Clonk
Encyclopedia
Clonk is a computer game developed by RedWolf Design. The game features a mix of the action
, real-time strategy
and platform game
genres. The games of the series are traditionally released as Shareware
; older versions have become available as Freeware
. Using the integrated developer mode, experienced players are able to create their own modifications or "extensions" to the game.
, dynamically modifiable landscape using keyboard
or mouse
. Clonks interact with their surrounding landscape, animals, weather, buildings and objects. The game can be played alone or in multiplayer in split-screen
or via local network
or Internet
. Four different keyboard settings, combined with the option of using a mouse or gamepad, result in allowing up to six players on one computer. The game goal depends on the scenario being played, varying between melees, in which players fight each other, strategical team siege scenarios and cooperative missions.
Additionally, many unofficial extensions have been created by players. One example is the modern military-combat extension called "First Aid Pack", which includes various weapons, vehicles, and scenarios in a modern-combat setting.
Many players have used these options and created extension packs, which can be downloaded from the fan sites.
Starting from 2001, RedWolf Design stopped development of Clonk Planet and started developing Clonk Extreme. The source code of the Clonk Planet engine was released, and attracted a team of players who developed Clonk Planet GWE. Within this fan-project, several sorely missed features have been implemented, such as more editability and modern 32Bit graphics.
Later, in 2003, RedWolf Design revived the series by collaborating with the GWE team and creating the next official Clonk title called "Clonk Endeavour" from the previous GWE 4. The new Clonk title got some attention when it was presented on the Games Convention
in Leipzig and won a newcomer contest held by GIGA TV
.
The development continued, and several extensions such as a new network architecture for faster internet games and a fullscreen menu system were being developed. The development led to a new sequel, Clonk Rage, which became the officially current version 2008-05-05. Its predecessor, Clonk Endeavour, was released as Freeware a couple of days later.
The other development goal is called "Clonk Extreme" - short "ClonkX", which is supposed to transform the game principle of Clonk into a 3D-game. It is also the first game title that doesn't support digging. Development progressed slowly, and only early alpha versions, some screenshots and one preview video of the game exist. Clonk Extreme was announced with a release date in 2050, but it was later found to be an April Fools' Day
joke. However, after RedWolf Design's leader Matthes Bender announced he would be working on other projects, Clonk Extreme was frozen without probable continuing development.
project developed by a community of Clonk enthusiasts and former Clonk developers alike. OpenClonk is the first Clonk game not to support backwards compatibility
for previous expansion packs, and not officially developed by RedWolf Design, but still utilizes a heavily modified version of the Clonk Rage engine. Since the requirement for backwards compatibility has been dropped, many new features have been implemented into OpenClonk. Some features include 3D Graphics, traditional Run & Gun controls, a zooming camera, and a completely redesigned base objects pack. Though OpenClonk supports 3D graphics, the game world remains a 2D platformer.
In Russian game magazines
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
, real-time strategy
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
and platform game
Platform game
A platform game is a video game characterized by requiring the player to jump to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles . It must be possible to control these jumps and to fall from platforms or miss jumps...
genres. The games of the series are traditionally released as Shareware
Shareware
The term shareware is a proprietary software that is provided to users without payment on a trial basis and is often limited by any combination of functionality, availability, or convenience. Shareware is often offered as a download from an Internet website or as a compact disc included with a...
; older versions have become available as Freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
. Using the integrated developer mode, experienced players are able to create their own modifications or "extensions" to the game.
Contents
In Clonk, the player controls small, humanoid beings - the so-called Clonks - within a two-dimensional2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
, dynamically modifiable landscape using keyboard
Keyboard (computing)
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
or mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
. Clonks interact with their surrounding landscape, animals, weather, buildings and objects. The game can be played alone or in multiplayer in split-screen
Split screen (computer graphics)
Split screen is a display technique in computer graphics that consists of dividing graphics and/or text into non-movable adjacent parts, typically two or four rectangular areas. This is done in order to allow the simultaneous presentation of related graphical and textual information on a computer...
or via local network
Computer network
A computer network, often simply referred to as a network, is a collection of hardware components and computers interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of resources and information....
or Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. Four different keyboard settings, combined with the option of using a mouse or gamepad, result in allowing up to six players on one computer. The game goal depends on the scenario being played, varying between melees, in which players fight each other, strategical team siege scenarios and cooperative missions.
Extensions
Several extensions are available for registered players:- Knights: Medieval object pack, in which knights fight each other with axes, swords and bows by foot or on horse. Castles can be built using a modular castle building system and some medieval economy branches are available.
- Hazard: A futuristic pack, in which Clonks fight against aliens or other Clonks using a variety of weapons such as HM, Missiles, Sonic guns, Shrunk Gun, to more simplistic guns like Phasers. This pack was originally released for Clonk Planet and has been remade for Clonk Rage.
- Far worlds: Three elaborate scenarios (deep sea, jungle and Arctic), in which the Clonks live in inhospitable areas, where mere survival is a challenge. Out of the three Arctic is the most challenging, requiring the Clonks to eat food regularly and be constantly mindful of the cold to avoid dying.
