Blockland (video game)
| Blockland | |
|---|---|
| Blockland Title | |
| Developer(s) | Eric "Badspot" Hartman, Ben Garney |
| Publisher(s) | Blockland LLC |
| Designer(s) | Eric "Badspot" Hartman |
| Engine | Torque Game Engine |
| Platform(s) | PC, GNU/Linux, Macintosh |
| Release | February 24, 2007 |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, online and LAN multiplayer |
Blockland is a multiplayer computer game built on the Torque Game Engine, in which players build objects using virtual "blocks". Blockland has approximately 15,500 players[1]. Building is currently limited to 128,000 bricks per server to keep the game running properly. In 2008, Lego were in talks to Eric "Badspot" Hartman about selling Blockland.[2] It has been featured by The Screen Savers[3] and Shack News.[4] In 2005, when Blockland was in its beta development stage, Blockland was featured in an article on Globe and Mail in which Eric claimed 20,000 people had downloaded Blockland in the ten days since it "became big".[5] The full game currently costs $20.
Gameplay
Structures can be built in a single-player or multiplayer setting. Using tools in the game, a player can add effects to bricks, such as lighting, specularity and animated particles, although these are not the only effects available. The game also features a variety of vehicles players can control, weapons, saving and loading of constructions, automated construction through macros and a mini-game system. The minigame system enables users to create configurable and self-contained game modes using options and then play in the world they create.[6] These can range from a simple deathmatch to a zombie survival game. This system can allow players on a server to be in a minigame while the others continue to build. It also features a downloadable modification that allows the player to build special blocks ranging from refrigerators to computer screens. Any player who buys the game can create a server. A standard server is able to hold up to 32 players. [7]
Blockland uses a trigger and event-based system that uses a scripting language to create basic interactive objects such as light switches, missile launchers or arcade-like games such as Pong. Players can also script triggers and events.[8] Blockland features an add-on system to aid users in managing custom content, such as weapons, vehicles, types of brick effects, player commands and game modes.
When users buy Blockland, they get an activation key. This activation key has a number behind it, usually called a BL_ID(blockland ID). The lower an ID, the earlier someone has bought the game.
Demo
In the demo version, the player can only play in single-player and is only limited to 150 bricks per save. Like the full version, new maps and add-ons are still enabled. Players that have the full game can host LAN Games where demo players can play without the brick limit.
References
- ^ "Kalphiter's ID list and stats". 2009. Retrieved 2009-8-3.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "LAMLradio #13 - Blockland". LALMradio (Podcast). James Wadsworth. 2008.
{{cite podcast}}: Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Pauly Shore, Blockland, Avion". 2005. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
- ^ "The Games of IGC 07". 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Globe and Mail". 2005. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ "Edge Issue #148". 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ "Blockland Changelog". 2008.
- ^ "Blockland Events Demo". 2008.
See also
- Roblox – a similar MMOG
- LEGO Universe – an upcoming MMOG in development by NetDevil, endorsed by LEGO