NukeZone
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| NukeZone | |
|---|---|
 A NukeZone attack page as of April, 2005 |
|
| Developer(s) | Stefan Karlström |
| Publisher(s) | Primetic |
| Designer(s) | Stefan Karlström |
| Platform(s) | Web |
| Release date | February 10, 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Multiplayer real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| System requirements | Web browser |
| Input methods | Keyboard and mouse |
NukeZone is a wargame played on the Internet with a web browser. It is a text-based real-time strategy game with many variables. NukeZone was the winner of the Multiplayer Online Game Directory's game of the month award in June 2002,[1] November 2005[2] and February 2008,[3] an award that can only be won once yearly per game.
Contents |
[edit] History
NukeZone was started in 2001, by Swede Stefan Karlström (nicknamed Guffy). The game, particularly in its early incarnations in regards to available military units, was highly influenced by the 1996 bestseller Command & Conquer: Red Alert. Despite common perceptions, Stefan is quick to point out that NukeZone was never a school project. Since its creation, it has grown quickly, starting with a meagre few thousand members in 2002 to 35,000 members in 2006. Each round of the game is about three months long, game changes are usually introduced in the pause between rounds, a pause which varies from one to four weeks.
[edit] Gameplay
Each player gets their own "province" once they register for the game. Once registered they will choose a starting bonus out of a choice of four to begin the game. New provinces are in nuke protection for 48 hours. During nuke protection players cannot make attacks or be attacked. Nuke protection is also used for all players at the beginning of each round and for players who have died and will have to restart.
To maintain the balance of the game each player is given three turns every hour, which they use to perform in game actions such as attacking provinces and buying units.
[edit] Units
There are many units available in NukeZone, which add to the logistical value of the game. Units are divided into categories of sea, air, vehicle, and infantry, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Out of the number of units, there are some which are used for specific strategies, like the "building-killing" units B-2 Stealth Bomber and the Heavy Artillery. Building killers attack only buildings and have a large advantage in clan wars for killing provinces. There are also "unit-killing" units, which make up the large majority of units. These are used normally in combination with other units and are efficient in earning "points" for most point-focused clans. There are other units as well such as the Aurora Spy Plane, which spy on enemy buildings, being particularly useful when seeing what defense buildings a province has if you plan to attack them. Thieves are used for stealing money from provinces, which is another highly used tactical strategy. Efficiency in thieving comes through many strategies, much of which comes through sheer experience.
Satellites and missiles are not actual units, but they can also be used for attacking, however they both require research.
[edit] Buildings
There are a total of fifteen buildings in the game, a small number but each participate in their respective purpose. The defense buildings, making up a third of the buildings, are another integral part to maintaining a province. These are used mostly when one does not have the required unit to defend against a specific group of units. A fourth of the buildings (Shipyards, Airfields, War Factories, and Barracks) are devoted to producing units. Without these you cannot purchase the specific group of unit you want. Power Plant and Advanced Power Plants are used to supply other buildings with power. If a province has 100% power usage or above, which comes through lack of power plants, the player will not be able to build or fire satellites and nukes, nor send Thieves, Spies, or Snipers. As well, your defense buildings will become de facto null and void of warding off enemy attacks. Research labs are used for increasing research capabilities. Command Centres are used to build the special units, which are Spy Planes, Spies, Thieves and Snipers. Lastly, the Missile Silo is used to house missiles.
[edit] Research
Research is a fundamental part of NukeZone gameplay, being primarily used to increase your province's abilities in warfare and province stability. Sciences are the form of currency in NukeZone which increase the productivity of research, based on your turns. Every fifty research labs equals one science per turn, up to a maximum of 25 sciences per turn.
[edit] Clans
Provinces are able to join a clan of up to 20 members. Clans normally choose to play for either points or networth, as there are top lists (top 100) for both. (There is also a list for individual provinces' networth and for Combo Points.) It is difficult to play NukeZone successfully without being part of a clan, as clans are one of the most integral aspects to the game. Without a clan you are on your own in fending off attacks and whatnot, however some do prefer that way of playing. As well, when you are in a clan you can receive monetary aid from members. There is a Clan Leader (CL) in every clan, and the CL has the option to choose five Clan Trustees (CT) in the clan if he sees fit. These five CTs normally help the clan leader in tasks of handling a certain part of the clan, such as recruiting and declaring wars. An incentive to buy a Platinum Clan is introduced in the form of a "sixth" CT, called the CO who is essentially second in command.
