View source for Liero

{{short description|1998 action video game}}
{{use mdy dates |date=April 2023}}
{{Refimprove|date=October 2008}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox software
| title = ''Liero''
| logo = 
| author=Joosa Riekkinen
| screenshot=LieroGameplay.png
| caption=Screenshot of ''Liero''. The player is using the ninja rope to hang from a clump of dirt while shooting at the enemy with rockets.
| developer = Erik Lindroos and community
| released = {{Start date and age|1998|01|01}}
| latest_release_version = 1.33
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|1999|01|01|df=yes}}
| latest preview version = 1.36
| latest preview date = {{Start date and age|2016|03|05|df=yes}}
| genre = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]/[[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] [[action game]]
| platform = [[Crossplatform]] (originally [[MS-DOS]])
| website = {{URL|http://www.liero.be/}}
| license = [[WTFPL]]

}}

'''''Liero''''' is a [[video game]] for [[MS-DOS]], first released by [[Finland|Finnish]] programmer Joosa Riekkinen in 1998. The game has been described as a [[Real-time computer graphics|real-time]] version of ''[[Worms (1995 video game)|Worms]]'' (a turn-based [[artillery game]]).<ref name="Hotu"/> [[wikt:liero|Liero]] {{IPA|fi|ˈlie̯ro|}} is [[Finnish language|Finnish]] for '[[earthworm]]'. Inspired itself by the earlier game ''MoleZ'',<ref name="molez"/> ''Liero'' provided inspiration for the later games ''[[Soldat (video game)|Soldat]]'' and ''[[Noita (video game)|Noita]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/349685/Noita_Early_Access_Launch_Date_Trailer.php |title=Noita Early Access Launch Date Trailer |date=29 August 2019 |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |access-date=30 November 2019 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831011740/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/349685/Noita_Early_Access_Launch_Date_Trailer.php |archivedate=31 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Marcinkowski |first1=Michael |title=Soldat source code released and a story of how it all started |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/soldat-source-code-released-and-a-story-of-how-it-all-started |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |publisher=[[UBM Technology Group]] |accessdate=26 June 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615121426/https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/MichaelMarcinkowski/20200526/363614/Soldat_source_code_released_and_a_story_of_how_it_all_started.php |archivedate=15 June 2020 |date=26 May 2020 |quote='Strike of the Dragon' had platformer tile-based maps and when I conceived Soldat in my mind I knew I wanted to make something like Liero. |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
In ''Liero'', two worms fight each other to death for score (or [[Glossary of video game terms#frag|frags]]) using a choice of five weapons from a total of 40 in a two-dimensional map. Most of the terrain, except for indestructible rocks, may be dug or destroyed by explosions. In addition to the weaponry, each player has a ninja rope which can be used to move faster through the map. This grappling hook-like device substitutes for jetpacks and can even latch onto the enemy worm to drag them closer to their foe.

While playing, there are health power-ups to heal the player's worm. It is also possible to replace one of the five weapons by picking up bonuses. Before playing, certain weapons can be selected to be available only in bonuses, in the entire game, or completely disabled.

Unlike most side-scrolling deathmatch games, the weapons in ''Liero'' have infinite ammo. Key factors of weapons include their reload rate and how fast they shoot, whereas in most other games of this type, key factors of weapons include how much ammo they sport and how frequently more ammo for that weapon can be found. ''Liero'' depends all on timing and swift maneuverability.

The gameplay mode can be [[deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]], Game of Tag or [[Capture the flag#Software and games|Capture the Flag]]. It can be played by two human players simultaneously in [[split screen (computer graphics)|split screen]] or in a single player mode against the game's [[artificial intelligence]], although the game's popularity is derived mostly from the fast-paced player-vs.-player action it provides.

