{{Short description|2001 video game}} <!--could use a link to an independent game review--> {{Italic title}} {{Infobox software | name = Colobot | author = Epsitec SA | developer = ICC & TerranovaTeam | logo = Colobot logo.png | screenshot = | released = 2001 | latest_preview_version = 0.2.2 | latest_preview_date = {{release date and age|2024|12|23|df=yes}} | genre = Real-time strategy | operating_system = Linux, Windows | platform = Cross-platform | license = GPL-3.0-or-later | website = {{URL|colobot.info}} }} {{Portal|Computer programming|Free and open-source software|Video games}} thumb|300px|Screenshot of ''Colobot''. Left, game scene with two bots and one explorer. Right, the program editor to create the code which controls the bots. '''''Colobot''''' ('''''Colonize with Bots''''') is an educational, post-apocalyptic real-time strategy video game featuring 3D graphics, created by Swiss developer Epsitec SA. The objective of the game is to find a planet for colonization by the human race by establishing a basic infrastructure on the surface and eliminating any alien life forms endangering the expedition. The game takes place on the Earth, Moon, and seven fictional planets. The main feature of the game, which makes it educational, is the possibility for players to program their robots using a programming language similar to C++ or Java.
== Plot overview == Life on earth is threatened by a devastating cataclysm, forcing mankind to move out and search for a new home. A first expedition composed solely of robots was sent to find another habitable planet, but for unknown reasons, the mission was a disaster and never returned.
With only a few robots for companions, the player must travel to new planets. Houston, Earth Mission Control as well as a spy satellite will transmit valuable information to the player. The player needs to build the infrastructure necessary to gather raw materials, energy supplies, and produce the weapons necessary to defend themselves. By programming robots, the player can delegate tasks to them, allowing the player to continue their mission while their robots upkeep the base, fight off enemies, harvest materials, and perform any other tasks assigned to them.
===Missions=== thumb|Screenshot of colobot gameplay In the game, the player explores Earth, Moon and seven fictional planets.
{| class="wikitable" |- ! No. !! Level's name !! Object !! Characteristics |- | 1 || '''Leaving Earth''' || Earth || The planet where the game begins. |- | 2 || '''On the Moon''' || Moon || Where the previous expedition was last seen. |- | 3 || '''On Tropica''' || Tropica || Tropical planet. |- | 4 || '''On Crystalium''' || Crystalium || A low-temperature planet featuring crystals. |- | 5 || '''On Saari''' || Saari || Desert planet. |- | 6 || '''On Volcano''' || Volcano || Volcanic planet. |- | 7 || '''On Centuary''' || Centuary || Dry planet. |- | 8 || '''On Orpheon''' || Orpheon || Electric planet. |- | 9 || '''On Terranova''' || Terranova || Planet similar to Earth. |}
== Language overview == thumb|Bot in colobot The programming language used in {{em|Colobot}} is CBOT, syntactically similar to C++ and Java. Example code for a bot to find a piece of titanium ore and deliver it to a purification facility:
<syntaxhighlight lang="cpp"> extern void object::FetchTitanium() { object item; // declare variable item = radar(TitaniumOre); // find a piece of titanium ore goto(item.position); // go to the ore grab(); // pick up whatever is in front of the robot (presumably the ore) item = radar(Converter); // find the ore converter goto(item.position); // relocate to the converter drop(); // drop the piece of ore move(-2.5); // back up 2.5 meters to allow the converter to start processing the ore } </syntaxhighlight>
==Legacy== Epsitec released the games' source code in March 2012 under GNU GPL-3.0-or-later after being contacted by the Polish game enthusiast community PPC.<ref name="release">{{in lang|pl}} [http://www.colobot.cba.pl/news.php?readmore=19 Announcement on Polish Portal of Colobot] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807154006/http://www.colobot.cba.pl/news.php?readmore=19|date=2012-08-07}}</ref><ref name="opensource">[https://colobot.info/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/license.jpg License]</ref><ref name="opensource-updated">[https://colobot.info/license/ Updated license after PPC rebranded to ICC&TerranovaTeam]</ref>
ICC & TerranovaTeam (formerly PPC<ref>[http://www.facebook.com/colobotgame/photos/a.551708611518873.1073741825.434620166561052/788772024479196/?type=1&relevant_count=1 Rebranded Name for PPC]</ref>) was given the source code by Epsitec under the GPL-3.0-or-later license.<ref name="opensource"/><ref name="opensource-updated"/> TerranovaTeam is in the process of updating the game, titled {{em|Colobot: Gold Edition}}.<ref name="gold-readme">[https://github.com/colobot/colobot/blob/master/README.md#status Colobot: Gold Edition README]</ref>
== Similar games == ''CeeBot'', also made by Epsitec, is a similar series of games that spans four titles: * ''CeeBot-A'' – an expansion of ''Colobot's Exercises & Challenges''. * ''CeeBot-Teen'' – geared to and simplified for a younger audience and has basic programming exercises. * ''CeeBot3'' – a program-to-paint programming course that allows students to make drawings and animations. * ''CeeBot4'' – a major programming course for college students and audiences in the programming field.
== Reception == The game has been recommended by the Polish Ministry of National Education as a teaching aid for learning the basics of algorithms and object-oriented programming.<ref name="mne-rec">{{in lang|pl}} [http://www.srodki-dydaktyczne.men.gov.pl/www/main-5.php?distributor=201& Educational aids - site of Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Poland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216175737/http://www.srodki-dydaktyczne.men.gov.pl/www/main-5.php?distributor=201&|date=2008-02-16}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * [http://ceebot.com/colobot/ Epsitec Colobot webpage] * [https://colobot.info/ Colobot: Gold Edition website] - international Colobot community * {{moby game|id=/colobot|name=''Colobot''}}
Category:2001 video games Category:Open-source video games Category:Strategy video games Category:Programming games Category:Video games about robots Category:Windows-only games Category:Windows games Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code Category:Video games developed in Switzerland