hunt

hunt [-fhmpsStvx] [-k kludge] [-l n] [-n name] [-p port] [-s speed] [-u n] [config-dir]

-f
    Fork into background (daemon mode)

-h
    Display help message and exit

-m
    Use medium-sized playfields

-p
    Use small-sized playfields

-s
    Slow link mode (reduced updates)

-S
    Server-only mode

-t
    Text/TTY graphics only

-v
    Verbose logging

-x
    Use X11 graphics (if available)

-k kludge
    Scorekeeping kludge factor

-l n
    List last n games

-n name
    Set player name

-p port
    Set UDP port number

-s speed
    Set link speed (e.g., 9600)

-u n
    Maximum number of users

Hunt is a classic multiplayer action game for Unix-like systems, including Linux, where players pilot flying saucers through a multi-level, randomly generated maze divided into stacked planes. Initially, players cooperate to map the maze by flying around and identifying walls, teleporters, and rooms. Once mapped, combat begins: players hunt each other using weapons like bombs, missiles, torpedoes, mines, and det-packs. The maze features monsters (e.g., vampires, twiddles), power-ups, and obstacles.

The game supports local and networked play, with multiple clients connecting to a central server. Display uses curses for terminal graphics (tty mode) or X11 if compiled with support. Controls are single-key inputs for movement, firing, and scanning planes. Scores are based on kills, survival, and exploration.

Hunt requires a shared configuration directory with maze templates, sound files (often disabled), and player databases. It's real-time, demanding quick reflexes and tactics. Ideal for LAN parties, but setup involves permissions and networking.

Not installed by default; requires 'hunt' or 'bsdgames' package. Needs shared config-dir with 777 permissions for multi-host play. Network-dependent; firewall UDP ports. High CPU on old hardware. No modern security (cleartext). X11 support varies by build.

Planes: stacked maze levels.
Weapons: bombs, missiles, torps, mines.
Monsters: gen, vampire, twiddle.
Scan to peek other planes; torque to rotate.

config-dir holds mazes/ (layouts), lib/ (sounds, images), score/ (stats). Create with hunt -m to generate.

Arrow keys or h,j,k,l: move.
f/b: forward/back plane.
Space: fire. ? : scan. q: quit.

Created in 1985 by Conrad C. Parker at the University of Adelaide, inspired by Jay Fenlason's 1980 'Hunt the Wumpus' and maze games. Became popular on BSD Unix systems in the 1980s-90s. Ported to Linux via bsdgames packages. Last major updates in 1990s; maintained sporadically.

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