What's new in FreeCol 0.9.0 Alpha:

Graphics:
· building graphics (thanks to NewCol and the defunct SweCol project)
· prettier panels and dialogs due to the use of MigLayout
· more useful for small displays (1024x600)
· pretty borders
· some more anti-aliasing

AI:
· AI breeds horses more effectively
· AI uses pioneers more effectively
· AI distributes workers more effectively
· AI creates and assigns soldiers more effectively
· AI builds constructs more advanced buildings

Rules:
· stockades no longer prevent abandoning a colony
· together with a custom house, de Witt circumvents boycotts
· the Treaty of Utrecht

What's new in FreeCol 0.8.0:

· Allow the game to be customized using XML-files.
· Units now slide between tiles while moving.
· New terrain graphics.
· Menu music added.
· Sound effects for dragoons, artillery capturing a colony, building complete, church and blacksmith.
· New sound effects for artillery and buying/selling goods.
· Short music clips for Aztecs and fountain of Youth.
· Named regions and nicer placement of native settlements.
· New nations added: Portuguese, Swedish, Danish and Russian
· Games with up to eight European players are now supported.