Weapons Factory
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The Weapons Factory (also abbreviated as WF) is a series of video game capture the flag class-based mods, originally created for Quake II by brothers Tom "Tumorhead" Reno and Gregg "Headache" Reno. It since has had several incarnations (six plus three currently in development) on most of the predominant FPS games released since 1998 (in the Quake, Unreal, Half-Life and Tribes series).
www.planetfortress.com/tf2/gameinfo/about.shtml|title=The Team Fortress development team's merging with Valve Software & dropping work on a Quake II port|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> It consists of two teams of six players each who can choose between seven to ten classes of combatants (depending on the incarnation of WF) each having their own specificities and special abilities, amongst which is a grappling hook (Weapons Factorys signature).//www.planetfortress.com/tf2/gameinfo/about.shtml|title=The Team Fortress development team's merging with Valve Software & dropping work on a Quake II port|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> It consists of two teams of six players each who can choose between seven to ten classes of combatants (depending on the incarnation of WF) each having their own specificities and special abilities, amongst which is a grappling hook (Weapons Factorys signature).
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In the Quake Series
Weapons Factory (Quake II)
History
modcentral.planetquake.gamespy.com/interviewwfactory.htm|title=ModCentral interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno - question about WF's background|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> Weapons Factory was the first CTF-type mod to be released (on March 6 1998), only two days after Zoid's Q2 CTF source was published<ref name="Blues News WF v1.0"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v1.0 release - news of Mar. 6th, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> and as such got some press and early success. They soon decided to merge with another mod, Star Troopers by John "Cryect" Rittenhouse on May 1 1998,<ref name="Blues News WF v2.1b"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v2.1b release & merger - news of May 1st, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> which had a vast arsenal of weapons that WF lacked. The initial versions of WF featuring only three classes (notably version 2.1b, the "merger" one), they had to bring this number up to six (final beta version 2.2<ref name="Blues News WF v2.2"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v2.2 release - news of June 1st, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>) and then nine (version 3.0<ref name="Blues News WF v3.0"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v3.0 release - news of Aug. 15th, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>) simply to have somebody to give the weapons to.<ref name="Gamespy interview WFA 1"> Excerpt from a Gamespy interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno & Harvi "Acrid" Wray about WFA - Page 1
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> In that configuration, it fulfilled their goal of creating something close to a Team Fortress for Quake II.<ref name="Captured.com Interview"> Captured.com interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno & Tom "Tumorhead" Reno
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>//modcentral.planetquake.gamespy.com/interviewwfactory.htm|title=ModCentral interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno - question about WF's background|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> Weapons Factory was the first CTF-type mod to be released (on March 6 1998), only two days after Zoid's Q2 CTF source was published<ref name="Blues News WF v1.0"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v1.0 release - news of Mar. 6th, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> and as such got some press and early success. They soon decided to merge with another mod, Star Troopers by John "Cryect" Rittenhouse on May 1 1998,<ref name="Blues News WF v2.1b"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v2.1b release & merger - news of May 1st, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> which had a vast arsenal of weapons that WF lacked. The initial versions of WF featuring only three classes (notably version 2.1b, the "merger" one), they had to bring this number up to six (final beta version 2.2<ref name="Blues News WF v2.2"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v2.2 release - news of June 1st, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>) and then nine (version 3.0<ref name="Blues News WF v3.0"> Blue's News Weapons Factory v3.0 release - news of Aug. 15th, 1998
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>) simply to have somebody to give the weapons to.<ref name="Gamespy interview WFA 1"> Excerpt from a Gamespy interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno & Harvi "Acrid" Wray about WFA - Page 1
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref> In that configuration, it fulfilled their goal of creating something close to a Team Fortress for Quake II.<ref name="Captured.com Interview"> Captured.com interview of Gregg "Headache" Reno & Tom "Tumorhead" Reno
. Retrieved on 2006-06-06.
</ref>
weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/Quake2/wfs.mock1.html|title=Mod Construction Kit webpage|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> (also abbreviated as the MOCK) released with WF version 3.0. The MOCK is an user-friendly tool that lets one modify the number of classes and their attributes (such as health, armor, weapons...) from the original WF. It also allowed WF to keep the three (team3) and six (team6) classes configurations available for the community along with the now standard nine (team9), even if those were less successful.//weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/Quake2/wfs.mock1.html|title=Mod Construction Kit webpage|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> (also abbreviated as the MOCK) released with WF version 3.0. The MOCK is an user-friendly tool that lets one modify the number of classes and their attributes (such as health, armor, weapons...) from the original WF. It also allowed WF to keep the three (team3) and six (team6) classes configurations available for the community along with the now standard nine (team9), even if those were less successful.
web.archive.org/web/19981202152931/www.captured.com/weaponsfactory/|title=Weapons Factory official site v4.0 release - news of Jan. 19th, 1999|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> However, the class being considered too powerful along with some bugs & server crashing problems on versions 4.0 and 4.1 prevented those to be successful releases. Most of the community carried on playing the previous version (3.3) until a more stable 4.21 was released.//web.archive.org/web/19981202152931/www.captured.com/weaponsfactory/|title=Weapons Factory official site v4.0 release - news of Jan. 19th, 1999|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref> However, the class being considered too powerful along with some bugs & server crashing problems on versions 4.0 and 4.1 prevented those to be successful releases. Most of the community carried on playing the previous version (3.3) until a more stable 4.21 was released.
