Tyrian (video game): Difference between revisions
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{{more citations needed|date=July 2017}} |
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{{Infobox video game |
{{Infobox video game |
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|title=Tyrian |
| title = Tyrian |
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|image=Tryian - Box.jpg |
| image = Tryian - Box.jpg |
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|developer=Eclipse Software |
| developer = Eclipse Software |
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|publisher=[[Epic MegaGames]] |
| publisher = [[Epic MegaGames]] |
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|designer=Jason Emery |
| designer = Jason Emery |
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| artist = Daniel Cook |
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| writer = [[Alexander Brandon]] |
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⚫ | |||
| composer = {{Unbulleted list |
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⚫ | |released= |
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|Alexander Brandon |
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⚫ | |||
|Andres Molnar |
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|modes=[[narrative|Story]], [[arcade game|arcade]] |
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}} |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | | released = October 26, 1995{{efn|This date denotes the 1.1 version that released after the 1.0 shareware version, which was distributed from September 14, 1995.}}{{efn|1999 saw the release of Tyrian 2000, an updated version of the game that contained an extra episode. 2004 was the year Tyrian was officially released as [[freeware]]. In 2007, the game's graphics were released under permissive license terms, and the game's proprietary [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] [[source code]] was released to a group of developers to make an [[open-source video game|open-source]] [[C (programming language)|C]] version.}} |
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⚫ | |||
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] |
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⚫ | |||
}} |
}} |
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'''''Tyrian''''' is a [[scrolling shooter]] [[ |
'''''Tyrian''''' is a [[vertically scrolling shooter]] developed by Eclipse Software for [[MS-DOS]] and published in 1995 by [[Epic MegaGames]]. ''Tyrian'' was programmed by Jason Emery, illustrated by Daniel Cook, and its music composed by [[Alexander Brandon]] and Andras Molnar. The game was re-released as [[freeware]] in 2004. A [[free and open-source]] port of the game started in April 2007. |
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The game was officially released as [[freeware]] in 2004, and the graphics were made available under an [[open content]] license in April 2007. |
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''Tyrian'' was programmed by Jason Emery, illustrated by Daniel Cook, and its music composed by [[Alexander Brandon]] and Andras Molnar. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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{{More plot|date=August 2020}} |
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The game is set in the year 20,031. You play the role of a skilled [[terraforming]] [[pilot (spaceflight)|pilot]] named Trent Hawkins, who is employed to scout out habitable locations on newly terraformed planets. His latest assignment is the [[planet]] Tyrian, which is located near the territory of the Hazudra, who are a [[lizard]]-like [[race (fantasy)|race]]. |
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The game is set in the year 20,031. The player takes on the role of Trent Hawkins, a skilled spaceship pilot. While on the [[planet]] Tyrian, a hostile [[Unmanned combat aerial vehicle|drone]] shoots his best friend, Buce Quesillac. Before dying Buce warns Trent that the drone belonged to the militaristic MicroSol [[megacorporation]]. MicroSol has discovered Gravitium (the game's brand of [[Unobtainium]]) on Tyrian and seeks to keep it a secret. Now on MicroSol's hit list, Trent manages to secure a small, armed spacecraft and set out to the free world of Savara. |
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One day, Buce Quesillac, a Hazudra and Trent's best friend, is shot in the back by a hoverdrone which quickly disappears into the sky. Buce lives just long enough to tell Trent that the attack was the work of MicroSol, the giant corporation that controls the terraformation of Tyrian. They want Buce dead because of his knowledge of Gravitium, which is a special [[mineral]], unique to Tyrian, able to control the force of [[gravity]]. |
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Microsol want to use Gravitium to power their [[battleship|warships]], which could result in them becoming nearly unstoppable. They will stop at nothing to eliminate anyone who knows of its existence. Trent is the next person on their hit list, and Buce implores him to try to reach Savara, a free world. With that, Buce dies. Trent manages to secure a small [[fighter aircraft|fighter]], and departs for Savara. |
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==Gameplay== |
==Gameplay== |
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===Full story mode=== |
===Full story mode=== |
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[[File:Savara.gif|thumb|Fighting enemies in Savara|left]] |
[[File:Savara.gif|thumb|Fighting enemies in Savara|left]] |
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The |
The "full story mode" is a [[single player]] mode that features a story-based campaign and ship customization. The story is told through the message cubes that can be collected within and read between levels. Some of these messages cubes are readily available while others need to be obtained by destroying certain enemies in the preceding level. At certain points in the game, the storyline branches and the player is required to pick one branch. |
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The player |
The player's craft is customizable. It can accommodate a front weapon and a rear weapon. Shops can supply a variety of kinetic guns, [[raygun]]s, missiles, and bombs for these two slots. While the front weapons are mostly limited to forward arcs, "rear" weapons often come with wider coverage including side and rear shots. Some rear weapons have two selectable fire modes, focusing either mostly forward, or mostly sideways or rearward. |
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Weapons can be upgraded up to 10 times. Higher levels cost exponentially more and require a more powerful generator to support them. Other upgrades include increased shields, more powerful generators to allow for stronger weapons and shields, more armor, and higher maneuverability. Shops differ in terms of the ships, generators, and weapons they have for sale. However, shops can upgrade any component, even those that they don't sell. |
