 19, 2009. They highlighted its multiplayer for its smooth execution and adding "a new dimension" to the game, predicting the mode would "probably be [its] most under-appreciated aspect". Newgrounds' community voted Colony one the top submissions of the day, while Kongregate's voted it among the best of the week."Top entries from 02/10/2010!" - Newgrounds"Kongregate.com" (February 13, 2010 archive)
==Gameplay==
Players are placed on a horizontal map with the goal of destroying the enemy's central base on the opposite side.
Both bases have 9 plots for buildings, though the center spot is always occupied by the central base. The other plots are divided equally between either 2 players, or 1 player and an AI.
4 resources are used to purchase buildings and use their abilities, which are generated automatically every 5 seconds or can be made in certain buildings:
#Money
#Manpower
#Energy
#Influence
How much of each resource they get automatically depends on which government the player joins, which also have other bonuses:
1. Capitalist
*5 money, 3 manpower, 2 energy, 0 influence
*Resources produced in buildings are obtained 20% faster.
2. Communist
*4 money, 4 manpower, 2 energy, 0 influence
*Money and influence is gained when killing enemy units.
3. Fascists
*4 money, 2 manpower, 4 energy, 0 influence
*Buildings and units are built faster.
4. Monarchy
*3 money, 2 manpower, 3 energy, 3 influence
*Only government to automatically produce influence.
===Multiplayer===
Players can play online with each other, either by creating an account or connecting to a server as a guest.
Options are available to play 2x2, 1x1 or with/against AIs. Chatrooms in-game and on the lobby allow allies to communicate. Players can even chat with AI teammates, who have 5 different personalities that affect their tactics in battle. After finishing a game, members gain points that allow them to rank up.
Uniquely, multiplayer offers several game modes with different conditions:
#Normal
#Cold War - Restricts missiles
#Safe Skies - Restricts missiles and black queens
#Dogfight - Air units only
#Earthquake - Ground units only
#Low Tech - Restricts Mechanics Terminal, Arsenals and missiles
==Plot==
The game features a 6 mission campaign. The backstory to it can be read on the loading screen by hovering over the years with the mouse:
2115 - First manned vessel is sent beyond the Earth's Solar System.
2132 - A habitable planet, Minerva, has finally been identified by the Planck-IV telescope.
2141 - The United Space Coalition is formed by Russia and the European nations. Mankind's first attempt of planetary colonization begins.
2185 - Athenia. the first extraterrestrial state in history, has been established.
2207 - Athenia falls into economic hardship from not having enough manual labor.
2252 - USC Ambassador proposes a special operation to supplement Athenia's labor force with life sentenced convicts and POWs. This was kept secret. and there was little protest.
2265 - The operation begins. Tens of thousands of prisoners are transported from Earth against their will to start a new life on Minerva.
The campaign begins in 2273 with the Fascists freeing the labor workers to rise against the Capitalists. Missions switch back and forth to show each side's perspective in the resulting war.
==Buildings==
===Central Base===
HP: 5,000
The player's headquarters. Comes equipped with powerful defensive weapons.
===Outpost===
Cost: $40, 30 manpower, 30 energy
* Deploy Marine - Light infantry unit armed with shocks rifles and anti-air rockets. (2 manpower)
* Deploy Chronite Tank - Fires explosive shells at ground forces. ($5, 10 manpower)
* Recruit - Gain 1 manpower over 3 seconds.
* Upgrade to Barracks ($30)
====Barracks====
Outpost's abilities +
* Deploy Sniper - Light infantry unit armed with a long range anti-Chronite sniper rifle. ($7, 12 manpower)
* Deploy Gröditz - Heavy walker unit with rapid-firing weapons effective against both ground and air forces. ($5, 16 manpower)
* Upgrade to Arsenal ($80, 50 energy + Armory required)
====Arsenal====
Outpost & Barrack's abilities +
* Deploy Hover Tank - Specially armored tank with deadly anti-Chronite ground weapons. (30 manpower, 10 energy)
* Deploy Black Queen - Heavily armored air superiority fighter. Drops bombs on ground forces every 12 seconds. ($30, 50 manpower, 25 energy)
===Forge===
Cost: $40, 30 manpower, 30 energy
* Deploy A-25-Roman - Standard soldier armed with pulse rifles. Can't attack air enemies. (5 energy)
* Deploy Scout - Fast flying, light armored drone. Armed with Chronite-piercing weapons. ($3, 7 energy)
* Salvage - Gain 2 energy over 5 seconds.
