Yo Frankie
Yo Frankie (proper spelling: Yo Frankie, working title: Apricot ) is a 3D platforming video game that was produced using free software, in particular the graphics software Blender.
The game was released under the GNU GPL, the media files used under the Creative Commons - name registration will license. The main objective of the project was to improve the suitability of the used Open Source programs for game development and to demonstrate.
After Elephants Dream and Big Buck Bunny, two computer-animated short films, it is the third project of the Blender Institute.
History of development
On 1 February 2008, a team of six people working on Yo Frankie began. Template here was the subject of the film Big Buck Bunny, which also includes the playable character, the flying squirrel Frank, was taken.
The game is available in two versions: one uses the 3D game engine Crystal Space, the other the Blender Game Engine to display the game world. Even if both refer to the same media data, the gameplay differs in some points. Both versions use Blender for modeling and animation and the level of the characters and Python as a scripting language.
In the development of the game, the software used was adjusted to the needs of developers. So the user interface of Blender has been revised in several places and expanded the animation and shader capabilities of Crystal Space.
At several points did the collaboration with the online community, it helped around in the animation of the characters and voted on the name of the game.
Since November 15, the game is sold on DVD and available on the project page since December 9th for free download. The published levels represent the first episode is called A Furry Vendetta; The developers are asking to create on the basis of media files and programs used new episodes. Three community-created levels and other improvements have been incorporated into version 1.1 of the game.
Game content
The player controls Frank through meadows and woods and preying on sheep and other animals, which he has to make opponents wary. It is possible to collect items with different effects, Frank also has special abilities, such as gliding or the throwing of bones.
The game supports two-player split-screen mode, in this case, a player takes on the role of the Apes " Momo".
Gallery
The player character "Frank" (right)
Frank gliding
Platforms over a river of lava
Persons involved
- Campbell Barton - developers, game logic
- Christopher Plush - Artistic design
- Dariusz Dawidowski - Senior Game Designer
- Frank Richter - developer
- Pablo Martin - Developers
- Pablo Vazquez - Lead Artist