Egoboo (video game)

Egoboo
Developer(s)	Egoboo Development Team
Publisher(s)	Ben Bishop
Designer(s)	Aaron Bishop
Engine	SDL, OpenGL
Platform(s)	Linux, Windows, Mac OS X
Release	1999 (first version)
Genre(s)	Action RPG
Mode(s)	Single player, Hot seat, Multiplayer (1 to 4 players)

Egoboo is a 3D open source dungeon crawling action role-playing game with current support for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Mac OS X, and some earlier versions of Windows. Users have downloaded Egoboo over 400,000 times since its first release, but this number is incomplete, since Egoboo can be downloaded from many other sites.

History

The original Egoboo was the creation of Aaron Bishop (who was at first known only as "Programmer X"). With the help of his brother Ben Bishop, he eventually released it as open source. Soon after this, however, Aaron stopped developing the project and it was abandoned. Fairly soon after this, the "Zippy Project" took over, and the game's development continued. The Zippy project eventually died as well. After this, it was taken over by Johan Jansen (alias "Zefz") and the "Resurrection" project. Currently Egoboo is being developed by the previous "Resurrection" project, which has reorganized itself as the official development team.

Development

Egoboo is not yet considered to be complete, though it has been developed for approximately ten years, with new versions being released periodically. Currently the game is developed primarily by a four-person development team, but several other contributors also work on creating new modules (maps), items, monsters, and character classes. The game can be easily edited so new weapons, monsters, etc. can be added without altering the underlying source code. Egoboo has its own scripting language that is used for editing all objects (which includes characters, items, monsters, furniture, etc.). All these objects use 3D models with a .md2 format, and textures (primarily in .png and .bmp formats). The game's modules are edited and created with an external program called Egomap. Unfortunately, Egomap has a reputation for being buggy, and is not being actively developed.

Gameplay

The game has no world map. Instead, locations are selected from a list of available "modules". When modules are finished, more are unlocked. Most modules are only accessible to saved characters, except starter modules that must be completed to create new characters with which to play the game.

Much of the game revolves around combat. There are several different types of weapons (crushing, slashing, etc.) that do different types of damage (e.g. cuts, piercings, fire, ice). Each type of weapon has its own advantages and disadvantages, and depending on the type of damage they deal, they may be more or less effective against certain monsters.

In addition to normal melee (or ranged) combat, some character classes are able to use magic. Magic is divided into two types, divine and arcane. Divine magic focuses on healing. It can be used when no weapons are in the characters hand to heal nearby allies, or it can be channeled by special Relics with even more powerful effects. Arcane magic is used through books, which can create various magical effects, some more powerful than others. Most Arcane magic focuses on attacks or enchantments. All magic uses up mana, which can be restored with special potions, and also naturally regenerates.

Story

Egoboo's story revolves around the capture of Lord Bishop, the king of Bishopia. He was taken away by the evil Dracolich for unknown reasons, and brave adventurers have risen up to try to rescue him. The Dracolich hid in the Abyss, which is only accessible through secret Catacombs. The Catacombs are sealed, however, and can only be unlocked by the Legendary Sporks of Yore.

Characters must progress through the five Palaces in order to retrieve the Sporks so that the Catacombs can be opened.

Classes

Egoboo currently features eleven playable character classes, each with its own unique abilities and skills. Each one has its own special "starter module." When the player completes a starter module, the character is saved and can enter the other areas of the game. There is no limit to how many of each class the player saves, but there is a limit to how many total characters can be displayed on the character selection screen.

All of the classes but four are available at the beginning of the game. The Zombi, G'nome, Tourist and Archaeologist classes are unlocked when certain requirements are met.

"Hero classes" are currently being made, which are 'level ups' of the base classes. Each hero class has advanced skills, but also some disadvantages.

World

The primary areas the player must progress through are five palaces which must be completed in order. Once the five magical Sporks have been obtained from each of the palaces, the Catacombs can be unlocked. The Catacombs consist of two levels, and after that, there are two Abyss levels that must also be completed to finish the main storyline.

Besides the main dungeons, there are also peaceful towns and cities character can enter. Currently there are only three: Zippy Village, Sandweg and the Capital City of Bishopia.

There are also special challenge modules only playable by certain character classes, like K'nife's Heist, which is only available to Rogues. It is unlocked if the Rogue starter is completed with K'nife, an allied NPC, still living.

Multiplayer

Currently only co-operative play on a single machine is available. The developers hope to eventually add full online multiplayer support with multiple modes of play, including competitive game modes.

References

• Newsforge Interview. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.
• Linux Dev Center Interview. Retrieved on 2008-05-15.

External links

• Official site
• Egoboo forums
• EgoWiki
• Interview: Developing Open Source games at Linux.com