Team Fortress Classic

Infobox VG| title = Team Fortress Classic


caption = The box art for "Team Fortress Classic" depicts the heavy class against the backdrop of "Half-Life"'s box art.
developer = Valve Corporation
publisher = Sierra Entertainment
distributor = Steam
engine = GoldSrc
designer = John Cook
Robin Walker
released = 30 May 1999cite web|url=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/pc/team-fortress-classic/|title="Team Fortress Classic" (PC)|publisher=GameSpy|accessdate=2008-05-16]
modes = Multiplayer
genre = First-person shooter
ratings = ESRB: M (Mature)
platforms = Windows
media = CD-ROM, download
requirements = Minimum:
500 MHz processor, 96 MB RAM, 16 MB video card, Internet connection
Recommended:
800 MHz processor, 128 MB RAM, 32 MB video card, Internet connectioncite web|url=http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=app&AppId=20&|title="Team Fortress Classic" on Steam|work=Steam|publisher=Valve Corporation|accessdate=2008-05-16]
input = Keyboard and mouse
version = 1.1.2.1 (11 March 2008)

"Team Fortress Classic", also known as "Team Fortress 1.5", is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter video game developed by the Valve Corporation. A remake of the "Team Fortress" modification for "Quake", "Team Fortress Classic" was originally released for Windows on 30 May 1999 as a free addition to "Half-Life". A standalone version was later released with Valve's Steam system in 2003. [cite web|url=http://www.steampowered.com/platform/update_history/Team%20Fortress%20Classic.html|title="Team Fortress Classic" Update History|publisher=Valve Corporation|work=Steam|accessdate=2008-05-18] The development of "Team Fortress Classic" was led by John Cook and Robin Walker, the designers of the original "Team Fortress" modification.

The game was originally announced in 1999, powered by Valve's GoldSrc engine. The designers of the "Team Fortress" modification were contracted by Valve to develop "Team Fortress 2", but initially remade their original work on Valve's game engine. The game itself revolves in a number of teams, each with access to nine classes, competing in a variety of scenarios such as capture the flag, VIP protection and territorial control. In June 2000, the game underwent a significant upgrade, adding new player character models and game modes. As of 2008, the game is one of the ten most played "Half-Life" modifications in terms of players, according to GameSpy. [cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/stats/mods.asp?id=15&s=1 |title=Top Mods For Half Life By Players |publisher=GameSpy |accessdate=2008-07-09]

Gameplay

"Team Fortress Classic" revolves around a number of teams competing in a variety of game modes with players selecting one of nine classes to play as. Typically, players have the choice of two equal teams, red and blue, although certain game modes allow for more than two teams with access to different classes. Each game can sustain a maximum of 32 players. The way a player acts in a game is defined by which class they select, with each class having their own strengths and weaknesses. As such, "Team Fortress Classic" relies heavily on teamwork between players of different classes.cite web|url=http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/130/130929p1.html|title="Team Fortress Classic" preview|publisher=IGN|date=1999-02-24|accessdate=2008-05-18]

Game modes

"Team Fortress Classic" supports numerous types of play, with distinct objectives for teams of players to pursue. In capture the flag levels, the objective for both teams is to capture the enemy flag and return it to their base while preventing the opposing team from doing the same. [cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=tfcguides.detail&id=3&game=7|title="Team Fortress" Map Strategies: Two Fortresses|publisher=IGN|work=Planet Half-Life|accessdate=2008-05-20] Some maps of this type have twists on this formula, such as having multiple flags and requiring a team to capture them all, or requiring a team to perform a task such as disabling security grids before being able to access the flag. Territorial control maps consist of several command points that must be captured, typically either by standing on the command point or bringing a flag to the command point. [cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=tfcguides.detail&id=13&game=7|title="Team Fortress" Map Strategies: Warpath|publisher=IGN|work=Planet Half-Life|accessdate=2008-05-20] [cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=tfcguides.detail&id=5&game=7|title="Team Fortress" Map Strategies: Canal Zone 2|publisher=IGN|work=Planet Half-Life|accessdate=2008-05-20] Teams are awarded points at set intervals for each command point they control. Attack and defend maps, a variation of territorial control, feature one team trying to capture several command points in sequence, while the other team defends each command point from capture. [cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=tfcguides.detail&id=8&game=7|title="Team Fortress" Map Strategies: Dustbowl|publisher=IGN|work=Planet Half-Life|accessdate=2008-05-20] In escort maps, the players are split into three teams—a single VIP, the VIP's bodyguards and a group of assassins. The goal of escort maps is for the bodyguards to escort the VIP to a given point on the map, while the assassins attempt to kill the VIP before he gets there. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p7_04.html|title=Map-Specific Strategies and Tactics: The Hunted|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-20] In an update after the game's release, a further game mode, football, was introduced. In football levels, teams must capture a single ball and take it to a capture point within the enemy base. [cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=tfcguides.detail&id=10&game=7|title="Team Fortress" Map Strategies: Push|publisher=IGN|work=Planet Half-Life|accessdate=2008-05-20]

