Oolite (video game)

Oolite is a 3D space - flight simulation in the spirit of Elite. It is written in Objective- C, and the name is derived from object-oriented elite. Apart from the computer game Elite, the background story Oolites was also influenced by the then supplied at Elite The Dark Wheel novella.

The source code of Oolite is since 27 February 2007 under the GNU GPL version 2 available, while the other parts ( images, music, textures, models ) are available under the CC -BY -NC -SA- 3.0 license. This makes Oolite to semi- free software.

Development

It was developed by Giles Williams for Mac OS X and published in July 2004 under the BSD license. In September 2005, the Mac version reached the version number 1:52 and a Linux port was released simultaneously. The Windows version was released in March 2006. Ports for SGI IRIX and FreeBSD are also available.

In October 2006, after the stable version 1.65, Williams announced that he adjusting the development as soon as he had completed the support shaders. The project was made ​​on 27 February 2007 under the GNU GPL version 2 and further developed after some time. On 15 December 2011, the stable version 1.76 has been released.

Game mechanics

Basics

Similar VegaStrike and the classic Elite Oolite is a non-linear space simulation without predetermined end, for there is only the single player mode. You take on the role of a pilot of a space ship that is capable of interstellar travel. Each solar system has an inhabited planet can with a space station on which to trade, can be upgraded his ship or accept missions. Although in principle it is possible to travel in every solar system (assuming you have enough fuel and the range of engines is large enough), you end up with proper distance to the target planet, and must travel there "normal" from there. Along the way, you can meet the space pirates and other merchant ships, which you then have the opportunity to be involved in space combat. The principal offensive weapons are lasers and missiles, where you can buy different types of them in the space stations. Most battles are fought in close combat, it being noted that the drive as the original Elite has no inertia and gravity. That is, each ship has a maximum speed at which it can fly, as opposed to the reality that only a maximum acceleration (and of course the speed of light as the maximum speed ) knows.

Game objectives

There is no set play goal in Oolite. Only money and the rank are the only " measurable " ways to achieve a " high score ".

Money can be obtained in various ways. So traders and bounty hunters are just two of many different ways to collect profits. It is even possible to attack other traders, and collect their cargo to sell off these next spaceport. With the right equipment of the ship can elicit valuable minerals through ore mining asteroids. It is also possible to courier goods or people transport than for consideration of " A to B".

With the money you have to cover the cost of fuel and the spent rockets, but you can also buy other ships and other equipment.

Each ship is destroyed by the player will count towards his " elite rating". Depending on the number of ships destroyed, the player is given a rank:

  • Harmless - 0-7 destroyed ships
  • Mostly Harmless - 8 to 15 destroyed ships
  • Poor - 16 to 31 destroyed ships
  • Average - 32 to 63 destroyed ships
  • Above Average - 64-127 destroyed ships
  • Competent - 128-511 destroyed ships
  • Dangerous - 512-2559 destroyed ships
  • Deadly - 2560-6399 destroyed ships
  • Elite - 6400 destroyed ships and more

Missions and mods

There are a small number of missions in the game that have been adopted almost one to one of the elite. The player is given a specific task he has to perform in a given time. Has he fulfilled this task, the player can go back in the solar system to collect the reward. However, it should be noted that it is not mandatory to complete the missions, let alone to begin.

Through the active participation of the community of fans there are a number of mods that add a variety of missions the Oolite universe.

Mods

Through the active participation of the fan base several hundred extensions have been created over time. These range from other spacecraft on space stations over scripted, interactive missions to varied mini- games to a German translation of the user interface. There are also mods that add new weapons and sounds or music.

Press and Awards

Linux Format has written a one-page report about Oolite.

Hooked Gamers has written a two-page report about Oolite.

On 8 January 2007 Oolite has been recognized by Macworld 's Editors' Choice Award.

Fiction

To ensure the development of Oolite a solid fan base, has formed its own science have produced fiction novels set in the Oolite universe.

  • The Virtuous Misfortune by Dylan Smith
  • Status Quo, Schism and mutabilis by Drew Wagar.

Credentials

621248
de