Gang Garrison 2
Encyclopedia
Gang Garrison 2 is a freeware
, open-source, indie video game
"demake" of Valve Software's Team Fortress 2
. Inspired by the 3D graphics
of Team Fortress 2, it takes place in a 2D
, 8-bit
environment, while retaining its online multiplayer gameplay. The game was started by TIGSource.com users
"mrfredman" and "MedO", with other users contributing to development. It was conceived as an entry into the TIGSource.com "Bootleg Demake" competition.
and the Infiltrator's revolver
. There are currently five game modes, with a sixth in development. Capture the flag
, which involves capturing a briefcase
filled with intelligence
, Control Point, where the teams fight for control of specific locations, Generator mode, where each team tries to destroy the opposing team's power generator, Arena, where players try to get rid of the other team's players, King of the Hill, where a single control point needs to be captured and defended for a set time, and Double King of the Hill where two control points are present, but both need to be captured in order for the clock to start. "Critical
" shots, special attacks which cause extra damage in Team Fortress 2, have been removed in Gang Garrison 2. Games are played on online gameservers, which the player can find with help of a lobby server or join manually. Servers can also be hosted by players.
. Initially the game lacked several features and balancing, especially class abilities for the Constructor and the Infiltrator, which caused other developers to decompile the code and update the game without consent. The original development team reacted by merging the unofficial changes and releasing the game under an open source
license to allow contribution to the official version and avoid further forks. Version 2.0 was released on February 10, 2009. This version included taunts, new music, maps, and options, various graphical improvements, a spectator mode, autobalance, kill notification, and in-game communication. Version 2.1 was released on May 3, 2009. This version included Control Points, new music, maps, various graphical updates, Demoman "sticky counter", sentry hud, and "superburst", a medic ability very similar to Team Fortress 2s "Ubercharge", and various other smaller tweaks.
The game is currently at version 2.4 and continues to be developed as an open source project, with the source code hosted on Github
http://github.com/Medo42/Gang-Garrison-2/.
noted that the game "translates surprisingly well [to 2D]." Tyler Nagata of Games Radar commented that it "is guaranteed to make you grin when you hear its cover of the TF2 theme song
with MIDI
-fied bleeps and bloops ... and ... when you start scrolling through the game’s super pixilated takes on TF2 classes." Scott Sharkey of 1UP
wrote that the game "was pretty much at the top of the heap [of demakes]," also stating the possibility that he might "prefer this thing to Team Fortress 2" and that it was "a great way to blow a few minutes while putting off work."
Eric Smith of the Team Fortress 2 development team expressed support for the game, announcing version 2.1 on the official TF2 blog
.
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...
, open-source, indie video game
Independent video game development
Independent video game development is the process of creating video games without the financial support of a video game publisher. While large firms can create independent games, they are usually designed by an individual or a small team of as many as ten people, depending on the complexity of the...
"demake" of Valve Software's Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2
Team Fortress 2 is a free-to-play team-based first-person shooter multiplayer video game developed by Valve Corporation. A sequel to the original mod Team Fortress based on the Quake engine, it was first released as part of the video game compilation The Orange Box on October 10, 2007 for Windows...
. Inspired by the 3D graphics
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
of Team Fortress 2, it takes place in a 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
, 8-bit
8-bit
The first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor was the Intel 8080, being used in many hobbyist computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, often running the CP/M operating system. The Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 6800 were also used in similar computers...
environment, while retaining its online multiplayer gameplay. The game was started by TIGSource.com users
User (computing)
A user is an agent, either a human agent or software agent, who uses a computer or network service. A user often has a user account and is identified by a username , screen name , nickname , or handle, which is derived from the identical Citizen's Band radio term.Users are...
"mrfredman" and "MedO", with other users contributing to development. It was conceived as an entry into the TIGSource.com "Bootleg Demake" competition.