Classes

There are nine standard classes in "Team Fortress Classic" that a player can select. Each class is equipped with at least one unique weapon, and is often armed with a secondary weapon such as a shotgun or nailgun. In addition, all classes are armed with a melee weapon—usually a crowbar—as well as grenades with a variety of effects depending on the class a player has chosen. In escort levels, a single player can assume the role of a civilian, armed only with an umbrella, and must be escorted by the rest of the team across the level.cite web|url=http://planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=TFCGameInfo.Detail&id=3|title="Team Fortress Classic" Classes|work=Planet Half-Life|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2008-05-18]

The scout is the fastest class in the game, but is unable to take much damage in return. The scout is armed with a nailgun as well as being able to use caltrops and concussion grenades to slow down and confuse opponents. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_01.html|title=Character Classes: Scout|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] The sniper class is armed with a high-powered sniper rifle, and can be used to attack enemies from distant positions. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_06.html|title=Character Classes: Sniper|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] Soldiers are significantly slower than snipers and scouts, but possess better armor and are armed with rocket launchers that allow them to rocket jump. Soldiers can also make use of nail bombs to cause more damage within close quarters. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_02.html|title=Character Classes: Soldier|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] The demoman is armed with a grenade launcher for indirect fire onto enemy positions, as well as being equipped with a demolition pack capable of opening or closing certain routes on some levels. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_03.html|title=Character Classes: Demoman|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18]

The medic is equipped with a super nail gun, concussion grenades and a medical kit that can be used either to heal teammates or expose opponents to a contagious infection that drains health. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_08.html|title=Character Classes: Medic|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] The heavy weapons class is armed with a powerful minigun, and can sustain more damage than any other class. However, the heavy is significantly slower than other classes. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_04.html|title=Character Classes: Heavy|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] Pyros are equipped with a flamethrower and an incendiary rocket launcher, both of which can set enemies on fire. The pyro also carries several napalm grenades for the same purpose. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_05.html|title=Character Classes: Pyro|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] The spy differs significantly in style from other classes, with the class possessing the ability to take on the appearance of any other class on either side. The spy is equipped with a knife to assassinate key enemy players as well as a tranquilizer gun to slow down opponents and hallucination gas to confuse them. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_07.html|title=Character Classes: Spy|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18] The final class is the engineer. A defensive class, engineers build structures to support their team, such as sentry guns to defend key points, ammunition dispensers and a teleporter. In addition, the engineer is armed with EMP grenades that detonates any explosive ammunition within its range. [cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/features/teamfort_gg/p3_09.html|title=Character Classes: Engineer|work=Team Fortress Classic Game Guide|publisher=GameSpot|author=Jensen, Chris; Radcliffe, Doug|accessdate=2008-05-18]

Development

Before "Team Fortress Classic" there was "Team Fortress", a 1996 "QuakeWorld" mod. TF's developers were working on "Team Fortress 2" as a standalone game, but later joined Valve Software and ported the original as a mod for "Half-Life" called "Team Fortress Classic" in April of 1999. Despite the company's 1998 statement that "Team Fortress 2: Brotherhood of Arms" would be released "soon," the game remained in development of one form or another for eight years until its release on 10 October 2007, and has been on "Wired" magazine's top ten vaporware list every year since 2001.

Since "Team Fortress Classic"'s release in 1999, Valve has introduced various changes into the game. The updates tweaked the game's balance and on occasion added new content, such as new levels. A particularly large update was released on 8 June 2000, which introduced several new levels and game modes, a new GUI menu interface and new player models, and optimized the game's code for smoother, faster play. With this release, the game was renamed to "Team Fortress 1.5". In July 2004, the game was migrated into Valve's Steam system, in which a number of additional features were added. For much of its early history, "Team Fortress Classic" was second only to "Counter-Strike" as the most played and popular of online games.

ee also

*"Fortress Forever"

References

External links

* [http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=game&AppId=20& "Team Fortress Classic" at the official Steam website.]