BZFlag is a free open-source online multiplayer tank combat game that was first released in 1993. The game play and graphics for BZFlag takes its inspiration from the classic arcade game Battlezone. Over the years BZFlag has become a popular online multiplayer game and still received regular updates. It can also be said that games such as World of Tanks and War Thunder have taken inspiration from both BZFlag and Battlezone! It is available for Windows PCs, Mac OS X, and Linux operating systems.
BZFlag is available for free download from the official BZFlag.org website. The main page features download links for all versions of the game. Once installed you’re free to run the game and start playing in multiplayer tank battles.
In BZFlag players control tanks from the first person point of view in a 3D game world or map. The primary objective in BZFlag is to destroy tanks on an opposing team. However the game is the game is not all multiplayer teams. The default game model is a free for all game mode pitting either 2 or 4 teams against each other. There is also an open free for all game mode which allows players to kill any tank on the game map, including tanks of their teammates.
In addition to the free for all game modes, BZFlag also includes a capture the flag mode where players attempt to pick up the opposing team’s flag and return it to their base. Yet still other game modes available in BZFlag include King of the Hill and Rabbit Chase. There are also many variants of the game modes such as a variant of capture the flag which includes bad flags, super flags on top of the standard team flags.
Currently there are 15 different multiplayer maps available for BZFlag. These maps vary in size with some supporting 2 team combat or 4 team combat. Other maps are for capture the flag, free for all or another game mode available. In addition to these maps BZFlag also includes a map editor that allows players to create and share their own maps. The official BZFlag website details everything you need to know about playing the game including a getting started section and a wiki that covers development, game play, installing and much more.