==Development history==

=== Original ''Liero'' by Joosa Riekkinen ===
Joosa Riekkinen developed ''Liero'' as DOS game with the first version released in 1998. ''Liero'' was inspired by the previous [[freeware]] game MoleZ, and took many weapons and sounds from its precursor.<ref name="molez">[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=MoleZ Liero Wiki: MoleZ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324194207/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=MoleZ |date=March 24, 2007 }}</ref> The original ''Liero''{{'}}s latest version was 1.33, which was released in 1999.<ref name="official Liero wiki">[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero official Liero wiki] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121184806/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero |date=January 21, 2009 }}</ref><ref>[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_1.33 official Liero wiki about Liero 1.33] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326152656/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_1.33 |date=March 26, 2007 }}</ref> However, the author lost the [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] [[source code]] in a [[hard disk]] crash, and due to the lack of backup, no new "classic" versions have been released since.<ref name="official Liero wiki"/>

===Community developments ===
Despite this, and with the author's approval, the ''Liero'' community has distributed several altered (or [[Hacker (hobbyist)|hacked]]) versions of the game through the LieroCDC, and others.<ref>[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero#Modability official Liero wiki about modability] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121184806/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero#Modability |date=January 21, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Merge ===
In 2009, "classic" ''Liero'' was officially merged<ref>See the changes.txt file in Liero 1.34 or newer.</ref> with the OpenLiero project upon the release of ''Liero'' 1.34 (not to be confused with the [[total conversion]] by that name). The new versions are released by Gliptic, although Joosa Riekkinen endorses them as official. The original ''Liero'' data and binary files by Riekkinen were released available under the [[WTFPL]] [[Software license|license]].<ref>[http://www.liero.be/download/liero-1.36-bundle.zip license.txt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305140145/http://www.liero.be/download/liero-1.36-bundle.zip |date=2016-03-05 }} on www.liero.be ''"The original Liero data and binary files are copyright 1998 Joosa Riekkinen They are, unless otherwise stated, available under the WTFPL license: {{cite web |url=http://sam.zoy.org/wtfpl/ |title=WTFPL — do What the Fuck You Want to Public License |accessdate=2008-05-25 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/668YoS4r0?url=http://sam.zoy.org/wtfpl/ |archivedate=2012-03-13 }} The LIERO.EXE binary contains the SMIX sound library: {{cite web |url=http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~brodskye/smix/smix.html |title=SMIX Digital Sound Effects Library |accessdate=2016-07-16 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502152155/http://homepages.cae.wisc.edu/~brodskye/smix/smix.html |archivedate=2016-05-02 }} The author of SMIX has stated that it is available under a BSD-3-Clause license, with a request for donations for use in commercial products. LIERO.SND contains sounds from Molez: {{cite web |url=http://www.fractilegames.com/product.php?id=molez |title=FRACTiLE Games - Error 404 |accessdate=2011-04-02 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810132119/http://www.fractilegames.com/product.php?id=molez |archivedate=2011-08-10 }} Molez is freeware and freely distributable."''</ref>

''Liero''{{'}}s last release was version 1.36, release September 3, 2013.<ref name="TIG136"/> This version is compatible with almost any OS but lacks network gaming (unlike some of the remakes).

