Make Black Mesa Come Alive!

For this challenge, we're asking you to create a dynamic Half-Life map. Half-Life was at its best when the world was interactive. Characters responded to you; the world reacted to your actions. You could break stuff, move stuff, change things.

So, create a map or series of maps that are dynamic, interactive, responsive, atmospheric, and so forth. Draw us into the world. It's called Make Black Mesa Come Alive - but it doesn't have to be set in Black Mesa as long as it still 'feels' like Half-Life. So, we're looking for vanilla-ish maps.

Pre-disaster? Sure!
Post-disaster? You bet!
During disaster? Maybe the best of both worlds!

Single player will likely work best for this compo, but multiplayer maps are also allowed.

Custom content such as textures, models, sounds, and sprites is allowed - but not custom code (dlls). The submitted map must run on an unmodified copy of Steam Half-Life. You can submit in minimod format if you like (folder). Remember, vanilla-ish is the goal here so keep custom content in the Half-Life theme.

Think ahead and get your map playtested - early and often! Hit up the TWHL Discord server and you'll find folks willing to help and try out your map (#competition-lobby and #work-in-progress channels are the ones to visit).

Submissions

Entries close October 22nd, 2024.

Note: to submit an entry, make sure you're logged in to TWHL and the submission form will be visible below.

Post any questions, comments, or in-progress screenshots to the official forum thread, or hit the Discord!

Prizes

• First Prize: The one, the only Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar book from 2004 and now out of print (excellent condition).
• Second Prize: Valve Presents: The Sacrifice and Other Steam-Powered Stories book (excellent condition).
• Third Prize: $25 USD Steam Gift Card.

Credit

Special thanks to Hezus for the theme suggestion and donating Raising the Bar from his prize for the last TWHL Compo!

Header image from Half-Life: Echoes by MrGnang.