Source Mods You Should Care About: Jailbreak

The PC gaming world is forever changed now that Steam has been released for Mac. Thousands of new Mac gamers are getting their first taste of Source games. Perhaps you are one of these Mac gamers and you aren’t sure where to start with your new games. Or perhaps you’re interested in PC gaming and what to see what all the talk of modding is about. Not to worry, because I’m here to take a look at some of the most noteworthy Source mods out there and give advice for first time players so you can have the best experience possible.

There is no better place to start than the Source games. Counter Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2 have essentially established themselves as pillars of PC gaming. The beauty of the Source games is that they are as mod-friendly as a game could possibly be. But to many, the sheer number and complexity of these mods can be overwhelming at best. That is why I am here to explain what I consider the best mods available, whether they be mods inside a game (Deathrun for CSS, as an example), or a standalone mod (Empires Mod, it only requires that you own a source game).

Jailbreak is convenient in that all the files you need are downloaded from the server, you don’t need to go to any third party websites to get maps, skins, etc. Just look for any server with the name “Jailbreak” or the map type “ba,” and the required files will be auto-downloaded just like any map. An example server would be “Joe’s Jailbreak Server,” and the map type would be something like “ba_prison_break.”

Jailbreak is a mod for Counter Strike: Source that can only be described as a sick cross between Simon Says and the show Prison Break. The objective is simple: If you are a prisoner, kill all of the wardens; if you are a warden, kill the prisoners through specified mini-games. Teamwork is essential for Jailbreak. The ratio of prisoners to wardens is usually 2:1, on large servers it can even be 3:1, but there is a catch. The prisoners are only armed with knives, while the wardens are armed with assault and sniper rifles. Therefore, if you don’t follow the wardens orders, you’ll be shot. There is always a “head warden” who gives the orders. If he is killed, someone else can take head warden.

To the wardens, your life is worthless. They’ll shoot you without hesitation. Likewise, prisoners are always looking for an opening to kill a warden, even if it means dying themselves. It’s a war of attrition for the wardens: if every prisoner kills a warden before dying, the prisoners will win every time.

In order to thin out the prisoners to a manageable size, the wardens will play mini-games. An example would go like this: “I’m going to play a game of trivia. The first prisoner to type the answer in the chat gets to pick 5 other prisoners to die.”

And so the warden not only eliminates 5 prisoners, but he forces the prisoner who won to look the other prisoners in the eye and essentially pronounce a death sentence on them. It’s an effective tool for both thinning the numbers and damaging trust between prisoners.

Wardens can play any number of mini-games with prisoners. Many maps have “Playgrounds” built in, where map-specific mini-games can be played. One example is dodgeball, where a giant cannon shoots metal balls into a crowd of prisoners, and they have to dodge them until the wardens declare the game over. Most mini-games are self explanatory, and it is a common server rule that all orders from wardens are to be given in a clear, concise manner.

If the prisoners fail to overthrow the wardens, and only one prisoner is left, he gets a “last request,” which allows him to force the wardens to play a mini-game in a last ditch attempt to win the game for the prisoners.

Your New Toilet Buddy

Wardens have a responsibility in Jailbreak. They can’t just shoot prisoners without restraint. Prisoners can only be shot under 2 conditions: They lost in a mini-game, or they are rebelling. “Rebelling” can consist of not following orders, attacking a warden, or detouring/delaying the completion of an objective.

There is a constant struggle between prisoners and wardens. The prisoners are always looking for a way to take control of the prison while simultaneously protecting their own life, while the wardens are trying to contain a group of blood-thirsty prisoners twice their size. Many maps have hidden items for the prisoners, like guns in toilets or air vents that lead to the armory. All it takes is one prisoner with a crack shot to kill a few wardens. Once that happens, the entire group of prisoners could go into a full on riot, which usually means game over for the wardens.

There is another aspect to Jailbreak, however. That aspect is the personality of various wardens and prisoners. Both wardens and prisoners can essentially be broken up into three groups.

