Overgrowth
Encyclopedia
Overgrowth is an upcoming action
video game under development by Wolfire Games
. It was announced on September 17, 2008. for all three major computer platforms: Windows
, Mac OS X
and Linux
.
The game plays as a 3D
third-person action game, set in a medieval world of anthropomorphic fighter rabbits, wolves, dogs, cats and rats
. The game is designed by David Rosen, mainly known in the Mac game development community for having placed well in the game development contest uDevGames three years in a row. No release date yet available.
called the Phoenix Engine. The engine includes a number of useful features like an animation handler in which animations can be smoothly blended between, a scripting system using AngelScript that is tied into the game engine allowing for a lot of control over various engine features, and an ambient sound system. The game will be shipped with a fully featured level editor and the developers want to make sure that the tools required to mod the game won't be too costly or preferably free.
. That would mean its fighting system will be based around context-sensitive attacks, reversals, high mobility and reliance on environment.
In Lugaru, context-sensitivity meant that, for example, standing up after ducking a spin-kick would have the player grab their opponent's leg and reverse their attack, or that the player could tap jump to lightly dodge an opponent's sweep. Every attack depends on the player's pace and position.
Another system highly likely to be included in Overgrowth is the reversal system. Every attack can be reversed by tapping a specific button at the right time. There are no invincible attacks. Reversals themselves can be counter-reversed to re-establish the status quo.
Use of environment has been alluded to on the official blog, with such scenarios as grabbing a staff from a tree to defend oneself, or using a river to foil the scent of hunting wolves—also hinting at survival elements.
Overgrowth picks up where Lugaru left off, with the world in a state of de facto anarchy
. After killing the corrupted king, Turner, the main character, refused to take his place, instead choosing to leave the monarchy
headless and wander the island in search of some new purpose.
Overgrowths setting appears to build on that premise, as concept art shows a chaotic world with tall structures overrun by vegetation, and inhabited by fierce fighter rabbits, wolves, rats and dogs, trying to survive with simple weapons and makeshift armors. Some concept art
shows a city with an organic layout.
An interview with Wolfire Games by British video gaming website zConnection revealed some more details regarding the game's storyline and plot.
It has been revealed that the title "Overgrowth" has at least four meanings that apply to the plot of the game.
has released an Alpha each week, containing all the features so far implemented in the game. These are available to people who have pre-ordered
the game.
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...
video game under development by Wolfire Games
Wolfire Games
Wolfire Games is an independent video game development company founded by David Rosen. Wolfire Games develops video games for Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.- History :...
. It was announced on September 17, 2008. for all three major computer platforms: Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
.
The game plays as a 3D
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...
third-person action game, set in a medieval world of anthropomorphic fighter rabbits, wolves, dogs, cats and rats
RATS
RATS may refer to:* RATS , Regression Analysis of Time Series, a statistical package* Rough Auditing Tool for Security, a computer program...
. The game is designed by David Rosen, mainly known in the Mac game development community for having placed well in the game development contest uDevGames three years in a row. No release date yet available.
Features
Overgrowth will be based on a new game engineGame engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
called the Phoenix Engine. The engine includes a number of useful features like an animation handler in which animations can be smoothly blended between, a scripting system using AngelScript that is tied into the game engine allowing for a lot of control over various engine features, and an ambient sound system. The game will be shipped with a fully featured level editor and the developers want to make sure that the tools required to mod the game won't be too costly or preferably free.
Gameplay
Overgrowth will build on the gameplay of its predecessor LugaruLugaru
Lugaru: The Rabbit's Foot is the first commercial video game created by Wolfire Games. It is a cross-platform, 3D action game for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux. It features Turner, an anthropomorphic rabbit with curiously well-developed combat skills.Lugaru was made almost solely by...
. That would mean its fighting system will be based around context-sensitive attacks, reversals, high mobility and reliance on environment.
In Lugaru, context-sensitivity meant that, for example, standing up after ducking a spin-kick would have the player grab their opponent's leg and reverse their attack, or that the player could tap jump to lightly dodge an opponent's sweep. Every attack depends on the player's pace and position.
Another system highly likely to be included in Overgrowth is the reversal system. Every attack can be reversed by tapping a specific button at the right time. There are no invincible attacks. Reversals themselves can be counter-reversed to re-establish the status quo.
Use of environment has been alluded to on the official blog, with such scenarios as grabbing a staff from a tree to defend oneself, or using a river to foil the scent of hunting wolves—also hinting at survival elements.
Setting and plot
Official statements are again scarce, but a few aspects of the story and setting are well established.Overgrowth picks up where Lugaru left off, with the world in a state of de facto anarchy
Anarchy
Anarchy , has more than one colloquial definition. In the United States, the term "anarchy" typically is meant to refer to a society which lacks publicly recognized government or violently enforced political authority...
. After killing the corrupted king, Turner, the main character, refused to take his place, instead choosing to leave the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
headless and wander the island in search of some new purpose.
Overgrowths setting appears to build on that premise, as concept art shows a chaotic world with tall structures overrun by vegetation, and inhabited by fierce fighter rabbits, wolves, rats and dogs, trying to survive with simple weapons and makeshift armors. Some concept art
Concept art
Concept art is a form of illustration where the main goal is to convey a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in films, video games, animation, or comic books before it is put into the final product. Concept art is also referred to as visual development and/or concept design...
shows a city with an organic layout.
An interview with Wolfire Games by British video gaming website zConnection revealed some more details regarding the game's storyline and plot.
What is the plot or storyline of Lugaru's sequel, Overgrowth?
Well, I'm not supposed to reveal too much on this front. David is still ironing out the final details on the path of Overgrowth. We're pretty sure that we want Turner, the star of Lugaru, to be the protagonist of Overgrowth. Overgrowth will occur in the same world, some years after Lugaru ended. We believe veterans of Lugaru will have a more flavored understanding of Overgrowths atmosphere but we will definitely make Overgrowth its own stand alone game. New species are now in the world. So far we've announced cats and rats and we've worked out the cultural and physical differences of each species. I'm not supposed to leak the actual plot line yet but I can say that it will guide the player through all the exciting aspects of the Overgrowth universe.
It has been revealed that the title "Overgrowth" has at least four meanings that apply to the plot of the game.
Development
Since the 25th of November, 2008, Wolfire GamesWolfire Games
Wolfire Games is an independent video game development company founded by David Rosen. Wolfire Games develops video games for Mac OS, Windows, and Linux.- History :...
has released an Alpha each week, containing all the features so far implemented in the game. These are available to people who have pre-ordered
Pre-order
A pre-order is an order placed for an item which has not yet been released. The idea for pre-orders came when people found it hard to get popular items in stores due to their popularity. Companies were then given the idea to allow people to reserve their own personal copy, before the release, ...
the game.
Reception
Numerous press outlets have relayed the announcement of the game around the world, especially in the Mac and Linux communities, where Overgrowths predecessor, Lugaru, has been an underground success.External links
- Overgrowth website at Wolfire Games
- Wolfire blog, used to post status updates on Overgrowth
- What is Overgrowth Video (Flash required)