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The player can also purchase up to two "[[sidekick]]s" which fly alongside the ship. Some simply act as a complementary weapon that fire whenever the ship fires; others are powerful weapons with limited ammunition that need to manually activated. Sidekicks may not be upgradable. |
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Shops let the player build a strong ship on a budget with no penalty for failing and trying a different build. Any weapon can be upgraded in stores, even if not available for sale, and any item can be sold. However, the player cannot obtain sold items again without reaching another level which offers them. In many cases a single secret level in the whole game may contain a unique weapon or equipment. |
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===Arcade mode=== |
===Arcade mode=== |
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In arcade mode, the player picks up the front guns, rear guns, and sidekicks along the way, instead of purchasing them. Front weapons are upgraded by picking up purple bubbles from destroyed enemies. The number of purple orbs required increases exponentially to advance to higher power levels. Front and rear guns can also be upgraded to the next level by picking up |
In arcade mode, the player starts with a moderate ship and picks up the front guns, rear guns, and sidekicks along the way, instead of purchasing them. Front weapons are upgraded by picking up purple bubbles from destroyed enemies. The number of purple orbs required increases exponentially to advance to higher power levels. Front and rear guns can also be upgraded to the next level by picking up [[power-up]] pods, which are found by destroying a specific enemy. The ship, shields, and generators are not upgradeable. |
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⚫ | The arcade mode can be played with one or two ships, by one or two players. The ships are called the "Dragonhead" and "Dragonwing". Both players can combine their ships into one, forming the "Steel Dragon", with the first player controlling the combined ship, and the second player controlling a [[Gun turret|turret]]. Tyrian enables the two players to be connected via modem. |
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It is possible to switch between the single player and (1 person) arcade modes using a secret routine (not cheat codes). Since it is possible to find exotic weapons early in arcade mode; using this switch allows such weapons to be brought over to single player. Likewise, generator and shield upgrades from single player will result in a better ship for arcade mode. |
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⚫ | The Dragonhead has front gun powerups (with more variety than the Dragonwing's rear gun pickups), has better maneuverability, and a smaller profile making it easier to dodge enemy fire. It also controls the "special" power-up weapons such as the Soul of Zinglon or Repulsor. The Dragonwing is larger and slower but more heavily armored. It picks up the rear up power-ups, although unlike the equivalent single-player rear gun, the Dragonwing fires it mostly forward instead of the side or rear. The Dragonwing also controls the sidekick weapons. The player can also increase the power of the Dragonwing's weapon by not firing them for short time, letting them to accumulate extra charges. There are five charge levels for each weapon, and collecting the spherical purple powerups gives the Dragonwing the ability to charge-up faster. |
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===Two player=== |
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⚫ | |||
The Dragonhead has front gun powerups (with more variety than the Dragonwing's rear gun pickups), has better maneuverability, and a smaller profile making it easier to dodge enemy fire. It also controls the "special" powerup weapons such as the Soul of Zinglon or Repulsor. |
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⚫ | The Dragonwing is larger and slower but more heavily armored. It picks up the rear up |
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===Timed battle=== |
===Timed battle=== |
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In this mode, available in Tyrian 2000 only, the player chooses from three levels to play in (Deliani, Space station and Savara). The |
In this mode, available in Tyrian 2000 only, the player chooses from three levels to play in (Deliani, Space station, and Savara). The player is given a set time to complete the level, while collecting power-ups, fighting off enemies and killing the [[boss (video games)|boss]]. When the level is complete, the score is calculated depending on time spent, ship's integrity, destruction caused, and enemies killed. |
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===Super arcade=== |
===Super arcade=== |
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The game also features 7 (9 in Tyrian 2000) hidden "super arcade" modes with |
The game also features 7 (9 in Tyrian 2000) hidden "super arcade" modes with specialized ships, requiring the user to type in certain [[password (video games)|codeword]]s which are shown after beating the game. (The first code is given by beating the regular game, and each consecutive code is given after beating the mode which comes before it.) |
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===Super Tyrian=== |
===Super Tyrian=== |
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===Mini-games=== |
===Mini-games=== |
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''Destruct'' is a [[minigame]] concealed inside ''Tyrian'', reminiscent of ''[[Scorched Earth (computer game)|Scorched Earth]]'', with human-vs-human and human-vs-computer modes of play. It can be played by typing |
''Destruct'' is a [[minigame]] concealed inside ''Tyrian'', reminiscent of ''[[Scorched Earth (computer game)|Scorched Earth]]'', with human-vs-human and human-vs-computer modes of play. It can be played by typing "destruct" at the main menu screen. |
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In the ''Zinglon's Ale'' mini-game, players must try to gather as much ale as possible, while dodging wave after wave of bouncing enemies, and clearing the screen of enemies fully before advancing to the next level. If not cleared, the game continues infinitely while growing ever harder. |
In the ''Zinglon's Ale'' mini-game, players must try to gather as much ale as possible, while dodging wave after wave of bouncing enemies, and clearing the screen of enemies fully before advancing to the next level. If not cleared, the game continues infinitely while growing ever harder. |
