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The Ship Takes Offbeat, Whodunnit Approach To Half-Life

Posted by simoniker on from the band-played-on dept.

Thanks to an anonymous reader for pointing to the official 'The Ship' website, featuring "a free downloadable [multiplayer] Half Life 1 mod" described by a forum poster as "a twisted version of Agatha Christie meets Clue." The welcome page details: "You've just won a free ticket to a dream cruise onboard a spectacular, replica 1920's cruise ship!", and the official play guide explains some of the intriguing game mechanics, which involves each player needing to "find out the name [of each fellow 'passenger' on the Ship], eliminate unknown passengers, and find out which one is your quarry", then "kill them without being caught by security or too many witnesses." There are also additional wrinkles in the recently released mod, since: "To curb excessive killing, players are traumatised by committing murders", and "Each player has basic needs [including going to the bathroom] which must be taken care of."

6 of 12 comments (clear)

  1. Sounds interesting by elasticwings · · Score: 2, Interesting

    This sounds like it might be fun to try. I wonder if it'll make port to Half Life 2... whenever that comes out.

  2. Just wondering... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Each player has basic needs [including going to the bathroom] which must be taken care of."

    Does that mean that this mod can be classed as a "First Person Shitter"?

  3. I don't understand... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...the concept behind these "ultra-realisitc" games. Life isn't fun by any accords, so what's the point in trying to emulate it? I supose it can make for some interesting gameplay, but you can only go so far with the idea before it becomes a real life simulator and not a video game.

    It's the reason movie quality games like Metal Gear still have floating ammo boxes. And by Jesus, where would we be without the floating ammo boxes?!!

  4. Wow, this might set off ! by 88NoSoup4U88 · · Score: 2
    ....IF ONLY I COULD DOWNLOAD IT !

    *grumble* Thanks Jolt for the UK only download servers :/

    1. Re:Wow, this might set off ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      It took me awhile to find the international download link too (maybe they just added it?)

      Click on 'Intl. downloads' under media, then click on international download mirror 1.
      It worked for me and I'm in Canada, even though the text makes it sound like it shouldn't.

      I haven't tried the game yet, but it sounds interesting.
      If they try to release it as a stand alone game as they're planning, I can see lack of servers being a problem for such a niche game.

  5. What a coincidence by phaire · · Score: 2

    I just reinstalled Half Life for the first time in years, specifically to play They Hunger: http://www.planethalflife.com/manke/
    Now to download and try this one!