Neverball

Neverball
One of the hard levels being played in Neverball 1.4.0
Developer(s)	Robert Kooima
Designer(s)	Robert Kooima Mehdi Yousfi-Monod Pasi Kallinen
Version	1.5.4
Platform(s)	Linux, FreeBSD, Mac OS X, Windows, AmigaOS 4
Genre(s)	Platform game
Mode(s)	Single Player
Media/distribution	free download
System requirements Hardware-accelerated OpenGL

Free software portal

Neverball is a 3D platform game similar to Super Monkey Ball.^[1] It is currently available for Windows platforms, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, Dreamcast, AmigaOS 4, iOS and Maemo. Neverball is free software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).

Gameplay

The main gameplay of Neverball is based on moving a ball using gravity by tilting the game world, not directly controlling the ball^[2] (it is somewhat similar to the game Labyrinth without the holes in the middle). The level must be tilted to help guide the ball to a goal, via an obstacle course, with a set time limit. Moving platforms and other objects get in the way, making levels progressively harder.

Several camera modes are available to help the player guide the ball, including chase camera, allowing the player to move along with the ball, and a manual camera, allowing the player to move the camera around, unhindered.

To unlock the goal on each level, the player must collect a required amount of coins. Coins come in three different colors: yellow, red and blue, each having the values one, five, and ten, respectively. Collecting 100 coins in "Challenge Mode" gains an extra life.

Neverball features a replay recording system, which records gameplay in any level. Recording begins automatically when the level begins. Replays can be saved when a level is cleared, or when the ball falls off the level.

Neverball allows the creation of levels with GtkRadiant, the level creation program for popular games such as Quake. GtkRadiant currently has versions for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.

Neverputt

Neverputt 1.4.0 being played

Neverball comes with an additional miniature golf companion game using the same physics, called Neverputt,^[2] which comes with 3 course packs ranging from Easy to Hard. The 1.4.0 release of Neverball removed the ability to play Neverputt holes as levels inside Neverball.

References

1. ^ "Robert Kooima, Creator of Neverball". Planetfreeplay.com. 2005-10-19. http://www.planetfreeplay.com/interview/2/. Retrieved 2009-03-29. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Giusti, Alessandro (2006-01-30). "Open source software and games". Linux.com. VA Software. http://www.linux.com/feature/51239. Retrieved 2009-03-08. 

External links

• Official website