12.233.244.35: /* Gameplay */

2025-06-25T20:33:25Z

Gameplay

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{{Refimprove|date=January 2016}}
{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Alien Carnage
|image = Alien Carnage.jpg
|caption =
|developer = [[Krome Studios|Interactive Binary Illusions]]/SubZero Software
|publisher = [[3D Realms|Apogee Software]]
|designer = John Passfield Robert Crane
|composer = Stephen Baker George Stamatiadis Neil Voss
|artist = Steven Stamatiadis
|engine =
|released = October 10, 1993 (''HH'') November 2, 1994 (''AC'') 1996 (''ZW'')
|genre = [[Side-scrolling game|Side-scrolling]] [[platform game]]
|modes = [[Single-player]]
|platforms = [[MS-DOS]], [[Windows]]
|alt =
}}
'''''Alien Carnage''''', originally released as '''''Halloween Harry''''', is a [[side-scrolling game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]] developed by [[Krome Studios|Interactive Binary Illusions]] and SubZero Software, and distributed by [[3D Realms|Apogee Software]]. The game features 256-colour [[VGA]] graphics and background music in [[MOD (file format)|MOD]] format. ''Alien Carnage'' is composed of four episodes. The first episode was released as [[shareware]], and the rest were distributed commercially. In May 2007, John Passfield and 3D Realms released ''Alien Carnage'' as freeware.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.3drealms.com/news/2007/05/alien_carnage_freeware.html |title=3D Realms News: Alien Carnage Released as Freeware |website=Legacy.3drealms.com |date=2007-05-24 |accessdate=2016-01-17}}</ref> In 2014, the game was re-released with [[Windows]] support.

==Plot==
The cartoon-style game features agent Halloween Harry, who has to save the world from aliens that want to take control of Earth by turning its population into green-skinned [[zombie]]s. Some of the enemies reference [[Xenomorph (Alien)|Aliens]], [[Gremlins]], and [[Elvis Presley]]. Harry is helped by controller Diane, who gives him information via a video link.

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Halloween Harry screenshot.png|thumb|left|320px|''Alien Carnage'' screenshot]]
In the game, the player has to shoot zombies and aliens with his [[flamethrower]] and other weapons, rescuing hostages along the way. Instead of jumping, Harry uses a [[jetpack]] to reach higher platforms. His jetpack shares ammo with his flamethrower, which means it is best for the player to use both sparingly. Harry can drink and eat [[junk food]] to gain health (rescuing hostages also restores Harry to full health), and upgrade to different kinds of ammo by using ammo dispensers. The player needs to collect coins dropped by killed enemies to buy this ammo. They can also pick up other [[power-up]]s with various effects, including a wrapped gift (additional ammo for Harry's current weapon), a money bag (30 additional credits; coins dropped by enemies are worth 5 credits each), and a [[Life (video games)#Extra lives|1-up]] icon (an extra life, plus full health). The game progress can be saved through the use of computer terminals scattered across the levels. To advance to the next level, Harry needs to rescue all the hostages, then use the elevator.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

==Development==
[[File:Halloween Harry title.png|right|200px]]
''Alien Carnage'' was originally titled ''Halloween Harry'', and was released under this title for its first two versions. After v1.2, Apogee suggested to the developers that the title should be changed because it might be viewed as a seasonal [[Halloween]]-themed game, limiting sales during the rest of the year.<ref name"JPInterview">{{cite web |url=http://1morecastle.com/2012/07/halloween-harry-john-passfield-interview/ |title=Halloween Harry: A John Passfield Interview |website=1morecastle.com |date=July 2012 |accessdate=November 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020203042/http://www.1morecastle.com/2012/07/halloween-harry-john-passfield-interview/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> They renamed it to ''Alien Carnage'', and was re-released as "Alien Carnage v1.0" in 1994. Along with the name change, missions one and three were switched, and with Apogee's [[shareware]] model, this meant that half of the game could be played for free.

''Halloween Harry'' was originally written and released commercially in 1985 by John Passfield as a game for the Australian [[Microbee]] computer system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://passfieldgames.blogspot.com/search?q=microbee |title=Halloween Harry's 21st Anniversary |website=Passfieldgames.blogspot.com |accessdate=2016-01-17}}</ref>

==Legacy==
In 1996, a sequel titled ''Zombie Wars'' was released. This game takes place three years after the original story. The aliens return to Earth to try to enslave its population. Harry and Diane, who has been promoted to field agent and is now also a playable character, have to save the world again. A number of other friendly characters have been added as [[non-player character|NPCs]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

Gee-Whiz Entertainment (formerly Interactive Binary Illusions) made plans for an [[animated cartoon]] based on the third, future ''Alien Carnage'' game. The cartoon was to include Harry and Diane, the NPCs, as well as probably recurring alien and zombie characters. The script was roughly based on the script for ''Zombie Wars'', but both the game and the cartoon were never made.{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://legacy.3drealms.com/news/2006/02/the_apogee_legacy_7.html "Apogee Legacy" interview with John Passfield]

==External links==
* [https://archive.3drealms.com/catalog/alien-carnage_48/ ''Alien Carnage'' page] at 3D Realms
* [http://legacy.3drealms.com/news/2007/05/alien_carnage_freeware.html ''Alien Carnage'' freeware]
* {{mobygames|/alien-carnage}}

{{Apogee Games}}

[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Apogee games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Shareware games]]
[[Category:Halloween video games]]
[[Category:Platformers]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about alien invasions]]
[[Category:Video games about zombies]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Australia]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2030]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

Alien Carnage - Revision history

12.233.244.35: /* Gameplay */