Clonk

Clonk

Screenshot of a Clonk Endeavour round
Developer(s) RedWolf Design
Platform(s) Windows 9x/ME/2K/XP/7/8, Linux, Macintosh
Release date(s) May 5, 2014
Clonk Rage (4.9.10.7)
Genre(s) Various
Mode(s) Single player, Multiplayer (Internet, LAN & Split-screen)

Clonk is a computer game developed by RedWolf Design. The game features a mix of the action, real-time strategy and platform game genres. The games of the series are traditionally released as Shareware; however, currently (2013-10-3) all available versions are Freeware. Using the integrated developer mode, experienced players are able to create their own modifications or "extensions" to the game.

Contents

In Clonk, the player controls small, humanoid beings - the so-called Clonks - within a two-dimensional, dynamically modifiable landscape using keyboard or mouse. Clonks interact with their surrounding landscape, animals, weather, buildings and objects. The game can be played alone or in multiplayer in split-screen or via local network or Internet. Four different keyboard settings, combined with the option of using a mouse or gamepad, result in allowing up to six players on one computer. The game goal depends on the scenario being played, varying between melees, in which players fight each other, strategical team siege scenarios and cooperative missions.

Extensions

Several extensions are available for registered players:

Additionally, many unofficial extensions have been created by players. One example is the modern military-combat extension called "First Aid Pack", which includes various weapons, vehicles, and scenarios in a modern-combat setting.

Comprehensive Clonk Archive Network

The Comprehensive Clonk Archive Network (short: CCAN) is the largest and most popular download-page for the Clonk-community.[1] Players are distributing extensions for the game on a daily basis. In order to participate, a valid registration code is required. Extensions for older (freeware) versions of Clonk can be downloaded without having a registration code for the specified game.

Development

Since the release of Clonk Planet, every registered player may start a development of their own using the integrated developer mode. It's possible to add new objects (such as Clonks, weapons, buildings, etc.), scenarios or complete packs such as the official Extensions.

Many players have used these options and created extension packs, which can be downloaded from the fan sites.

History

Starting from 2001, RedWolf Design stopped development of Clonk Planet and started developing Clonk Extreme. The source code of the Clonk Planet engine was released, and attracted a team of players who developed Clonk Planet GWE. Within this fan-project, several sorely missed features have been implemented, such as more editability and modern 32Bit graphics.

Later, in 2003, RedWolf Design revived the series by collaborating with the GWE team and creating the next official Clonk title called "Clonk Endeavour" from the previous GWE 4. The new Clonk title got some attention when it was presented on the Games Convention in Leipzig and won a newcomer contest held by GIGA TV.[2]

The development continued, and several extensions such as a new network architecture for faster internet games and a fullscreen menu system were being developed. The development led to a new sequel, Clonk Rage, which became the officially current version 2008-05-05. Its predecessor, Clonk Endeavour, was released as Freeware a couple of days later.[3]

Development of Clonk Rage has been continued until May 2014, till the forums of Clonk have been closed,[4] after that the engine source and game content have been released under open-source licenses.[5]

The other development goal is called "Clonk Extreme" - short "ClonkX", which is supposed to transform the game principle of Clonk into a 3D-game. It is also the first game title that doesn't support digging. Development progressed slowly, and only early alpha versions, some screenshots[6] and one preview video[7] of the game exist. Clonk Extreme was announced with a release date in 2050, but it was later found to be an April Fools' Day joke. However, after RedWolf Design's leader Matthes Bender announced he would be working on other projects, Clonk Extreme was frozen without probable continuing development.

OpenClonk

OpenClonk is an open source project developed by a community of Clonk enthusiasts and former Clonk developers alike. OpenClonk is the first Clonk game not to support backwards compatibility for previous expansion packs, and not officially developed by RedWolf Design, but still utilizes a heavily modified version of the Clonk Rage engine. Since the requirement for backwards compatibility has been dropped, many new features have been implemented into OpenClonk. Some features include 3D Graphics, traditional Run & Gun controls, a zooming camera, and a completely redesigned base objects pack. Though OpenClonk supports 3D graphics, the game world remains a 2D platformer.

Press articles

In German game magazines

In Russian game magazines

References

  1. ↑ "CCAN". ccan.de. 2014-06-28.
  2. ↑ Developia Games Convention day six (German)
  3. ↑ clonk.de Clonk Endeavour freeware announcement
  4. ↑ clonk.de Clonk forum closing
  5. ↑ clonk.de Clonk Rage goes open-source
  6. ↑ Clonk Homepage CX screenshot section
  7. ↑ YouTube CX early hoppers

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, August 20, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.