Epic announces crowdsourced dev model for next Unreal Tournament

Community will drive design of free game, with source code posted throughout development.

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[DoomdayX]

Is there a github link yet, if so can someone post it?

 

[Shannara]

Tears of JOY!!! The last version I played was UT2003. HEAD SHOT GALORE!! I might have to subscribe to .... didn't notice that earlier.

 

[Nodnib]

I just want to hear "Flak Monkey" again...loved that gun

 

[beebee]

DOOManiac[/url]":3l1wkj7g]Awesome. Sounds like a lot better direction than id went w/ Quake Live.

I love the idea of an open development, with the code on GitHub and everything.

I always loved how the original UT had that OS-like UI, complete w/ a task bar and stuff. Very sophisticated.

Also had a pretty novel use of the ut:// protocol scheme, so that you could connect to games directly from your browser. It worked well, and 15 years later I still wonder why that never caught on...

Id gave away the Q3arena engine. That is the basis of Open Arena.

 

[speedemon105]

work on a new game, simply titled Unreal Tournament, begins today for PC, Mac, and Linux,

Really? They're saying that they're going to support linux again. Because that worked out sooo well last time.

Oh well, guardedly optimistic for now, and fondly remembering those days back in high school where we convinced the substitute teacher in our comp sci class that the original UT was our class project. The substitute was our principal too.

 

[Quirinus]

New UT? !?!?!?!?

So long 2fort. Hello (again) Facing Worlds.

 

[KitsuneKnight]

speedemon105[/url]":3rwmp9cr]

work on a new game, simply titled Unreal Tournament, begins today for PC, Mac, and Linux,

Really? They're saying that they're going to support linux again. Because that worked out sooo well last time.

Oh well, guardedly optimistic for now, and fondly remembering those days back in high school where we convinced the substitute teacher in our comp sci class that the original UT was our class project. The substitute was our principal too.

It worked out well the times before. The problem with the last time was an issue with third-party code they couldn't use on Linux (licensing issues, IIRC).

Besides, Unreal Engine 4 is already running on Linux (the editor is still a WIP on Linux, but you don't need that to release games for Linux). Seems a pretty safe bet that the new UT will have full Linux support.

 

[Quirinus]

WereCatf[/url]":33lp63s1]

I'm not sure if I'm the only one with this problem -- at least I have never seen/heard anyone else echo my feelings -- but the more details they add to the maps, the more flashy effects, the more, higher detailed all the various plants/machines/rocks/etc. in the maps the harder it becomes for me to follow what's going on, react to things or spot other players/bots.

I don't mean that everything should still be all-clunky, with lots of hard, jagged edged and rubbish textures, no, but I'd like for there to be less extraneous, non-combat related special-effects and less non-combat-related clutter.

I agree with you. The detail is beautiful to look at just walking around but during the action of battle, it barely registers with me except if I have trouble seeing my opponents.

I think this is a strength of the art of Team Fortress 2. It really doesn't get in the way of the action.

 

[donlo]

*UT Announcer* HOLY SHIT!

 

[jeffbax]

Dilbert[/url]":wq9ij3g5]

GOOCHY[/url]":wq9ij3g5]UT99 -> New Graphics - we're done!

This.

Newer UT versions tried too hard to emulate Quake 3.

Yes, but Quake 3 despite fewer modes just felt like pure butter. The reason UT2004 was so great was because it's mechanics left the floatiness of UT99 for a tighter play like Quake. The it added all it's kickass modes and became a true arena shooter king

 

[wicker_man]

All I want for the base game is UT2k4 with updated graphics. That game had everything - fast, twitchy movement, endless game customisations, ability to run your own server. It was perfect, and this is the only UT that I still play.

The community will then pitch in with the mods.

 

[Radiosity]

DoomdayX[/url]":3lwpzltq]Is there a github link yet, if so can someone post it?

There is, somewhere. But you need to be a subscriber (ie, paying the $19 per month for the Engine licence) to access it.

