KarBOOM
KarBOOM 0.1.4 Thumbnail
KarBOOM is a car-crashing game with a multiplayer focus. The idea is simple: stay inside the dirt ring. Variety is added with mutators and game modes to change the rules of play, bots, online multiplayer and shoulder-to-shoulder multiplayer. The simple controls mean up to 4 players can play on one keyboard. Gamepad support means up to 8 players can play on one computer. Add bots or go online for up to 14 cars smashing each other around the place!
So far, all of KarBOOM's features are free. Check out the downloads page to find KarBOOM is a small free download that requires no installation. Offline play and all its features can be played as much as you want with no need to create an online account.
So what do I need an online account for?
A standard online account is free and lets you use the forum. KarBOOM is still in its infancy, and I could really use your feedback so I know what features need improving, what bugs there are, and what cool stuff should be added to the game!
A premium account is an upgraded version of the standard account, and it lets you play KarBOOM online against other players. I also plan on adding a few extra features available only to premium accounts (like an online profile, letting you share replays and custom levels when the replay and level editors are finished!).
Normally, upgrade your standard account by logging into KarBOOM.net and clicking buy in the navigation bar and paying me some money through Paypal. At least, that was the original plan. KarBOOM's final distribution model hasn't been finalised yet -- it's a work in progress, just like the game. Don't worry, though! For now it's just free! All created accounts are upgraded automatically (for now), and the whole game can be downloaded for free (for now) -- clicking on the Buy button will ask you to log in, and if you log in it will just thank you for upgrading.
Why are you giving out free upgrades?
Who wants to pay for an upgrade if there aren't enough users online to play against? To get things off the ground, all standard accounts created are automatically upgraded for free until further notice. The current public version is rather limited in online features, so future updates will have some new features to make it easier to host online games and to find an active game that suits your tastes.
Get in early and play KarBOOM! Get involved in the official forums and help me make KarBOOM reach its full potential. Check the announcements forum to keep up with the latest updates.
Why are you including this information about upgrading if, for now, it's meaningless?
I'm making changes as I go. This website could use a re-write, but for now I'm just trying to keep it current.
So what's in store for KarBOOM?
I regularly get requests from KarBOOM users, and there've been all sorts of requests I wouldn't have thought to add normally.
These requests have helped me compile a to-do list. While its contents are subject to change, here are the biggest changes that are planned:
Level editor: A level editor is planned for KarBOOM 0.3 (the latest version is KarBOOM 0.2.4) KarBOOM's future, and is currently in development. Its development has spawned some other changes that will be in the next update: There are different surface types (dirt, tar, ice), obstacles (ramps and barriers), and hazards (pits and grass). Levels use very little data, so players can easily share levels with each other and load custom levels for online games. This is a big feature, hence the change in version number from '0.2.x' to '0.3.x'.
Save and share replays: Replay mode will get new features in the near future, making it more interactive. This includes features like rewind, slow-motion, and scrubbing. Later on users will be able to save and load replays. When the level editor is complete, replays will include level information -- this means if you are watching someone else's replay and you like the level in which it is played, you will be able to save that level for your own games later on.
Race mode: It is a car game, after all. While the details are not finalised, the idea of a race mode making it into KarBOOM has been very popular indeed.
KarBOOM is a bitesize freeware treat about some lovely little cars indulging in a spot of sumo wrestling on a high plateau above a bottomless drop. It supports internet and local multiplayer, the latter a ridiculous attempt in trying to fit four desperate hands on one keyboard, each sweating to control the adorable wind up bumper cars as they fight their way through a bevvy of game mutators that work much in the same way as Unreal Tournament handles things.
KarBOOM 0.3 Progress update 2 – Indie DB
In development since late 2010 and seeing regular updates driven by community feedback, it’s an easy spot of fun. The driving model skips merrily between “Oh yeah, I got this” to “Oh god I’m totally out of control please stop I want to get off”, usually whenever the Boost mutator is in effect.
KarBOOM is eminently customisable, allowing you to fiddle with all manner of victory conditions, bots and mutators. It just barely works at times, the merry chaos in the latest update supporting up to 48 cars in the same arena, in as much as that madness is actually playable (it’s not).
Follow the fun over at the official page.
Above from Rockpapershotgun.com