==Clones, remakes and derivatives==

==={{anchor|OpenLieroX}}''Liero Xtreme''===
'''''Liero Xtreme''''' (often called '''''LieroX''''', '''''Liero Extreme''''' or just '''''LX''''') is a [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[shooter game]]. It is an unofficial sequel to ''Liero'', and is the most popular of all the ''Liero'' clones.<ref name="bigdownload">{{cite web|url=http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/09/04/freeware-friday-openlierox/|work=Big Download|publisher=Game Daily|title=Freeware Friday: OpenLieroX|author=James Murff|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130215051/http://news.bigdownload.com/2009/09/04/freeware-friday-openlierox/|archivedate=2015-01-30}}</ref><ref name="Lanthrax">{{cite web|url=http://www.lanthrax.com/news_details.asp?NewsID=01381|title=OpenLieroX review|work=LANThrax|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105040840/http://www.lanthrax.com/news_details.asp?NewsID=01381|archivedate=2016-01-05}}</ref><ref>[http://tigsource.com/articles/2008/05/14/multiplayer-on-one-keyboard-6-lier-um-yeah Liero review with side note about OpenLieroX] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202054332/http://tigsource.com/articles/2008/05/14/multiplayer-on-one-keyboard-6-lier-um-yeah |date=2010-02-02 }}</ref><ref>[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_Xtreme Liero Xtreme entry in official Liero wiki] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121184852/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_Xtreme |date=January 21, 2009 }}</ref><ref name="eGamer about OpenLieroX">[http://egamer.co.za/2009/07/egamer-on-some-great-minigames/ eGamer about OpenLieroX] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112104734/http://egamer.co.za/2009/07/egamer-on-some-great-minigames/ |date=2012-11-12 }}</ref> It features [[online play]], fully customizable weapons, levels and characters. ''Liero Xtreme'' was created in [[C++]] by Jason 'JasonB' Boettcher, an Australian programmer.<ref name="Lanthrax"/> With its source release on April 10, 2006, a new project has become available on October 24, 2006, known as '''''OpenLieroX''''',<ref name="Lanthrax"/> while the development of the original ''LieroX'' project has stopped. At the time of writing (May 6, 2009), ''OpenLieroX'' has tripled in code size<ref>[https://www.ohloh.net/p/6596/analyses/latest Ohloh statistics of OpenLieroX]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and has many new features.<ref name="bigdownload"/><ref>[http://www.root.cz/clanky/openlierox-nebezpecni-cervici/ Czech review of OpenLieroX] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183331/http://www.root.cz/clanky/openlierox-nebezpecni-cervici/ |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref><ref>[https://openlierox.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/openlierox/doc/ChangeLog?view=markup Change log of all OpenLieroX releases]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The game is based on a [[Deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]] setting, where multiple players face off in a closed [[Level (computer and video games)|level]]. Each player is equipped with five weapons selected out of all the weapons allowed, and with a ''ninja rope'' that allows the player to move in any direction. Players begin with a set amount of lives, and whilst the game records the number of kills, the [[Last man standing (gaming)|last man standing]] is usually considered the winner. ''Liero Xtreme'' also allows team deathmatches, which has made it common for players to form [[Clan (computer gaming)|clans]]. ''OpenLieroX'' runs on Windows, on MacOSX, on Linux and on FreeBSD.

The first release announcement of ''Liero Extreme'' was made on October 14, 2002.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050826034655/http://liero.suddenlaunch2.com/index.cgi?board=LSeq&action=display&num=1034607561 Webarchiv of Liero Extreme original release post of Jason Boettcher]</ref> ''LieroX'' has become very famous over the time. On February 14, 2006, ''Jason Boettcher'' stopped the ''LieroX'' development for good. The last version he released was 0.62b, which had many new features, but suffered from crashes and various errors, and did not catch on within the community which continues to play the 0.56b version. Before leaving the community, he released the [[source code]] of the even older version 0.55b under the [[Zlib License|zlib license]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110716235955/http://www.thegaminguniverse.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28565 Original post by Jason Boettcher]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151017081758/http://openlierox.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/openlierox/doc/original_source_release/?pathrev=3042 Notes of original source release]</ref> Development of ''LieroXtreme'' is now in hands of Karel Petranek and Albert Zeyer, used the source code to create ''OpenLieroX'', which is compatible with the popular 0.56b version, but has multiple new features and bugfixes.<ref>[https://openlierox.sourceforge.net Official OpenLieroX homepage] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003121123/http://openlierox.sourceforge.net/ |date=2009-10-03 }}</ref> Michał Futer took care of the new frontend. Currently the majority of players play ''OpenLieroX''.

