An old classic game: Covert Action!

[fbouthil]

A game I never get tired of playing is Covert Action! Every few years, I reopen it and play a couple of games. You had to decode messages, electronics to tap phone lines, car chases and sneak into buildings to find and arrest the suspects, prevent a crime and, most importantly, find the mastermind behind it all.

I saw a poll on the Firaxis site that asked which game people would like to see a remake. Covert Action has 1% of the votes, so I don't see why they would remake it.

I got VB recently and that gave me an idea: why not try to do a remake of it myself? The logic of the game is pretty simple and VB is handling most of the graphic parts. I am pretty sure I can do everything easily except the car chase and the sneaking into building, but I think I can make them with more time. I would need some help coming up with the crime chronologies and getting some faces and other graphics (to replace the VGA graphics). Would anyone be willing to help with that?

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Here is the third version. I had to split the zip file in 2 because of the 500K zip file limit of the forum. Here is what is working:

• Practise Crypto (takes a random message from a random plot)
• Practise Electronic
• Practise Specific Plot: For the moment, it only reads the plot file. Plots are in the "Plot" subfolder. You can create your own plots if you like.
• There is a "Music" subfolder with many subfolders inside, one for each type of activity. When doing an activity, it will play a random mp3 file in the corresponding folder if there are any.
• Practise Driving, except for the tracking.

The program requires Microsoft .NET Framework which is free. It probably requires DirectX also as I used a DirectX class to play the MP3 files.

You can download it from my website: Covert Action Remake for Windows

 

[Maniacal]

If it is done well, I am most concerned about the gameplay and controls, some of the best control of you character I have used was in Half-Life, I loved how I felt free when moving around. Also, replayability is big issue for me. And I would prefer the graphics being Half-Life or better. Sonuds neat, good luck!

EDIT: @Krupo: I don't think mentioning how he got the game is related to this thread.

 

[Krupo]

I wonder how fast before the mods swoop in and shut down this thread? Since I imagine they won't smile upon abandonware. Not that I care, I'm just wondering how strict the policies are around here.

Or is mentioning how you got the game not related to discussing the game itself?

 

[fbouthil]

Lol. I actually bought the original game when it came out, but it went into garbage when I cleaned up a few years later. I think I still have the instructions somewhere! Therefore, I don't mind saying where I downloaded afterward. On the other hand, for a game to be qualified as an abandonware, it must not be sold anymore. So, I don't think the game industry cares too much about them.

 

[Maniacal]

It is best to still stay away from discussion of abandoneware. Back ot the topic, anyone else interested in a remake of sorts?

 

[Krupo]

Wow, makes it sound like civfanatics is like operating under a Theocracy/Police State Civics Model by the sound of that comment. j/k Thunderfall.

I've never actually played the game, but it reminds me a bit of GTA, but from the SWAT side of things.

 

[fbouthil]

This is a 1990 game, if I am not mistaken, so it is nowhere near the complexity of GTA.

I have done most of the practise cryto, so I tought I could post the game to get feedback (see first post).

 

[fbouthil]

I did a second version of the game. Here is what it new:

• Crypto now shows a random message from a random plot from the plot folder.
• I started working on the structure to keep plots in memory as I needed it for the random message for Crypto.
• Electronic
• Plays a random mp3 file in the corresponding activity subfolders of the Music folder. I did not include mp3 files, but I suggest songs of one of the mission impossible movies.

I am going to work on car chases next.

If anyone wants to help, I will need furniture graphics from an almost top-down view (as per the original game). I will also need top-down views of Max and of Bodyguards. That will be for combat practise.

I expect I will also need suspect photos. It will probably be faces of about the size of a forum avatar. I have not decided on the details yet.

 

[teoleo]

where i can download the file?

 

[fbouthil]

The file is in the first post of this topic. I see 9 views so far, and no comments. I guess I will get comments once it is finished.

 

[teoleo]

is the first version of the game?

i can only decrypt the messages

 

[fbouthil]

Oups! I forgot to build the release version of the game and included the first version in the zip file. Sorry about that mistake.

I have replaced the zip file with the last version. I have started working on the practise driving but it is just a work in progress.

 

[teoleo]

you job is good.

Covert action is a GREAT game!

