Oolite (computer game)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Oolite |
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 Oolite: Mac OS X interpretation of Elite |
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| Developer(s) | Giles Williams |
| Publisher(s) | aegidian.org |
| Latest version | 1.65 |
| Release date(s) | July 18, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Space Sim |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Mac OS X, Linux, Windows, SGI Irix, FreeBSD |
Oolite is a 3D Space Sim in the spirit of Elite, licensed under GNU GPL version 2 for the source code and CC-BY-NC-SA-3.0 license for other resources (pictures, music, textures, models) [1]. It is, as the name suggests, Object Oriented [E]lite, written in Objective-C. Among Oolite's several similarities to its inspirational source, the gaming experience is enhanced by the context set in Elite's original manual, and the accompanying novella, The Dark Wheel.
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[edit] Development
It was developed by Giles Williams for Mac OS X and released in July, 2004, but remained in active development for a long time to follow. By September 2005, Mac Oolite had reached v1.52, and a GNU/Linux port was released, closely following the OSX developments since. The Windows GNUstep port was released in March 2006. Ports are also available for SGI IRIX and FreeBSD on Intel architectures. In October 2006, After releasing the stable 1.65 version, Giles announced he will stop developing Oolite after implementing updated OpenGL functionality. However the OpenGL functionality never surfaced and the project stalled. The project was re-released under the GPL on the 27th February 2007, and after a lag, development continues by the community. Currently there is a test release out, 1.67.
[edit] Modding
Since the game structure is intended to be ‘open–hooded’, objects and events that take place in Oolite are easily modified without need of programming skills. Only a few simple tools are needed to create an OXP (Oolite eXpansion Pack). These game additions, either self-made or downloaded, are freely placed in the game's AddOns folder, allowing the player to shape the plot and population of the game universe.
Over Oolite's first two years, many from the Oolite community have been inspired by the game's coherent modding opportunities, resulting in a fairly large pool of OXPs. Often The Dark Wheel and 80's Elite fandom of are obvious influences, although elements from alternate space operas have also been shared. A pack may simply offer more ships or stations, or contain scripted interactive missions. As adding planetary bodies, minigames, HUDs, weapons and sounds are among several possibilities, testing the potential limitations of the OXP is still at an early stage.
[edit] Fiction
A few works of fiction have been placed in the Oolite universe.
- The Virtuous Misfortune by Dylan Smith.
- Status Quo by Drew Wagar.
[edit] External links
- Oolite main portal.
- Oolite Linux development and download site.
- Oolite PC development and download site.
- Oolite Bulletins forum.
- OoSat OXP AddOns and utilities made by various people.
- Oosat2 Oosat's modern successor.
- Dry Dock Mac tool for viewing Oolite models.
- Ian Bell's Elite pages
- The EliteWiki project, with an Oolite section
