EXpanded MultiPlayer
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- The title of this article is incorrect because of technical limitations. The correct title is eXpanded MultiPlayer.
eXpanded MultiPlayer (XMP) is a multiplayer expansion to Unreal 2 developed by Legend Entertainment and made available for download on December 9, 2003. XMP contains just one game mode that is similar to Capture the flag but requires more sophisticated tactics.
Islands_in_EXpanded_MultiPlayer.jpg
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Gameplay
XMP is a team-based game, where the players are split into two teams, red and blue. Both teams have a base with an Artifact Node. Each Artifact Node initially contains two artifacts and the main objective is to steal the enemy's artifacts and then register them at own Node.
Energy and hacking
What makes XMP different from typical CTF is Energy. Energy is required for almost everything in the game; without energy you cannot register the enemy's artifacts as your own, drop turrets and so on. Energy is collected by capturing generators. Each map has a number of generators (usually three or more) which can be hacked. Each generator gives your team a specified amount of energy. To register artifacts, your team must have at least 800 energy. For every fifty from 800 down to 500 the team gains/loses a function which is annonced like this: Red/blue team 'item' are online/offline.
To hack a generator, stand close to it, press and hold the key you have bound to "Use", a progress bar will appear, when it is full the generator belongs to your team and you will hear the announcer say "Your team has gained an energy source". When you are hacking, you are a an easy target so it is a good idea to have someone who covers you.
Other things that can be hacked are deploy points and doors.
Deploy Points
A Deploy Point is a place where you can spawn after being killed. You do not need to redeploy every time after being killed, as any other player can revive you. However, when you are revived you only have one health point. Most Deploy Points can be hacked like generators, except for the ones closest to either team's base. It is good to have as many Deploy Points as possible, since that will both increase your potential starting points, as well as limit your enemy's. Every Deploy Point has a deploy cycle which means that you can only spawn once very 25 seconds at the same Deploy Point. Although all Deploy Points have the same cycle, some can have a different time offset which may influence the player's choice.
Classes
In XMP, players can choose to spawn as one of three character classes. The classes have several different attributes, such as speed, armor and weapons.
Ranger
The Ranger is XMP's lightest class and therefore the fastest; however he has the lowest health level. The Ranger is armed with a sniper rifle, a pistol and a grenade launcher which he can use to launch smoke or regular (explosive) grenades towards an enemy. The ranger can heal other players and drop so-called supply packs which regenerate the health of a player who stands on them.
Tech
The Tech is a middle-weight class with medium amounts of health and speed. A Tech is armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun capable of spraying napalm as well as regular buckshot, and the grenade launcher. The Tech has access to gas and EMP grenades which are most effective against machinery. The Tech hacks twice as fast as the other classes and can repair his teammates' armor. He can also drop supply packs which repair the armor of a player who stands on them. The Tech can also place two kinds of turrets (minigun and rocket) and force walls which can be used to block a way.
Gunner
The Gunner is a slow player, but with large amounts of health and armor. He has the most powerful weapons in the game including a rocket launcher, a flamethrower, napalm grenades and concussion grenades which blinds your enemy. The Gunner can resupply other players with ammo or drop supply packs which does the same thing. The Gunner can also place laser trip mines and landmines.
Vehicles
XMP has three vehicles: Raptor, Harbinger and Juggernaut.
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Raptor
The Raptor is a small and speedy buggy with a gun turret on top. The downside is that it has the weakest armor of all three vehicles. The unique aspect of the Raptor is that it has two meat grinders attached to the front; hitting someone with them means that they are instantly killed.
Harbinger
The Harbinger has medium armor and speed and fits three people: one driver, one who operates the rocket launcher on top, and one who operates the rear-mounted EMP cannon. Its high center of gravity means it has a tendency to topple over at high speeds.
Juggernaut
The Juggernaut is XMP's tank and the most heavily armoured vehicle, but also the slowest. The Juggernaut has spots for two people: one driver and one gunner who operates the very powerful top-mounted mortar. The driver has also access to a flamethrower which can be used to kill opponents at close range.
Deployables
Deployables can be deployed by a Tech or a Gunner. The Tech can place minigun- or rocket-turrets and force walls. While deployables can greatly assist in defence, overreliance on them often leads to defeat. Turrets need to be placed wisely since they drain energy. Place turrets where the enemy can't see them and remember that cross-fire is your friend, placing four turrets in the room with the artifact means that an incoming enemy needs to destroy four turrets, but the turrets only have to kill one player. Also, force walls can be used to block a passage or force the enemy down paths more advantageous to you.
The Gunner can place laser trip mines or land mines. Land mines explodes when someone steps on, or close to them. They can also be detonated by a rocket which explodes close. Laser trip mines explode when someone brakes the laserbeam.
XMP lives on
In April of 2004, several key XMP community members and ex-Legend Entertainment coders formed Free Monkey Interactive, and announced their plans to port XMP to Unreal Tournament 2004. They have released several videos and presentations showcasing their work so far.
External links
- The Official Unreal II Expanded Multiplayer Resource (http://u2xmp.beyondunreal.com/)
- Unreal 2 XMP Download Page (http://u2xmp.beyondunreal.com/download.php)
- Unreal 2 XMP on Jolt's Network (http://www.u2xmp.jolt.co.uk/)
- XMP BeyondUnreal Forums (http://forums.beyondunreal.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16)
- Unreal 2 XMP - Community Bonus Pack (http://xmp.beyondunreal.com/)
- Free Monkey Interactive Website (http://www.free-monkey.com/)