Vendetta Online

Infobox VG
title = Vendetta Online


developer = Guild Software
publisher = Strategy First
designer =
engine = WGAF
released = November 1, 2004
genre = MMORPG
modes = multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: Teen (T)
platforms = Windows, Linux, Mac
media = CD-ROM (1) or Download
requirements = (Windows) 1.0GHz processor, 256MB RAM, DirectX 8.1 or OpenGL compatible graphics card with at least 32MB RAM, Microsoft Windows 98, ME, 2000, XP or Vista
(Mac) 1.0GHz processor, 384MB RAM, OpenGL compatible graphics card with at least 32MB RAM, Mac OS X 10.3.5 or better
(Linux) 1.0GHz processor, 256MB RAM, OpenGL-compatible graphics card with at least 32MB RAM, glibc 2.2 or better, GTK+ 2
input = Keyboard/Mouse and/or Joystick

"Vendetta Online" is a twitch-based, science fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Guild Software for the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems. It uses the WGAF game engine, a fully realtime flight model and combat system developed in-house that brings the intensity and immersion of FPS-style PvP and PvNPC battle action, set against the backdrop of a massively multiplayer universe. "Vendetta Online" shipped as a commercial MMORPG on November 1, 2004, and currently costs US$9.99 a month (when bought in one-month increments). It is updated regularly (usually every other week) with new content and bugfixes. While "Vendetta Online" has already shipped, the game is still considered to be in beta status by both its users and its developers, and many defining qualities are still only in the stages of early planning.

Features

Present

This list details some of the features already present in "Vendetta Online".

* Twitch-based combat engine, allowing players to fight using their own skill, instead of the statistics of their characters.
* Free, large-scale, extremely fast PvP, with the possibility to attack anyone (though doing so openly will incur the wrath of law enforcement groups) anywhere, capital ship combat, large-scale player wars, and large amounts of variation due to the large selections of ships and weapon loadouts.
* Class-less and level-less character advancement system
* Physics engine, handling player collision and explosion effects
* The direct involvement of players in the game, through different possibilities, such as player-run events, and the Player Contribution Corps, a group of players that aid the developers by creating their own mission for the game.
* Dynamic content, allowing players to affect gaming world through permanent resolution of storylines, cargo capturing efforts that affect weapon availability, and battling NPC factions that expand and seize territory.
* Dynamic economy, changing based on supply and demand, as well as direct player actions, such as blockades and pirating.
* Dynamic mission system, in where missions often contain randomized elements, such as different NPCs, rewards or star systems. Missions work according to dynamic principles, such as varied victory conditions, varied resistance, and the possibility to solve the mission in different locations. Players will might sometimes find themselves grouped with other players as a part of the mission, and teamwork can be required for success. Furthermore, because of the randomized elements of the mission and the structure of gameplay in "Vendetta Online", players will never be offered missions that are completely identical to other existing missions ( a concept which is extremely common in most MMORPGs, where players might find themselves performing a non-repetitive task given by an NPC which was nevertheless carried out by another player minutes before, given by the same NPC), which contributes to immersion and suspension of disbelief.
* Alternative and infinite advancement system that uses player-achieved licenses and badges of accomplishment to determine what equipment will be available for sale and what missions will be offered to players.
* Faction system, with different equipment and missions available based on the character's individual standing with different factions.
* Events run by the developers and the guides.
* A challenging A.I., both in combat situations, where computer-controlled ships act randomly and sometimes humanly, and in larger contexts, where NPC factions expand and seize territory of their own.
* Independent NPCs that live their own lives as traders, pirates, military or members of different factions.
* Different possible occupations and player activities, including pirating, bounty hunting, mining, missions, trading, and participating in the war between the different factions.
* High standards of "relative" realism (as realistic as a space simulation can get), where lawbreaking and offending activities are resolved through in-game mechanisms, instead of game engine limitations and real-world rules.
* An extensive universe, with an extensive backstory.
* Integrated, multiplatform voice chat (powered by the TeamSpeak 3 SDK).
* Expression of game objects powered by dynamic Lua files. It allows the developers to insert new variants of ships and weaponry on the fly.

