My new map, mppt_assam

Merkaba · February 2002

<div class="IPBDescription">Hive room shot.</div>Check out this exclusive picture for my upcoming map for the MPPT mod.

In advance I'd like to thank <a href="http://www.twinings.com" target="_blank">Twinings.com</a> for their invaluable sponsorship, as this MOD would never have come so far without their overwhelming support.

Here is a picture of the enemy hive room in its natural habitat. Squeamish people, look away now.

Greedo · February 2002

I think that the one thing you need to work on here is the lighting. It's just a bit too dark for the atmosphere we're going for in MPPT. Perhaps if you added some skylights. And a grandfather clock. That would just make this level so sweet.

mr_Nebel · February 2002

I agree with Greedo, you need to make the walls a much brighter texture, maybe a nice pastel blue or yellow, or green even since its the hive pots area.

MonsieurEvil · February 2002

WHAT ABOUT THE R_SPEEDS!?!?!?!?!

Merkaba · February 2002

Hmm, I guess you have a point - but I just can't help letting my dark side seep into my level design. I was stretching myself a bit just using that horribly contrasting table cloth, when there were a plethora of disturbing floral patterns I could have chosen. I decided to stay traditional, though, and I think the effect of its vibrance contrasting with the bleakness of the surrounding area helps immensily to draw the eye to the hive.

the_stalker · February 2002

hhhhmmm, r_speed!?!?

Merkaba · February 2002

165 wpolys, and only 674 epolys. It's amazing what our modellers can do with so little polys!

realityisdead · February 2002

I think a few Soda Machine prefabs would give this area some nice atmosphere... And yeah, it is a bit dark. Try removing a bit of the contrast... may I suggest "bounce 20" in HLRAD?

Yolmer · February 2002

It needs to be darker so that the evil little teaspoons have somewhere to hide.

Flayra · February 2002

OMG! "The Lost Mod" is finally brought to light! /me waves hands in a producer-like fashion.

Now for crits. You know they're needed. You've got that whole "light but dark" feel going pretty nicely here, but I think that using and env_gamma setting of perhaps 1.7 or so could really bring out the teapot's highlights as well as the drama of the whole scene. I just don't really feel like I'm there, or that I'm actually playing the hive-teapot. Remember, the hive-teapot isn't "evil", he's just another kitchen appliance in a strange environment, trying to survive.

Nice use of particle systems for the steam. People, learn from the master. He really knows how to make the teapot come alive, no?

Are those custom textures from your new kitchen.wad? Are you thinking of releasing them?

realityisdead · February 2002

For those of you who are unaware of the concept behind MPPT, <a href="http://www.natural-selection.org/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=10;t=676" target="_blank">this post</a> should get you set. This mod will blow your socks off.

Biomechanoid · February 2002

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

You guys are sick....
making someone laugh so hard they bust a gut
Just sick
LOL

<img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

It kinda reminds me of the scene from the box of "American McGee's Alice" with Alice and the madhatter having tea...

Comprox · February 2002

Hmmm, the teapot seems to be glowing, what kinda drink is in it? Must be some radioactive brew which it can steam on other people! (Did I just give away the secret attack?) Also, where are some chairs? I know the teams need breaks for tea sometimes!
Finally, I need the kicthen.wad, my new bedroom level needs a new texture for the cup on his desk, I just can't one that looks good! Please post it, thx!

realityisdead · February 2002

WE WANT CHAIRS! WE WANT CHAIRS!

I hate to say it, but the more I look at the shot, the more I realize that you are very lacking in the detail department... where's the silverware, the cups, the lace doilies, the placemats, the chairs, the cushions for the chairs, the rubber no-slip pads on the bottom of the legs of the chairs... I could go on forever.

Needs some improvement, Merks...

(Erm, I wonder what a newcomer to the board would think of this...)

pielemuis · February 2002

AAAGH the horror! What an evil looking teapot!
I nearly fainted when i saw it!

chalupamonk · February 2002

Simply stunning. Although, one suggestion. Could we spruce up the room a bit? We've GOT to get rid of that tablecloth, it's soooo yesterday. I think a nice frilly pink cloth cover would do the trick. And we have got to get some light in there. How about a little removision! Ha Ha Ha! Let's just add some windows, and, oh, some nice carpeting, and...well, wait.

No, carpeting is all wrong. We need some nice hardwood panelling. Oh, yes, that would be tres jolie.

Love your work, Merkaba. Ooh, it just makes me want to die!

<img src="http://chal.basicbee.com/spiffy/endimpers.gif" border="0">

Merkaba · February 2002

Just to show that I do actually listen to critisism and try to implement it into my mapping, I have come up with an improved version of this hive room, and I feel it has just the right mix of darkness and atmosphere which we are trying to get.

Had this been on the TF2 engine I would have been at libery to add cutlery and a toastrack...but hey, this is a 4 year old engine y'know, and we're breaking limits as it is!

Shuvit_Viper · February 2002

Now this is what i call really good mapping. I can already see the teapots mixing there teas to get new evolutions. Earl grey with green tea. <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Flayra · February 2002

I love what you've done Merks. As usual, you've outdone yourself.

The hive-teapot really feels integrated with the environment now. The bacterial substrate exuding from it's base (did you bake that into the texture or what?) really makes it feel like it's grown there.

The clock is a great touch but...why does it 5 of 6? That's not realistic at all. I mean, who has tea at that time? Oh wait...the aliens do?

I like the light_spot you've placed on the petunias, nice touch of drama. The lights along the right wall don't seem to be placed right. I mean, are they above the table or below it? What kind of settings did you use for your .rad file? Also, I think you need more chairs or else servers with too many players will have problems.

The caffeine indicator is placeholder, yeah? I mean, it's not bad but..there's a blatant spelling error in it. Design wise, that will make the teapots move faster, right?

Once again, brilliant use of the particles coming out of the teapot. I didn't even notice it at first, that's how subtle it is.

I think the HL skybox should really go though. I really don't want to see any HL artwork in MPPT, it just detracts from our custom feel. Can't you find a dingy British countryside or something? Speaking of which, where exactly is your map set? Backstory?

More more more!

realityisdead · February 2002

Huge improvement Merks, Keep it up! <img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Scythe · July 2002

Those flowers look absoutly stunning. You must have spent ages in 3dMax to turn those out. I am in love with that tartin tablecloth, much more 30s than mid-70s. The wood panneling on the side of that grandfather clock is a nice touch. I see a perfect Sniper Pot camping place on top of that cabnet next to the posies. That play of light coming though the window looks nice but I see that you haven't got shadows working in the Dakitana engine yet, I still have faith. I noticed that you have the tablecloth texture on the floor in the farthermost room, looks a tad out of place, unless you are going for a bit of a Alice In Wonderland look.

Looking nice overall, I hope to see some more screenshots soon!

--Scythe--
the_only_scythe@subdimension.com

Parse_Error · July 2002

I can't believe you actually resurrected this post!

coil · July 2002

You know I love your work, Merk, and I know you're WAY more talented than I'll ever be. But looking at this... I can't help but feel that an area rug would really add a *lot* of atmosphere in here. Maybe a hanging light fixture over the table? You're really close; I can't wait to see what you do with the pantry!

Sgt_X · July 2002

I was wondering where that guy who resurected the other post in off-topic found it, and i just told him resurecting old topics is a bad thing, now i know where he go the idea. Protect the inoccent and temporarly ignorant, don't res topics.

Battousaix · July 2002

bah..... resurrectin topics its not a bad thing....... its better than flooding the forums with new topics.......

My new map, mppt_assam

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