 

[cse84]

I really hope this announcement is more than just a cruel joke. I left the world of gaming behind me some years ago. A new Unreal Tournament might bring me back - if it really turns out as exciting as this announcement makes me imagine it.

And please don't butcher the soundrack, it was a crucial part for me in the original game.

 

[Arlondiluthel]

Can Face get a facelift?

 

[Sgaap]

Time to brush up my unrealeditor knowledge, it has probably changed a lot since I last made maps for UT.
Ive been playing mmo's due to the lack of proper pc shooters and I can't wait to waste my free time on mapmaking again

WereCatf[/url]":3fgmcmws]

GOOCHY[/url]":3fgmcmws]UT99 -> New Graphics - we're done!

I'm not sure if I'm the only one with this problem -- at least I have never seen/heard anyone else echo my feelings -- but the more details they add to the maps, the more flashy effects, the more, higher detailed all the various plants/machines/rocks/etc. in the maps the harder it becomes for me to follow what's going on, react to things or spot other players/bots. I liked UT99's graphics because there was simply less clutter on the ground, walls and such, making it easier to focus on the things that mattered.

I don't mean that everything should still be all-clunky, with lots of hard, jagged edged and rubbish textures, no, but I'd like for there to be less extraneous, non-combat related special-effects and less non-combat-related clutter. Having real depth-vision, ie. 3D, might help, I don't know, but I really sometimes struggle interpreting such 2D-images at high speeds.

Anyone else have this problem, anyone else somewhat frustrated about such? Maybe add a menu-option for reducing the amount of such extraneous clutter?

You are not alone in this, altough clutter/foliage can definitly add some more depth to gameplay if used wisely.

 

[Xeric]

The only possible drawback to this might come with content. Epic will be making their cash from those who are developing and selling custom content for the game; this means we will be paying - or potentially, if they charge - money for the mods that we have come to love over the years.

Also, for those who wish to develop content, I believe they will have to subscribe to UE4 at $19.99 per month. Not a huge cost, but it will be added incentive for people to charge for content. I am not against the idea, but UT was built from a community of service-minded people and I am not sure if putting money into the mix won't make for a fractured community.

If you want to join a server with any custom content, you may have to pay before you can play, as an example. It may be too early to tell these things though...for now, rock on UT!!

 

[JRod]

This, no THIS is the announcement I've been waiting for. I bought UT99 on release day and played competitive ladders until the player base finally dwindled. Hell I even logged in again last week to hit a round of Facing Words...since most of the core maps like Dreary and Coret are never played anymore.

All these years I've saved my custom ini files to keep my impact hammer jump combo handy for the odd match where you could find jump boots, or even telepunt your transponder across the map in facing worlds to land in their base...MAN THIS IS THE SHIT JUST THINKING ABOUT A NEW UT IS GODDDDAAAAMMMED AMAZING!!!

I'm going to cross my fingers again that the physics and core characteristic weapons that made UT99 "feel" the way it does come back, with a refreshed UT2004 Onslaught mode. Best. News. Ever.

 

[JRod]

siliconcowboy[/url]":wx8pz39i]I really hope they/someone provides statistics collection mods. I always loved that about UT99, each release of the game the stats continued to get less and less detailed.

Good, good point!! NGStats is to my recollection the best FPS stats system I've seen, mind you I haven't played too many other FPS games since UT99 died off.

 

[Relto]

Xeric[/url]":1jjguefz]The only possible drawback to this might come with content. Epic will be making their cash from those who are developing and selling custom content for the game; this means we will be paying - or potentially, if they charge - money for the mods that we have come to love over the years.

Also, for those who wish to develop content, I believe they will have to subscribe to UE4 at $19.99 per month. Not a huge cost, but it will be added incentive for people to charge for content. I am not against the idea, but UT was built from a community of service-minded people and I am not sure if putting money into the mix won't make for a fractured community.

If you want to join a server with any custom content, you may have to pay before you can play, as an example. It may be too early to tell these things though...for now, rock on UT!!

