| Warsow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Warsow Team |
| Publisher(s) | Chasseur de Bots |
| Engine | Qfusion |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows,macOS,Linux |
| Release | 28 July 2012 (version 1.0) 8 June 2014 (version 1.51) 30 November 2015 (version 2.0) 28 March 2016 (version 2.1) 21 December 2017 (version 2.1.2) |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player,multiplayer |
Warsow, also stylized asWar§ow, is anopen sourcefirst-person shooter video game.
Warsow was first publicly released on 8 June 2005 as analpha version. The stable version 1.0 was released on 28 July 2012, after 7 years of development.
Warsow'scodebase isfree and open source software, distributed under the terms of theGPLv2 license; it is built uponQfusion, an advanced modification of theQuake II engine.[1][2] The artwork and other media were originally licensed under theproprietaryWarsow Content License, which allowed the contributors of this media to use the work in a "personal portfolio" but not in any other game. Some assets were later released under theCreative Commons LicenseAttribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license,[3] while others are under the non-free licenseCC-BY-ND.[4]
Warsow is loosely based on theE-novelChasseur de bots by Fabrice Demurger.[5] The novel is the basis of the game'scyberpunk visual style, which is achieved by combiningcel-shadedcartoon-like graphics with dark, flashy and dirtytextures. Since visual clarity is important in maintaining competitive gameplay,Warsow tries to keep effects minimalistic, clear and visible.
The game was released onGOG.com on 18 October 2012.[6]Warsow was submitted toSteam Greenlight on 9 February 2013,[7] and was greenlit on 18 September.
At the end of 2016, the former main developer ofWarsow posted:"2.6 this weekend".[8] As of October 2024 version 2.6 of the game has still not been released.
The game was laterforked under the title ofWarfork,[9] and is being actively developed as of April 2024 by a different development team.[10][11]
Thecompetitive gameplay ofWarsow focuses heavily on movement andtrickjumps.[12] Many of the tricks inWarsow originate from theQuake series, including circle-jumping,bunny hopping,strafe-jumping, double jumping, ramp-sliding, androcket jumping, butWarsow also gives players the ability to dash, dodge orwall jump, tricks that were originally possible inUrban Terror. It uses a separate button for most of the special movements, making it easier to use them while doing other things at the same time. The various movement tricks combine to add an extra dimension to the gameplay; as the player's proficiency at moving increases, they can collect health, armor and weapons more quickly, and to overpower less capable enemies. The variety and flexibility of the physics have spawned an entire community dedicated to competing on the variousRace maps that the game offers.[13]
Warsow was mentioned on the Australian television showGood Game on 14 April 2008 in a segment listing the best free to play games available.[14]Warsow was reviewed with 8 of 10 byLinux Format in August 2011.[15]
Warsow has been accepted as a competition-worthy game by several large online leagues such as theElectronic Sports League[16] and ClanBase.[17][18][19] In addition to acceptance by large leagues, many specializedWarsow cups have emerged. Well-known examples are Bamboocha, a Europe-based Warsow Duel Tourney,[20] and ESW: Warsow, a Japanese Warsow cup.[21] In 2007, severalLAN tournaments featuringWarsow have emerged such as Crossfire Devotii Challenge 3,[22] Warsow.nl LAN,[23] and E-Sport Stadium 2007.[24]
Additionally,Warsow has been featured on the German TV-channelGIGA Television several times,[25] namely inGIGA eSports and its sub-showsSkill Sunday andFree For All and thePay TVIPTV station GIGA 2, also produced byTurtle Entertainment.