Planned

This list details the future features and additions planned and revealed by the developers of "Vendetta Online". As "Vendetta Online" is a game under heavy development, these features are important in understanding the vision and future gameplay goals of the developers of "Vendetta Online".

* More dynamic content, such as the conquest of territories, the possibility for players to construct, own and destroy space stations, and further permanent additions and changes to the storyline and universe.
* A deep crafting system, allowing players to used mined materials to create goods, and sometimes forcing players to work in larger groups to construct large projects, such as space stations or capital ships.
* Player-controlled capital ships, using a tactical Homeworld-inspired interface.
* Continual expansion of the game features, after release.
* Removal of friendly fire restrictions between members of the same faction
* A more complex Hive enemy (further possibilities for NPC expansion and conquest of territories, resource management [NPCs chose what systems to invade and conquer based on what those systems have to offer] , and perhaps permanent Hive settlements)

Story

In "Vendetta Online", there are three playable nations and many minor NPC factions. The nations are the Itani Nation, the Serco Dominion and the Union of Independent Territories (usually referred to as the UIT). The Itani are reputed for their science and maneuverable ships, the Serco for their warrior nature and armored ships, and the UIT for their trading abilities and neutrality.

"Vendetta Online" has a long [http://www.vendetta-online.com/h/storyline.html backstory] available, which details the fate of humanity from 2140 to 4432. It was written by the lead game developer, John Bergman.

Story Summary

The story begins when humanity has a 16 year long land/space conflict, using semi-autonomous clones called "guises" After the war, all genetics and bioengineering is banned. However, soon later, a gravitational anomaly is found near Saturn. A wormhole is successfully opened, and a planet is found. Terraforming begins. Due to modulation of the anomaly, however, the wormhole area ceases to function. The genetic scientists step forward, claiming that, with time, they can adapt humanity to the still-harsh environment. The pro-augmentationists are known as the Serco, while those against augmentation are called the Itani. The two are seen as political parties, and finally, separate nations, with a few populations being neutral. After several "bugs" from Serco modifications and creations, a leader named Akan comes to power in the Itani. Akan single-handedly starts a war by staging several "Serco" attacks against the Itani. The Itani believe him and a war starts. The Itani gain air and space superiority, and the Serco control the land. Akan orders high altitude saturation bombing of two Serco cities, and the Serco start an all-out attack with the intent of complete annihilation of the Itani. Aghast with what they had just done, the Itani stage a coup. By this point, the Serco are already committed to all-out war, and only about 10,000 Itani remain. They use parts from bombers to create the Ark. The Itani launch it and leave Sol II. They develop a sort of spiritual, monk-based culture. Meanwhile, the Serco military performs their own coup of the civilian government and begins a subtle dictatorship. The aspects of Serco life are not directly affected, and many are in favor after the coup occurs. The neutrals develop space-flight, and the Serco are abusing them, so they prepare to leave and form the Union of Independent Traders. They do not need a planet, and prefer space stations. They develop a completely free market economy, where competition between the corporations go so far as armed conflict. In 3827, an Itani exploration ship is captured by the Serco, and they learn of the Itani survival. They begin a war, and kill Eilon, the leader of the Order of Eo, one of the three system's governments. The Order of Akan rises and launches an assault, bringing the three pilots home and launching nuclear weapons. The Itani form the IDF (Itani Defense Force) and are prohibited from further attack. Continuous clashes with the Serco almost end with a peace treaty decided by unarmed combat between a leader of both sides. Both are killed, the Serco one was likely assassinated, and the Itani one was shot in the chaos soon after. This basically leads to present day. (4436, as the date in-game says, the backstory calls 4432 present day, but it has been four years since the game launched, so it is now 4436.)

PCC

The PCC (Player Contribution Corps) is a hand-picked group that creates content for the game (mainly missions.) These players use an in-house developed browser-based mission editor and submit their content to a publicly accessible test server. There the mission can be tested by anyone, and commented on. The mission can then be resubmitted, based on new suggestions. Furthermore, the developers are very responsive to general suggestions, some of which are implemented.

External links

* [http://www.vendetta-online.com/ Official "Vendetta Online" website]
* [http://www.vo-wiki.com/wiki/Main_Page "Vendetta Online" community wiki]
* [http://www.vendetta-online.com/h/screenshots.html "Vendetta Online" screenshots]