That's a good point. Maybe if the server owner hosts content that they bought, it extends to all the players as a "trial" of sorts while they're on the server? Clarification is definitely needed.

 

[cromination]

This is awesome! I'm going over there now to make TAM a default game play type!

 

[bburdge]

JRod[/url]":uy71rm7k]This, no THIS is the announcement I've been waiting for. I bought UT99 on release day and played competitive ladders until the player base finally dwindled. Hell I even logged in again last week to hit a round of Facing Words...since most of the core maps like Dreary and Coret are never played anymore.

All these years I've saved my custom ini files to keep my impact hammer jump combo handy for the odd match where you could find jump boots, or even telepunt your transponder across the map in facing worlds to land in their base...MAN THIS IS THE SHIT JUST THINKING ABOUT A NEW UT IS GODDDDAAAAMMMED AMAZING!!!

I'm going to cross my fingers again that the physics and core characteristic weapons that made UT99 "feel" the way it does come back, with a refreshed UT2004 Onslaught mode. Best. News. Ever.

Sounds like myself, got caught up in the beta when the only CTF map was Coret, and had to buy the full game on release day. Spent some great years playing with the clan, kicking butt on the OGL CTF ladder. Still remember finding the bug in CTF-Command and using it in a ladder match the first time, 27-3 win. But later got caught out by a different clan Redeemer launching the flag across Face, something like an embarrassing 5-13 loss.

Still hang out on the same forums with my old IG clan...

Let's hope the original feel can be recaptured in in this new version, I would love to play the same basic game with some nicely beefed up graphics. Though as others have mentioned, I would really like to see the clutter cut down, smooth surfaces, high detail models, great weapon effects - but less visual noise.

 

[Platypus70]

U-U-U-U-U-U-ULTRACOOL!!!

 

[chainsawcharlie]

Yes please!

 

[wwwicked]

Reminds me of something David Perry tried about 7 years ago. The project was called "Top Secret". I wonder what ever happened to that.

 

[r3loaded]

It's worth pointing out that you can't just contribute to the code, you need to a be a developer paying the $20/month subscription fee for Unreal Engine 4 before you can access the UT repository. Kind of a bummer as I was hoping to contribute to the game in my spare time, but I draw the line at paying to contribute.

 

[the_blur]

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MON...

Wait a minute!

(On a serious note, how does Epic make money here? It'd be nice to reward good behaviour with dollars for the actual game, not just the hats)

PS: This looks epic.

 

[Jiggers]

Some of the community maps I remember were the most creative maps ever.

 

[sonolumi]

If they could have a mode where the palette isn't just restricted to a few thousand shades of BROWN, that'd be great. Color doesn't have to be limited to weapon effects.

 

[Katana314]

Having tried and failed to spend time writing DirectX and OpenGL games, as well as general game engine code, from scratch, I think I understand why some 80% of games everywhere seem to have some Doom / Quake source code in them. Having an open-source model to base off of is probably infinitely valuable for future developers, with the way game programming is so different from other programming models. I'm not sure if it's ever given any monetary advantage to game developers that take that route.

Lugaru's developers even had a super-unfortunate situation where a hacker group published a more expensive copy of their game on the App Store, idiotically dictating "We have the source code that you gave out free; we can do what we want with it" and Apple not being so fast to understand the situation.

 

[Radiosity]

the_blur[/url]":3s5sos1d]SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MON...

Wait a minute!

(On a serious note, how does Epic make money here? It'd be nice to reward good behaviour with dollars for the actual game, not just the hats)

PS: This looks epic.

At least part of their plan is in having a storefront of some sort where people can upload their mods and charge for them (if they wish, free works too) with Epic taking a cut. The fact they're also getting quite a large amount of money from the monthly subs to the engine probably helps to keep this free though.

If you want to join in, come on over to the forum they've set up, sign up and start posting:

https://forums.unrealengine.com/forumdi ... Tournament"

Anyone can contribute and the Epic guys are active in the threads with comments, up to and including Steven Polge himself

 

[TheVardogr]

MA MA MA MA MONSTERKILL!!!!

