Tower defense

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tower Defense or TD is a genre of strategy computer game. The goal is to try to stop enemies - called creeps in some games[1] - from crossing the map by building towers which shoot at them as they pass.[2] Enemies and towers usually have varied abilities and costs. When an enemy is defeated the player earns money or points, which are used to buy or upgrade towers.[3]

The choice and positioning of the towers is the essential strategy of the game. The Creeps usually run through a "maze", which allows the player to strategically place towers, but there are also known versions of the game which have straight lines, called line TD. The genre is highly addictive.[4]

[edit] History

One of the earliest examples is the arcade game, Rampart which was ported to many platforms.[5] This inspired a series of maps for StarCraft called the Turret Defense maps, which further inspired Sunken and Hero Defense games. Such mods became popular with users of Warcraft III[6] and Age of Empires II and then became established as a separate genre.

Warcraft III's developer Blizzard created a Tower Defense bonus level in the Frozen Throne expansion.

A popular example of the genre is Desktop Tower Defense[4], a flash game played in a web browser. The genre exists on other platforms such as mobile phone.[7]

[edit] Variations

There are differences between different versions of the game that make each one original. For example, in most versions, when a tower is upgraded, its range, rate, and power are increased. However, in the version of the game called 'Onslaught Defence', each attribute is upgraded separately. Also, in some games, the enemy can fight back. In others, the enemy has no set route to the end. There are even "Tower Invasion" games where you play as the creeps, and must bypass the enemy turrets.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bibby, Jay (2007-01-11). Flash Element TD (Tower Defense). Jay Is Games. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  2. ^ Forbeck, Matt (2007-09-13). Desktop Tower Defense. playthisthing.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  3. ^ Rutkoff, Aaron (2007-06-20). Strategy Game Pits Players Against Desktop Invasion. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
  4. ^ a b Erwan Cario (10 November 2007). Jouer plus pour travailler moins Jeux vidéo. Sélection de petites douceurs en ligne, dangereusement addictives.. Libération.
  5. ^ Andy Slaven. Video Game Bible, 1985 - 2002, 119. ISBN 1412249023. “...features puzzle like strategy decision based around maintaining defense for your castle and proper placement of weaponry. A unique idea...” 
  6. ^ “WarCraft Maps Go Mod. (Warcraft III evolutions and influence compared to other strategy) games”, Computer Gaming World, 1 September 2004, <http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21924620_ITM> 
  7. ^ Roush, George (2007-12-05). Tower Defense Review. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-03-07.
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