View source for XPilot

{{short description|Multiplayer video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title          = XPilot
| image          = xpilotscreen.jpg
| caption        = Screen capture of ''XPilot NG'' running under fvwm on Linux.
| developer      = Various
| publisher      =
| engine         =
| released       = 1992
| genre          = [[Multiplayer online game]], [[multidirectional shooter]]
| modes          = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
| platforms      = [[Unix-like]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Mac OS]], [[iOS (Apple)|iOS]]
}}

'''''XPilot''''' is a [[multiplayer video game]]. It is [[Open-source video game|open source]] and runs on many platforms. Although its [[2D graphics]] have improved over time, they still resemble the style of ''[[Thrust (video game)|Thrust]]''. Gameplay includes [[Capture the Flag]], base defense, [[Racing game|racing]] and [[deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatch]]es. ''XPilot'' uses a [[client–server]] architecture, in which a central metaserver receives information from all ''XPilot'' [[Server (computing)|server]]s on the [[Internet]].<ref name="acm"/>

== History ==
In 1991, Bjørn Stabell and Ken Schouten, then [[computer science]] undergraduates at the [[University of Tromsø]], began writing ''XPilot'', inspired by the earlier game ''[[Thrust (video game)|Thrust]]''. It was originally developed in [[C (programming language)|C]] on [[HP9000]] [[workstation]]s which ran [[Unix]]. Soon after its first public release in 1992,<ref name="release">{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/d/msg/alt.sources/VHGs4b-XGB8/nNSoFlqkrWEJ |title=XPilot v1.0.0 release post in USENET News Group alt.sources |access-date=2015-03-28}}</ref> Stabell and Schouten began receiving feedback, suggestions, and patches from players all around the world.  Other ''XPilot'' users wrote documentation and contributed source code to the project. By 1996, there were nearly one hundred ''XPilot'' servers worldwide.<ref name="acm">{{cite web|url=http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds3-2/xpilot.html |title=The Story of XPilot |access-date=2010-11-02 |last=Stabell |first=Bjørn |author2=Ken Ronny Schouten |year=1996 |work=ACM Crossroads |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080531032533/http://www.acm.org/crossroads/xrds3-2/xpilot.html |archive-date = 2008-05-31}}</ref>

XPilot's code has been [[Fork (software development)|fork]]ed several times. '''XPilot5''' is a complete rewrite of ''XPilot'' in [[C++]]. Unlike its predecessor, it comes with sound and is bundled with applications to configure the keyboard, ship shapes and behavior. The latest stable version of ''XPilot5'' is 5.0.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://budwin.net/insectoid/xpilot/main/xpilot_main.htm#XPilot5 |title=Insectoid's Web Page |access-date=2009-08-02 |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708023234/http://budwin.net/insectoid/xpilot/main/xpilot_main.htm |archive-date=July 8, 2009}}</ref> In late 2000, another group of developers began a branch of ''XPilot'', later labeled '''XPilot NG''' (for next generation). Programmed in [[C (programming language)|C]], it contains two [[Client (computing)|clients]], either [[X11]]-based or [[Simple DirectMedia Layer|SDL]]/[[OpenGL]]-based. Unlike the block-based maps of the original game, ''XPilot NG'' provides high [[frame rate]]s and [[polygon]] maps. A new [[Java (programming language)|Java]] based [[map editor]] provides better map editing facilities. The latest version of ''XPilot NG'' is 4.7.2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://xpilot.sourceforge.net/about.html |title=About XPilot NG |access-date=2009-08-02 |year=2005 |publisher=XPilot NG}}</ref> In 2009, 7b5 Labs released '''XPilot iPhone''', an ''XPilot'' client for [[Apple Computer|Apple's]] [[iPhone]] and [[iPod Touch]]. It is based on ''XPilot'' and ''XPilot NG'' and uses [[touchscreen]] controls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://7b5labs.com/xpilotiphone |title=XPilot iPhone |access-date=2009-08-02 |year=2009 |publisher=7b5 Labs}}</ref> While these modern versions implement many new features, they are mostly compatible with the original program.

== Gameplay ==
The metaserver contains a list of all XPilot maps on the [[Internet]].<ref name="acm"/> These maps, created by users, feature several types of gameplay. In [[Deathmatch (gaming)|deathmatches]], points are earned by destroying other players or [[Video game bot|robots]]. Users can increase their [[firepower]] by picking up [[Item (gaming)|item]]s such as [[missile]]s, [[Land mine|mine]]s and [[laser]]s. Players can also defend themselves by gathering [[Cloaking device|cloak]]s, [[shield]]s, [[Electronic countermeasures|ECM]]s and [[armor]]. In racing maps, players earn points based on their finishing position. The objective of team games is to "destroy" the opponent's ball by placing it in the [[treasure chest]]. Team games may also be run in a slightly different [[Capture the flag]] mode.<ref name="jarno"/><ref name="manual"/> Other modes exist, like trying to survive as long as possible surrounded by cannons, by dodging the bullets, or combinations of different modes.

== Community ==
''XPilot''{{'}}s in-game [[online chat|chat]] and multiplayer functionality spawned the formation of a community. Contact between players was facilitated by [[newsgroups]] such as ''alt.games.xpilot'' and later ''rec.games.computer.xpilot''. Since 1991, several annual team tournaments, known as "Cups", have been held.<ref name="xpilot">{{cite web|url=http://www.xpilot.org/ |title=XPilot's Official Website |access-date=2009-08-02}}</ref> After the first [[HTML]] and image-rendering [[web browser]]s were introduced, members of the community developed the game's online documentation.<ref name="acm"/><ref name="jarno">{{cite web|url=http://www.j-a-r-n-o.nl/newbie |title=Xpilot: The Newbieguide |access-date=2009-08-02}}</ref><ref name="manual">{{cite web|url=http://bau2.uibk.ac.at/erwin/NM/www/ |title=The XPilot Newbie Manual |access-date=2009-08-02 |last=Gould |first=Karen |author2=Erwin Zierler |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409194728/http://bau2.uibk.ac.at/erwin/NM/www/ |archive-date=2007-04-09}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of open source games]]
* [[SubSpace (video game)]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* {{official|http://www.xpilot.org/}}

[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Multidirectional shooters]]
[[Category:Space combat simulators]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Open-source video games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Unix games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]