2016 · Action · Platformer

OpenClonk

OpenClonk is a free multiplayer action game in which players control clonks, small but witty and nimble humanoid beings. The game is mainly about mining, settling, and fast-paced melees.

Released: 16 January 2016
Platforms: Linux Windows macOS
Genres: Action Platformer Strategy
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Series: Clonk
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action Sandbox

About

OpenClonk is a free and open-source 2D multiplayer action game, in which the player controls small humanoids called "clonks". The main mechanics of the game include mining, settling, player vs player combat, and tactical gameplay. The game features a single-player and multiplayer mode, and supports cross-platform play across Microsoft Windows, Linux, and MacOS.

The OpenClonk project is a continuation of the Clonk game series and game engine, which are now discontinued. The source code is available under the ISC license and game content is licensed under CC BY-SA, CC BY and CC0.

Keywords

2d
open-source
melee
settlement building

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The player controls clonks, which can perform various tasks ranging from shoveling through dirt and throwing dynamite to mining gold, constructing buildings, and wielding swords. The game world consists of a dynamic and destructible landscape. The landscape is constructed out of different materials like earth, tunnels, sky, coal, ore, gold, and water. Players can destroy solid materials or liquids by using a variety of tools, which allows for dynamic gameplay.

Gameplay is focused on two gamemodes:

Development

OpenClonk development began with the release of the source code of Clonk Rage in February 2009 and a later release under the ISC license in May 2009. The website www.openclonk.org was founded at the same time, acting as a portal for both development and players. The source code and game content were first hosted using a Mercurial repository, but now uses a Git repository.

The game engine is programmed in C++ and is cross-platform. The game is available on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, and can be compiled on FreeBSD. Game content is created using the game's own scripting language C4Script, and is developed simultaneously with the game engine. Since the game content and engine are completely separate, original game content can be created by anyone using the OpenClonk engine.

Reception

In a popularity competition organized by the Linux Game Awards, OpenClonk received third place in the Project of the Month: March 2014. Linux Format named OpenClonk in September 2015 a "HotPick". Furthermore, on Desura in June 2015 OpenClonk achieved a 8.8/10 user rating. German computer magazine c't added OpenClonk to a DVD shipped with their magazine in April 2011.