Graal Online
| Graal Online | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio |
 Eurocenter Games |
| Publisher |
 CyberJoueurs |
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
 January 17, 1998 |
| platform | Windows (98 – Vista), Linux , OS X , iOS |
| Game engine | 2D game worlds: Graal-Engine ( Quattro ) 3D game worlds: Based on torque |
| genre | MMORPG |
| Subject | Server dependent |
| Game mode | Online multiplayer modes |
| control | Keyboard , mouse |
| system advantages preconditions |
→ System requirements |
| medium | Computer program , browser |
| language | German English French |
| information | Playful parallels to the SNES and GB Zelda titles |
Graal Online (also just Graal ) is ambiguous and describes on the one hand the organization of the Graal network and on the other hand the main client that is required to play on the Graal server. The servers are 2D online role -playing games - and now also 3D game worlds that are developed and maintained by the manufacturer and the players.
Minimum system requirements
| Windows | Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
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Graal network and server issues
The Graal network consists of about a hundred servers (as game worlds or players Worlds are called), either with a GraalOnline main client that consists of a dedicated database engine, or via the Web browser using a plug-in can be achieved. The game worlds are arranged in different categories in the server list. The themes of the game worlds range from the Middle Ages to modern times to future war scenarios. On some servers (framework) stories were written that more or less influence the course of the game.
The classic game worlds , which were created by the development team and are now mostly maintained by players, and game worlds created by players themselves are displayed in a 2D layered graphic and played in the real-time system ( i.e. no turn-based battles or actions). The world map and inner levels always consist of a floor (individual tileset with collision detection ), of scripts created in the level or globally defined in the server settings and, if necessary, of NPCs .
There are currently only two gold game worlds , which differ from the classic game worlds through a possible mixture of 2D and 3D elements. One example is the gold server "Graal Kingdoms", which displays typical 2D elements on a 3D landscape. The gold servers are most supported and expanded by the development team, which means that they have a lot more game content and options than the classic game worlds. The currently only existing gold game worlds "Zone" and "Graal Kingdoms" cover all goals, so "Zone" relies on a futuristic strategy battle between different teams and "Graal Kingdoms" on a varied medieval game.
The scripts are written and compiled on the 2D servers in GraalScript, a mixture of C ++ and Delphi . The 2D graphics are saved either in GIF or as PNG and are limited to 32 bits.
In development with the torque - game engine is for several years the only 3D gaming world "Graal3D" that dispenses entirely with 2D content, similar to "Graal Kingdoms" is structured and also plays in the Middle Ages. The server could be reached until 2005.
Game worlds
Since every game world in the Graal network is independent, they all differ in terms of play and technology (graphic features, audio, interface, etc.). The servers of the game worlds are located in the Cyberjoueurs center in France.
The game worlds usually have a background story that does not influence interaction and movement in the game world, as the core point of the game worlds is the communication between the players, the joint solving of tasks and the free development of one's ideas (for example one's own house, built via the Graal editor, or self-made clothing).
In addition to the server owner, all classic and game worlds created by players are maintained and further developed by a "staff" chosen by them (→ interactivity and professions ). The staff is a union of voluntary employees who let their ideas flow into the game world and who work for fun, who have a special authorization in contrast to normal players.
A selection of interesting game worlds:
| server | description |
|---|---|
| Gold game worlds | |
| Graal Kingdoms | The player finds himself on a huge island in the time of the Middle Ages. The island and its inhabitants are attacked by the extraterrestrial "Boomys" who have come from inside the moon that hit the island. In addition to different classes and a sophisticated economic, equipment and combat system, the game has a 3D landscape over which the player moves. All other objects are kept normal in 2D. |
| Zone | Around 2100 AD, different teams become enemies and start small wars. On different "planets", each representing a certain game variant, the player in Capture the Flag tries to steal the flag of the opposing team, to compete in races with different, futuristic vehicles or as a team member to occupy and close all five stations on the map defend. |
| classic game worlds | |
| Classic | The first official server in the Graal network has well-thought-out quests and a traditional game system in addition to a fixed group of players. |
communication
Another feature is the communication between players and the joint solving of quests by other players. There are two ways to communicate:
- Via the player bar, which shows all players who are in the current game world. Private messages are sent and received from here .
- Using the internal input bar. The entered text is then displayed above the player's head.
Private messages are entered by double-clicking on the player in the player list. If the player receives an answer, the player's head flashes in the list. By right-clicking on any player you can also call up the profile or block or unblock him (prevent the receipt of private messages). Since the fourth version it is possible to send messages to players who are on other servers. The internal input bar is also used to enter game commands.
control
Almost all game worlds are used to play with the mouse and keyboard .
| button | function |
|---|---|
| Pfeiltasten | With the control buttons or alternatively I J K Lyou move through the levels and over the world map. |
| A | Objects or people can be dragged, moved, picked up or thrown, actions can also be carried out and doors opened. |
| S/Leertaste | To use the current weapon |
| D | Use selected items |
| Q | Opens the game world's own inventory |
On servers like "Zone" all actions can be controlled with the mouse. Some medieval-style game worlds offer means of transport such as horses, which transport you faster across the world map. In futuristic game worlds, there are cars or ground planes instead.
