Xonotic
Xonotic | |
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Developer(s) | Team Xonotic |
Publisher(s) | Team Xonotic |
Designer(s) | Team Xonotic and Community |
Engine | DarkPlaces engine |
Platform(s) | Linux,FreeBSD,OS XandWindows |
Release | Initial release date: 8 September 2011 – Current release version: 0.8.6[1];20 June 2023 |
Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Xonotic(/zoʊˈnɒtɪk,ksoʊ-/)[2]is afree and open-source[3]first-person shootervideo game. It was developed as aforkofNexuiz,following controversy surrounding the game's development. The game runs on a heavily modified version of theQuake engineknown as theDarkPlaces engine.Its gameplay is inspired byUnreal TournamentandQuake,but with various unique elements.
Gameplay
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Xonotic_0.8.2_rocket.jpg/220px-Xonotic_0.8.2_rocket.jpg)
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![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Screenshot_of_Xonotic_main_menu.jpg/220px-Screenshot_of_Xonotic_main_menu.jpg)
There are sixteen different game modes inXonotic,including classic modes likedeathmatchandcapture the flag.In order to unlock more game modes, players must complete different levels of gameplay. To score points, players must kill enemies using futuristic weapons while completing objectives. The gameplay is very fast-paced, due to players being able to move at high speed and jump erratically. While the basic concept is inspired by other games of the same genre, there are several unique elements. Emphasis is placed on movement and player physics, with a focus on gaining speed, jumping great distances, and conquering the level geometry. This is done with classic techniques includingstrafe jumping,bunny hopping,androcket jumping.Weapons have special abilities such as multiple fire modes, which increase the tactical options available to the players.
The game features a futuristic aesthetic, with maps set in high-tech environments and in space. The game runs on theDarkPlaces engineand thus supportsbloom,dynamic lightingand shadowing,offset mapping,andhigh-dynamic-range rendering.The developers claim that the graphics quality is comparable to commercial video game titles released between 2006 and 2007.[4]
Players can also personalize theirHUDaccording to their exact preferences.[5]
Development
In March 2010, controversy arose over the originalNexuizbeing licensed toIllFonicto create a commercial version. The original creator, Lee Vermeulen, secretly made a deal with IllFonic which gave them hold over theNexuiztrademark. Since this turn of events was unexpected by the community and mostNexuizdevelopers, they promised to create a fork controlled by a community in an open manner.[6][7][8]Approximately seven months later the source code was published viaGit.A preview version was released on 23 December 2010.[8][9]
Version 0.5 was released on 8 September 2011. It featured multi-language support, seven new maps, vehicle support, and enhancements to weapons and player movement, among other changes.[10]Since the release of this version, Team Xonotic's stated aim has been to "create the best possible fast-pacedopen-sourceFPS game ".[11]
Version 0.6 was released on 8 March 2012. It addedsRGBlightmap rendering, a new menu interface, 4 new maps, an integrated statistics system (XonStats), a Sandbox editing mode and the long-awaited feature of ClientSide QuakeC (CSQC) networked players. Bug fixes and optimizations were also made.[12]
Version 0.7, was released on 8 June 2013. It featured client-side rendering of players, 4 new maps and a complete re-write of the in-game chat system. Additionally, the team migrated to the gmqccQuakeCcompiler which generated faster, more optimized program files.[13]
The next major release ofXonotic,version 0.8, was released on 16 January 2015. It included, among other things, a new weapon, monsters, buffs and new maps.[14]
Afterward, two minor releases came out: version 0.8.1, which was released on 26 August 2015[15]and 0.8.2 on 1 April 2017.[16]They added new maps, new themes for the menu, and new gameplay features. In addition, the codebase of Xonotic wasrefactored.
0.8.5 was released on June 30, 2022.[17]It added over 5 years worth of changes, including new weapon models, codebase improvements, new maps and a new mode, changes to existing modes, weapon balance changes, and bot AI improvements.
0.8.6 released on June 20, 2023.[18]The release fixed a security bug, along with two new maps, four new modes, several balance adjustments, campaign improvements, a new bot AI type,Quake III Arenacompatibility changes, bug fixes, and minor engine updates.
Reception
PhoronixpraisedXonotic's gameplay and graphics, and declared the game "one of the most visually-impressive open-source games available for [multiple platforms]".Larabelsaid, "For being a community-backed open-source game without the support of any major game studio,Xonoticis doing great. "[10][19]Xonoticwas also deemed "the Best Free Multiplayer FPS Linux Can Muster" bySoftpedia.[20]Commenting on the game's community of both players and developers,Aboutnoted, "entering it makes you really feel like you've become a part of something bigger than just a video game."[21]
See also
- List of free first-person shooters
- List of free and open-source software packages
- List of open-source video games
References
- ^"Xonotic 0.8.6 Release".20 June 2023.Retrieved20 June2023.
- ^"Xonotic FAQ: How do you pronounce the name Xonotic?".Retrieved7 July2018.
- ^"Xonotic: Legal".Archived fromthe originalon 14 August 2014.Retrieved8 May2013.
- ^Dan, Craciun (28 September 2011)."Xonotic 0.5 – Free Shooter Based Off Nexuiz".TuxArena.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic".LibreGameWiki. 26 September 2015.Retrieved30 October2016.[self-published source]
- ^"Nexuiz Founder Licenses It For Non-GPL Use".Slashdot.22 March 2010.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Nexuiz Related FAQs".
- ^abLarabel, Michael (23 December 2010)."A Xonotic Preview Release Comes For Christmas".Phoronix.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.1 Preview Released".Team Xonotic.23 December 2010.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^abLarabel, Michael (8 September 2011)."Xonotic, The Successor To Nexuiz, Is Primed".Phoronix.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.5 Release".Team Xonotic.8 September 2011.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.6 Release".Team Xonotic.8 March 2012.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.7 Release".Team Xonotic.8 June 2013.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.8 Release".Team Xonotic.16 January 2015.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.8.1 Brings New Maps, New Gameplay Features".Phoronix.26 August 2015.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^"Xonotic 0.8.2 Release".Team Xonotic.1 April 2017.Retrieved1 April2017.
- ^"Xonotic 0.8.5 Release".
- ^"Xonotic".
- ^Larabel, Michael (11 April 2012)."The Best Looking Open-Source Game?".Phoronix.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^Stahie, Silviu (10 June 2013)."Xonotic 0.7 Is the Best Free Multiplayer FPS Linux Can Muster".Softpedia.Retrieved30 October2016.
- ^Rankin, Dave."5 Open Source First-Person Shooter Video Games".About.Retrieved30 October2016.