Gameplay
Gang Garrison 2 uses the major gameplay tenets of Team Fortress 2, while modifying them for use in 2D. The player can choose one of nine different classes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. One is hidden and can be accessed by pressing 'Q' at the class select screen. Each class had their name changed, and lack abilities as specialized as Team Fortress 2 due to technical constraints. The classes are: Runner, Detonator, Rocketman, Firebug, Constructor, Rifleman, Healer, Overweight, and Infiltrator. Additionally, the main characters from Cave Story make guest appearances as the hidden 10th class. Each character only possesses one special ability and one weapon; for example, the Rifleman's rifleSniper rifle
In military and law enforcement terminology, a sniper rifle is a precision-rifle used to ensure more accurate placement of bullets at longer ranges than other small arms. A typical sniper rifle is built for optimal levels of accuracy, fitted with a telescopic sight and chambered for a military...
and the Infiltrator's revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
. There are currently five game modes, with a sixth in development. Capture the flag
Capture the flag
Capture the Flag is a traditional outdoor sport generally played by children, where two teams each have a flag and the objective is to capture the other team's flag, located at the team's "base," and bring it safely back to their own base...
, which involves capturing a briefcase
Briefcase
A briefcase is a narrow box-shaped bag or case used mainly for carrying papers and other documents and equipped with a handle. Lawyers commonly use briefcases to carry briefs to present to a court, hence the name...
filled with intelligence
Intelligence (information gathering)
Intelligence assessment is the development of forecasts of behaviour or recommended courses of action to the leadership of an organization, based on a wide range of available information sources both overt and covert. Assessments are developed in response to requirements declared by the leadership...
, Control Point, where the teams fight for control of specific locations, Generator mode, where each team tries to destroy the opposing team's power generator, Arena, where players try to get rid of the other team's players, King of the Hill, where a single control point needs to be captured and defended for a set time, and Double King of the Hill where two control points are present, but both need to be captured in order for the clock to start. "Critical
Critical hit
In many role-playing games and video games, a critical hit is a successful attack that deals more damage than a normal blow.-Origin:The 1975 role-playing game Empire of the Petal Throne introduced the concept of critical hits...
" shots, special attacks which cause extra damage in Team Fortress 2, have been removed in Gang Garrison 2. Games are played on online gameservers, which the player can find with help of a lobby server or join manually. Servers can also be hosted by players.
Development
Development of Gang Garrison 2 began as an entry into the TIGSource.com "Bootleg Demake" competition by mrfredman (art), MedO (programming) and Synnah (music). While it did not win the competition, it later grew in popularity on the site's forumInternet forum
An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are at least temporarily archived...
. Initially the game lacked several features and balancing, especially class abilities for the Constructor and the Infiltrator, which caused other developers to decompile the code and update the game without consent. The original development team reacted by merging the unofficial changes and releasing the game under an open source
Open 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...
license to allow contribution to the official version and avoid further forks. Version 2.0 was released on February 10, 2009. This version included taunts, new music, maps, and options, various graphical improvements, a spectator mode, autobalance, kill notification, and in-game communication. Version 2.1 was released on May 3, 2009. This version included Control Points, new music, maps, various graphical updates, Demoman "sticky counter", sentry hud, and "superburst", a medic ability very similar to Team Fortress 2s "Ubercharge", and various other smaller tweaks.
The game is currently at version 2.4 and continues to be developed as an open source project, with the source code hosted on Github
Github
GitHub is a web-based hosting service for software development projects that use the Git revision control system. GitHub offers both commercial plans and free accounts for open source projects...
http://github.com/Medo42/Gang-Garrison-2/.
Reception
Gang Garrison 2 received positive reviews from critics. Darren Gladstone of PC WorldPC World (magazine)
PC World is a global computer magazine published monthly by IDG. It offers advice on various aspects of PCs and related items, the Internet, and other personal-technology products and services...
noted that the game "translates surprisingly well [to 2D]." Tyler Nagata of Games Radar commented that it "is guaranteed to make you grin when you hear its cover of the TF2 theme song
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
with MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIDI is an industry-standard protocol, first defined in 1982 by Gordon Hall, that enables electronic musical instruments , computers and other electronic equipment to communicate and synchronize with each other...
-fied bleeps and bloops ... and ... when you start scrolling through the game’s super pixilated takes on TF2 classes." Scott Sharkey of 1UP
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
wrote that the game "was pretty much at the top of the heap [of demakes]," also stating the possibility that he might "prefer this thing to Team Fortress 2" and that it was "a great way to blow a few minutes while putting off work."
Eric Smith of the Team Fortress 2 development team expressed support for the game, announcing version 2.1 on the official TF2 blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
.