Nevertheless, the community started growing thinner at this point. The coming of next generation games Quake III Arena, Unreal Tournament and the Development team beginning work on sequel projects WFA, WFUT and Tribes WF marks the end of the mass appealing period for Quake2's Weapons Factory mod.
weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/Quake2/wf.oldnews13.html|title=Weapons Factory official site v4.25 release - new of Sept. 27th, 1999|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref>//weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/Quake2/wf.oldnews13.html|title=Weapons Factory official site v4.25 release - new of Sept. 27th, 1999|accessdate=2006-06-06}}</ref>
Facts & Community
In Quake II, CTF introduces the idea of teamplay but everybody is the same. The Weapons Factory goes further with the use of player classes that lets people specialize. Now players feel they are part of a real team where they need to depend on each other because one can't do everything alone. The Weapons Factory for Quake II features up to ten different classes : Arsonist, Cyborg, Engineer, Gunner, Marine, Mercenary, Nurse, Recon, Sniper and Spy. Some are primarily Offensive minded (Recon, Cyborg, Spy, Arsonist) when others are more Defensive (Gunner, Engineer, Sniper, Nurse). Only the Marine and Mercenary are pretty balanced between offensive and defensive efficiency.
Community
Like in most of the Quake II mods the community played an important role in the direction Weapons Factory took. Several community websites such as Gun Dreams or WF Direct were widely followed and lots of community maps were submitted. Aside from Tumorhead's, Lunitari, B=Ware and Odalisque's maps were very successful. They joined the Development team in the process.
Competition
www.worldogl.com OGL] (Online Gaming League) WF ladder. The internet connections at the time and network code flexibilities of Quake II allowed for North American and European players and clans to play in the same competition against each other (which hasn't been possible since). The rest of the competition happened in the DEF-CON league which was a tournament format. Late in the mod's life, an European league (WFEL) was created. A couple of smaller scale tourneys were also organised, like Solicitor's Invite Yourself Weapons Factory Tournament or the Relentless Assault Invitational Tournament.//www.worldogl.com OGL] (Online Gaming League) WF ladder. The internet connections at the time and network code flexibilities of Quake II allowed for North American and European players and clans to play in the same competition against each other (which hasn't been possible since). The rest of the competition happened in the DEF-CON league which was a tournament format. Late in the mod's life, an European league (WFEL) was created. A couple of smaller scale tourneys were also organised, like Solicitor's Invite Yourself Weapons Factory Tournament or the Relentless Assault Invitational Tournament.
Weapons Factory Arena (Quake III Arena)
History
www.pcgamer.com PC GAMER].//www.pcgamer.com PC GAMER].
www.planetquake.com/q3t/content/index.asp True Combat]. Fellow programmer Shayne "Static" Uhr took his succession as the Development team Leader. Static managed the work on version 3.0 where his first priority was the balance of the game. This version also implemented a particles system similar to the Quake II one. It was released on January 12, 2002.//www.planetquake.com/q3t/content/index.asp True Combat]. Fellow programmer Shayne "Static" Uhr took his succession as the Development team Leader. Static managed the work on version 3.0 where his first priority was the balance of the game. This version also implemented a particles system similar to the Quake II one. It was released on January 12, 2002.
www.shaderlab.com Q3MAP2] technology, a tool notably used to enhance the lighting compilation in maps.//www.shaderlab.com Q3MAP2] technology, a tool notably used to enhance the lighting compilation in maps. It resulted in versions 3.5 and then 3.5b, released on January 15 2003 which is the last official version of Weapons Factory Arena.
Facts & Community
In Weapons Factory Arena, there are nine different classes of players : Arsonist, Assassin, Cyborg, Engineer, Gunner, Marine, Nurse, Recon and Sniper. The Assassin replaced the Spy and has new abilities such as Cloaking or Back Stabbing. The Mercenary class was left out.
Community
forums.planetice.net/ Planetice Forums].//forums.planetice.net/ Planetice Forums].
Competition
With the improvement of internet connections and the network requirements of this new generation of games, it wasn't possible to have intercontinental matches in fair conditions anymore. The OGL league still existed but was less popular than in the Q2WF times. The community split in two and a real European community saw light. The American community moved from the OGL to the STA (Stronger Than All) league which had a two ladders format, the silver and the gold (more competitive) divisions.
www.clanbase.com Clanbase] and had a two divisions league format with seasons (went on for eight of them).//www.clanbase.com Clanbase] and had a two divisions league format with seasons (went on for eight of them).
