Post by QuadRaptor on Oct 10, 2006 12:53:10 GMT -5
My third paper for a CIS class asks us to evaluate a software package we have installed on our computer. So likewise I chose Quake. Here is what I wrote (some of it like the Q95 and Winquake stuff I wasn't quite sure how to describe them so they may be a little vague, anyway it doesn't really matter since the teacher isn't going to play the game so don't try to explain anything if I only gave it a basic definition) (The forums aren't indenting but I do have my paragraphs indented on the paper):
"The software I have chosen for this paper is a video game called Quake. The game was made in 1996 by ID Software and helped to begin the “First Person Shooter” (or FPS) genre of games, being the third to start this era after Wolfenstein and Doom.
The game is set in an area called “Quake”, where you wander the many levels in search of artifacts called Runes, and once you have collected them, you must fight the boss of the game, who is called Shub-Niggurath (this game was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, so many of the creatures and bosses are based off of his work). You are able to obtain 9 different weapons, everything from a hand axe when you run out of ammo to a rocket launcher. Health and ammunition are scattered throughout the game, as well as many varieties of monsters that you must deal with, and who attack upon sight. Strategy and instincts are key elements to this game. The game does offer four difficulty levels for the game – Easy, for first timers; Normal, for intermediate players; Hard, for advanced players; and Nightmare, for elite players. This allows anyone with any kind of skill level to play this game.
The game is easy to install through CD-ROM, and does not take up much space on the computer. Afterwards, a few patches need to be installed before multiplayer play can be done, but single player can be enjoyed right after installation. The CD gives you several versions (commonly called “engines”) of the game, including Winquake, which is an easy to use engine, Q95, which isn’t as adaptable but is better with graphics, and GLQuake, which has different textures and is more suitable for more advanced players. Likewise, other engines can be downloaded to enhance graphics or make the game easier to use. The most popular engines include Proquake (which can be added to Winquake or GLQuake to create Winquakepro or GLQuakepro), which adds new features to the game to make it easier, and Qrack, which has much better graphics and is a favorite among many veteran players.
The game has a menu at the beginning that allows you to decide what you want to do, as in if you want to play single player or multiplayer, or if you want to edit the variety of features the game has to offer. In the multiplayer section, you can change your player’s name and the colors of their armor so that you are unique while you play. If you are more experienced with the game, you can instead push the “`/~” button, which drops down a feature called the “console”, where you can input commands quickly to do the same things. Such commands include “color 11 0”, to change your armor color (colors go from 0 to 12, and each color is represented by a number. 11 0 would be green vest white pants), “name CISStudent[USA]” to change your name to CISStudent[USA], “sensitivity 6” to change mouse sensitivity, “+mlook” to be able to look up and down with mouse as opposed to moving forward and back, and so on.
Many other add-ons are available to the game. A feature called a “Name Editor” can give your name more color and add interesting bars and symbols than just having a plain white name. Skin packs can be added to where characters look different than the basic player, and can look like anything from ninjas to cyborgs. Other “games” can be
downloaded that have been created, such as “raptors”, where you hunt dinosaurs instead of the regular monsters.
Throughout the world are servers that are used to host Quake multiplayer games. As of now there are three main countries that host Quake – The United States and Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, but there are other areas that also play, including Russia and Australia. Quake servers allow players from around the world to meet and compete against one another. Each server has its own style of the game – Runequake is where you pick up different items that give you enhancements while you play. Rocket Arena servers allow you to have all of the weapons and infinite ammo when you play. Clan Arena has several servers and several variations (CA+ and CAx), and is where you are on a team and have to fight one or more other teams. Capture the Flag (or CTF) is a classic version of Clan Arena where you try to take a flag from the enemy base and bring it to your own base while defending your own flag. Finally, Future Vs. Fantasy and RCoop are two cooperative versions, where you fight the monsters of the game alongside other players. There are other kinds of servers, but these are among the most popular.
Quake is a 10-year old game that has come a long way, but it will continue to expand and its players will continue to play. This game is highly adaptable and user friendly, and the variety of servers and gameplay will keep this game alive for many more years."
"The software I have chosen for this paper is a video game called Quake. The game was made in 1996 by ID Software and helped to begin the “First Person Shooter” (or FPS) genre of games, being the third to start this era after Wolfenstein and Doom.
The game is set in an area called “Quake”, where you wander the many levels in search of artifacts called Runes, and once you have collected them, you must fight the boss of the game, who is called Shub-Niggurath (this game was inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, so many of the creatures and bosses are based off of his work). You are able to obtain 9 different weapons, everything from a hand axe when you run out of ammo to a rocket launcher. Health and ammunition are scattered throughout the game, as well as many varieties of monsters that you must deal with, and who attack upon sight. Strategy and instincts are key elements to this game. The game does offer four difficulty levels for the game – Easy, for first timers; Normal, for intermediate players; Hard, for advanced players; and Nightmare, for elite players. This allows anyone with any kind of skill level to play this game.
The game is easy to install through CD-ROM, and does not take up much space on the computer. Afterwards, a few patches need to be installed before multiplayer play can be done, but single player can be enjoyed right after installation. The CD gives you several versions (commonly called “engines”) of the game, including Winquake, which is an easy to use engine, Q95, which isn’t as adaptable but is better with graphics, and GLQuake, which has different textures and is more suitable for more advanced players. Likewise, other engines can be downloaded to enhance graphics or make the game easier to use. The most popular engines include Proquake (which can be added to Winquake or GLQuake to create Winquakepro or GLQuakepro), which adds new features to the game to make it easier, and Qrack, which has much better graphics and is a favorite among many veteran players.
The game has a menu at the beginning that allows you to decide what you want to do, as in if you want to play single player or multiplayer, or if you want to edit the variety of features the game has to offer. In the multiplayer section, you can change your player’s name and the colors of their armor so that you are unique while you play. If you are more experienced with the game, you can instead push the “`/~” button, which drops down a feature called the “console”, where you can input commands quickly to do the same things. Such commands include “color 11 0”, to change your armor color (colors go from 0 to 12, and each color is represented by a number. 11 0 would be green vest white pants), “name CISStudent[USA]” to change your name to CISStudent[USA], “sensitivity 6” to change mouse sensitivity, “+mlook” to be able to look up and down with mouse as opposed to moving forward and back, and so on.
Many other add-ons are available to the game. A feature called a “Name Editor” can give your name more color and add interesting bars and symbols than just having a plain white name. Skin packs can be added to where characters look different than the basic player, and can look like anything from ninjas to cyborgs. Other “games” can be
downloaded that have been created, such as “raptors”, where you hunt dinosaurs instead of the regular monsters.
Throughout the world are servers that are used to host Quake multiplayer games. As of now there are three main countries that host Quake – The United States and Canada, Brazil, and the United Kingdom, but there are other areas that also play, including Russia and Australia. Quake servers allow players from around the world to meet and compete against one another. Each server has its own style of the game – Runequake is where you pick up different items that give you enhancements while you play. Rocket Arena servers allow you to have all of the weapons and infinite ammo when you play. Clan Arena has several servers and several variations (CA+ and CAx), and is where you are on a team and have to fight one or more other teams. Capture the Flag (or CTF) is a classic version of Clan Arena where you try to take a flag from the enemy base and bring it to your own base while defending your own flag. Finally, Future Vs. Fantasy and RCoop are two cooperative versions, where you fight the monsters of the game alongside other players. There are other kinds of servers, but these are among the most popular.
Quake is a 10-year old game that has come a long way, but it will continue to expand and its players will continue to play. This game is highly adaptable and user friendly, and the variety of servers and gameplay will keep this game alive for many more years."