As a customizable game, it allows players and developers to [[Scripting language|script]] their own [[Mod (computer gaming)|mods]]. Different mods have different sets of unique weapons, and may also differ in player gravity and movement. The default mod is ''Liero 1.0'', also called ''Classic'', which is roughly equal to the basic setting in original ''Liero''. On top of this, several player-created mods are included in the standard game packs, some of which are more popular than the default setting. Similarly to ''Liero'', the default level is ''Dirt Level'', consisting of diggable terrain with some indestructible rock. The default level is comparatively rarely played compared to more complex player-created levels.

The game interface allow players to modify factors of the game such as which weapons in a mod are allowed, and how fast they reload and many other parameters which have huge impact on the game play.

===''NiL''===
[[File:Nil.png|right|thumb|Screenshot of ''NiL'']]
'''''NiL''''' ([[recursive acronym]] for ''NiL Isn't Liero'') is a [[Video game clone|clone]] of ''Liero'', which runs on [[Linux]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and is released under the terms of the [[GNU General Public License]]. ''NiL'' is not limited to two players, like the original ''Liero'' is. It doesn't limit the number of players over a [[Transmission Control Protocol|TCP]] network. It was met with considerable enthusiasm in the Linux gaming community.<ref name="CNN">[http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/04/12/linux.net.games.idg/index.html Open-source, networkable shooter has Linux gamers buzzing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053224/http://www.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/04/12/linux.net.games.idg/index.html |date=2017-12-22 }} by Lee Anderson, April 12, 2000, [[CNN]]</ref>

The project was initiated by Flemming Frandsen in winter [[1999 in video gaming|1999]] after he had stumbled across ''Liero'', which he liked so much that he decided to reimplement it under Linux. He abandoned the project five months later, due to being too busy for it. ''NiL'' was dead until the beginning of [[2004 in video gaming|2004]] when Christoph Brill, found out about the project and took over as maintainer. Thereafter Daniel Schneidereit joined the project as well, but soon left. Other contributors included Nils Thuerey, Harri Liusvaara, David Hewitt and Phil Howlett.

Development proceeded slowly as the project's [[source code]] became almost unmaintainable and ''NiL'' was lacking developers. By mid-2005 Alexander Kahl joined development, convinced Christoph to start over and re-think the whole concept of ''NiL'', as the other ''Liero'' clone ''Gusanos'' already existed at that time. Development seems to have stopped around mid-2006.{{citation needed|date=March 2014}}

===''OpenLieroX''===
[[File:OpenLieroX1.png|thumb|''OpenLieroX'' gameplay]]
''OpenLieroX'' is a remake of classic ''Liero'', built from scratch in a new engine. It adds many features to the game, such as modding support, custom sprites, maps, and weapons, and online and lan play. The game also supports more than two players at once.

=== ''WebLiero'' ===
Classic-like ''Liero'' clone in web browser with multiplayer capability.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carbajal|first=Mario|title=WebLiero|url=https://www.webliero.com/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=www.webliero.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Modification==
''Liero'' is a versatile game in terms of modification. All of its 40 weapons can be completely replaced with new ones that can be given different images and [[sound effects]] from the original set. The images of the worms themselves can be transformed into completely different characters, although their movement animations are less flexible regarding modification. The maps can be given permanent terrain other than rocks alone. Destroyable terrain can also be colored more than simply plain dirt. The AI can be modified to be harder or easier. Nearly the whole game can be converted into something entirely different, except for the main aspect having to do with slaughtering another player/AI.

==Reception and usage==

In 2006 ''Liero'' received a TopDog award from [[Home of the Underdogs]].<ref name="Hotu">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060614110741/http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?name=Liero Liero] on [[Home of the Underdogs|HOTU]] (2006)</ref>
''OpenLieroX'' has been positively reviewed by multiple gaming news sites.<ref name="bigdownload"/><ref name="Lanthrax"/><ref name="eGamer about OpenLieroX"/><ref>[http://tigsource.com/articles/2008/05/14/multiplayer-on-one-keyboard-6-lier-um-yeah Liero review with side note about OpenLieroX] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202054332/http://tigsource.com/articles/2008/05/14/multiplayer-on-one-keyboard-6-lier-um-yeah |date=2010-02-02 }} on tigsource.com</ref><ref>[http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_Xtreme Liero Xtreme entry in official Liero wiki] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121184852/http://comser.liero.org.pl/wiki/index.php?title=Liero_Xtreme |date=January 21, 2009 }}</ref> In 2013 [[Derek Yu]]'s webpage [[TIGSource]] reviewed ''Liero'' v1.36 favorably.<ref name="TIG136">[https://www.tigsource.com/2014/02/14/liero-1-36/ liero-1-36] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720004552/https://www.tigsource.com/2014/02/14/liero-1-36/ |date=2016-07-20 }} on TIGsource.com (2014-02-14)</ref>

