Uplink (computer game)

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Uplink
Developer(s)	Introversion Software
Publisher(s)	Introversion Software (Windows/Linux), Ambrosia Software (Mac OS X), Stardock (Windows)
Designer(s)	Chris Delay, Mark Morris, Thomas Arundel
Release date(s)	October 1, 2001 (Windows/Linux) May 27, 2003 (Mac OS X) August 23, 2006 (Steam)
Genre(s)	Hacking Sim
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Everyone (E), ELSPA: 3+
Platform(s)	Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
Media	CD-ROM
System requirements	300 MHz CPU, 32MB RAM, 25MB hard disk, OpenGL-capable graphics card

For the Half-Life demo, see Half-Life: Uplink.

Uplink is a computer game released in 2001 by the British software company Introversion Software.

[edit] Plot

In the game, the player assumes the role of a hacker in the year 2010, working for the mysterious "Uplink Corporation". The player gains money, software, hardware, and skill in the course of performing jobs for various clients, hacking global corporations. Then one day, a deceased Uplink agent working for the Andromeda Research Corporation (ARC) sends the player an (in game) e-mail. This begins the main storyline. ARC is constructing a computer virus known as the "Revelation Virus", which will try to destroy the Internet. Arunmor, a rival company, is trying to stop them. The player can work for either ARC or Arunmor, with non-linear, freeform gameplay and multiple plot endings. In fact, the storyline is itself optional and the player can choose to ignore it and concentrate on freeform hacking.

[edit] Style

Uplink focuses on emulating highly stylised, Hollywood-esque hacking, as seen in movies such as Hackers, Sneakers, WarGames and Swordfish. References to these movies can be found throughout the game, including joke servers for companies such as Steve Jackson Games (which appears to have been raided by the Secret Service) and a nuclear missile control system from WarGames. Despite depicting it in an explicitly unrealistic and exaggerated way, the game's hacking theme has generated a certain amount of controversy.

The game has a certain number of unusual features, including an in-game IRC function to talk to other players and a "multimonitor" function which allows the player to play the game over two screens, using a LAN connection to another computer running the game. This feature is often mistaken for multiplayer by some, due to the fact that in the original versions it was mislabeled 'Network'.

[edit] Soundtrack

The Uplink Corporation has a ranking system for its agents. Here, the player has managed to achieve the highest position.

The game uses several songs originally made in s3m, mod and xm format. The original song files are included on the Bonus CD-ROM of the game, a disk that was originally given as a free addition to those who referred the game to others. The disk also includes several songs which were rejected. This is the chosen soundtrack, with artist and downloads where available; the songs are all apparently free.

• The Blue Valley by Karsten Koch[1]
• Deep in Her Eyes by Peter 'Skaven' Hajba [2]
• Mystique Parts 1 and 2 by 'Timelord'[3] and [4]
• Digital Serenity by Ryan Cramer [5]
• Symphonic by Dual Crew [6]

Although the files are all in .s3m, .mod or .xm format where available, these formats play in several audio players (e.g. Winamp) and tools do exist to convert them to .mp3 and other formats if someone wishes to play them in portable audio players, such as CDMaster32 [7].

[edit] Release

The game was released for Microsoft Windows and Linux directly by Introversion, and ported to and released for Mac by Contraband and Ambrosia Software respectively. Chris Delay stated in an interview with PC Gamer UK that they did not pay for advertising of the game at all - it became known purely by word of mouth. A version released in the US was published and distributed by Strategy First under the title Uplink: Hacker Elite. It is now distributed under the same name by Stardock as part of TotalGaming.net, since Strategy First has filed for bankruptcy and no longer pays Introversion royalties. The game is now also available via Valve's Steam online distribution service.

A typical mission in Uplink, where the player is falsifying academic records.

[edit] Fanbase

Uplink has a strong modding community, with themes, gateways, new sound and image packs, and other additions being made. In mid-2003 Introversion began selling the source code for the game, along with other tools on the Uplink Developer CD. This has led to a large number of gameplay modifications including new skins and graphics, new sounds and music, mission types, new entities to hack such as the FBI Mod, which adds an FBI server to the game[8][9], along with new security systems and missions, and total conversions such as Uplink: The Mod and Onlink. Introversion are currently in the process of making a new patch with a number of beta-patches, which beta-testers can play without having to buy the game, currently a 1.49 patch is available [10].

[edit] Hacker Elite royalties

A version released in the US was published and distributed by Strategy First under the title Uplink: Hacker Elite. Strategy First ran into financial difficulties, and ceased paying royalties to Introversion shortly before filing for bankrupty protection, but continued to sell the game in competition with Introversion. It is now distributed under the same name by Stardock as part of TotalGaming.net.

Some versions of Uplink: Hacker Elite have been modified, meaning that many game mods and patches will not run with the Hacker Elite version.

On 20th January 2006 Introversion announced they were taking legal action against all retailers of Uplink:Hacker Elite [11], but not Stardock [12].

As of July 2006, the game is now available to North American customers via IGN's Direct2Drive digital distribution service. On 23rd August 2006, Uplink was made available for purchase on Valve's Steam service.

[edit] See also

• Dark Signs
• Darwinia
• Defcon
• Cyberpunk
• Hacking
• Bytelink Mod

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Introversion Software
• Modlink — Modding website
• The Ultimate Uplink Guide — Exhaustive guide
• ambrosia Software — Macintosh version
• Uplink: Hacker Elite at TotalGaming.net — PC version