Interactivity and professions
The game worlds can also be edited by normal players, for example by creating their own house in the Graal editor and uploading it using a responsible LAT (= Level Administrator, players with administrator rights who are responsible for the levels). In addition, your own clothing, shields and swords can be uploaded by the uploaders or FAQ (= Frequently Asked Questions, players with administrator rights who answer questions from players). The player can then dress individually with his uploaded clothing items.
Every player with good knowledge of the respective area can use the above-mentioned bodies and as a NAT (= NPC Administration Team, for scripts), GANI (= Graal Animation, for animations), GFX (= Graphics, graphics department), Events Team (Head of game events) or GP (= Graalian Police, for law and order) apply. If the player is included in the staff, he can log into the server area using the "Graal RemoteControl" and implement his tasks and ideas there.
Graal versions
In the course of development, various main clients appeared that included various functions and techniques.
First version
- Release date: 1998
- Editor is included in the download
The primary version was called Zelda Online, as the game itself had many parallels to the Zelda games from Super Nintendo and the Game Boy , for example the characters, NPCs and tile sets looked almost identical. In addition, the design was kept completely in the typical "Zelda green" up to the third version. For obvious but not confirmed reasons, the network was renamed Graal Online a short time later. The name probably originated from the gold-plated Grail goblet , which played an important role in the first official game world "Classic".
In the first version there was no online mode, only an editor was available, which brought a large number of functions with it to build and script your own levels.
According to developer reports, there was a first version as early as 1997, which already had a lot in common with the final first version. Towards the end of the first version you could finally try a beta version of the online mode.
Second version
- Release date: 2001
- Online mode available
- Animation editor "Graal Online Gani-Editor" has been added
Starting with the second Graal online version, you can play in the final online mode, which offers the same principle up to the current version (→ Graal network and server topic ).
The pay-to-play system was introduced around 2000, which means that you now have to pay a one-time fee of 30 euros to the manufacturer via PayPal or a credit card in order to be able to play the classic server for an unlimited period of time. Otherwise all data will be lost when you restart. In addition, it is now possible to play the "Gold" game worlds and the third version of the "Graal3D" game world for half a year. Gold membership can be extended for six months for another 10 euros.
Since this version there is still no new Graal online editor.
Third version
- Release date: 2004
- Component to play "Graal3D"
The third Graal online client is an improved version of the second version, which has now been kept in the design of the Graal homepage, which was still current at the time. Apart from an information screen and a few additional options and control systems, the version did not offer any noteworthy innovations, but it was the part to play "Graal3D". "Graal3D" breaks away from the 2D world and is similar to 3D MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft . The 3D server was later completely shut down.
Fourth version
- Release date: early 2006
- Automatic update process
- New login screen with information about the servers
- Introduction of GraalScript 2 technology to set scripting to unify scripting standards.
The Graal online design is now strongly reminiscent of the surface of the macOS operating system . Since the current version, most of the game worlds have been working exclusively with GS2 technology.
Fifth version
- Release date: July 13, 2007
- In-game video recordings
- New login screen with an additional messaging system
- GUI themes (user interfaces) can be downloaded and applied.
The fifth version is a slightly modified version of the fourth client and, according to the manufacturer, now runs significantly faster and also works more stably under Windows Vista . The servers have now been categorized and the "Graal Skills" server with many mini-games has been added. With the fifth version, the long announced "Graal3D" is to be completely re-introduced.
Account types
The account profiles were changed with the release of the fifth version. Every player with a trial account is put into a 2-minute observation mode every 10 minutes on all game worlds, but all progress is saved in contrast to the old account system.
Players who used to have a Classic account ( Playerworld authorization ) got a Lifetime Classic status with the fifth version, with which they can play on classic servers without any time limit. This cannot be obtained with a new account. These players only have observation mode on gold servers. To get around this, you have to upgrade to a gold package .
Players with a new account need to acquire Playerworlds Gold entitlement to play on classic servers.
With a developer authorization you can rent a server in the Graal network. For this you need two additional players (three in total) who have developer authorization .
| Trial account | Lifetime Classic Account | Playerworlds Gold Account | Gold package | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress is saved | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Classic game worlds | With restrictions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gold game worlds | No | No | No | Yes |
| Playerworlds | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| requirements | Registration | Classic account prior to version 5 | Trial account | Trial account |
Web links
- Official Graal Online Website
- Graal-Wiki (English)