Rocket jumping

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In first-person shooter computer and video games, rocket jumping is the technique of pointing a rocket launcher or other similar explosive weapon at the ground or at a wall then firing and jumping at the same time.[1] The rocket's explosion propels the player to large heights and distances, reaching places not normally accessible.[2] One downside of this technique is that the rocket blast usually injures the player;[3] this can be coupled with further damage if the player falls large distances to the ground. This effect makes the techniques less useful in games where the damage from the blast, fall, or both is high. In many games a well executed rocket jump results in a minimal damage, and a larger boost. The technique is used especially in competitive play[4] and speedrunning.[5] In Quake III: Arena some of the computer-controlled opponents use rocket jumps.[6]

Rocket jumping has appeared in several games in a variety of forms. A horizontal form of rocket jumping appears in Doom (1993), where it is used to reach the secret exit in E3M6 (it is possible to reach the exit without rocket jumping, but rocket jumping was the intended method according to John Romero[7]). The first game to feature vertical rocket jumping was Apogee Software's (now known as 3DRealms) Rise of the triad (1995).[8] In Half-Life's (1997) multiplayer mode, the tau cannon can be used to launch the player into the air.[9] In the multiplayer game Team Fortress 2 (2007), the soldier class has a powerful rocket jump ability.[3] This is fully integrated as a feature of the class, even appearing in one of the game's official trailer videos.[10] It became quite popular in the previous incarnation named Team Fortress Classic[11]. Rocket jumping also appears in Unreal (1998) and Unreal Tournament, where the player can fire Eightball-rockets beneath their feet and gain altitude.

[edit] Other adaptations

Rocket jumping has appeared in other media as well. In the live-action film Transformers the character Ironhide performs a rocket jump over a screaming woman after transforming from his truck mode.[12]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Richard Grant. "Clan-speak explained", The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday (London), August 30, 1998, p. 27. 
  2. ^ Victor Godinez. "With sponsors and big prizes, gaming is serious business", Dallas Morning News, August 2, 2007. 
  3. ^ a b Josh Blodwell (9 October 2007). "The complete guide to Team Fortress 2". Custom PC. 
  4. ^ Mac Cult, Fatal1ty, Photo Mosaics. The Screen Savers Episode #2804. TechTV (2004-11-08). Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
  5. ^ Turner, B. (2005). Smashing the Clock. 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
  6. ^ The Quake III Arena Guide - Bots. PlanetQuake. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
  7. ^ Lee Killough. Doom Level History. Retrieved on 2007-10-02.
  8. ^ Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, 2008, 2008 
  9. ^ Half-Life SDK v2.3, 2002  gauss.cpp line 350: "In deathmatch, gauss can pop you up into the air. Not in single play."
  10. ^ Team Fortress 2, trailer 2. Valve Corporation. Retrieved on 2008-01-26.
  11. ^ Team Fortress Classic Classes Guide. Planet Half-Life. Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  12. ^ Cameron Solnordal. "Guest gamer", Sydney Morning Herald, October 13, 2007, p. 15. 
v • d • e
Specialized movements in first-person shooter video games
Bunny hopping • Circle strafing • Double jump • Rocket jumping • Strafe-jumping • Straferunning • Wall jump