 

[Hy0gA]

Triggered by "24" series, I searched my old games to reminisce the feeling of hunting down criminals, finding evidence, breaking code, tapping bugs, etc.
And just today the urges comes again. Covert action is a game that I cant get rid off from my head. I searched the net, trying to find if there is a fan that have make Covert action remake. so i found this forum : )

Should you want to remake the game, just want u to know that I support you. Should you are more serious, try to make a site, and make a breakdown list of your plans to build this game fully.

So I'll wait for your progress Bro.

~J~

 

[fbouthil]

I have done the practise driving, except for the tracking. I should also put some sounds. I would like to know if it is too easy or too hard. I also increased the difficulty of the electronics.

Note that I just found out about the 500K limit for zip files on this forum. I am going to work on a website explaining what how the games work, what has been done, ideas for improvements, etc as suggested by Hy0gA. I guess it means I will have to find a free host on the web that accepts larger zip files.

I started looking for some background music that I can include for free and the smallest mp3 files that I found was about 2 megs. I wonder if I can find a place to host large files like that for free.

 

[Hy0gA]

Dear Fbouthil, great to see another progress, kudos.

Perhaps try to find a short loop soundtrack (30seconds - 1 minute), or compress the mp3 quality to 64kbps (radio quality). but your option is better; by letting the players put their own soundfile into specific directory is a great decision. Should you want to include original sound, I imagine the sound was like techno-espionage (e.g menu screen metal gear solid's bgm)

And by the way Fbouthil,
I'm having trouble to install microsoft net framework (or should i say too lazy to do it) due the great size of this program it self. IINM, 11 megs or so. (Hey I'm using dial up here). But I really want to play your game, could you find alternative way to make your game more universal to be played? such as using Game maker to do it? besides, when you have reached the final state, to make players have to install the microsoft net framework first is quite annoying.

About the crime chronologies that you need help; could you specify more what you really need?

things to considerate to improve rather just than remake:
1. on this century, we have PDA-GPS to locate body signature, instead using headset to hear foot step when we are breaking building. same effect though, but just to make it more hi tech in visual.
2. when breaking into building, make the lockpick as minigame. hacking building's camera surveilance would be a nice touch also.
3. dont make the room's furniture randomly decorated, its unlogical and weird. Also make the buildings have several floors, and add stairs/elevator to make it more realistic
4. more option for selecting cars AND bike to follow suspects. realistic traffic.
5. we dont use telegram anymore to get the players updated with what happened out there; sms at our pda is suffice.
6. name our character instead using the default max remington.
think, I'll think more....

keep up the good work
~Hy0gA~

 

[fbouthil]

Should you want to include original sound, I imagine the sound was like techno-espionage (e.g menu screen metal gear solid's bgm)

You read my mind. That is exactly what I put in those folders when I test it.

I'm having trouble to install microsoft net framework (or should i say too lazy to do it) due the great size of this program it self. IINM, 11 megs or so. (Hey I'm using dial up here). But I really want to play your game, could you find alternative way to make your game more universal to be played? such as using Game maker to do it? besides, when you have reached the final state, to make players have to install the microsoft net framework first is quite annoying.

Hum. I did not think about that. I guess I don't think about download time since I upgraded my dial connection to intermediate speed.

I think I better break another news to you: someone else tested it and the game crashed when he opened it. I think it is because I use DirectX to play the MP3 files. I am going to make a version of the game without the music so I can remove the link to the DirectX libraries. I checked on the Microsoft website and that is at least 20 megs of download.

I did not know about GameMaker before you talked about it, so I checked it out. They also require DirectX to be installed to work. I really don't like the idea of having to port the game, but it sounds like the practice combat would be easier to do with GameMaker than with VB.

1. on this century, we have PDA-GPS to locate body signature, instead using headset to hear foot step when we are breaking building. same effect though, but just to make it more hi tech in visual.

I did not know we could locate body signature like that although it reminds me a scene of the "Clear and Present Danger" movie when the look at terrorist camp from a satellite and they see their body heat. I will surely do that.

2. when breaking into building, make the lockpick as minigame. hacking building's camera surveilance would be a nice touch also.

I was already thinking about a small sudoku game when you try open a wall or floor safe. You would have to be careful keep an eye on the breaking into building window to make sure the guard do not surprise you when you do this.