A motivation in Nukezone for clans to war for points is the clan bonus system. This is set up so that when a clan gains 10,000 in points, they will receive a substantial reward of 300 turns for each province and $25,000,000 to be equally distributed amongst the clan members. For every 10,000 points after they will receive another bonus. And after every 50,000 points gained, you receive a Super bonus, that's 450 turns for every clan member, and $37,500,000 to be equally distributed amongst the clan members. To gain points, an army is created and raised. Clans make strategic decisions what units to use to war with; Unit Killing units earn the best points while there is no guarantee of a "target" whereas Building Killing units earn less points with an absolute chance of a target. Points are scored for an attack, between 1 and 20, earning more for more NetWorth damage caused to your foe.
[edit] Medals
After each round ends, medals are awarded to the leaders of the following areas:
- Medal of Honor - Most clan points gained by a province
- Medal of Growth - Highest networth
- Medal of Death - Killed most provinces during clan wars
- Medal of Earth - Highest Land Area
- Medal of Courage - Performed most attacks
- Medal of Thievery - Most money stolen
- Medal of Knowledge - Quickest to research all sciences
- Medal of Mass Destruction - Most damage dealt with missiles (excluding Tomahawk Missiles)
- Medal of Development - Province who first reaches $2,500,000 networth and keeps it for 48h, counting from the beginning of the round.
- Medal of Superiority - Province who first reaches 2500 clan points, counting from the beginning of the round and based on Clan Points Gained (total).
- Medal of Accomplishment - Province who wins both the Medal of Honor and Medal of Superiority in the same round. The Medal of Accomplishment will be rewarded instead of the 2 other medals if this feat can be accomplished.
[edit] Clan Awards
After each round ends, clan awards are awarded to the leaders of the following areas:
- Points Champion (Gold): The clan with most clan points.
- Points Champion (Silver): The clan with second most clan points.
- Points Champion (Bronze):. The clan with third most clan points.
- Networth Champion (Gold): The clan with Highest networth.
- Networth Champion (Silver): The clan with the second highest networth.
- Networth Champion (Bronze): The clan with third highest networth.
- Golden Shotgun: The first clan that reaches 10,000 Points.
- United Boundaries (Gold): The clan with most land in total.
- United Boundaries (Silver): The clan with second most land in total.
- United Boundaries (Bronze): The clan with third most land in total.
- United Arms (Gold): The clan with most attacks made.
- United Arms (Silver): The clan with second most attacks made.
- United Arms (Bronze): The clan with third most attacks made.
- Combo Champion (Gold): The clan with most combo points
- Combo Champion (Bronze): The clan with second most combo points
- Combo Champion (Silver): The clan with third most combo points
[edit] Gold user
For those who wants extra features, there are gold users, gold clans and platinum clans available for sale. Beyond the gold user, there is the much coveted "Gold User Plus", or "GU+" as it is commonly known. This special membership is available only through rare sales events or as a reward for winning a contest.
An example of a Gold User/Gold User+ feature is that these users can use an avatar in the game forums. The avatar can be anything as long as it is not abusive in nature.
Gold User+ users only difference to other Gold User members is that the membership is unlimited.
Gold User memberships cost the following at the moment: 1 Round : 8 euros / 70 SEK 3 Rounds : 21 euros / 190 SEK 5 Rounds : 32 euros / 290 SEK
[edit] Community points system
The community points system was implemented on September 10th, 2006. It rewards users by giving them points for being frequent in the forums, and supporting Nukezone whether it be through donations, or buying gold users or platinum clans.[4]
[edit] Culture
[edit] Popularity
Over the years, the NZ community has developed a sort of subculture, with its own gaming slang, history, and meetings. Player interaction out of the game is encouraged, with occasional gatherings in the games' player hotspots in Sweden, The Netherlands, North America, and others.
#NukeZone is the name of the official community IRC-channel on Quakenet, operated by the Nukezone crew.
[edit] The NukeZone Manual
http://www.nukezone.info/manual.aspx
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- NukeZone featured in January 2004 issue of PC Gamer (In Swedish)
- NukeZone
- The NukeZone Portal
- #NukeZone IRC channel
- #NukeZone.info unofficial statistics IRC channel
- #Race unofficial statistics IRC channel
- #Statsbase unofficial statistics IRC channel
- NukeZone Tools
- Nukezone Community Score System
- The Nukezone Wiki
- Primetic the company behind
