HoverRace

HoverRace is an open source game designed by GrokkSoft. Created in 1996 as shareware, the company self-proclaimed it as the first internet-based online multiplayer game. Later, HoverRace became branded as abandonware before the source code was released and the game became open source.

File:HR Basic Craft.gif

The "Basic" HoverCraft: One of the several playable crafts in the game

Gameplay

HoverRace allows players around the world to race against each other in a 3D environment. The player chooses one of several hovercrafts before the start of the race and then competes against others on a track created either by GrokkSoft or a track created by other registered users. The game supports dial-up connections and does not require a server for races. Instead, up to 8 players connect directly through their IP address. However, users can connect to the in-game chat server called the Internet Meeting Room (IMR) where they can schedule races and chat with others. While racing, players are able to send messages to everyone, shoot missiles, drop landmines, and use speed boosters placed in the race track.

In addition, sports tracks have been made. In some of these tracks a stationary player is used as a ball or puck and other players must hit it where they need it to go. Missiles and other items are very rarely allowed in these games.

HoverRace as shareware

HoverRace was created in 1996 though there are some pieces of information cached on the internet that suggests it may have origins in 1995. It was designed by GrokkSoft with Richard Langlois as its most well-known programmer and John Ferber who was believed to be responsible for the company's marketing and advertising of the game. The game was free for everyone. However, free users could only race with the basic hovercraft and use the company's three free tracks to race. Users who bought a registration key for $16 could race with all hovercrafts, play any track, or even create their own.

To boost popularity, GrokkSoft advertised HoverRace on newsgroups and had a HoverRewards program to pay people who referred new players. Grokksoft also gained affiliations with MBnet, and E-on. These affiliations were short-lived and as a result the company had to release a new version which removed the E-on hovercraft and the MBnet IMR.

In 1998, GrokkSoft stopped selling registration keys. The reason for this was not mentioned by GrokkSoft. The community, however, still remained strong. Many novice players had their own websites with tracks and information about HoverRace and were usually part of webrings that linked to others. The IMR rooms hosted on GrokkSoft worked until the end of 1999 when Grokksoft decided to pull down the server due to security issues. After the Grokksoft server went down, the community quickly eroded until it was brought back in mid-2000 by a group of former players that had the source code for the IMR server and hacked the game files. The source code for the server was stolen illegally. Since 2001, the activity of the HoverRace community has been somewhat sinusoidal; there are periods of long activity followed by relatively quiet times. Most of the time the only thing that keeps the community alive are constant flamewars.

HoverRace as abandonware

The game, now currently hosted by HoverRace.com is free to all users, allows racing of up to 10 (instead of 8 as before), and is modified to allow racing of the E-on craft. Management of the game has switched hands many times. Former websites that managed the game include hoverrace.com (whose ownership has switched hands several times as well), hoverrace.ds98.com, mydan.com, and bapinney.com.

To compensate for the game's aging graphics and interface, attempts have been made to entice new players. Improving the IMR source code, modernizing web pages, implementing forums, designing an interactive scoreserver, interactive room bots, and alternate controlled hacked versions with cheats were all attempts to maintain the number of current players as well as bringing in new ones.

HoverRace as open-source software

In August 2006, Ryan Curtin (known as Igglybob) obtained the source code from Richard Langlois. The process was preceded by an exchange of emails that took place over nine months. Previously, other attempts to contact Langlois for the code were made but were unsuccessful. The source code license is temporary and Langlois is expected to have created a permanent license to replace it before 2009 when the temporary license expires. The source code is available to the public on the game's main websites. Since then the game has developed into two distinct forks.

Austin and Ryans Fork

This fork is based at Austins HoverRace Site. A number of modifications have been made since the obtainment of the source code. These include:

• Higher supported resolutions (up to 1600x1200)
• More gameplay options; weapons, mines, and speed cans can be disabled
• Fixed misspellings

Other modifications which are planned in this fork include a revamping of the network infrastructure, more textures that can be used in track creation, and a rewrite of the graphics engine.

HoverRace Plus Fork

Another fork of HoverRace has developed, known as HoverRace Plus. The purpose of the HoverRace Plus project is to modernize HoverRace, decentralize the game, and increase community involvement. HoverRace Plus also aims to be more "family-friendly." The game is currently available in alpha form for testing, and is still being updated regularly. HoverRace Plus and its associated Web site will be officially launched in October 2007.

External links

• HoverRace Website
• HoverRace Development Wiki
• HoverRace Plus Official Site