The ''Liero'' variants ''NiL'', ''Gusanos'', and ''OpenLieroX'' were downloaded multiple hundred thousand times from [[SourceForge]] alone between 2001 and 2016.<ref>[https://sourceforge.net/projects/gusanos/files/stats/timeline?dates=2003-07-10+to+2016-07-16 Gusanos - stats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004002045/https://sourceforge.net/projects/gusanos/files/stats/timeline?dates=2003-07-10+to+2016-07-16 |date=2016-10-04 }} on Sourceforge.net</ref><ref>[https://sourceforge.net/projects/openlierox/files/stats/timeline?dates=2004-10-16+to+2016-07-16 OpenLieroX - stats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004001943/https://sourceforge.net/projects/openlierox/files/stats/timeline?dates=2004-10-16+to+2016-07-16 |date=2016-10-04 }} on Sourceforge.net</ref><ref>[https://sourceforge.net/projects/nil/files/stats/timeline?dates=2001-07-10+to+2016-07-16 NiL Isn't Liero - stats] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005151253/https://sourceforge.net/projects/nil/files/stats/timeline?dates=2001-07-10+to+2016-07-16 |date=2016-10-05 }} on [[SourceForge.net]]</ref>

Calling ''Liero'' a "masterpiece", ''Liero'' was selected for a collection of 100 classic Finnish games, which were presented on the opening of the [[Finnish Museum of Games]] in [[Tampere]] in 2017.<ref>[https://www.aamulehti.fi/kulttuuri/muistatko-viela-nama-suomalaiset-klassikkopelit-nama-100-paasevat-tampereen-tulevaan-pelimuseoon-24144926/ Muistatko vielä nämä suomalaiset klassikkopelit? Nämä 100 pääsevät Tampereen pelimuseoon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017201915/https://www.aamulehti.fi/kulttuuri/muistatko-viela-nama-suomalaiset-klassikkopelit-nama-100-paasevat-tampereen-tulevaan-pelimuseoon-24144926/ |date=2017-10-17 }} on [[aamulehti]] (15.12.2016, [https://translate.google.de/translate?sl=fi&tl=en&js=y&ie=UTF-8&u=https://www.aamulehti.fi/kulttuuri/muistatko-viela-nama-suomalaiset-klassikkopelit-nama-100-paasevat-tampereen-tulevaan-pelimuseoon-24144926/&edit-text=&act=url English translation]{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }})</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
<!-- Before adding any new links please review Wikipedia [[WP:EL]] -->
* {{Official website|http://www.liero.be}} - Created by fans, endorsed by Joosa Riekkinen
* [http://open.liero.be ''OpenLiero'' official site] (obsoleted by ''Liero'' 1.34)
* [https://openlierox.sourceforge.net/ ''OpenLieroX'' official site]
* [https://sourceforge.net/projects/nil/ ''NiL'' official site]
* [http://www.lxalliance.net/LXRS/ Official ''Liero Xtreme'' website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220153614/http://lxalliance.net/LXRS/ |date=2009-02-20 }}
* [https://www.fractilegames.com/molez/ ''MoleZ'' Official Site] (spiritual precursor to ''Liero'')

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Artillery video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Australia]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Finland]]
[[Category:Freeware games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer hotseat games]]
[[Category:Public-domain software with source code]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Software using the WTFPL license]]