Wardens:

Officer Hardass – This guy is serious business. He most likely wears a police costume he bought at party city while playing, and drinks coffee from his “#1 Warden” mug while giving orders. You’re going to play trivia all round every round with this guy. He is usually the target of the more skilled prisoners, simply because no one likes an Office Hardass. Don’t be this guy. I’ve done many a stupid thing just to get a chance to kill wardens like this.

Officer Average – The best kind of warden. He knows when to have fun, and when to crack down. He gives “Free Days” occasionally, which means the prisoners can go wherever and do whatever. He has a good personality, and everyone is happy, including prisoners. Understands that it is a game, and being serious about it is pointless. Orders a variety of mini-games to keep things from becoming stale. Probably doesn’t live in a basement. Always strive to be this person.

Officer Mouthbreather – Doesn’t know what he is doing in the slightest. He gives Free Days too often, even the other wardens won’t listen to him. The prison descends into chaos every round, and prisoners will often kill him, and then stop rebelling for the sole reason of wanting a better warden. Other wardens will put out a “bounty” on this man, promising special treatment to any prisoner who can kill him. Do not be this person.

Prisoners:

Johnny Brownnoser – Follows every order with a “Yes Sir” or “No Sir.” Would never consider rebelling, and puts emoticons in the chat whenever the warden talks to him. Absolutely worthless, snitches on other prisoners who are hiding, gives any hidden weapons to wardens instead of using them. Do not be this person. You will get flamed by the rest of the prisoners, and targeted if you ever switch to warden.

Johnny Indecisive – Just an average prisoner. Rebels when it’s convenient, follows orders when it’s convenient. Not really interested in working with teammates. Certainly not as obnoxious as Johnny Brownnoser, but not the most useful for taking over the prison. Try not to be this person, but being Johnny Indecisive is the first step to becoming Johnny CutNStab.

Johnny CutNStab – Seasoned veteran of Jailbreak. Pulls off kills no one would ever think of doing. Rebels every round all round. Works with teammates to coordinate synchronized attacks on several wardens at once. Passes out extra weapons to teammates to ensure as many prisoners are armed as possible. Informs teammates who are hiding of approaching wardens. Just one Johnny CutNStab can inspire the whole prisoner team to rebel. Always strive to be this person.

Old School Jailbreak

Jailbreak has a simple objective with a very complicated set of rules and jargon that go along with it. The best way to learn is to jump head first and start playing. Playing as a prisoner is the best way to learn how, since playing as a warden carries more responsibility with it. Here is some important terms to learn before playing:

Shift Walk – Hold the Shift key while walking. This is to prevent a mob of prisoners running around. It is easier to control walking prisoners than running prisoners.
Crouch Walk - Hold the Ctrl key while walking. This causes you to crouch while walking. Same principle as Shift Walk
Free Day - Prisoners can go anywhere and do anything, except for attacking wardens and going to “Auto-Want” areas.
Zombie Free Day - Same as a Free Day, except prisoners must hold the Shift Key at all times, and they cannot use doors or ladders.
Trivia - The warden types a question into chat, and the first prisoner to type the answer gets wins.
Hot Lava - You have to climb any various obstacle course, and if you fall down at any time you are shot.
Cold Lava - You have to climb any various obstacle course, but you aren’t killed if you fall down and can restart.
Last Request - Request a prisoner gets if they are the last prisoner left. Most Last Requests consist of making the wardens play Trivia, Hot Lava, etc.
Auto-want - Areas that are always off limits to prisoners without exceptions. These include any air vents, and the armory. These are off limits on Free Days as well.
Free Kill - When a prisoner is killed improperly i.e. the warden has terrible aim and kills not only a prisoner but the prisoner standing next to him.

Hopefully this has helped you get a preliminary grasp on Jailbreak. It’s a complicated mod, but it only takes an hour or so to get a good grasp on things, and the mod is insanely fun when you have a great group of players. I play Jailbreak pretty regularly, so if you want to ask me any questions personally, my Steam ID is Aaron4949.