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''Zinglon's Squadrons'' is a mini-game similar to [[Galaxian]] or [[Galaga]]. Large formations of ships fly down to attack. Individual ships in the groups break off to fly down in various ways. Players must destroy the whole fleet to advance to the next fleet |
''Zinglon's Squadrons'' is a mini-game similar to [[Galaxian]] or [[Galaga]]. Large formations of ships fly down to attack. Individual ships in the groups break off to fly down in various ways. Players must destroy the whole fleet to advance to the next fleet. |
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In the mini-game ''Zinglon's Revenge'' a giant ship projects a horizontal field of energy. Small enemies fall down from above and bounce around the edges of the screen and against the energy field. Touching the field or one of the small enemies |
In the mini-game ''Zinglon's Revenge'' a giant ship projects a horizontal field of energy. Small enemies fall down from above and bounce around the edges of the screen and against the energy field. Touching the field or one of the small enemies could be deadly. Players must shoot all the small enemies to advance to the next level. |
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==Development== |
==Development== |
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''Tyrian'' was developed by a credited total of 11 people, with "three main drivers" — [[Alexander Brandon]] (composer and writer), Jason Emery (programmer and level designer), and Daniel Cook (artist and interface designer). For the aforementioned developers, ''Tyrian'' was their first commercial video game.<ref name="art">[ |
''Tyrian'' was developed by a credited total of 11 people, with "three main drivers" — [[Alexander Brandon]] (composer and writer), Jason Emery (programmer and level designer), and Daniel Cook (artist and interface designer). For the aforementioned developers, ''Tyrian'' was their first commercial video game.<ref name="art">[https://lostgarden.home.blog/2007/04/05/free-game-graphics-tyrian-ships-and-tiles/ Lost Garden: Free game graphics: Tyrian ships and tiles]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070325041559/http://www.clubsilicononline.com/2007/03/tyrian_jukebox.html Club Silicon: Tyrian Jukebox]</ref> |
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The origins of ''Tyrian'' began as an experiment in 1991, with a young Jason Emery showing his friend Alexander Brandon the preliminary workings of a scrolling background. The two continued developing, and eventually decided the work could be shown to a game company. Brandon wrote a proposal document and sent it to the two leading shareware game publishers of the time, [[Epic MegaGames]] and [[3D Realms|Apogee]]. However, the game lacked any sound or music, and the graphics were "definitely not professional". As such, "neither got overly excited", but both showed interest. |
The origins of ''Tyrian'' began as an experiment in 1991, with a young Jason Emery showing his friend Alexander Brandon the preliminary workings of a scrolling background. The two continued developing, and eventually decided the work could be shown to a game company. Brandon wrote a proposal document and sent it to the two leading shareware game publishers of the time, [[Epic MegaGames]] and [[3D Realms|Apogee]]. However, the game lacked any sound or music, and the graphics were "definitely not professional". As such, "neither got overly excited", but both showed interest. |
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The two developers thought they would never find a publisher. However, after a long wait, [[Robert Allen (software executive)|Robert Allen]]—head of |
The two developers thought they would never find a publisher. However, after a long wait, [[Robert Allen (software executive)|Robert Allen]]—head of Safari Software—considered ''Tyrian'' to fit perfectly with their company, which handled smaller scale projects. Robert Allen had word from [[Cliff Bleszinski]] that ''Tyrian'' was very similar to ''[[Zanac]]'', thinking that it should be followed up. |
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Robert Allen gave leads to sound coders and artists, the first being Bruce Hsu who created interface graphics and character faces. Artist Daniel Cook was hired after composer Alexander Brandon showed interest in his artwork, which was—unbeknown to Cook—"sent around" by a friend. After he was sent a short list of levels, Cook created sample artwork on an [[Amiga 1200]]. It was met with praise by the other developers, who asked him to "make some more!". The artwork was completed in a 4-month period.<ref name="art" /><ref>[ |
Robert Allen gave leads to sound coders and artists, the first being Bruce Hsu who created interface graphics and character faces. Artist Daniel Cook was hired after composer Alexander Brandon showed interest in his artwork, which was—unbeknown to Cook—"sent around" by a friend. After he was sent a short list of levels, Cook created sample artwork on an [[Amiga 1200]]. It was met with praise by the other developers, who asked him to "make some more!". The artwork was completed in a 4-month period.<ref name="art" /><ref>[https://lostgarden.home.blog/2006/04/13/the-joyful-life-of-the-lapsed-game-developer/ Lost Garden: The joyful life of the lapsed game developer]</ref> |
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After work began on graphics, the popularity of ''Tyrian'' rose at |
After work began on graphics, the popularity of ''Tyrian'' rose at Epic MegaGames. Arturo Sinclair from [[Storm Front Studios]] joined to create [[rendered artwork]] for planets and character faces. The developers wanted a "simple and fun" interface, and changed it at least three times before deciding on a final design. At this point, ''Tyrian'' was almost complete; with the "Loudness" sound system, near-completed sound effects, and a marketing plan head by [[Mark Rein (software executive)|Mark Rein]]. At this time, [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]] approached the team and informed them ''Tyrian'' was to be published as a full-fledged Epic MegaGames product. It was later released in 1995. |
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The data cubes found in the game's Full Mode contain various references to its parent publishers, including [[One Must Fall 2097]], [[Jazz Jackrabbit]], [[Pretzel Pete]] (Tyrian 2000). The Pretzel Pete Truck and its weapon is a reference to the Pretzel Pete video game. |
The data cubes found in the game's Full Mode contain various references to its parent publishers, including [[One Must Fall 2097]], [[Jazz Jackrabbit]], and [[Pretzel Pete]] (Tyrian 2000). The Pretzel Pete Truck and its weapon is a reference to the Pretzel Pete video game. |
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==Versions and re-releases== |
==Versions and re-releases== |
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===Tyrian=== |
===Tyrian=== |