 

[DOOManiac]

beebee[/url]":3pw96ick]

DOOManiac[/url]":3pw96ick]Awesome. Sounds like a lot better direction than id went w/ Quake Live.

I love the idea of an open development, with the code on GitHub and everything.

I always loved how the original UT had that OS-like UI, complete w/ a task bar and stuff. Very sophisticated.

Also had a pretty novel use of the ut:// protocol scheme, so that you could connect to games directly from your browser. It worked well, and 15 years later I still wonder why that never caught on...

Id gave away the Q3arena engine. That is the basis of Open Arena.

Yes, id does have a great record of open sourcing their engines, and I commend them for that. Hell, w/o the source ports we wouldn't really be able to play DOOM on modern systems.

But this is more than just releasing the source code after 10 years. This is a new game on a modern engine, and it isn't just the programming that is open source. The models, textures, and other assets are all available. And the entire project can be forked if desired. All for a new, in development game.

It really is an exciting experiment, and I wish Epic the best of luck w/ this model - because I'd love to see more of it in the future.

 

[feistypenguin]

Yaay more big studios pushing Linux support! I'm not even very good at Multiplayer FPS, but I enjoyed playing with UT whenever I encountered a new one (I recall the bots being particularly ruthless in at least some versions.)

I wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be a huge money saver for Epic as well; they are essentially crowdsourcing a lot of their development to volunteers. It minimizes their exposure to risk while touting a game that is largely made "by and for the community."

 

[Griking]

Please no vehicles...

Also, I'm skeptical of anything marketed as being free. I've found that most "free" games are actually more expensive than games sold at retail if you factor in all the optional upgrades that are really pretty necessary.

 

[bestdayever]

Griking[/url]":3sgeatzn]Please no vehicles...

Also, I'm skeptical of anything marketed as being free. I've found that most "free" games are actually more expensive than games sold at retail if you factor in all the optional upgrades that are really pretty necessary.

If its anything like the steam marketplace you don't buy upgrades, you buy skins and other goofy stuff that doesn't give you an advantage. No way to tell this early though.

 

[Little-Zen]

Open source development? Free? Community-driven? Unreal Tournament?

 

[Griking]

wicker_man[/url]":3a2exjvk]All I want for the base game is UT2k4 with updated graphics. That game had everything - fast, twitchy movement, endless game customisations, ability to run your own server. It was perfect, and this is the only UT that I still play.

The community will then pitch in with the mods.

Honestly I've always wished for the original UT to be remade with upgraded graphics.

 

[DOOManiac]

Griking[/url]":1gr0vrio]Please no vehicles...

Also, I'm skeptical of anything marketed as being free. I've found that most "free" games are actually more expensive than games sold at retail if you factor in all the optional upgrades that are really pretty necessary.

From the article:

... but when it is playable it "will be free. Not free to play, just free."

It reads like they want to just make all their money off of hats (or hat-equivalents) like Valve does w/ TF2.

 

[heavyboots]

GOOCHY[/url]":2fqzc5ko]UT99 -> New Graphics - we're done!

This. One thousand times this!

UT99 was an amazing game. It was balanced for fun more than "competitive" gameplay. The further they've developed it, the more my interest in it has wained…

(In particular, bring back the pipe bombs on the rocket launcher for those of us who aren't FPS Dougs.)

 

[ChrisSD]

Griking[/url]":8vpa5ev8]Please no vehicles...

Also, I'm skeptical of anything marketed as being free. I've found that most "free" games are actually more expensive than games sold at retail if you factor in all the optional upgrades that are really pretty necessary.

You have to realise that making money from this is just a nice little extra, their real goal is to create a game engine (Unreal Engine 4) that will be licensed by as many game devs as possible.

This also explains why they are "crowdsourcing". It's just good business sense to get user input when designing software and a popular game franchise is a great way to not only promote that effort but also give it some focus.

tl;dr This is more about Unreal Engine than it is about Unreal Tournament (although hopefully both will benefit).