3. dont make the room's furniture randomly decorated, its unlogical and weird. Also make the buildings have several floors, and add stairs/elevator to make it more realistic

Sounds like a good idea, but random furniture had the advantage of making every room unique, so combat would be slightly different every time you had a battle into one. With fixed rooms, it might be more repetitive. I think I will try both approaches to see what I prefer.

4. more option for selecting cars AND bike to follow suspects. realistic traffic.

What kind of options did you have in mind? I will add realistic traffic to my list of possible improvements.

5. we dont use telegram anymore to get the players updated with what happened out there; sms at our pda is suffice.

Telegram? I never thought the coded messages were telegram! I never thought about how the coded messages were sent (mail, e-mail, SMS, etc). Anyway, I don't see how it would affect gameplay, but maybe the look.

6. name our character instead using the default max remington.

That was already part of my plans.

Thanks for all those suggestions. I got many ideas of improvements, you will see them when my website is up. My best ideas:
1. Make the suspects move inside the house, maybe with bodyguards needing more than one hit to shot down.
2. Suspects really go to meetings and to the infraction sites. For example, if you are breaking into a building and it is time for the suspect to go to steal blueprints, he would go to a door and leave the building. Your assistant would then ask if she should follow him. Once you get out of the house, a car chase would start, but the second car would have a delay before starting that correspond to the time it took you to get out of the building. Once the suspect is at the site, you would have the option of breaking into that building to catch them in the act.

 

[Hy0gA]

I did not know about GameMaker before you talked about it, so I checked it out. They also require DirectX to be installed to work.

Wait fbouthil, dont you think directx is a common program?

I really don't like the idea of having to port the game, but it sounds like the practice combat would be easier to do with GameMaker than with VB.

true. not that i want to promote gamemaker, but creating a game by yourself is really difficult and took a lot of time if you have to build all the game from scratch, gamemaker is more like drag and drop, and insert some script if you need to (easy as pascal). besides, with gamemaker, you could share projects; like someone who create the combat, and you create the car chase, and he send his game to you, and you merge the game, voila.

I was already thinking about a small sudoku game when you try open a wall or floor safe. You would have to be careful keep an eye on the breaking into building window to make sure the guard do not surprise you when you do this.

or more simple one like; 2 digits (or more), and player try to guess the digits, and his safe crack device tell the player that first digit should higher(or lower), and second digit should lower (or higher), and keep going guessing till you get the right digit. (reference see : Megaman battle network)

or... by trying to rotate the safe combination until we hear "click" sound (by using doctor sthetoscopes) then reverse the rotation until we hear another "click" sound. well more primitive, but quite realistic.

or combination of those threes because there are so many types of safe locks

What kind of options did you have in mind? I will add realistic traffic to my list of possible improvements.

screenshot of GTA II. this would be perfect sample.
www.4gamer.net/patch/demo/gta2/006.jpg

Telegram? I never thought the coded messages were telegram! I never thought about how the coded messages were sent (mail, e-mail, SMS, etc). Anyway, I don't see how it would affect gameplay, but maybe the look.

not the coded messages, the incoming messages, like "CIA/London reports agent A has returned from spain".

1. Make the suspects move inside the house, maybe with bodyguards needing more than one hit to shot down.

agreed, but dont make the player have health bar or able to take hit more than three shots. I mean, we have to emphasize stealth, that way, player knows dealing with guards is difficult, especially when outnumbered. the default covert action make combats so easy that we dont have to bother to be found out

2. Suspects really go to meetings and to the infraction sites. For example, if you are breaking into a building and it is time for the suspect to go to steal blueprints, he would go to a door and leave the building. Your assistant would then ask if she should follow him. Once you get out of the house, a car chase would start, but the second car would have a delay before starting that correspond to the time it took you to get out of the building. Once the suspect is at the site, you would have the option of breaking into that building to catch them in the act.

good one

keep up the good work fbouthil.

~Hy0gA~

 

[Hy0gA]

background : foreign election, we will backing up social democrats
enemy will backing up liberation party.

