 | |
| Initial release | November 1, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-11-01) |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 1.0 (final) / 2016; 9 years ago (2016) |
| Written in | Delphi,C++,HTML5 |
| Operating system | Linux,macOS,Windows,FreeBSD, Android,iOS |
| Platform | x86,x86-64,ARM |
| Available in | Multi-language |
| Type | Casual,sports |
| License | GPLv2,Freeware/Donationware (PC, Browser), Commercial (mobile) |
| Website | http://blobby.sourceforge.net/ |
Blobby Volley is afree and open-source sportscomputer game series in which two blobbed shaped entities playvolleyball against each other. There are multiplayer and single-player modes.
The rules used inBlobby Volley are derived from the standard volleyball rules. Unlike real volleyball, the movements of the players are limited to the two-dimensional space of the screen. The borders of the screen acts as an invisible wall which the ball bounces off, which is completely legal to use. Since there is only one player on each side of the field, it is permitted (unlike standard volleyball) for the player to touch the ball several times in a row.
The protagonists, blob like creatures without arms, can move left and right, jump and interacting with the ball by hitting it with their "head", therefore resembling aHeader like gameplay.
The game ends when one of the two players reach 15 (or more) points and also there is a two-point lead over the other. Points may only be achieved by the player that serves the ball. Therefore, each of the players tries to make the other one commit a fault so they can serve and score points. A player can commit the following faults:
Network games are possible inBlobby Volley where the players can play against another human opponent. Locally, they can also play with another human opponent on the same system or against the AI.Blobby Volley allows players to configure keyboard and mouse controls, the colors of the blobs and the background image. The game is available in three languages (German, English and French) and also gives an insight into a history of game statistics (wins, losses).
There arecommunity mademods available for the game. For instanceQuick Game is a modification forBlobby Volley which speeds up the game and reduces the winning number of points to 10.
Blobby Volley was originally written inDelphi by Daniel Skoraszewsky with graphics by Silvio Mummert. Version 1.0 was released in November 2000 on the authors' homepage asFreeware for PCs with Windows.[1]Development ended around 2005 with version 1.8.
Started in 2007 onSourceForge under theGPLv2 license,Blobby Volley 2 is the officialcontinuation written by new programmers and based on the original assets. The continuation is programmed inC++ (gcc) instead ofDelphi. This new version usesOpenGL/SDL for rendering which allowscross-platform ports forLinux,macOS, andWindows. The game is offered as freely downloadable and shareableFreeware, while also asking for donations for further development and server funding, which makes the game alsodonationware.
This version has several improvements over the first iteration of the series, for instance betterbots, by using theLuascripting language. There is now the ability to store multiple settings, which can be also exchange, due to a XML configuration files. A Replay functionality was added as also nativeGamepad/Joystick support. It is now possible to change the game speed as also alter the default volleyball rules. There is improved network support withdedicated servers, to reduce lag.
In November 2013 a commercialAndroid version was released,[2] and later in 2014 a version for iOS.[3] In 2016 a commercial version forWindows mobile followed.[4]
Since 2016 there is also a version ofBlobby Volley 2 available for browsers which utilizesHTML5 for rendering.
TheBlobby Volley series became quite popularfreeware game, either as single player casual game and also as competitive tournament game onLAN parties, for instance the GameCon.[5][6][7] There is an onlineSports league, running since several years organized by the community.[8][9]
It is offered from many freeware download outlets, for instance it was downloaded between 2007 and May 2017 alone fromSourceForge.net over 700,000 times,[10]Chip.de counted over 1 million downloads (in May 2017).[11][12]Blobby Volley was also included on severalvideo game magazines'cover disks with freeware game compilations, for instance CD-Action 1/2007,[13]GameStar 01/2012,[14] or theOpen Source Software CD.[15] The game is also included in severalLinux distributions, for instanceUbuntu OS.[16]
In 2001 Gamehippo.com's staff awarded 9 of 10 points.[17] Ajeuxvideo.com retrospective describedBlobby Volley as fun multiplayer game in 2009.[18]Chip.de rated the game"very good"[11] and called it a"fun volley ball game for one to two players".PCWorld.pl gave 4/5 points in March 2014.[9]Linux For You September 2009 ranked Blobby Volley 3/5.[19]Linux Format December 2014 selected Blobby Volley as "HotPick".[20]
