Aldebaran Homepage

Welcome. This is the official download site for the computer game patch 'Aldebaran' for Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. 'Aldebaran' is a freeware add-on to the commercial application by Firaxis Games, Inc.. Please see the Rights and Acknowledgements sections before downloading. Check the News Section for updates.

Network Node The Network Node is mirroring these downloads. Follow the link to the mods section.
The Storyline The unfolding story of Aldebaran, by Kassiopeia
Version 2.1 The latest, and final(?) version of the mod
Aldebaran.Veteran The recommended engine. (Engine + Graphics = Aldebaran) [version 2.0]
Aldebaran.Novice A simplified engine. [version 2.0]
Graphics Aldebaran's Graphics, courtesy Cybergod and the Network Node
Scenarios 1-4 Scenarios 1-4 for Aldebaran
Maps of Aldebaran Standard and Huge maps of Aldebaran.
tech-bug patch Necessary patch for downloads before 9/8/01
Alphatext Comparison Overview of Alphatext changes from SMAC to Aldebaran. txt file.
Download Help Need help? Have an error to report?

Aldebaran News

News 6/23/26: Latest update 2.1 has been added to website, as well as Acknowledgements links to original project threads from Apolyton

News 6/20/26: This page has been revived on the Unity Pod

News 9/26/01: This is here to show my HTML class that I did actually make this page...so, those of you in CSCI107, I'm Alex P. Hiya!

News 9/9/01: The Network Node has mirrored the downloads. Follow the link there to the mods section. SITS has made voice-overs for some of the Aldebaran techs. Look for a sampling aft of the Graphics section.
News-9/8/01-Good news! The tech-bug was, as suspected by Cybergod, a text-wrap issue in 'blurbs.txt' and 'techlongs.txt'. I've fixed those files and corrected all the downloads below. Also, a special unit was available too early (field agent) and was put in its place in the alphatext.
News-9/6/01-Good news, to counter bad - Yahoo already thinks Aldebaran is a download hassle (exceeded 3 GB of downloads today) BUT The Network Node will soon be mirroring the downloads, so all is well.

Aldebaran Graphics
Factions
Outlaws/ UNF
Nauticon
Universality
Faction
Information
Galactics
Syndicate
Peacenik
Planetlovers
Tech Clips

Units
Sign the Visiting Chironian Guestbook - View the Visiting Chironian Guestbook

About Aldebaran: Acknowledgements

Aldebaran is a group project of members of the Apolyton online community. Though the original idea and core work were done by me ('Smack' at Apolyton), the project would have gotten nowhere without the great 'Beta' team that volunteered to playtest and help develop the game. I am forever indebted to them!

The development team includes: Velocyrix, Blake, and Tokamak, who nailed down the AI issues in playtesting, Cybergod, who tackled the graphics with gusto, and Kassiopeia, whose creative energies led to many of the quotes you will see in the game. Kassiopeia is also responsible for the evolving short background story, 'Aldebaran', found here, and posted in segments at Apolyton.

The project is also indebted to the graphical support of the Network Node and its contributing members. There are numerous other people that contributed in discussions of AI development at Apolyton and I'd like to thank them all. I especially owe thanks to Ned's work with developing a more powerful AI. If you are surprised at how much better the 'AI' performs in Aldebaran, thank Ned!
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Unity Pod: The original development thread on Apolyton was Our adventures on Aldebaran. The final(?) development thread was Aldebaran 2: Smax.
A multiplayer Aldebaran Succession Game ran from 2004-2007.
Aldebaran-2 Strategy Guide 1.0
Public beta thread for version beta.1

About Aldebaran: Rights

'Aldebaran' and all software downloadable from this site are freeware. You will need the commercial application 'Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri' by Firaxis Games in order to make use of 'Aldebaran'. Please write to Firaxis and tell them what a wonderful job they did! Aldebaran is NOT for sale and you may not under any circumstances repackage and sell the software. However, you may freely distribute 'Aldebaran' in any way you see fit. Go Freeware!
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Download Help

Lets see if we can clear things up. What is the problem?

Full Download Instructions

Aldebaran can be thought of as a 'patch' that you sew onto your copy of the game 'Alpha Centauri'. To do this, follow these steps.

  1. Pick one of the 'packages' from the top list
  2. Click on the link for that package
  3. Save the Zip file anywhere on your system
  4. If your system did not automatically unZip the files, do so manually
  5. Find the 'README' file in your package
  6. Open the README with any text program and follow its install directions
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I Click, But No Schtick

This must be a problem on my end. Drop me an email at "alde_baron@yahoo.com"
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I Got the Files, Now What?

Follow the Installation Instructions found in the README file included in your download package

Will Aldebaran overwrite my beloved Alpha Centauri?

No, not if you follow the instructions in the README file included with the download. Simply downloading any version will not overwrite anything.
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The Complaint Department

Please report any difficulties you have to me at "alde_baron@yahoo.com". Here's a handy feedback form to this address.

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What do I do? I'm lost

Don't Panic! Let's assume you're here because you want to play Aldebaran.

Do you have the following?