mIRC game

An mIRC game is a computer game coded in the mIRC scripting language. The games are usually either text-based or graphical; if graphical, they are normally shown in a "Picture Window", a special kind of window that can be created for graphical uses. These mIRC games tend to be very simple, but there have been attempts of making complex multiplayer games using mIRC. Even if mIRC isn't the best platform for making games (mostly due to speed limits), they've been gaining popularity and complexity in the last years.

Brief history

mIRC games started to come up since the inception of mIRC's scripting language. More advanced picture-based games appeared as soon as mIRC had enough resources for their creation. This became evident after the Picture Window support, when several small games were made, usually resembling old arcade games like the ones on the Atari 2600.

Some mIRC Games

Tanks

The most popular mIRC game is probably Tanks, a basic point-and-shoot multiplayer game based on Scorched Earth, in which the objective is to aim (adjusting the angle and speed of the shot) to hit one's opponents over uneven terrain.

Mario Beta Engine

The Brazilian scripter DukeNukem created in 2001 a simple Mario Bros. game, the first beta test of a new collision engine developed for mIRC by him. The method was fast and efficient, which made this the first platform "game" made for mIRC. This collision method gained popularity in the passing months with other scripters, allowing several new and more complex games to be made. The expansion of such engine came out in 2003 on another beta test, this time for a simple ninja game. This new engine featured a few collisions, water, platforms, special movements and multiple layers. A full engine was later announced, entitled "The Ninja Engine", which would support several new kinds of collisions, many more layers and even animated backgrounds. DukeNukem never finished what was called "The Ninja Game". It was released at the picwin.tk website.

LindonRPG

LindonRPG is the first MMORPG available on IRC. It allows any person to create a character and evolve it, just like any other MMORPG. The game offers a full set of quests, loads of Events, and a good performing Admin Team. The IRC channel for this game is #LindonRPG @ Qnet or PTnet.

All-Out-War MMORPG

All-Out-War is the current big IRC MMORPG and the only one around. All-Out-War is a MMORPG driven by the crime element of society. It is an all text-based game via DCC Chat. The players goal is to become the most powerful gangster on the game using plenty of resources to do so. Participate in gang wars, bank robbing, play the casino or even play and possibly win the lottery! The player could perhaps enjoy a Disney twist in Zumanity's shop or race super fast cars and a lot more. The IRC channel for this game is #all-out-war on 5 IRC servers: GameSurge, Beirut, GameRadius, Global_Gamers_Center, ForTheGamers, and ChaoticNetworks. It is also available on the web through a Java Client at www.all-out-war.net

Side Note: This game is very similar to LindonRPG in its aspect's and RPG wise.

Criticism

Some scripters criticize mIRC games.

1. mIRC was not designed as a game platform
2. mIRC has speed limitations