BZFlag
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A screenshot from version 2.0.14
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| Original author(s) | Chris Schoeneman |
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| Developer(s) | Tim Riker, David Trowbidge, Sean Morrison |
| Stable release |
2.4.8 / October 11, 2016
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| Repository | github |
| Development status | Active |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | First-person shooter |
| License | LGPLv2.1 |
| Website | bzflag.org |
BZFlag (an abbreviation for Battle Zone capture the Flag) is a free, open source, multiplayer online, tank game licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License.
BZFlag was originally written in C by Chris Schoeneman (creator of Synergy) in 1992 based on the chart-topping hit arcade game, Battlezone. At first, BZFlag was called "bz" and despite its similarity to the SGI game of the same title by Chris Fouts, both games were completely independent of each other. Originally, BZFlag was simply a shoot 'em up game with no other modes. However, after Schoeneman and his friend Rick Pasetto (who helped Schoeneman develop BZFlag from the beginning) became bored with the concept, they invented the capture-the-flag mode. This new mode added a requirement of strategy, teamwork, and skill, which was sufficient to keep interest.
In 1993, BZFlag was released to the public for the first time. This release took a new turn compared to older versions after a cheater, who edited the source code of his client to give himself powers that do not come from official releases, inspired Schoeneman and Pasetto to add "super-flags." Super flags affect a tank's performance by adding abilities or weapons to its arsenal. The first four flags were High Speed (boosted tank speed), Quick Turn (tank turned faster), Rapid Fire (shots moved faster), and Oscillation Overthruster (tank could go through objects). There was only one of each flag, and all flags had a marker on them so tanks knew what type it was. Soon after, bad and good flags were added, and the idea remains part of game play today; however, flags do not have markers and are completely unknown of their types until they are picked up by a tank (unless a tank is carrying an identify flag).
In 1997, the release of version 1.7d came with a groundbreaking new feature: an in-game public server list. Previously, players had to either set-up their own servers, know of servers, or read a list published and maintained by a third-party, but the new server list (hosted on the official BZFlag website, even today) allowed anybody to play games on servers that chose to become public.
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Wikipedia