Chronologies :

jan 01, ramon munoz (initiated plan) death squads/los angels sent message to gerard jones (organizer) mercenaries/nassau
"to achieve our goals it has become necessary to destroy the election comission HQ. we ask you to organize this operation. your assistance will be rewarded."

jan 01. gerard jones (organizer) mercenaries/nassau sent message to eduardo santiago (researcher) dignity bttn/kingston
"you are to acquire the floor plan blueprints of the election comission hq needed for our operation. deliver them to the bomb placement team."

jan 02. gerard jones (organizer) mercenaries/nassau sent message to enrique garcia (supplier) death squads/miami
"it is vital that you provide us with a large quantity of plastic explosive. deliver to our bomb expert as soon as possible."

jan 03. eduardo santiago (researcher) dignity bttn/kingston stole blueprints
eduardo santiago (researcher) now has the blueprints

jan 03. enrique garcia (supplier) death squads/miami bought explosives
enrique garcia (supplier) now has the explosives.

jan 04. gerard brown (bomber) mercenaries/kingston met with eduardo santiago (researcher) dignity bttn/kingston
"here are the blueprints for the election comission HQ. There appears to be at least one unguarded entry point. however, there is a sophisticated alarm system."
gerard brown (bomber) now has the blueprints

jan 04. eduardo santiago went into hiding. mission completed.

jan 04. jamie perez (bomb specialist) death squads/nassau met with enrique garcia (supplier) death squads/miami
"the alarm system at the election comission hq is a alpha model hughes protectomaster. I recommend an electronic detonator for this job."
jamie perez (bomb specialist) now has the explosives

jan 05. jamie perez (bomb specialist) death squads/nassau bought parts

jan 05. gerard brown (bomber) mercenaries/kingston met with jaime perez (bomb specialist) death squads/nassau
"I have completed this delayed action bomb. it should completely destroy the election comission HQ. be sure not to confuse the red and yellow wires."
gerard brown (bomber) now has the bomb.

jan 06. gerard brown (bomber) mercenaries/kingson
Boom!
gerard brown (bomber) now has the photographs

jan 06. enrique garcia went into hiding. mission completed.

jan06. gerard brown (bomber) mercenaries/kingston met with agent a (mastermind)
"dear mastermind. our operation went off like clockwork. you may now proceed with your nefarious plot."
agent a (mastermind) now has the photographs.

jan 07. jaime perez went into hiding. mission completed.

jan 07. agent a (mastermind) went into hiding mission completed.

jan 07. gerard brown went into hiding. mission completed.

jan 07. ramon munoz went into hiding. mission completed.

jan 07. gerard jones went into hiding. mission completed.

(item key used : blueprints, explosives, bomb, photographs)
3 double agents remained undetected within the CIA

(I try the global crisis difficulty, so we could see double agent within CIA involved. It is also included in scores that we have to search those double agent as well).

I'll try to get more chronologies. covert action has vast crime setting. fun to look at though. Hope this would give us some insight.

 

[fbouthil]

Wait fbouthil, dont you think directx is a common program?

Microsoft .net framework is also a common program. On another forum where I talked about my remake of the game, the guy had Microsoft .net framework, but not directX. I guess we cannot make everyone happy.

not that i want to promote gamemaker, but creating a game by yourself is really difficult and took a lot of time if you have to build all the game from scratch, gamemaker is more like drag and drop, and insert some script if you need to (easy as pascal). besides, with gamemaker, you could share projects; like someone who create the combat, and you create the car chase, and he send his game to you, and you merge the game, voila.

VB also works with drag and drop and it is as easy to merge projects. There is no way I could have done crypto, electronics and car chases in one month working only a few evening per week if I had to do every thing myself.

Interesting design for realistic traffic, but I still don't know what options you have in mind. I will have to completely redo the driving section to match that screenshot.

I mean, we have to emphasize stealth, that way, player knows dealing with guards is difficult, especially when outnumbered. the default covert action make combats so easy that we dont have to bother to be found out

Well, I guess I am not as good as you are. I find it difficult on the regional level, especially when going against mastermind. On the other hand, in many houses, you can put tons of traps near the doors, sound the alarm, hide, wait for the guards to spring a trap, search the guard, replace the traps, and continue like this until there is no guards. I am going to make the traps spring other traps that are close to it to prevent using that exploit.

I take a good note of everything else you wrote.