Version 0.8.2 of the free and open source arena FPS Xonotic has been released with a couple of new maps and a number of other changes and additions.
Even though the version bump from 0.8.1 to 0.8.2 might seem tiny, this new release of Xonotic is actually quite packed with new stuff. The most visible changes come in the form of three new maps, two of which (Boil and Erbium) are deathmatch-focused and the third being a CTF map, and new weapon models for the Devastator rocket launcher, the grenade launcher, Hagar grenade machine gun, the rifle and some others. Another new weapon-related feature is damage numbers which are now visible every time you hit an enemy, giving you a better idea how to follow up the initial hit.
To see the new weapon models and maps in action, check out the video below (this time in 1080p and 60 FPS!)
The HUD and UI have also been updated both in terms of visuals and also features. A fairly big in-game feature is the quick menu, which you can access with a single keystroke for quick access to voting and basic messaging. Sending a quick “GG” is only three keystrokes total for example. You can also tune the quick menu to your liking, so you aren’t limited only to the default features.
Another quite fun HUD-related feature is the new minigame system, which allows you to play a couple of minigames like tic-tac-toe and pong while you are waiting for your turn on a duel server. You can of course access it in the singleplayer or on other servers as well, but you don’t really have a reason to do so.
A couple of new mutators were also added for those that want to spice up the game a little bit more. The new mutators are Rocket Minsta, Vampire Hook, and Breakable Hook. Rocket Minsta is instagib but with rockets instead of hitscan beams, Vampire Hook allows you to steal or give health by hooking onto your enemies or teammates and Breakable Hook allows players to destroy hook attachments with the blaster to deny enemy movement.
On the more technical side of things, the Xonotic codebase has received some improvements both to make it easier for new developers to contribute to the project and to make it possible for the engine to be replaced in the future. The blog post hinted at the possibility of replacing the current engine (Darkplaces) with the Daemon engine currently used by Unvanguished. However, this was only offered as possibility, so it doesn’t seem like the developers are in a hurry to replace their engine for now. The client-side prediction code was also improved to make the game more playable for those with higher latency Internet connections.
While these were the biggest features (at least in my opinion) of this new release, this is most definitely not a complete list. If you want to check out the new features and changes in full, check out the project’s blog post for more details.
Xonotic's website: http://xonotic.org/
Download page: http://xonotic.org/download/ Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Even though the version bump from 0.8.1 to 0.8.2 might seem tiny, this new release of Xonotic is actually quite packed with new stuff. The most visible changes come in the form of three new maps, two of which (Boil and Erbium) are deathmatch-focused and the third being a CTF map, and new weapon models for the Devastator rocket launcher, the grenade launcher, Hagar grenade machine gun, the rifle and some others. Another new weapon-related feature is damage numbers which are now visible every time you hit an enemy, giving you a better idea how to follow up the initial hit.
To see the new weapon models and maps in action, check out the video below (this time in 1080p and 60 FPS!)
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The HUD and UI have also been updated both in terms of visuals and also features. A fairly big in-game feature is the quick menu, which you can access with a single keystroke for quick access to voting and basic messaging. Sending a quick “GG” is only three keystrokes total for example. You can also tune the quick menu to your liking, so you aren’t limited only to the default features.
Another quite fun HUD-related feature is the new minigame system, which allows you to play a couple of minigames like tic-tac-toe and pong while you are waiting for your turn on a duel server. You can of course access it in the singleplayer or on other servers as well, but you don’t really have a reason to do so.
A couple of new mutators were also added for those that want to spice up the game a little bit more. The new mutators are Rocket Minsta, Vampire Hook, and Breakable Hook. Rocket Minsta is instagib but with rockets instead of hitscan beams, Vampire Hook allows you to steal or give health by hooking onto your enemies or teammates and Breakable Hook allows players to destroy hook attachments with the blaster to deny enemy movement.
On the more technical side of things, the Xonotic codebase has received some improvements both to make it easier for new developers to contribute to the project and to make it possible for the engine to be replaced in the future. The blog post hinted at the possibility of replacing the current engine (Darkplaces) with the Daemon engine currently used by Unvanguished. However, this was only offered as possibility, so it doesn’t seem like the developers are in a hurry to replace their engine for now. The client-side prediction code was also improved to make the game more playable for those with higher latency Internet connections.
While these were the biggest features (at least in my opinion) of this new release, this is most definitely not a complete list. If you want to check out the new features and changes in full, check out the project’s blog post for more details.
Xonotic's website: http://xonotic.org/
Download page: http://xonotic.org/download/ Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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7 comments
I've never really looked too closely at Xonotic but it kinda reminds me of UT99 in how it plays from watching the video.
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Quoting: lejimsterI've never really looked too closely at Xonotic but it kinda reminds me of UT99 in how it plays from watching the video.
It's very, very UT. Great fun. There's not a single excuse not to try it if arena style shooters are your thing.
1 Likes, Who?
I miss Open arena, but I'm glad that Xonotic still progressing.
We need more high quality FOSS games like this and Tux Kart.
We need more high quality FOSS games like this and Tux Kart.
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commodore256 Apr 2, 2017
Quoting: fagnerlnI miss Open arena...
The project isn't dead, they just have higher standards now and are a lot more ambitious. They're having more quality control instead of throwing everything libre at it.
http://openarena.wikia.com/wiki/OA3
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ProfessorKaos64 Apr 3, 2017
I'll have to add a package to my SteamOS repo. Forgot about this. I'd rather play this than Ballistic Overkill. Wonder what the play base is like.
1 Likes, Who?
Avehicle7887 Apr 3, 2017
Quoting: ProfessorKaos64I'll have to add a package to my SteamOS repo. Forgot about this. I'd rather play this than Ballistic Overkill. Wonder what the play base is like.
A bit dead unfortunately, the quality of this game is right on par with a commercial one in my book.
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ProfessorKaos64 Apr 3, 2017
Quoting: Avehicle7887lQuoting: ProfessorKaos64I'll have to add a package to my SteamOS repo. Forgot about this. I'd rather play this than Ballistic Overkill. Wonder what the play base is like.
A bit dead unfortunately, the quality of this game is right on par with a commercial one in my book.
You mean Ballistic Overkill is dead or Xonotic?
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