* Upgrade to Manufactory ($60)
====Manufactory====
Forge's abilities +
* Deploy Phantom - Assault helicopter capable of raining down rapid fire on ground forces. Can't attack air forces. ($23, 5 manpower, 3 energy)
* Deploy Sakata Mk-II - Sakata fitted with strong anti-air cannons. Can't attack ground forces. Requires an Armory to deploy. (21 energy)
* Upgrade to Mechanic Terminal ($70, 20 energy. Also requires an Armory)
====Mechanics Terminal====
Forge & Manufactory's abilities +
* Deploy Sakata Spider - Fast and heavily armored assault unit. Has self-healing powers and can't attack air forces. (23 energy)
* Deploy Gladiator - Stronger Roman androids that can attack air forces. ($30, 10 manpower, 25 energy)
===Hospital===
Cost: $40, 10 manpower, 30 energy
* Resuscitate - Gain 3 manpower over 5 seconds.
* Deploy Meditec - Light infantry unit that heals injured men and repairs damaged ground vehicles. (6 manpower)
* Scramble Rescue Team - Deploys 3 meditecs. (20 influence)
* Upgrade to War Sanctum ($65)
====War Sanctum====
Hospital's "Deploy Meditec" and "Scramble Rescue Team" +
* Recover - Gain 4 manpower over 3 seconds.
* Deploy Saint - Flying drone with Hover Tank technology. (50 influence)
* Deploy Sphinx - Hybrid tank that resists heavy attacks. Equipped with anti-armor weapons. (80 influence)
===Bank===
Cost: $50, 0 manpower, 0 energy
* Stock Exchange - Gain 3 money over 5 seconds.
* Upgrade to Treasury ($50)
====Treasury====
* Gold Trading - Gain 4 money over 3 seconds.
===Armory===
Cost: $60, 25 manpower, 25 energy
* Plan Financial Support - Gain 9 money over 10 seconds.
* Plan Reinforcements - Gain 9 manpower over 10 seconds.
* Plan Reserve Energy - Gain 9 energy over 10 seconds.
* Deploy Modified Phantom (35 influence)
===Generator===
Cost: $50, 0 manpower, 0 energy
* Generate Power - Gain 3 energy over 5 seconds.
* Upgrade to Solar Grid ($50)
====Solar Grid====
* Absorb Energy - Gain 4 energy over 3 seconds.
* Deploy Modified Sakata (50 influence)
===Special Operations===
Cost: $80, 30 manpower, 30 energy
* Launch Missile - Deadly missile aimed at enemies closest to your base. ($60, 15 energy)
* Launch Missile - Deadly missile aimed at enemies closest to your base. ($15, 60 energy)
* Black Operations - Gain 2 influence over 5 seconds.
* Deploy Special Forces - Highly trained infantry team. (35 influence)
* Deploy Far Sniper - Specialized Sniper capable of attacking ground units at very long ranges. (35 influence)
* Deploy A-27 Pride - Android unit with long range suppressing fire. (40 influence)
==Music==
Main article: Songs
The soundtrack was written by David Orr, who's known in the community for composing My Vision.
Only Capitalist was officially released outside of the game.
Audio	Song 	Length
 	Capitalist	5:25
 	Communist 	0:12
 	Fascist 	0:12
==Shut Down==
The game's multiplayer servers quietly shut down in August 2017."Notice: Exit Path, Colony & Achievement Unlocked 2 multiplayer functionality". Armor Games Forums. August 16, 2017.
===Revival===
Fan servers have since been set up, which are available on Colony's Discord group."Comment from Amaury Lorin on "Colony Soundtrack by David Orr [Extended""] - YouTube
==References==
Category:Games
Category:2009 Games
Category:Online Games
Category:Multiplayer Games
Category:Collaborations