The Dark Mod

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The Dark Mod
Studio Broken Glass Studios
Erstveröffent-
lichung		 October 17, 2009
platform Linux , Microsoft Windows , macOS
Game engine id Tech 4
genre Sneak shooter
Game mode Single player
medium digital distribution
language English , German, Italian, Spanish, French etc. v. a.
Current version 2.08
information www.thedarkmod.com

The Dark Mod is a free computer game from the stealth shooter genre . It emerged from an independent total conversion mod based on the Doom 3 engine (id Tech 4). The Dark Mod provides the basic framework and the background story for so-called fan missions (even if these are created by the team itself, for example), these each represent completed, independent game scenarios.

The Dark Mod is playful and thematically based on the Thief computer game series , but for copyright reasons does not contain original content or some of the Thief -specific concepts or names. The original goal of the core team was to create all the necessary content (sounds, textures, code) and tools (including the DarkRadiant editor ), and the community took over the development of missions and campaigns . The project is driven by volunteers from all over the world, is freely accessible and should also meet professional standards.

The Dark Mod is still being actively developed (as of May 2019).

background

The world in Dark Mod is a steampunk version of our own world, with a mix of different historical ages, with architecture ranging from medieval castles to Victorian mansions. In this world, steam engines, electricity, and clockworks were invented much earlier, making strange inventions and industrial warehouse complexes possible side by side with Gothic cathedrals and sword-fighting city guards. Magic is palpable, although very rare, and for most people it doesn't play a role in the daily struggle for survival.

Gameplay

As an acrobatic master thief you sneak through the world and try to earn a living. Break-in after dark and clever theft are often the means of choice, but blackmail and contract killing also occur. The character should avoid opponents, hide in the dark and make as little noise as possible, as the difficulty of the fights almost always leads to the death of the character. Light and shadow, the nature of the ground, etc. play a major role alongside the skill of the player.

equipment

The equipment (available differently depending on the mission) includes:

  • Short sword, broad-headed arrows, blackjack (a stun stick), mines (blinding or explosive) etc.
  • Rope arrows (climbing), gas arrows, fire arrows, water arrows (for extinguishing torches), climbing arrows
  • Lock picks, compass, map, lantern, binoculars etc.
  • Healing potions, holy water (against the undead)

opponent

The player's opponents are often church guards, villains or hired thugs, but sometimes also monsters such as giant spiders, undead or ghosts. It is also important to avoid civilians or to stun them, otherwise they will sound the alarm.

In addition to animals such as rats or horses, the NPCs are controlled by an elaborate AI and not only follow set paths, but also have a certain intelligence. They react to noise, light and suspicious things such as open doors, objects that have disappeared or torches that have gone out. In the event of suspicious events, they can search for the player, fight against the player or other monsters, and from version 2.03 also work together in a team.

development

history

  • Thief's Den - First Beta (January 2008)
  • The Tears of St. Lucia Second Beta (October 21, 2008)
  • v1.0 (October 17, 2009)
    • v1.01 (March 12, 2010)
    • v1.02 (May 25, 2010)
    • v1.03 (Dec 22, 2010)
    • v1.04 (Feb 26, 2011)
    • v1.05 (Apr 6, 2011)
    • v1.06 (June 2011)
    • v1.07 (December 2011)
    • v1.08 (October 2012)
  • v2.0 (October 2013)
    • v2.01 (January 2014)
    • v2.02 (May 2014)
    • v2.03 (February 2015)
    • v2.05 (February 2017)
    • v2.06 (May 2018)
    • v2.07 (February 2019)
    • v2.08 (June 2020)

License

Up to version v1.07 the source code was published under two separate licenses:

  • The parts that come from the Doom3 SDK are under the DOOM 3 SDK Limited Use License Agreement
  • The DarkMod source code is under the revised BSD license .

From version v1.08 the entire source code is published under GPL v3.0 or later.

All remaining content (such as textures, sounds, scripts) are under the non-commercial Creative Commons license .

Fan missions

Over 80 fan missions have been created since 2009, including campaigns with multiple missions. Some of the missions are also available in German or French, since v1.07 missions can also be translated into several languages ​​at the same time.

reception

reporting

  • The first beta version of The Dark Mod , Thief's Den , was presented by the British magazine PC Gamer in the April 2008 issue and published on the accompanying DVD. The author rated the mod as positive: “ They've nailed the murky feel of Garrett's world, the scope of his movement and thrill of hiding in the shadows ” (German: “They got the dark feeling of Garrett's world right to the point, just like the scope of his movement possibilities and the tension while hiding in the dark ”).
  • The Dark Mod v1.05 was briefly presented in May 2011 in the Dutch magazine PC Game Play .
  • The German magazine GameStar reported on The Dark Mod in October 2013 and offered version 2.0 as an extra for the DVD issue 1/2014.

Awards

  • The Dark Mod was voted one of the top 100 mods on Mod DB five times and was the only mod for Doom 3 to achieve this:
    • 2007 Mod of the Year Awards (Best upcoming)
    • 2008 Mod of the Year Awards (Best upcoming)
    • 2009 Mod of the Year Awards (Best released)
    • 2010 Mod of the Year Awards (Best released)
    • 2012 Mod of the Year Awards (Best released)
  • 2011 Community Award from Mod DB
  • 2013 Mod of the Year ( PC Gamer )

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Scan
  2. ↑ The Dark Mod - Who's Garrett Again? - GameStar . ( gamestar.de [accessed on January 8, 2018]).
  3. ↑ Mod DB: Top 100 Mod of the Year Award 2007
  4. ↑ Mod DB: Top 100 Mod of the Year Award 2008
  5. ↑ Mod DB: Top 100 Mod of the Year Award 2009
  6. ↑ Mod DB: Top 100 Mod of the Year Award 2010
  7. ↑ Mod DB: Top 100 Mod of the Year Award 2012
  8. ↑ Mod DB: Community Award 2011
  9. ↑ PC Gamer: Mod of the Year 2013