SourceForts

An in-game screenshot of SourceForts.

SourceForts is a multiplayer CTF modification, or mod for Half-Life 2.

Description

Capture the Flag!

SourceForts is a Half Life 2: Deathmatch modification built around the HL2:DM code, but plays nothing like HL2:DM itself.

There is a phase with limited amount of time called "Build Phase", during which teams construct defensive stuctures for their flags with provided objects and materials such as blocks and planks in different shapes and sizes. Some maps also include 'item spawner' devices, which allow players to choose which kind of pieces they would like to appear, reducing the number of loose objects on the map. Most official and community made maps now use spawners. After the Build Phase is over the "Combat Phase" begins. The player is then given weapons depending on their chosen class and tries to defend their flag using the fort they just constructed, while simultaneously attempting to breach the enemy's fort and capture their flag. Points are earned by killing enemies or by capturing the enemy's flag and returning it to you own base. After the Combat Phase is over, a secondary, and usually shorter, Build Phase follows. During the secondary Build Phase, players can repair their fort from damage sustained during Combat Phase, and are able to expand or strengthen their forts. The game continues to alternate between Combat Phase and Build Phase until the server's set time limit is over, or the map is changed.

History

SourceForts was originally created by Knifa, a twelve year old (at the time) UK mod maker, with its first release on February 24th, 2005. It went through various versions, however very few were 'stable' (once, during the course of three days, the mod was updated three times). Eventually, version 1.4.1 was created, including many requested features and extra stability. However, at this point Valve updated Half-Life 2: Deathmatch (which the SourceForts code is based on), introducing an error in the logic_gametimer function which caused 1.4.1 to be unplayable. After attempting and failing to fix the problem, Knifa abandoned the mod, handing over the official site and forums to Stinger, Dred_furst and Coag, none of whom had the coding experience to continue the project.

SourceFort's self-proclaimed 'saviour' was jlf, an English programmer who claims he was just 'in the right channel at the right time'. Jlf released SourceForts version 1.4.2, which was simply a working version of 1.4.1, with the same gameplay but bypassing the bug. Along with this, jlf became the new SourceForts administrator, by the creation of a new website and forums. Jlf's next move was to begin work on SourceForts version 2.0.0, written completely from scratch, with none of Knifa's code. This took far longer than expected, however, leaving many in the community restless at the apparent lack of progress in the mod: they were stuck playing an unstable game while no release of 2.0.0 was in sight. Eventually, the decision was made to work on a temporary stop-gap: SourceForts version 1.5.0, a fully stable version of 1.4.2 that would appease the community until the work on 2.0.0 could be completed. Jlf passed on much of the work on 1.5.0 and it's linux binaries to an outside programmer known as nick. Nick requested to join the team right when it became apparent a 'one and a half' version was needed.

After a series of misunderstandings of the merits of a public beta, nick released the beta binaries for 1.5.0, without permission from any other staff members. A short time later, with the code all but completed, several additional controversial actions took place. Jlf returned from a trip, and started to request the code that Nick was working on. Additionally, jlf required that nick add code to the beta which would make 1.5.0 maps compatible with jlf's 2.0.0 format, but would not allow nick to use this code in any future projects. Nick, considering 1.5.0 to be basically his creation, resented this idea. When both sides could not come to an acceptable agreement, nick left the SourceForts Team, and took the 1.5.0 code with him. He used this code to start his own mod, known as Neoforts. Neoforts development ceased and the mod officially closed down a short time after, due to a "lack of leadership" and interest.

Soon after nick's departure, the decision was made to put out another SourceForts stop-gap version, 1.9.0, to allow community members to see the progress the mod was making and give them a stable game. This version was to be coded by jlf, although Voltaire, a trusty programmer who was familiar with jlf, joined near the end of the 1.9.0 betas and helped out a great deal. A new "Dev Team Diary" was added to the forum, additions were added to the stagnant homepage, and Beta Testers were encouraged to speak about the features of the new version before it was released.

SourceForts version 1.9.0 was released on September 25, to mixed reviews from the community. Many appreciate the changes made, while others consider the modifications to have ruined some of the tried and true ways of playing, by removing or heavily modifing weapons and defensive tactics such as block throwing. As the intent of the release was to greatly change the gameplay of SourceForts, however, it is likely that as players become used to the new gameplay they will find new tactics and strategies to replace those that are no longer possible. At the same time as the release, a completely redesigned homepage was unveiled, as well as a new league system to be up and running in a few weeks time.

After a long period of inactivity on the staff's part, the community was finally provided with an update on the progress of SourceForts. A news post was released including various images of new models and maps by FictiousWill and Stieffers. The post also detailed how the previous project leader and coder, jlf, had left due to complications in his life, but how Voltaire had picked up where jlf had left off. Stieffers wrote of how he was working on a completely re-coded website to provide a solid foundation for future community activities. Lastly, the post stated of how FictiousWill was showing off his mapping abilities by releasing many up-for-download maps to the community.