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Version 1.0 of the game was originally released as [[shareware]] on September 14, 1995, consisting of episode 1 of the game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lafferty |first=Craig |date=September 14, 1995 |title=''Tyrian'' Released! |url=http://www.epicgames.com/news/news8.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971010055132/http://www.epicgames.com/news/news8.htm |archive-date=October 10, 1997 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |work=[[Epic MegaGames]]}}</ref> Released one month later on October 26, Version 1.1 was the first published registered version, consists of the first three episodes, and includes various bugfixes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Craig |date=October 11, 1995 |title=''Tyrian V1.1'' |url=http://www.epicgames.com/news/news9.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971010055113/http://www.epicgames.com/news/news9.htm |archive-date=October 10, 1997 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |website=[[Epic MegaGames]]}}</ref> The registered version also includes the ship editor, which was later available as separate download. Version 2.0 added Episode 4 (An End to Fate) and several new game modes, like the two-player mode. Version 2.01/2.1 fixed some keyboard bugs and includes the "Christmas mode", triggered by starting the game in December. |
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Version 1.0 of the game was originally released as [[shareware]], consisting of episode 1 of the game. |
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Version 1.1 was the first published as registered version, consists of first 3 episodes and included various bugfixes. The registered version also included the ship editor, which was later available as separate download. Version 2.0 added the additional Episode 4 (An End to Fate) and several new game modes, like the two-player mode. |
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Version 2.01/2.1 fixed some keyboard bug and included the ''Christmas mode'', triggered by starting the game in December |
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===Tyrian 2000 (3.0)=== |
===Tyrian 2000 (3.0)=== |
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|released =1999<br> |
|released =1999<br> |
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2004 (freeware) |
2004 (freeware) |
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|genre=[[ |
|genre=[[Scrolling shooter]] |
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|modes=[[ |
|modes=[[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] |
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|platforms=[[DOS]] |
|platforms=[[DOS]] |
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}} |
}} |
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In 1999, ''Tyrian'' was re-released as ''Tyrian 2000'', which includes an additional fifth episode and bug fixes. |
In 1999, ''Tyrian'' was re-released as ''Tyrian 2000'', which includes an additional fifth episode and bug fixes. |
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Additional ships include Phoenix II, Storm, Red Dragon, Pretzel Pete Truck (from the [[Pretzel Pete]] video game published by XSIV Games). |
Additional ships include Phoenix II, Storm, Red Dragon, Pretzel Pete Truck (from the [[Pretzel Pete]] video game published by XSIV Games). The datacube "TRANSMISSION SOURCE: Epic MegaGames" game and was renamed "TRANSMISSION SOURCE: XSIV Games" with a Pretzel Pete game ad (however, other references to Epic MegaGames titles remain). |
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Although it claims Windows compatibility, this is achieved using a .PIF file, not by building a native Windows application. |
Although it claims Windows compatibility, this is achieved using a [[Program information file|.PIF file]], not by building a native Windows application. |
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===Game Boy releases=== |
===Game Boy releases=== |
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World Tree Games |
World Tree Games developed versions for the [[Game Boy Color]] and [[Game Boy Advance]]. After the publisher Symmetry Entertainment closed down, the European publisher Stealth Productions, Inc. (Stealth Media Group, Inc.) obtained the publication rights, but the game was cancelled. |
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Both Game Boy versions were eventually released in compiled format in 2007 as freeware by World Tree Games.<ref name="freeware"/> |
Both Game Boy versions were eventually released in compiled format in 2007 as freeware by World Tree Games.<ref name="freeware"/> |
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In the Game Boy Color version, the Full Game incorporates a shorter |
In the Game Boy Color version, the Full Game incorporates a shorter story (from Episodes 1-4) than the original DOS game, but planet Ixmucane core always gets destroyed at the end, and the levels were redesigned. The rear weapon from the DOS game is not available. The player can carry two Sidekick weapons at once, but only one is usable at a time. New game modes and items can be unlocked by purchasing Extras using credits obtained by completing a stage. |
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The Game Boy Advance version incorporates graphics from the DOS game, but the level layout and game play are based on the Game Boy Color game. Two Sidekick weapons can be fired at the same time. Super Arcade and audio are not included. New to this game is Challenge mode, where additional levels are unlocked by completing existing Challenge levels. |
The Game Boy Advance version incorporates graphics from the DOS game, but the level layout and game play are based on the Game Boy Color game. Two Sidekick weapons can be fired at the same time. Super Arcade and audio are not included. New to this game is Challenge mode, where additional levels are unlocked by completing existing Challenge levels. |
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|publisher=The OpenTyrian Development Team |
|publisher=The OpenTyrian Development Team |
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|released=2007 |
|released=2007 |
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|genre=[[ |
|genre=[[Scrolling shooter]] |
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|modes=[[ |
|modes=[[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] |
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|platforms=[[Amiga]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[BlackBerry Z10|BlackBerry 10 OS]], [[BlackBerry PlayBook|BlackBerry PlayBook OS]], [[Dreamcast]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[GameCube]], [[Gizmondo]], [[GP2X]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Maemo Platform]], [[Pandora (console)|Pandora]], [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]], [[Symbian]] OS, [[Wii]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Zune HD]] ([[Windows CE 6.0]]) |