Weapons Factory: Fusion (Quake II & III)
Weapons Factory Revolution (Quake IV)
www.quakecon.org Quakecon 2005] seems to prove the team right.//www.quakecon.org Quakecon 2005] seems to prove the team right.
www.wfrevolution.com/ currently in development.]//www.wfrevolution.com/ currently in development.]
In the Half-Life Series
Half-Life Weapons Factory
hlwf.planethalflife.gamespy.com/files.html]//hlwf.planethalflife.gamespy.com/files.html]
planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HLMods.Detail&id=382]//planethalflife.gamespy.com/View.php?view=HLMods.Detail&id=382] Modèle:Sectstub
Weapons Factory 2 (Half-Life 2)
roboticgladiator.com/hl2/viewtopic.php?p=1642#1642]//roboticgladiator.com/hl2/viewtopic.php?p=1642#1642]
roboticgladiator.com/hl2/viewtopic.php?t=342]//roboticgladiator.com/hl2/viewtopic.php?t=342] Modèle:Sectstub
In the Unreal Tournament Series
Weapons Factory Unreal Tournament
Around the same time Weapons Factory was ported to Quake III Arena, another team (headed by ob1) did their own unique conversion of WF on the Unreal Tournament engine which was rising in popularity. Weapons Factory Unreal Tournament (WFUT) took the classes and weapons from the Quake II version and adapted them to the Unreal style of gameplay, in addition to being inspired by MegaTF. WFUT gathered a popular following of Unreal Tournament players and a large clan community took form. It had a significant rivalry with the Unreal Fortress mod (another class based mod for Unreal Tournament) although the development teams for both mods supported each other.
There were several major changes to the Unreal Tournament version that helped made it unique from the other WF mods. The grappling hook was replaced with a translocator that used limited ammo and was given to all the classes. The standard Quake II weapons were replaced by Unreal Tournament versions with the custom WF weapons now having alt-fire modes. The grenades were thrown "offhand" in the same manner as in MegaTF instead of being used as weapons. In addition, while the classes suffered only minor changes to their weapon loadout and special abilities, the major change was the Mercenary class being replaced by the Demoman class. The Demoman had a pipebomb launcher and explosive tripmines but neither the Stinger missile launcher nor the controversial AK-47 rifle.
www.planetunreal.com/weaponsfactory/ click here]). While it never officially got past being a beta version, the mod is still considered quite complete.//www.planetunreal.com/weaponsfactory/ click here]). While it never officially got past being a beta version, the mod is still considered quite complete.
WF 2003 (Unreal Tournament 2003) & WF: Evolution (Unreal Tournament 2004)
weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/ Weapons Factory main page].//weaponsfactory.planetquake.gamespy.com/ Weapons Factory main page].
After WF2003 was ended, the Unreal Fortress: Evolution mod team recruited some people from WF2003 to help work on the Team Fortress port for UT2003 and later UT2004. In addition to UnF:Evolution, a side project called Weapons Factory: Evolution (WF:E) was initiated, and was being worked on by some members of the development team. While the UNF:E/WF:E mod had been temporary put on hold, there were plans to release the Weapons Factory gametypes for UNF:E Beta 2. With UT3 being released, it was decided to move development to that instead.
Weapons Factory: EVO (Unreal Tournament 3)
Originally intended for UT2004, Weapons Factory: EVO will take popular gametypes from Unreal Tournament 3 (CTF, VCTF & Warfare) and add in the Weapons Factory style of gameplay. It is mostly based on WFUT with some elements from older WF mods including the original Quake 2 version. A new class, the DemoMech, will replace the WFUT Demoman. Not only will the DemoMech have pipebomb/grenade lauchers & tripmines that the Demoman had, but also an automatic rifle and a missile launcher (AVRiL) that the Q2WF Mercenary used. Vehicles will also be supported as each class will also have a "vehicle killing" weapon in order to maintain balance.
The WF:EVO mod is currently in development.
In the Tribes Series
References
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External links
www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake3 Weapons Factory Arena for Quake III] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.wfrevolution.com Weapons Factory Revolution for Quake 4] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//wffusion.shadowspawn.net/ Weapons Factory Fusion] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.planethalflife.com/hlwf/ Weapons Factory 2 for Half-Life 2] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.planetunreal.com/weaponsfactory/ Weapons Factory for Unreal Tournament] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//www.unrealfortressevo.com/ Weapons Factory: Evolution for Unreal Tournament 2004 (Defunct)] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//forums.planetice.net/ Planetice Forums] www.planetquake.com/weaponsfactory/quake2 Weapons Factory for Quake II]//forums.biosentral.net/drupal/forums/q2wf_forums BioSentral Q2WF Forums]
