AirBuccaneers is a multiplayer team-based steampunk airship combat mod for Unreal Tournament UT2004. It requires cooperation and strategy to do well, especially with the battleship. RockPaperShotgun and PC Gamer organised a game but that has blown over and no servers are up (or that I can see).
Sorry for the rushed, crap OP but I just want to do a quick search for potential players, not give you a novel-length review.
I do not have a server up but might be able to host after a load of stuffing around. (I am from Australia so don't expect a fun time if I [i]am[/i] hosting)
Basically: [b]Anyone wanna play? We will need a host.[/b]
So far we these possible players:
thisguy123
RedNick27
[img]http://ludocraft.oulu.fi/airbuccaneers/screenshots/abu16/screen4.jpg[/img]
(SHAMELESSLY STOLEN FROM WEBSITE)
[quote]Introduction
AirBuccaneers is a modification for UnrealTournament 2004. It contains a new multiplayer game type with airships, cannons, airmines and various other pseudo ancient gadgets. The game is a compelling combination of graceful air ballet, fierce pirate-like action and 3D tactical manoeuvring.
The game is designed for LAN/Internet multiplayer games but can be also practiced offline by using bots as opponents.
Requirements and Installation
You need a retail version of UnrealTournament 2004 to be able to play AirBuccaneers.
Your UT2004 must be also patched to the latest version v 3355 which can be downloaded from here. The installed game files require 400 MB hard drive space.
Controls
AirBuccaneers uses the same keyboard settings as normal UT2004. The keys you will mostly need are:
* Movement keys (forward, backward, strafe left, strafe right)
* Action keys (normal fire, jump, crouch, throw weapon)
* Number keys (or mouse wheel) for browsing the inventory items
* Normal look operations (mouse)
* Balloon steering has some evasive manoeuvres bound to control keys: Upwards blast (4xUP), Dive(4xDOWN), Fast forward or "Puhuri" (2xDOWN+2xUP) and Strafes (4xLEFT or 4xRIGHT)
* F1 for player and team status (score, etc.) and the gametype (map objective)
* The throw weapon key (BACKSPACE) for storing items in the wooden barrel on the balloon deck (throw them near it, and they will be stored in the barrel).
* Pressing jump-key while in mid-air and below a balloon which is not too far away activates the rope. While using a rope use forward and back keys to go up/down. When just below the balloon press jump to board it. You can also press the crouch key to let go of the rope.
Inventory Items
* Empty Hands are necessary for cannon aiming and balloon steering; you can also get more ammunition from the storage barrel.
* Torch for firing the cannon
* Cannonballs can be used on cannons (double load for increased damage).
* Sword is used for cutting the balloon ropes and for hacking enemies.
* Gunpowder pouches can be used to destroy other balloons, objectives and other players.
* Telescope for snooping around
* Airmines for laying minefields into the air and loading into the cannon barrel for cannon rocket shot.
* Defence Musket for blocking incoming direct cannonball hits and destroying gunpowder pouches
Balloon
Hot air balloon is the most important way of travelling. It also has a lot of firepower thanks to the cannon attached to it. Balloon contains one action position. Use the steering icon near the rudder to enter the balloon steering mode. In this mode you can change the direction and height of the balloon. To exit the steering mode press action key/button.
Evasive manoeuvres can be launched by sequential key presses. 4 times UP launches the Upwards blast causing the balloon to increase height rapidly, 4 times DOWN executes Dive with fast altitude drop. Finally, 2 times DOWN combined with 2 times UP (in sequence) initiates Fast forward or "Puhuri" which increases the balloon speed for a while. In addition there are Strafes (4 times LEFT or 4 times RIGHT), which cause sideways movement to left or right. These "stunts" require a certain period of time for "recharging". Check out the status screen for stunt availability.
The balloon also contains a wooden barrel which can be used to store items like extra cannon balls. Drop items ("throw weapon") near the barrel to store them into it. Use empty hands on barrel to get items back from it. When empty, the wooden barrel automatically provides one additional cannon ball every now and then.
The balloons have weather vanes indicating the turbulence and wind directions. The turbulence affects balloon steering. Higher altitude usually means more turbulence, so watch you altimeter on the right side of screen.
The possible successful drop count (tally) is indicated on weather vane (small team symbols for individual drops and big team symbol for ace status, i.e., 5 or more drops). Furthermore, balloon and crew specific information is shown on the hud.
Cannon
Cannon is used to blow up all kinds of things. Cannon contains three different positions:
* Use the back of the cannon to enter the cannon aiming mode.
* Use a cannonball (or two) on the cannon barrel to load it up for normal shot.
* Use gunpowder pouches (1 to 3) on the cannon barrel to load it with flamethrower shot.
* Use airmines (1-12) on the cannon barrel to load it with a rocket shot.
* Use the torch to light the firewire in order to shoot with the cannon
Game objectives
The objective of the game is to gather more booty than the enemy team. There are four types of games available at the moment and some offer alternate ways for scoring. Most of these types are used within a specific map. AirBuccaneers 1.6 contains eight different maps that serve as an illustrative compilation of map and game type possibilities.
In all maps you can get more gold for your team by fighting against the enemy team. Dropping enemy airships with crew onboard is more valuable than destroying empty enemy ships. This is the only way to score in the TeamDeathMatch maps (LakeInari, OldForest, Ruins). First team to reach the booty limit wins. Or, if time runs out, the higher score wins.
Area Domination map (HarbourRain, Tower) has a specific static area that can be dominated to get more gold for your team. Try to stay within the close range of the target and keep the enemy out. Remember that you can only dominate with balloons.
Moving Domination Target map (Louhenkota) contains flying and moving target (floating kota village), which has to be "escorted". The game type is same as area domination, but now the target area moves according to domination status.
Treasure Hunt (Harbour, Swamp) includes destroying the opposing team airships and collecting the small treasure balloons that will be left "behind". Treasure balloons can be collected by touching them with your character. Getting an enemy treasure balloon adds more gold for your team. Teams can also collect treasures of their own tribe, thus, making it impossible for the enemy to claim the price.[/quote]
[img]http://ludocraft.oulu.fi/airbuccaneers/screenshots/abu16/screen1.jpg[/img]
[editline]07:13PM[/editline]
Found some Portugese guy in IRC that wants to play. :P
[editline]07:20PM[/editline]
Nevermind. Portuguese guy was too crazy for his own good.
Sounds a bit like Project Nomads. If I had UT2k4, I'd be game.
I played this once.
Lack of people on-line put me off.
If enough people get into it i might give this a try.
I've played this before, and it was fun... but it was often very slow while travelling, and difficult to turn the balloons so you could fire your cannon.
Some games go on for hours.
I always wanted to play this on my old mac except I could never get it to work :(
Back in 10 hours.
MekTek are still down. I'm up for this.
My friend and I had a blast with this mod back in the days, I might be interested in a game.
I fell into the mushrooms on that one map and freaked out when they started making noises and killing me.
:gonk:
The mushroom gods do not take kindly to your intrusion.
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