|platforms=[[Amiga]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[BlackBerry Z10|BlackBerry 10 OS]], [[BlackBerry PlayBook|BlackBerry PlayBook OS]], [[Dreamcast]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[GameCube]], [[Gizmondo]], [[GP2X]], [[Linux]], [[Mac OS X]], [[Maemo Platform]], [[Pandora (console)|Pandora]], [[PlayStation Portable|PSP]], [[Symbian]] OS, [[Wii]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Zune HD]] ([[Windows CE 6.0]]) |
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}} |
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In February 2007 the [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] (and [[x86]] [[Assembly language|assembly]]) [[source code]] for ''Tyrian'' was |
In February 2007 the [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] (and [[x86]] [[Assembly language|assembly]]) [[source code]] for ''Tyrian'' was delegated to a small group of developers to re-write it in [[C (programming language)|C]], in a project named OpenTyrian, licensed under the [[GNU General Public License|GNU GPL-2.0-or-later]]. Jason Emery released Tyrian in 2007, along with some [[Game Boy]] and [[Game Boy Advance]] versions.<ref name="freeware">[https://web.archive.org/web/20120218200015/http://www.freewebs.com/worldtreegames worldtreegames] (2007, archived)</ref> Following that announcement, in April 2007 Daniel Cook announced the free availability of his Tyrian artwork (not including the later work for the [[Game Boy Color]] edition and for Tyrian 2000) under generic liberal terms of the [[open content]] [[CC BY|Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License]].<ref>[https://lostgarden.home.blog/2007/04/free-game-graphics-tyrian-ships-and.html Free game graphics: Tyrian ships and tiles] on lostgarden.com by Daniel Cook (2007-04-04)</ref><ref>[https://lostgarden.home.blog/2007/03/lost-garden-license.html Lost garden license] on lostgarden.com ''"All licensed items use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License"'' (2007)</ref> OpenTyrian was originally stored on the [[Bitbucket|BitBucket]] [[Repository (version control)|repository]] before moving on to [[GitHub]].<ref>[https://bitbucket.org/opentyrian/opentyrian/wiki/Home OpenTyrian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625175349/https://bitbucket.org/opentyrian/opentyrian/wiki/Home |date=2016-06-25 }} on bitbucket.org ''"OpenTyrian 2.1.20130907 has been released. [...] There are also console builds for Android, Amiga, Atari Falcon 060, BlackBerry, Dingoo, Dreamcast, DS, GameCube, Gizmondo, GP2X, GP32, GCW Zero, Mac OS X, Nokia Internet Tablets, PSP, PS3 Linux, Symbian, Wii, Wiz, and ZuneHD."''</ref> |
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==Audio== |
==Audio== |
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==Reception== |
==Reception== |
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''Tyrian'' scored 87% in ''[[PC Gamer]]'' (one percent below their Editor's Choice award).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' complimented the use of a shop system for acquiring powerups, the ability to save games at any time, and the inclusion of a storyline to provide a reason behind "killing everything you see." He scored the game four out of five stars.<ref>{{cite journal |
The game mostly received positive reviews. ''Tyrian'' scored 87% in ''[[PC Gamer]]'' (one percent below their Editor's Choice award).{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' complimented the use of a shop system for acquiring powerups, the ability to save games at any time, and the inclusion of a storyline to provide a reason behind "killing everything you see." He scored the game four out of five stars.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Tyrian|journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=November 1995|pages=181–2}}</ref> ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' nominated ''Tyrian'' as "Action Game of the Year".{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} The original developers Jason Emery and Alexander Brandon considered ''Tyrian''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reception "far more" than their expectations.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} |
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==Notes== |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{Official website|web.archive.org/web/20140723113545/http://www.freewebs.com/worldtreegames/}}, repository, World Tree Games via [[Internet Archive]] |
*{{Official website|web.archive.org/web/20140723113545/http://www.freewebs.com/worldtreegames/}}, repository, World Tree Games via [[Internet Archive]] |
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*[https:// |
*[https://github.com/opentyrian/opentyrian/ OpenTyrian] on [[GitHub]] |
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*[http://camanis.net/ Freeware Tyrian page], based on [[DOSBox]] |
*[http://camanis.net/ Freeware Tyrian page], based on [[DOSBox]] |
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*[http://alexanderbrandon.bandcamp.com/album/tyrian-original-soundtrack Tyrian Soundtrack] |
*[http://alexanderbrandon.bandcamp.com/album/tyrian-original-soundtrack Tyrian Soundtrack] |
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[[Category:Maemo games]] |
[[Category:Maemo games]] |
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[[Category:Open-source video games]] |
[[Category:Open-source video games]] |
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[[Category:Shareware games]] |
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[[Category:Vertically scrolling shooters]] |
[[Category:Vertically scrolling shooters]] |
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[[Category:Video games scored by Alexander Brandon]] |
[[Category:Video games scored by Alexander Brandon]] |
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[[Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code]] |
[[Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code]] |
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[[Category:Windows games]] |
[[Category:Windows games]] |
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[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] |
Revision as of 10:48, 10 May 2024
This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2017) |
Tyrian | |
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![]() | |
Developer(s) | Eclipse Software |
Publisher(s) | Epic MegaGames |
Designer(s) | Jason Emery |
Artist(s) | Daniel Cook |
Writer(s) | Alexander Brandon |
Composer(s) |
|
Platform(s) | MS-DOS, Windows |
Release | October 26, 1995[a][b] |
Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Tyrian is a vertically scrolling shooter developed by Eclipse Software for MS-DOS and published in 1995 by Epic MegaGames. Tyrian was programmed by Jason Emery, illustrated by Daniel Cook, and its music composed by Alexander Brandon and Andras Molnar. The game was re-released as freeware in 2004. A free and open-source port of the game started in April 2007.
