Minions
From CC Wiki
| English | Français | 日本語 |
| Minions | |
|---|---|
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| Code | Grrr |
| Graphics | Critters |
| Music | Somatone |
| Sound FX | Somatone |
| Current version | 1.20d |
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| Singleplayer | Older versions |
| Multiplayer | Yes |
| No. of players | 2 to 12 |
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Minions is a real-time online Flash game that is played by 2 to 12 players. In this game two teams drive small tank-like bots ('Minions'), working together to ultimately destroy the enemy team's base and win. There are eight different Minions, that can attack both using main weapons as well as with special attacks, unique to each Minion. It can be seen as a toned down, Flash version of Warcraft 3 game, Defense of the Ancients.
The game was created by Grrr and was released in 2008 after some months of beta testing. It currently is at version 1.20d. A bonus pack is available, offering more units and hosting options.
Contents |
Gameplay
There are two teams, red and blue. Each team comprises of different "Minions". Minions are small tank-like, fantasy-rich, robots that have eyes (Shouty wears sunglasses) and unique abilities. Every Minion differs in terms of speed, armor, health, attack, attack range and sight range. They also have three unique specials each that can be upgraded. For example the Splodge minion is really strong defense wise, but not a good attacker; the Shouty does lots of damage on the other hand and is capable of firing rockets and mortars, but has very bad armor and low health. At the beginning of the game each player chooses a Minion (unless this is done by the server, in specific modes). Careful choosing of compatible Minions as a team can help maximize the advantages of each whilst decreasing the disadvantages. Carefully balanced teams tend to perform better than unbalanced teams with an excess of one Minion.
After the Minions have been selected the game starts. It is viewed from top down and the game is two dimensional. On both the upper and lower part of the map a base tower of either team stands. When this is destroyed the game ends. Each team's Minions start next to this base tower. Minions move to each other by clicking on the place the player wants to go on the map. When within fire range the Minions start firing at each other. Being hit does damage and eventually kills the player, depending on the level of armor and the amount of health one has. A much used tactic is to work together with a teammate, outnumbering and thus killing the opponent. Apart from the base tower, there are four other towers for each team. These fire at enemies within range, but can be destroyed as well. So called mini-minions or "lowly minions" spawn as well. These are small creatures controlled by the computer. Whenever an enemy is in range they will start firing at it. Using towers or mini-minions to help attack the enemy can make a big difference; enough to kill the enemy without being killed. The last way of killing enemies is using the sheer damage ability of some Minions or using certain high damage specials. A Basher for example can kill a Dash when fighting one on one with ease. When a player dies, it turns into a ghost. This ghost is a smaller version of the Minion and begins next to the base. During this ghost mode the player can still move around -yet slower-, but can't fire. It will come to live after the respawn time is over which depends on player level.
Killing enemies helps in ultimately winning the game, thanks to the experience system. Every Minion starts at level 1, with each special at level 1. While alive, Minions get a certain amount of experience every second. When attacking an enemy minion, experience gain is doubled. When attacking a tower, experience gain is tripled. Attacking mini-minions doesn't give any extra experience. As experience is gained a bar is filled. Every time this bar is full a level is gained. Leveling improves the Minion's abilities by a small bit and gives an upgrade point. This upgrade point can be used to upgrade the specials of a Minion, up to 10. After being killed it takes a while to re-spawn, the duration being dependent on the player's level. During this respawn time, no experience is gained. If a team manages to kill the enemies more than being killed, they will eventually out-level the enemy. By then it becomes possible to kill the enemy base and win the game. In quick mode the experience gaining is sped up.
Scoring
At the end of the game, the score for each player is calculated. Using this score players are ranked. Sitewide points are awarded according to it (depending on factors such as player level as well). Player receive points for the following:
- 1 point for every 10 experience
- 20 points for every kill
- 10 point for every 20% damage to a tower
- 100 points for being on the winning team
History
- Main article: Minions Beta
Minions was not always the way it is currently. When Minions was beta tested around late 2008, things were much different. During the Minions Beta, not all of the current minions were there. Before there were 3 Minions, and 3 Tanks. The three Minions all looked the same, but acted slightly different. They were Speedy, Shifty, and Sneaky. The three tanks however, looked much different. They were Shouty, Splodge, and Pokey. Each Minion back then had 2 unique skills, and then the third was always a generic stat boost.
Then, much later, around when CC2 went live, Cutter and Dash were added into Minions. Cutter and Dash could be playable through the Minions Bonus pack, which costs CCs. Cutter and Dash can also be played in a mirror or a random game, in which you get them randomly for that game. During the first day or two since they were added Cutter had Blur instead of EMP.
Near the end of 2008, it was released, together with so-called CC2. It was a huge success immediately, far exceeding popularity of the other games.
On April Fools Day 2009, Minions was updated to what was ostensibly the final revision (1.20final), as the respawn system was changed, as you no longer waited and then respawned at your own base. Instead, after death, you would shrink into a ghost and have the freedom to move around and choose your respawn point. After the update there was chaos from complaints and anger, so it was later changed so ghosts start at their own base instead of where they died. In Minions 2, ghost respawning will most likely be an option.
Controls
Minions can be moved through mouseclicks only, but a keyboard can be used to do some things quicker. The special features can be activated by clicking the number associated with the feature on the keyboard. Feature upgrade can be effected by clicking SHIFT + 1, 2, or 3. By default the screen auto-follows the player's minion but by clicking on the mini-map focus changes to that area (setting back focus to the minion is done using the key X). Programs such as Minions+ can be used to change the controls.
Commands
Typing these commands in the chat will affect some settings.
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| /help | Show chat help (list of mute commands) |
| /mute all | Mute/unmute all players |
| /mute enemy | Mute/unmute the opposing team |
| /mute EXAMPLE | Mute/unmute user with nick "EXAMPLE" |
| /mute show | Show current mute settings |
| /clear | Clearing chat console |
Game Expansion
Minions is the first game on CC to have a game upgrade; the Minions Bonus Pack. Players can purchase this upgrade for 225 CC's, (around 2.25 US$, less if bought in bulks) The upgrade allows players to:
- Play as the Dash and Cutter Minions.
- Set the Connection Speed of the games they host to Pro, improving the game's responsiveness
- Create games with 12 players instead of the normal 10.
With the Gold Membership (100 CCs or around 1.00 US$) players can host Private games that only people on their friends list can join.
Minions Overview
The following table gives an overview of all Minions. By clicking on the link in the name more info can be found. The health/armor/damage/speed may not be correct throughout the whole game, since as the game proceeds some Minions become stronger relatively while others weaken.
| Name | Image | Health | Armor | Damage | Speed | Specials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basher | 
| Medium | Low | High | Medium |
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| Cutter
(called 'Shredder' for a short time) | 
| Medium | Medium | High | High |
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| Dash | 
| Low | Medium | High | High |
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| Doc | 
| Low | Medium | Low | High |
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| Shouty | 
| Low | None | High | Low |
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| Sneaky | 
| Low | High | Medium | Medium |
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| Splodge | 
| High | None | Low | Medium |
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| Stinger
(originally called Shocker) | 
| Low | Medium | Medium | Medium |
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