The Duke Nukem Eternally leaker simply dropped the source code for an additional beloved ’90s FPS
On: January 6, 2023
X0r_jmp, the nameless leaker(s) behind the cavalcade of prototype Dukes Nukem revealed to us over the previous yr, has branched out to a different beloved ’90s shooter franchise, Blood. On January 4, x0r_jmp made Blood’s in-progress source code from a yr previous to its launch accessible to the general public.
Developed by Monolith, who would go on to create FEAR and the Shadow of Mordor sequence, Blood was created in the identical Construct Engine as Duke Nukem and may thus be seen as a kind of sister game. Blood has the lightning-fast motion and sprawling, maze-like ranges widespread to shooters of the time, and in addition differentiates itself with a singular arsenal (sticks of dynamite? A hairspray and Zippo lighter flamethrower?) in addition to a gothic, horror-adjacent ambiance.
In contrast to prior releases within the 12 months of Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem-Adjoining Leaks, there does not appear to be something actionable for gamers or modders right here—Blood has had glorious source ports like NBlood and Raze for years. The true deal with is solely educational: this archive is a window into the event of a PC traditional, and may present perception into Monolith’s artistic and technical course of.
For instance, the BLOOD.txt file within the archive comprises a changelog for the in-progress game, with patch notes courting again to January 1995. That first entry has a round-up of the enemies carried out within the game as much as that time, alongside a quick abstract of their state within the construct. Describing Blood’s riff on the Evil Lifeless disembodied hand enemy, the log’s author declares it is “Manner cool!” I simply discover it neat to see the creator’s fingerprint on this manner, particularly when it is so endearing and utterly unaffected.
Equally, the ’90s FPS Twitter fan account Construct Engine Aesthetics discovered complaints and snarky digs at Construct Engine architect Ken Silverman buried within the feedback on the construct’s code: “Name this operate periodically to repair all the issues Ken causes by rearranging the database with abandon,” one remark reads.
Nevertheless x0r_jmp retains uncovering these traditional shooter artifacts, I discover them priceless, a peek behind the scenes of gaming historical past that simply feels treasured and unlikely. If you would like to peruse the Duketrove + Blood your self, you could find the information on x0r_jmp’s Rentry.co web page.
