Well this was unexpected! 3D Realms is back, teaming up with Voidpoint for a brand new FPS named Ion Maiden [Steam, Official Site] and the first part is now available in Early Access with Linux support.
It's using an upgraded version of their "Build engine" to include bigger levels, more colour support and many more modern features. However, they said it's being built using original old-school tools and methodologies. They say it's the "true successor to classic shooters such as Duke Nukem 3D, Shadow Warrior and Blood".
Direct Link
From the press release I got sent today:
Ion Maiden laughs at the idea of constant checkpoints and straight paths through shooting galleries. But just because this is a true old-school first-person shooter doesn’t mean there won’t be all the good new stuff the last two decades have brought. Headshots? Hell yeah. More physics and interactivity? You betcha. Widescreen, controller support, and Auto Saves? 3D Realms and Voidpoint took the best of both worlds and cooked it all into a bloody stew.
3D Realms and Voidpoint are proud to bring back the Build engine, which powered Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, and Shadow Warrior, in all of its hand-crafted pixelated glory. They’ve spent a lot of time tinkering under the hood to take advantage of new technology and techniques. Bigger levels, hundreds of new colors, and morphing maps that transform mid-level are all just a few of the advancements made to the engine.
On top of crafting an oldschool FPS with modern touches, they are also hinting at some form of multiplayer too.
"Bringing back classic build-engine shooters has been our aim for years, so we’re diving right into a spiritual successor to the games which put 3D Realms on the map,” Frederik Schreiber, Vice President, 3D Realms. "The team assembled for this project knows exactly how to execute our vision, and we couldn't be more excited to finally bring back a true 3D Realms shooter."
Pretty nice that it has full Linux support—exciting! The current version is a "polished exclusive multi-hour preview campaign", with a plan for the full game to be ready in "Q3" of this year.
You can grab it from Steam, or from their official site for a fully DRM free build. From what I understand it will also head to GOG sometime as well, but I've not been told when.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Mblackwell Mar 1, 2018
Quoting: HamishSo I bought the game on the 3D Realms website but I am only seeing a Windows installer for the preview campaign. No Linux to be found.
Unless I find the the Linux build promised on the Ion Maiden page I am going to have to claim my refund.
I believe this is a packaging mistake on the part of 3DR and the exe actually contains the Linux binary when extracted. I will try and get this fixed!
Mblackwell Mar 1, 2018
Quoting: GuestQuoting: MblackwellI will say, this is not running the DOS version of the BUILD engine but is based on the modern EDuke32 source port.
Ah, so my first impression watching the trailer was correct after all :D
And as this is one of the games I still play regularly, Ion Maiden went directly to my GOG wishlist. I'll wait for the release, though - I'm not a fan of play-the-full-thing-later, be it shareware or early access or whatever else you call it ;)
I can respect that, but just so you are aware that it will be a different campaign than what is available now. Buying now gets you both. Full disclosure.
Quoting: MblackwellI believe this is a packaging mistake on the part of 3DR and the exe actually contains the Linux binary when extracted. I will try and get this fixed!
Correct. Thank you.
I downloaded the Windows Installer (IonMaiden_Preview-1.0.exe) to a new folder:
$ sudo pacman -S p7zip sdl2_mixer
$ 7z x IonMaiden_Preview-1.0.exe
$ chmod +x IonMaiden_Linux.bin
$ ./IonMaiden_Linux.bin
After all the debacle around DN3D World Tour this was badly needed for my tortured soul. :D
Comandante Ñoñardo Mar 1, 2018
ElectricPrism Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: ElectricPrismFantastic example of extrapolating a "formula" for other games success and "applying the formula".
If anyone is entitled to rip off 3D Realms, it is 3D Realms. ;)
Doc Angelo Mar 2, 2018
Quoting: HamishIf anyone is entitled to rip off 3D Realms, it is 3D Realms. ;)
There are so many companies that still have their name, but not much otherwise. What are the companies names worth after being officially bought by EA. What changes when the investors behind a name change?
Just slapping a name on it and state "It's good!" isn't cutting it for me. The good old "We are working closely with (insert gaming veteran)!" is also more often than not just marketing.
I think I wait how this turns out after it is released.
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