After a month of site related issues, it became apparent that the current webserver had issues beyond what any of the staff were capable of coping with. Out of shear luck, Stieffers, while playing on the [Xforts] clan server, came across a skilled linux server administrator. Sendmail ( Also '#!/usr/sbin/sendmail' ), the said administrator, was shortly added to the team as a much needed aid to the server dilema. Sendmail was quickly able to revitalize the webserver allowing Stieffers to upload the new website as a Christmas surprise. The newly unvailed site contained a completely recoded league, main page, and forum integration. The new site did not depend on eGroupWare, such as the previous one had. This allowed for much better site performance, and tighter integration with new site features.

As of late December, plans were in the works to rebuild the most popular of SourceForts dedicated servers, [Xforts] Customs/Classics, moving it to an Intel processor of higher quality than it's Barton predecessor. Welder, leader of the XForts clan and overseer of the server and the SourceForts development team dove into discussions of sharing Welder's clan server as an HTTP and SVN server, managed under Tony. Plans started for the 2.0.0 release to come, and the team began releasing 'gifts' to the community hinting at a 1.9.1 release early 2006.

Versions

The current version of SourceForts is 1.9.0 and download mirrors can be found at http://www.sourcefortsmod.com/

Planned for early January of 2006 is the release of SourceForts 1.9.1, which focuses on a few new models, such as the 'Ammo Crate,' as well as plenty of bugfixes, such as the notorious server-crasher of building in combat and spawn telefragging.

v2.0.0 was originally to be released on May 1st, 2005, but the release is taking much longer, due to issues with code leaks, inactivity of staff and problems with the website. The current aim of this release is around March of 2006, aiming to have all new models, a revamped class system, many bugfixes, and other goodies for players to enjoy. A major issue being worked out is the incredibley high usage of CPU. The builds up until 1.9.1 have previously been written optimized for Windows, leaving the Linux daemon at a loss. This should, as well, be corrected in newer releases.

Version 1.9.0

An image from the new version.

Version 1.9 no longer uses any money system, instead changing to a class style of play, with 5 classes available:

• Scout: the fastest class, and the only one that can fire when sprinting. All other classes have the stunstick as the melee weapon, but the Scout has the crowbar. Speed is all he's got going for him, with normal health, very little armor, and the mildly effective SMG.
• Soldier: Has the AR2 (combine rifle). He's got the most armor at 75, but he's the slowest class.
• Builder: Can repair their own team's blocks as well as "capture" enemies' in order to break down opposing walls. Primary fire on the gravity gun during Fight Phase repairs blocks, instead of shooting them, so the builder wont be a super-class at close range. The Builder has the gravity gun and shotgun.
• Rocketeer: Armed with rockets and mines.
• Sniper: Armed with the crossbow, has 75 health, no armor, and isn't very fast. This is so snipers are forced to actually take sniper roles. It's a good class for supporting flag cappers and clearing the midfield from a distance.

This gameplay change is the major update in the new version, in addition to stability tweaks, new team and class selection menus, the ability to drop flags and other smaller additions.

As well, new versions of some of the more popular 1.4.2 maps were included in the release, as well as the promised of future maps that will be avalible for download from the site.

Finally, new code is being developed to allow for a league style of play, allowing clans to compete and be ranked based on their wins in organized matches with set rules.

Staff

The SourceForts staff operates based on a well-organized communal, democratic and leaderless system which allows every member's ideas and input to be considered and realized to their full potential, making SourceForts development a true group effort.

Voltaire - Mod Programmer

Stinger - Level Designer

entRo - Quality Control

#!/usr/sbin/sendmail - Systems Administrator / Linux Daemon Contributor

Stieffers - Level Designer, 3D/2D Artist, Site Developer

FictiousWill - Level Designer, 3D/2D Artist

Khuskan - Sound Designer/Engineer

colt527 - Site Programmer

K3Y - 2D Artist

H.A.S.E. - Level Designer, 3D/2D Artist

jlf - Past Contributor: Team Lead, Programmer

OverDose - Past Contributor: Lead Artist

Tylak - Past Contributor: Mapper

Knifa - Past Contributor: Team Lead, Programmer

Requirements

To play SourceForts a copy of Half-Life 2 must be installed. The mod itself is free to download.

It is also highly recommended that new players read all read-me's and documentation ( such as the beginner's guide, and "How to Build a Fort" topic ) and practice building forts on their own before joining a public server, both to allow them to enjoy the game without the stress of learning how to build defencible forts on the fly, and to avoid conflict with other players on you team at your apparent ignorance.

Another recommended source of information for new players: http://sourcefortsmod.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=342 (NOTE: Some of this information is out of date, all of the key combinations and descriptions of building tools no longer apply to 1.9, as the Gravity Gun, Repair Gun and Freezer Gun have been incoporated into one tool. However, the information this guide provides for fort building strategies is very well presented.

See also

• Half-Life 2
• Valve Software
• Half-Life 2 mods

External links

• SourceForts
• SourceForts Forums
• Mod Database