• Shadowcaster

{{refimprove|date=March 2008}}
{{for|the Dungeons & Dragons character class|Shadowcaster (Dungeons & Dragons)}}
{{Infobox VG
|title=Shadowcaster
|image= [[Image:Shadowcastercover.jpg|250px]]

|caption= 
|developer=[[Raven Software]]
|publisher=[[Origin Systems]]
|distributor= 
|designer=[[Brian Raffel]], [[Steve Raffel]]
|series= 
|engine=Shadowcaster engine
|version= 
|released=1993
|genre=[[first-person shooter]]{{-}}[[action-adventure game]]{{-}}[[computer role playing game]]
|modes=single player
|ratings=[[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Teen (T)<ref name="ravensoft.com"> {{cite web|url=http://www.ravensoft.com/gamesdetail.aspx?xmmid=624&xmid=4&xmview=2|title=Shadowcaster at Ravensoft.com|accessdate=2009-07-02|work=|publisher=[[Raven Software]]}}</ref>
|platforms= [[DOS]]
|media=floppy disc, CD-ROM
|requirements=
|input=keyboard, mouse
}}
'''''Shadowcaster''''' is a [[first-person shooter]]/[[computer role-playing game|role-playing]] [[computer game]] from 1993 developed by [[Raven Software]].<ref name="ravensoft.com"/> It was released by [[Origin Systems]]<ref name="ravensoft.com"/> after [[Electronic Arts]] acquired them.

The player takes the role of Kirt, a human with powers of shapeshifting. Among other forms, Kirt can become a huge cat-like animal, a floating tentacle-wielding gazer, and a dragon. In the beginning of the game Kirt finds out that he is not in fact human, but comes from a parallel world where there was a war raging between shapeshifters for centuries. Kirt, and his grandfather, are the last of their kind, and now the evil ones have found them. Kirt's grandfather opens a portal back to the homeworld, and that is where the story begins. Kirt's mission is to stop the demons once and for all, but first he will need to awaken his innate shapeshifting powers, which is where the obelisks come into play. Going up to one of these and touching it will unlock a new form, and the first is the cat form. Few [[video game]]s have made the concept of shapechanging the center of their gameplay, [[Kameo: Elements of Power]] is a rare example of a modern game based on this concept.

The main character of Kirt was based on the name of the game's software developer, Kurt Schallitz, and included his brown leather jacket. The face of Kirt is actually that of Raven software's owner Brian Raffel.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}

==Forms==
'''Kirt''' - The default character. All abilities are weak, but has some fighting skill and is the only form in which magic rejuvenates. Health also rejuvenates but slower than magic does.

'''Maorin''' - The first form the character collects, and the most useful early in the game. Maorin is a large four-armed cat like creature with superior fighting skills and the ability to see things invisible to others. It drowns quickly however.

'''Caun''' - A [[leprechaun]] like creature who is a poor fighter, but can heal quickly, jump over obstacles, fit in smaller spaces and unleash a swarm of insects (needed to unlock a particular door). Also has a shield spell and a light spell, and can magically reach out and take objects which are far away.

'''Opsis''' - A hovering eye with tentacles that can use spells effectively, such as fireballs and cold blasts. Moves very slowly in the air.

'''Kahpa''' - A decent fighter that can breathe underwater. Has a sonic and an electrical attack. Both are supposed to be extra powerful in water.

'''Ssair''' - A hovering dragon with no legs with better attack (but weaker defense) than the Maorin. Can breathe fire and use its tail as a weapon. Very fast flier.

'''Grost''' - A man made of stone that is an excellent fighter with strong defense that can also punch through certain walls. Can cause earthquakes and paralyse his foes with a mere touch.

==Technology==
The Shadowcaster [[game engine]], a successor of the ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' and a predecessor of the ''[[Doom (video game)|Doom]]'' technology<ref name="ravensoft.com"/>, was written by [[id Software]]'s [[John Carmack]] and licensed to [[Raven Software]].<ref name="mastersofdoom">{{cite book|author=Kushner, David|authorlink=David Kushner|title=[[Masters of Doom]]|edition=paperback|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|year=2004|pages=119–122|isbn=0-8129-7215-5}}</ref> Carmack wrote the Shadowcaster 3D engine during his technology research after id completed ''Wolfenstein 3D''.<ref name="mastersofdoom"/><ref> {{cite web|url=http://5years.doomworld.com/interviews/johnromero/|title=5 Years of Doom: John Romero Interview|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=doomworld.com }}</ref> The engine features diminished lighting, [[texture mapping|texture mapped]] floors and ceilings, walls with variable heights and sloped floors.<ref name="mastersofdoom"/> The engine was "about half as fast as that of ''Wolfenstein''"<ref name="mastersofdoom"/> but fit the exploration of Shadowcaster rather than the fast paced action of ''Doom''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ravensoft.com/gamesdetail.aspx?xmmid=624&xmid=4&xmview=2 Official website]
* {{moby game|id=/shadowcaster|name=''Shadowcaster''}}

[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:DOS/4GW games]]
[[Category:Wolfenstein 3D engine games]]
[[Category:Doom (franchise)]]

{{shooter-videogame-stub}}
{{Raven Software}}

[[de:Shadowcaster]]
[[it:Shadowcaster]]
[[sv:Shadowcaster]]