A Suggestion For Mappers
Ganja
Join Date: 2002-11-26 Member: 10038Members
Join Date: 2002-11-26 Member: 10038Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Feel free to do this</div> K, I see all these maps and all but what I see is all marine based environments, how far are the marines gonna get with this??? The marines have to advance on the aliens to win the war between them, lets get some alien style environments, maybe have alien teleporters from one location to the next and some environments that have heavy need for flying units, get some infestation up a wall that you can climb up etc, use your imagination, these are the aliens, chaos, no order, you may do as you wish!
Comments
I like the idea very much so <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo--> If anyone does this though, then be sure to ask permission from the guy whose map you're thinking of alienising.
One side note though; for it to become official, then you will probably need to steer clear of extremely 'odd' alien artefacts. While we don't like to seem like fascists, the dev team likes to have a large amount of control over what gets released, and anything too out of sync with our view on how NS should be will be sent back to the author and he will be told what needs to be done to make it acceptable. On the other hand, if an idea is good and fits well within the NS universe, then we await it with open arms! (I must admit, I'm using 'we' here a bit too much, considering I'm mostly speaking for myself. I am pretty sure that 'we' the development team feel this way too, though!)
But anyway; as always - gameplay first; so if your map plays extremely well but doesn't fit very well with NS, we'll do our best to urge you to modify it so suit the game. This is, of course, only if you WANT it to become official <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Erm...lecture over!
Since I have never done mapping before could the map start with the marines starting the game as if a distress beacon had been used and give them a TF, CC, siege, & 2-3 turrets to begin the game? This could help offset the alien pre-parasite advantage. It would also add a bit of back-story if the aliens started with 2 hives and the 2nd hive were in the actual room that the marines start in but with depleted health and the siege hit it 2-3 times to take it down.
Like I said, never done this before, don't know it it is possible but might be interesting and make the alien starting .wav of "Cleanse the intruders" make more sense <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
Anyways, I believe its impossible to start a map with buildings (or weapons) in it right now. Might be something to ask for in the pinned topic "Requested fgd/mapping changes for next version".
Also, I wouldn't suggest simply copying a map and alienizing it, but lopping out old vents/corridors and throwing in some new areas that are accessible via broken walls, floors etc. And throw in big heaps of gunk, to raise and cover the old floor in areas. Otherwise the map will simply be a copy of caged, bast (or TANITH).
Yeah, Tanith would work really well with this idea too.
Also, make sure the original author gives you permission to modify the map... maybe they'll be nice enough to give you the RMF!
Definately would have to have alien damage in it like you said. Vents/floors that give way as you run through them due to the destruction caused by the creep.
Along these lines.... Is there any reason why none of the maps are indoor/outdoor?
I mean if getting your map in there is what you want to do then thats great too but don't let it limit your imagination people, look at all the custom maps on other mods that are great and often played, have the aliens take over a school or something(which i am seriously considering making into a map of my own, I got a sketch and i;ve done a couple tutorials already)
Long story short live long and make lots of maps!
Theres always the future and they're not likely to stick 100's if maps in the official maps list
Generally, most people like to see genuine NS maps in these forums, ones applicable for official inclusion.
Heh, just imagining getting the RMF to one of the official maps would be...well, really cool.
(actually, Flayra is, but <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->)
read that post <a href='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=17745' target='_blank'>HERE</a>
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You should focus more on getting better bandwidth than trying to get everyone else to keep supporting 56k when majority are using cable, DSL or better (http://valve.speakeasy.net/). <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
But, I do agree that it's unnecessary to keep distributing redudant files. Although, with this old version of the HL engine, there's really no improved support alternative. Mappers have 3 choices:
1) Get their map and resources added to the NS client distribution.
2) Wad include with their map (larger bsp size, but everything included in 1 file).
3) Seperate files which go into seperate directories.
A custom map that uses specific files can't guarantee that everyone will have the files already. So, they'll have to distribute the map with the files that may be redundant for other maps as well. This is just a small price to pay though. If you like the free game update, you'll either:
1) Get better bandwidth (c'mon it's 2003; no more excuses)
2) Download it overnight.
3) Stop playing NS.
extra phone line: 20
aol 56k connection: 25
20 + 25 = 45
.................................
AT&T broadband Connection: 45
45 + 0 = 45
Its no longer really marine area but its not outdoor either
FYI I'm in the same position as Oueddy babs: Broadband is simply <i>not an option</i> currently as it isn't available in my area (and probably won't be for months or maybe even years to come...) In the meantime I, (like the majority of internet users,) would prefer to use my 56k connection without being constantly patronised and/or insulted about it, thank-you-very-much. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->
Its no longer really marine area but its not outdoor either<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The cave theme is a nice one. Hence, my first map, ns_mole is currently designed as a TSA Underground Mining facility which features ~80% mine shaft tunnels.
I also have another 2 maps in design:
1) TSA Intelligence/Scientific Research Station
2) TSA Frontal Assualt against an existing Alien fortification (aliens will probably start out with 2 hives while most of the resource nodes will be close to the marine start - strategic landing zone for the TSA)
But, I must finish ns_mole first. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
One advantage to using sprites and models is that their re-use probably shrinks down the overall map distribution size. So, these should be encouraged more.
On another note, I've seen some TFC and even CS maps go over 10mb before. And this is just on the .bsp alone. So, it would be nice to stop hearing 56kers whine about having to wait longer for a file download. It's only natural that as the years progress, so do the file sizes. If you don't want consistently large downloads, stick with HLDM or TFC. Maybe NS is too much for you?
Anyway, I think you get my point. I'm not here to bash 56k users. I'm just tired of hearing them continually whine even though their a very minority group of users today.
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Sorry, no can do, YOU come to where I live and try to get anything bigger then a 26.4 modem.
Won't happen. (western Colorado BTW)
But, I still play NS, and I d/l the patches/maps here at work.