[[ Open web browser to:
	- wesnoth.org
	- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesnoth
	- packages.debian.org/wesnoth ]]

I read about people who won't give up Windows because Windows has games.
GNU/Linux doesn't lack games. Debian GNU/Linux lists 500 packages in it's
games section, which is only a fraction of the 2700 listed on freshmeat.
But GNU/Linux does lack addictive games. In more ways than one, free
software games are comparable to chocolate, while proprietary games are
comparable to crack.

But now my analogy falls apart, because I'm addicted to Battle for
Wesnoth, a free software game.

[[ Wesnoth logo ]]

Wesnoth is a turn-based fantasy strategy game. 

For fantasy, Wesnoth offers the fantasy races and classes you expect,
including: Elves, Orcs, Goblins, Dwarves, Trolls, Merpeople, the Undead,
Drakes, Griffens, Wizards, Sorcerers, and Magi, Kings, Queens, Princes,
Princesses, Knights, and so forth.

For strategy, Wesnoth offers simple rules, a smart AI, and terrain based
defense.

Wesnoth isn't intended to be a clone of an existing game, but the lead
developer, David Pashley, used several of rules from the Sega Genesis
game, Master of Monsters.

[[ Master of Monsters game title screen ]]

Wesnoth developers apply the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) principle to
new features. The creator and lead developer of Wesnoth writes:

[[ Quote emphasis ]]

        The idea of KISS is that the feature must be easy enough to
        program that before the programmer starts working on it, they
        have a very clear and strong understanding of how they're going
        to make it work. Not a 'yes I can do this but it is kinda
        complicated'. Rather they should be thinking 'this is so stupid
        and simple that it's really really easy for me to do'. So I
        decided on a simple rule for the game: a feature would be added
        only if I knew immediately how to implement it. I wouldn't make
        vague promises to myself about features that would be later
        added, but which I had no idea how to do.

When KISS is used to program the game world, programing an AI to follow
the rules is easy. The compter doesn't need to cheat to beat humans. I've
never beat the computer in a fair match.

[[ Me (stick figure) versus HAL 9000 ]]

Wesnoth runs on just about every operating system, including: BeOS, Free-
, Net-, and Open- BSD, GNU/Linux, Mac OSX, Solaris, and Windows. 

[[ Operating System Sing-a-long ]]

It's licensed under the GNU General Public License and programmed in
C++.

Game play is turn based; movement is on a hex board. Each turn
represents a portion of a day, and the time of day has influence on
characters ability to inflict damage. For example, during night Orcs
will inflict more damage; during the day they will inflict less damage.

[[ 1. Orc versus Elf, black background
   2. Orc versus Elf, white background ]]

The primary single player game mode is campaigns. Each campaign consists
of multiple senarios. A senario is usually a straightforward battle to
defeat an enemy leader, but there are alternative senarios that keep you
on your toes. In some of the alternate senarios the goal is simple
survival. In others the goal is to move a character to a certain spot on
the board.

[[ 1. Stick figure versus Orc warlord
   2. Stick figure versus undead horde
   3. Stick figure on way to marked spot, bandits en-route ]]

Wesnoth campaigns are based around stories.  The most developed and
popular campaign, Heir to the Throne, tells teh story of a young royal
named Konrad attempting to reclaim the thrown of Wesnoth from his
trecherous Aunt, Queen Isheviere.  The two dozen senarios in Heir to the
Throne are well written, illustrated, and engaging.

[[ Heir to the Throne slide ]]

The other three official campaigns are:

        - Son of the Black Eye: You play as an orish ruler trying to
          save his people from humans. It's the most difficult official
          campaign.
                
        - The Eastern Invasion: You play an officer in the army of
          Wesnoth trying to save it from an undead invasion. it contains
          17 scenarios.

        - The Rise of Wesnoth: This campaign is about the founding of
          Wesnoth by Haldric, its first king.

New and user contributed campaigns are available from the Wesnoth
campaign server.

During the course of a senario, units gain experience for successful
attacks against enemies. After gaining enough experience, units gain
levels.  Units with additional experience are able to sustain more
damage before being killed, perform more damaging attacks, and gain
special powers, like the ability to heal allied units, or make other
units more effective in battle (an ability called leadership).

One of the most interesting features of Wesnoth is the ability to recall
units from past campaigns. It is a lot of fun building a private arm of
skilled vetrens and playing them throughout a campaign.  Unit recall
adds replay value to Wesnoth.

One of the things I enjoy most is the artwork.  The Wesnoth source
distribution contains over 3,000 images.  The images are part of
serveral hundred animations, landscape features, maps, and character
portraits.

[[ 3,000 graphics pictorial ]]

The game as contains a dozen songs for background music. It's game
music (rhymes with elevator music), but not bad for it's genre.

I made a little show for the end of my presentation using artwork and
music from the game.

If Wesnoth has one weakness, it is the awkward handeling of a large
army.  Every turn, you need to give instructions to each unit.  An army
of 10 is fine; an army of 100 is tedious.  Happily, there aren't many
senarios requiring a large army.

[[ 1. Brain with 10 troops
   2. Brain with 100 troops ]]

Wesnoth has a multiplayer mode. I prefer exploring the stories, but
occassionally I like to pitt myself against humans.

Finally, Wesnoth comes with a tutorial for new users. There isn't much
to learn, and you should be able to complete the tutorial in about half-an-
hour. After you play your first senario, you should be addicted too.

[[ Wesnoth rehab ]]

[[ Switch to web browser ]]
Wesnoth's homepage is http://wesnoth.org

I used the Wesnoth entry in wikipedia (show site) a lot while writting
this presntation.  I also made some edits.

I run Wesnoth using the Debian packages.  Packages are available for
most major distributions.

[[ Question mark in clouds ]]

Questions?

[[ Movie ]]