Plot
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The game is set in the year 20,031. The player takes on the role of Trent Hawkins, a skilled spaceship pilot. While on the planet Tyrian, a hostile drone shoots his best friend, Buce Quesillac. Before dying Buce warns Trent that the drone belonged to the militaristic MicroSol megacorporation. MicroSol has discovered Gravitium (the game's brand of Unobtainium) on Tyrian and seeks to keep it a secret. Now on MicroSol's hit list, Trent manages to secure a small, armed spacecraft and set out to the free world of Savara.
Gameplay
Tyrian is an arcade-style vertical scrolling shooter. It was developed chiefly as a homage to the works of Compile, particularly their Zanac series.
The player controls a space ship fitted with different weapons (front and back, linked to the same button, and up to two external pods with their own buttons) and other equipment. The game presents a variety of enemies (some flying, some fixed, some on rails) and bosses, with many occurrences of fixed and/or indestructible obstacles. Before the player's starship is destroyed it must take enough damage to exhaust several points of shields (which regenerate over time) and armor.
Tyrian's full game mode features a credit and equipment-buying system, and the shield/armor hit points which are similar to game mechanics in Raptor: Call of the Shadows, another PC game from the same period. The arcade mode has characteristics from coin-op arcade shooters, such as in-game powerups and extra lives.
Difficulty
There are three levels of difficulty to choose from: Easy, Medium, and Hard, as well as the hidden options of Impossible, Suicide, and Lord of the Game. Hard difficulty and above employ enemies with more health as well as fire more bullets per second. Certain hidden levels are only available at hard difficulty, which provide ample opportunities for unique powerups and upgrades. In certain levels, the Hard setting also prevents the player from seeing enemies outside a conical line-of-sight. Upon completion of the game, the player receives a password for one of the several hidden ships, as well as the options for replaying the game at a higher difficulty setting.
Full story mode
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f8/Savara.gif/220px-Savara.gif)
The "full story mode" is a single player mode that features a story-based campaign and ship customization. The story is told through the message cubes that can be collected within and read between levels. Some of these messages cubes are readily available while others need to be obtained by destroying certain enemies in the preceding level. At certain points in the game, the storyline branches and the player is required to pick one branch.
The player's craft is customizable. It can accommodate a front weapon and a rear weapon. Shops can supply a variety of kinetic guns, rayguns, missiles, and bombs for these two slots. While the front weapons are mostly limited to forward arcs, "rear" weapons often come with wider coverage including side and rear shots. Some rear weapons have two selectable fire modes, focusing either mostly forward, or mostly sideways or rearward.
Weapons can be upgraded up to 10 times. Higher levels cost exponentially more and require a more powerful generator to support them. Other upgrades include increased shields, more powerful generators to allow for stronger weapons and shields, more armor, and higher maneuverability. Shops differ in terms of the ships, generators, and weapons they have for sale. However, shops can upgrade any component, even those that they don't sell.
The player can also purchase up to two "sidekicks" which fly alongside the ship. Some simply act as a complementary weapon that fire whenever the ship fires; others are powerful weapons with limited ammunition that need to manually activated. Sidekicks may not be upgradable.
Arcade mode
In arcade mode, the player starts with a moderate ship and picks up the front guns, rear guns, and sidekicks along the way, instead of purchasing them. Front weapons are upgraded by picking up purple bubbles from destroyed enemies. The number of purple orbs required increases exponentially to advance to higher power levels. Front and rear guns can also be upgraded to the next level by picking up power-up pods, which are found by destroying a specific enemy. The ship, shields, and generators are not upgradeable.
The arcade mode can be played with one or two ships, by one or two players. The ships are called the "Dragonhead" and "Dragonwing". Both players can combine their ships into one, forming the "Steel Dragon", with the first player controlling the combined ship, and the second player controlling a turret. Tyrian enables the two players to be connected via modem.
The Dragonhead has front gun powerups (with more variety than the Dragonwing's rear gun pickups), has better maneuverability, and a smaller profile making it easier to dodge enemy fire. It also controls the "special" power-up weapons such as the Soul of Zinglon or Repulsor. The Dragonwing is larger and slower but more heavily armored. It picks up the rear up power-ups, although unlike the equivalent single-player rear gun, the Dragonwing fires it mostly forward instead of the side or rear. The Dragonwing also controls the sidekick weapons. The player can also increase the power of the Dragonwing's weapon by not firing them for short time, letting them to accumulate extra charges. There are five charge levels for each weapon, and collecting the spherical purple powerups gives the Dragonwing the ability to charge-up faster.
Timed battle
In this mode, available in Tyrian 2000 only, the player chooses from three levels to play in (Deliani, Space station, and Savara). The player is given a set time to complete the level, while collecting power-ups, fighting off enemies and killing the boss. When the level is complete, the score is calculated depending on time spent, ship's integrity, destruction caused, and enemies killed.
Super arcade
The game also features 7 (9 in Tyrian 2000) hidden "super arcade" modes with specialized ships, requiring the user to type in certain codewords which are shown after beating the game. (The first code is given by beating the regular game, and each consecutive code is given after beating the mode which comes before it.)