- Golems: Clonkian magicians receive the ability to animate statues into GolemGolemIn Jewish folklore, a golem is an animated anthropomorphic being, created entirely from inanimate matter. The word was used to mean an amorphous, unformed material in Psalms and medieval writing....
s. Originally there was the Gold Golem, Rock Golem, and Snow Golem, each with their own different strengths, but later scenarios by players added a few more golems such as the Fire Golem. - Fantasy: Dragons, magic, adventures and more. This extension adds new spells to the current magic system.
- Western: Cowboys, Indians and accessories. This object pack was originally created for a design contest, but has been developed into an official extension.
Additionally, many unofficial extensions have been created by players. One example is the modern military-combat extension called "First Aid Pack", which includes various weapons, vehicles, and scenarios in a modern-combat setting.
Comprehensive Clonk Archive Network
The Comprehensive Clonk Archive Network (short: CCAN) is the largest and most popular download-page for the Clonk-community. Players are distributing extensions for the game on a daily basis. In order to participate, a valid registration code is required. Extensions for older (freeware) versions of Clonk can be downloaded without having a registration code for the specified game.Development
Since the release of Clonk Planet, every registered player may start developing of his own using the integrated developer mode. It's possible to add new objects (such as Clonks, weapons, buildings, etc.), scenarios or complete packs such as the official Extensions.Many players have used these options and created extension packs, which can be downloaded from the fan sites.
History
- MS-DOS games
- 1994 - Clonk 1
- 1994 - Clonk 2 Debakel
- 1995 - Clonk A.P.E. (Advanced Player Edition)
- 1996 - Clonk 3 Radikal
- Windows games
- 1998 - Clonk 4
- 1999 - Clonk Planet
- 2001 - Golden Wipf Edition (unofficial extension for Clonk Planet)
- 2004 - Clonk Endeavour
- Cross platform (Windows, Linux, Mac OS)
- 2008 - Clonk Rage
- 3D-graphics
- frozen - Clonk Extreme (in development)
- 2010 - OpenClonk
Starting from 2001, RedWolf Design stopped development of Clonk Planet and started developing Clonk Extreme. The source code of the Clonk Planet engine was released, and attracted a team of players who developed Clonk Planet GWE. Within this fan-project, several sorely missed features have been implemented, such as more editability and modern 32Bit graphics.
Later, in 2003, RedWolf Design revived the series by collaborating with the GWE team and creating the next official Clonk title called "Clonk Endeavour" from the previous GWE 4. The new Clonk title got some attention when it was presented on the Games Convention
Games Convention
The Games Convention, sometimes called the Leipzig Games Convention and abbreviated as GC, was an annual video game event held in Leipzig, Germany, first held in 2002. Besides video games, the event also covers Infotainment, Hardware, and Edutainment...
in Leipzig and won a newcomer contest held by GIGA TV
GIGA Television
GIGA was the brand name of a digital TV channel and several German television shows. The channel ceased operations in 2009.-Early Days:...
.
The development continued, and several extensions such as a new network architecture for faster internet games and a fullscreen menu system were being developed. The development led to a new sequel, Clonk Rage, which became the officially current version 2008-05-05. Its predecessor, Clonk Endeavour, was released as Freeware a couple of days later.
The other development goal is called "Clonk Extreme" - short "ClonkX", which is supposed to transform the game principle of Clonk into a 3D-game. It is also the first game title that doesn't support digging. Development progressed slowly, and only early alpha versions, some screenshots and one preview video of the game exist. Clonk Extreme was announced with a release date in 2050, but it was later found to be an April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day is celebrated in different countries around the world on April 1 every year. Sometimes referred to as All Fools' Day, April 1 is not a national holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day when many people play all kinds of jokes and foolishness...
joke. However, after RedWolf Design's leader Matthes Bender announced he would be working on other projects, Clonk Extreme was frozen without probable continuing development.
OpenClonk
OpenClonk is an open sourceOpen source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
project developed by a community of Clonk enthusiasts and former Clonk developers alike. OpenClonk is the first Clonk game not to support backwards compatibility
Backward compatibility
In the context of telecommunications and computing, a device or technology is said to be backward or downward compatible if it can work with input generated by an older device...
for previous expansion packs, and not officially developed by RedWolf Design, but still utilizes a heavily modified version of the Clonk Rage engine. Since the requirement for backwards compatibility has been dropped, many new features have been implemented into OpenClonk. Some features include 3D Graphics, traditional Run & Gun controls, a zooming camera, and a completely redesigned base objects pack. Though OpenClonk supports 3D graphics, the game world remains a 2D platformer.
Press articles
In German game magazines- http://www.clonk.de/press/PCGames2003.pdf
- http://www.clonk.de/press/Shareplay2004.pdf
- http://www.clonk.de/press/SuperPCSpiele2005.pdf
In Russian game magazines
- http://www.gameland.ru/post/14642/default.asp?print=1
External links
- http://www.clonk.de/?lng=en - Official English site (Redwolf Design)
- http://www.ccan.de/ - Database of game extensions created by players
- http://wiki.nosebud.de/ - A wiki for topics related to Clonk
- http://www.goldwipf.de/ - GWE homepage (not updated any more)
- http://www.clonk-center.de/ - Largest fan site for Clonk
- http://www.clonkforge.net/ - Site used to organize development teams for Clonk extensions
- http://wiki.openclonk.org/ - Website for continual development of OpenClonk