Overgrowth

Overgrowth
Developer(s)	Wolfire Games
Publisher(s)	Wolfire Games
Designer(s)	David Rosen
Artist(s)	Aubrey Serr
Composer(s)	Mikko Tarmia
Engine	Phoenix Engine
Platform(s)	Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Preview release	Alpha 155 / August 16, 2011
Genre(s)	Action
Mode(s)	singleplayer, cooperative

Overgrowth is an upcoming action video game under development by Wolfire Games. It was announced on September 17, 2008.^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3][4][5] No release date yet available.

Features

Overgrowth will be based on a new game engine called the Phoenix Engine. The engine includes a number of useful features like an animation handler in which animations can be smoothly blended between,^[6] a scripting system using AngelScript that is tied into the game engine allowing for a lot of control over various engine features,^[7] and an ambient sound system.^[8] 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.^[9]

Gameplay

Overgrowth will build on the gameplay of its predecessor Lugaru.^[10] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Another system highly likely to be included in Overgrowth is the reversal system.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

Use of environment has been alluded to on the official blog,^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

Overgrowth picks up where Lugaru left off, with the world in a state of de facto anarchy.^{[citation needed]} 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.

Overgrowth's 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.^[11] 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.^[12]

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 Overgrowth's 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.^{[citation needed]}

Development

Since the 25th of November, 2008, Wolfire Games 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.^[13]

Reception

Numerous press outlets have relayed the announcement of the game around the world,^[14] especially in the Mac and Linux communities,^[15] where Overgrowth's predecessor, Lugaru, has been an underground success.^[16][17]

References

1. ^ "Official announcement". Blog.wolfire.com. 2008-09-17. http://blog.wolfire.com/2008/09/announcing-overgrowth/. Retrieved 2010-10-12. 
2. ^ [1]
3. ^ uDevGames 2001 results
4. ^ uDevGames 2002 results
5. ^ uDevGames 2003 results
6. ^ Overgowth alpha 64 changelog
7. ^ Overgrowth alpha 62 changelog
8. ^ Overgrowth alpha 131 changelog
9. ^ Blender as an animation editor| Blog post
10. ^ "Overgrowth FAQ: Overgrowth will be inheriting the spirit of Lugaru's tried and true combat system". Blog.wolfire.com. 2009-02-12. http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/02/overgrowth-faq/#q3. Retrieved 2010-11-27. 
11. ^ Overgrowth concept art from the official page
12. ^ "Exclusive Interview With Wolfire Games". zConnection. 2008-11-02. http://zconnect.org.uk/index.php?action=news&article=142. Retrieved 2008-11-02. 
13. ^ "Announcing Weekly Aplhas! - Wolfire Games Blog". http://blog.wolfire.com/2008/11/announcing-weekly-alphas/. Retrieved 2011-1-20. 
14. ^ For instance: RockPaperShotgun, GamersHell, IndieGames, CasualtyGamer, etc.
15. ^ See for example TheMacGamer, macnn, MacTech and LinuxGames, Linux Gaming News
16. ^ See editor ratings Softpedia (5/5, Editor's pick), InsideMacGames (8.25/10), and user ratings: download.com (4/5, 45000+ downloads), MacUpdate (4.5/5), MacGameFiles (4.5/5 out of 60+ reviews)
17. ^ For Linux, see The Linux Game Tome, Linux Game Guru^{[dead link]}, linuX-gamers.net and several LinuxGames posts [2] [3] [4]

External links

• Overgrowth website at Wolfire Games
• Wolfire blog, used to post status updates on Overgrowth
• What is Overgrowth Video (Flash required)