Super Tyrian
This mode, which is enabled by typing "engage" at the title screen, disables all cheat codes and command parameters and sets the difficulty to Lord of Game (or Suicide if the Scroll Lock key is held down). The player possesses a Stalker 21.126 ship, along with a small shield and only one weapon, the Atomic Rail Gun. No other weapons are available; however the ship is able to generate many different weapons when the player performs particular sequences of movements and weapon-firing. The "headlight effect" is always turned on in Super Tyrian, which can obscure objects that are not within a 90-degree field of view in front of the player's ship.
Mini-games
Destruct is a minigame concealed inside Tyrian, reminiscent of Scorched Earth, with human-vs-human and human-vs-computer modes of play. It can be played by typing "destruct" at the main menu screen.
In the Zinglon's Ale mini-game, players must try to gather as much ale as possible, while dodging wave after wave of bouncing enemies, and clearing the screen of enemies fully before advancing to the next level. If not cleared, the game continues infinitely while growing ever harder.
Zinglon's Squadrons is a mini-game similar to Galaxian or Galaga. Large formations of ships fly down to attack. Individual ships in the groups break off to fly down in various ways. Players must destroy the whole fleet to advance to the next fleet.
In the mini-game Zinglon's Revenge a giant ship projects a horizontal field of energy. Small enemies fall down from above and bounce around the edges of the screen and against the energy field. Touching the field or one of the small enemies could be deadly. Players must shoot all the small enemies to advance to the next level.
Development
Tyrian was developed by a credited total of 11 people, with "three main drivers" — Alexander Brandon (composer and writer), Jason Emery (programmer and level designer), and Daniel Cook (artist and interface designer). For the aforementioned developers, Tyrian was their first commercial video game.[1][2]
The origins of Tyrian began as an experiment in 1991, with a young Jason Emery showing his friend Alexander Brandon the preliminary workings of a scrolling background. The two continued developing, and eventually decided the work could be shown to a game company. Brandon wrote a proposal document and sent it to the two leading shareware game publishers of the time, Epic MegaGames and Apogee. However, the game lacked any sound or music, and the graphics were "definitely not professional". As such, "neither got overly excited", but both showed interest.
The two developers thought they would never find a publisher. However, after a long wait, Robert Allen—head of Safari Software—considered Tyrian to fit perfectly with their company, which handled smaller scale projects. Robert Allen had word from Cliff Bleszinski that Tyrian was very similar to Zanac, thinking that it should be followed up.
Robert Allen gave leads to sound coders and artists, the first being Bruce Hsu who created interface graphics and character faces. Artist Daniel Cook was hired after composer Alexander Brandon showed interest in his artwork, which was—unbeknown to Cook—"sent around" by a friend. After he was sent a short list of levels, Cook created sample artwork on an Amiga 1200. It was met with praise by the other developers, who asked him to "make some more!". The artwork was completed in a 4-month period.[1][3]
After work began on graphics, the popularity of Tyrian rose at Epic MegaGames. Arturo Sinclair from Storm Front Studios joined to create rendered artwork for planets and character faces. The developers wanted a "simple and fun" interface, and changed it at least three times before deciding on a final design. At this point, Tyrian was almost complete; with the "Loudness" sound system, near-completed sound effects, and a marketing plan head by Mark Rein. At this time, Tim Sweeney approached the team and informed them Tyrian was to be published as a full-fledged Epic MegaGames product. It was later released in 1995.
The data cubes found in the game's Full Mode contain various references to its parent publishers, including One Must Fall 2097, Jazz Jackrabbit, and Pretzel Pete (Tyrian 2000). The Pretzel Pete Truck and its weapon is a reference to the Pretzel Pete video game.
Versions and re-releases
Tyrian
Version 1.0 of the game was originally released as shareware on September 14, 1995, consisting of episode 1 of the game.[4] Released one month later on October 26, Version 1.1 was the first published registered version, consists of the first three episodes, and includes various bugfixes.[5] The registered version also includes the ship editor, which was later available as separate download. Version 2.0 added Episode 4 (An End to Fate) and several new game modes, like the two-player mode. Version 2.01/2.1 fixed some keyboard bugs and includes the "Christmas mode", triggered by starting the game in December.
Tyrian 2000 (3.0)
Tyrian 2000 | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Eclipse Productions |
Publisher(s) | Stealth Media Group, Inc. (XSIV Games) Symmetry Entertainment (XSIV Games) |
Platform(s) | DOS |
Release | 1999 2004 (freeware) |
Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
In 1999, Tyrian was re-released as Tyrian 2000, which includes an additional fifth episode and bug fixes.
Additional ships include Phoenix II, Storm, Red Dragon, Pretzel Pete Truck (from the Pretzel Pete video game published by XSIV Games). The datacube "TRANSMISSION SOURCE: Epic MegaGames" game and was renamed "TRANSMISSION SOURCE: XSIV Games" with a Pretzel Pete game ad (however, other references to Epic MegaGames titles remain).
Although it claims Windows compatibility, this is achieved using a .PIF file, not by building a native Windows application.
Game Boy releases
World Tree Games developed versions for the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance. After the publisher Symmetry Entertainment closed down, the European publisher Stealth Productions, Inc. (Stealth Media Group, Inc.) obtained the publication rights, but the game was cancelled.
