| FortressCraft | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | ProjectorGames |
| Designer(s) | Adam Sawkins |
| Artist(s) | DMPDesign(2D); Andyr00222(3D) |
| Composer(s) | Akroes |
| Version | 1.1 alpha |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 (XBLIG) |
| Release date(s) | April 8, 2011 |
| Genre(s) | Sandbox |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Download |
FortressCraft is a video game released on Xbox Live Indie Games on April 8, 2011. FortressCraft is very strongly inspired by the two pioneers of the sandbox block-builder genre: Minecraft and Infiniminer. The game utilizes textured cubes to create the landscape, as with other games in the genre.
FortressCraft makes use of Xbox Live Avatars that are associated with each player's Gamertag. Like the Creative version of Minecraft the first chapter of FortressCraft has no set parameters, quests, or objectives—gamers are to forge their own personal worlds block-by-block alone or with friends on Xbox Live.
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Upon starting a new game players spawn on a water-filled tower in a randomly generated world. From this point they may start exploring their world or assembling structures with the various block sets given to them. Conversely they may also choose to dig through the ground, hunting for Relics that give bonuses such as the ability to fly, to jump higher, to place TNT charges and blow up blocks, and more.
There currently is a total of 61 different cubic blocks in the game, each with their own pattern and design, along with 64 custom user-defined blocks. These cubic blocks in conjunction with the custom user-defined blocks can be used to build anything the player wants. The blocks vary from simple color and texture variants to being quite unique--the trampoline block, for example, is a unique block that propels players up in the air with each jump. These cubic blocks can be used to build anything the player wants.
There are 4 game modes playable in the latest version of Fortresscraft:
The game also features a "Workshop", where the player can place down blocks to make an 8 x 8 x 8 block scale model which is then transformed into a single custom block allowing players to make unique blocks. These blocks can have effects added to them to allow them to rotate, wiggle, emit smoke, and many other actions when placed.
In a recent update new custom block effects were added, one such instance makes custom blocks emit lasers. When these lasers hit a "factory" custom type, the factory emits a "doodad". In it's default state the doodad appears as a crate with the ProjectorGames logo, but the appearance can be changed upon placing a custom block on top of the factory. The doodads are affected by gravity and can be moved about on "conveyor" custom blocks or launched from "jumppad" customs.
It has been announced that Fortresscraft is to be released on the OnLive marketplace in 2012.[1] Adam Sawkins stated that he is looking forward to having FortressCraft playable on not only the PC version of OnLive, but also the mobile versions. It was also announced that FortressCraft will be a part of the OnLive PlayPack subscription service.[2]
FortressCraft has been met with favorable sales. Within the first two days of the game's release it was downloaded 40,000 times and purchased around 35,000 times.[3] As of July 2011, with total gross surpassing US$1M, FortressCraft is the best-selling indie game on the Xbox Live Marketplace to date.[4] The game's credits cite Minecraft, Infiniminer, Dwarf Fortress and others as an influence/inspiration.[3]
Markus Persson, the creator of Minecraft, has commented on the game, saying "FortressCraft is an obvious attempt to just take something popular and clone it as closely as possible. I still think it's important that people are allowed and able to do things like that, but it's hardly graceful."[4] Adam Sawkins first responded to the criticism with an open letter to Persson, citing Minecraft as an inspiration, but crediting the differences present in FortressCraft.[5] Sawkins later defended the credibility of FortressCraft in a feature run by IGN, stating, "It might do well on the name alone, but if you want sexy graphics and shaders and the creative aspect, you have FortressCraft. If you want to fight monsters and share stuff with your friends, you have Total Miner. Nobody will pay for Minecraft when they can pay $3.00 for Total Miner or FortressCraft".[6]