Both Game Boy versions were eventually released in compiled format in 2007 as freeware by World Tree Games.[6]
In the Game Boy Color version, the Full Game incorporates a shorter story (from Episodes 1-4) than the original DOS game, but planet Ixmucane core always gets destroyed at the end, and the levels were redesigned. The rear weapon from the DOS game is not available. The player can carry two Sidekick weapons at once, but only one is usable at a time. New game modes and items can be unlocked by purchasing Extras using credits obtained by completing a stage.
The Game Boy Advance version incorporates graphics from the DOS game, but the level layout and game play are based on the Game Boy Color game. Two Sidekick weapons can be fired at the same time. Super Arcade and audio are not included. New to this game is Challenge mode, where additional levels are unlocked by completing existing Challenge levels.
OpenTyrian
OpenTyrian | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Carl W. Reinke (Mindless), Yuri K. Schlesner (yuriks), Casey A. McCann (syntaxglitch) |
Publisher(s) | The OpenTyrian Development Team |
Platform(s) | Amiga, Android, BlackBerry 10 OS, BlackBerry PlayBook OS, Dreamcast, Nintendo DS, GameCube, Gizmondo, GP2X, Linux, Mac OS X, Maemo Platform, Pandora, PSP, Symbian OS, Wii, Windows, Zune HD (Windows CE 6.0) |
Release | 2007 |
Genre(s) | Scrolling shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
In February 2007 the Pascal (and x86 assembly) source code for Tyrian was delegated to a small group of developers to re-write it in C, in a project named OpenTyrian, licensed under the GNU GPL-2.0-or-later. Jason Emery released Tyrian in 2007, along with some Game Boy and Game Boy Advance versions.[6] Following that announcement, in April 2007 Daniel Cook announced the free availability of his Tyrian artwork (not including the later work for the Game Boy Color edition and for Tyrian 2000) under generic liberal terms of the open content Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.[7][8] OpenTyrian was originally stored on the BitBucket repository before moving on to GitHub.[9]
Audio
The music of Tyrian was created by Alexander Brandon with additional music by Andras Molnar, and is in the LDS (Loudness Sound System) format. The Tyrian 2000 CD includes 25 of the tracks in red book audio format. The red book tracks are omitted from the freeware version due to the download size. The tracks "ZANAC3" and "ZANAC5" are reproductions of two songs from the MSX/NES game Zanac.
Alexander Brandon released the music of Tyrian for free in August 2010.[10]
Reception
The game mostly received positive reviews. Tyrian scored 87% in PC Gamer (one percent below their Editor's Choice award).[citation needed] A reviewer for Next Generation complimented the use of a shop system for acquiring powerups, the ability to save games at any time, and the inclusion of a storyline to provide a reason behind "killing everything you see." He scored the game four out of five stars.[11] Computer Gaming World nominated Tyrian as "Action Game of the Year".[citation needed] The original developers Jason Emery and Alexander Brandon considered Tyrian's reception "far more" than their expectations.[citation needed]
Notes
- ^ This date denotes the 1.1 version that released after the 1.0 shareware version, which was distributed from September 14, 1995.
- ^ 1999 saw the release of Tyrian 2000, an updated version of the game that contained an extra episode. 2004 was the year Tyrian was officially released as freeware. In 2007, the game's graphics were released under permissive license terms, and the game's proprietary Pascal source code was released to a group of developers to make an open-source C version.
References
- ^ a b Lost Garden: Free game graphics: Tyrian ships and tiles
- ^ Club Silicon: Tyrian Jukebox
- ^ Lost Garden: The joyful life of the lapsed game developer
- ^ Lafferty, Craig (September 14, 1995). "Tyrian Released!". Epic MegaGames. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ Lafferty, Craig (October 11, 1995). "Tyrian V1.1". Epic MegaGames. Archived from the original on October 10, 1997. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b worldtreegames (2007, archived)
- ^ Free game graphics: Tyrian ships and tiles on lostgarden.com by Daniel Cook (2007-04-04)
- ^ Lost garden license on lostgarden.com "All licensed items use the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License" (2007)
- ^ OpenTyrian Archived 2016-06-25 at the Wayback Machine on bitbucket.org "OpenTyrian 2.1.20130907 has been released. [...] There are also console builds for Android, Amiga, Atari Falcon 060, BlackBerry, Dingoo, Dreamcast, DS, GameCube, Gizmondo, GP2X, GP32, GCW Zero, Mac OS X, Nokia Internet Tablets, PSP, PS3 Linux, Symbian, Wii, Wiz, and ZuneHD."
- ^ tyrian-original-soundtrack on alexanderbrandon.bandcamp.com (August 26, 2010)
- ^ "Tyrian". Next Generation (11). Imagine Media: 181–2. November 1995.
External links
- Official website, repository, World Tree Games via Internet Archive
- OpenTyrian on GitHub
- Freeware Tyrian page, based on DOSBox
- Tyrian Soundtrack
- Tyrian at MobyGames
- Tyrian 2000 can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
- 1995 video games
- Cancelled Game Boy Advance games
- Cancelled Game Boy Color games
- DOS games
- DOS games ported to Windows
- Freeware games
- IOS games
- Linux games
- MacOS games
- Maemo games
- Open-source video games
- Shareware games
- Vertically scrolling shooters
- Video games scored by Alexander Brandon
- Video games developed in the United States
- Creative Commons-licensed video games
- Games commercially released with DOSBox
- Commercial video games with freely available source code
- Windows games
- Multiplayer and single-player video games