Journals
Finally, after one year of development I've finally gotten Map2Prop to a state that I can call the first official release! 🥳
Especially the last week of development was tough. Been having what feels like might be another case of the covid. So many thanks to Kimilil for testing the release candidates and helping me add in a few extra useful and expected features, and for finding a bug that led me to discover a problem with the vertex sorting function I had not noticed before. 🙏
Many sincere thanks to everyone who has helped me out, given feedback, and made cool stuff with Map2Prop during the pre-release stage. I hope it continues to be helpful to you mappers out there!
This is of course not the end of its development. I still have more features on the todo list, and there's likely some pesky bugs still hiding out somewhere. I'm just finally able to call it a proper app and no longer a simple prototype.
Also, the Vault Item description needs to be updated, and so does the documentation site. Will have to take care of those in the weekend, I'm too tired for that tonight and I need to get some rest.
Again, thank you all.
Especially the last week of development was tough. Been having what feels like might be another case of the covid. So many thanks to Kimilil for testing the release candidates and helping me add in a few extra useful and expected features, and for finding a bug that led me to discover a problem with the vertex sorting function I had not noticed before. 🙏
Many sincere thanks to everyone who has helped me out, given feedback, and made cool stuff with Map2Prop during the pre-release stage. I hope it continues to be helpful to you mappers out there!
This is of course not the end of its development. I still have more features on the todo list, and there's likely some pesky bugs still hiding out somewhere. I'm just finally able to call it a proper app and no longer a simple prototype.
Also, the Vault Item description needs to be updated, and so does the documentation site. Will have to take care of those in the weekend, I'm too tired for that tonight and I need to get some rest.
Again, thank you all.
In order to escape from the hell that is medical bureaucracy, I'm making yet another attempt to return to level design. After deciding that all my passion projects are more ambitious than I can currently manage, I figured I'd start with something smaller, and I decided something with challenging puzzles would be a cool map.
Which raises the problem of puzzle design in Half-Life².
The campaign doesn't have that problem: people playing it for the first time are usually new to the game, so the challenge is figuring out what the puzzle actually is and learn the design language: blue barrels float, wooden beams can be broken, gas canisters can detonate, etc. A battery can be carried around to be plugged in.
For any sort of seasoned HL2 player, that's not a challenge. They know the usual puzzles and the design language, and most of the usual puzzles have become mere chores. Carry A to B, stack X on Y, put L under M to lift it up. The "bring A to B" is the most basic form of puzzle and usually results in copious backtracking and can make the player feel like an errand boy.
So what I want are three things:
Elaborate physics puzzles are one possible approach. Those either are too obvious ("a wooden beam supporting a precariously balanced ramp that I could blow up and walk down? how convenient!") or too elaborate ("what am I supposed to do, build a pulley?!").
Circuitry puzzles à la Portal seem more promising, but teaching the player an entirely new design language may take more time than a single map can accomplish.
Number locks are simply trial and error.
I keep thinking about it, but it's hard coming up with enough learnable, challenging, non-menial puzzles to fill a map.
Which raises the problem of puzzle design in Half-Life².
The campaign doesn't have that problem: people playing it for the first time are usually new to the game, so the challenge is figuring out what the puzzle actually is and learn the design language: blue barrels float, wooden beams can be broken, gas canisters can detonate, etc. A battery can be carried around to be plugged in.
For any sort of seasoned HL2 player, that's not a challenge. They know the usual puzzles and the design language, and most of the usual puzzles have become mere chores. Carry A to B, stack X on Y, put L under M to lift it up. The "bring A to B" is the most basic form of puzzle and usually results in copious backtracking and can make the player feel like an errand boy.
So what I want are three things:
- puzzles that are challenging, in that the solution has to be deduced by the player
- puzzles that aren't menial, in that the execution is trivial and doesn't amount to pointless labour
- puzzles that are learnable, in that players don't get frustrated and feel like they were set up to fail
Elaborate physics puzzles are one possible approach. Those either are too obvious ("a wooden beam supporting a precariously balanced ramp that I could blow up and walk down? how convenient!") or too elaborate ("what am I supposed to do, build a pulley?!").
Circuitry puzzles à la Portal seem more promising, but teaching the player an entirely new design language may take more time than a single map can accomplish.
Number locks are simply trial and error.
I keep thinking about it, but it's hard coming up with enough learnable, challenging, non-menial puzzles to fill a map.
Compelled by the discord's discourse, here's the periodic table of elements
And here's the periodic table of ElementsSrc™
I might have an undiagnosed acoustic problem.
Finally got enough money to build my new PC, with a brand new powerful GPU. I can, finally, run the latest version of blender without having to hear the fans go nuclear.
Screenshot
Screenshot
Hello everyone, I just wanted to inform you that the reason Pathos updates have been so dry and that I haven't been around, is that I've been dealing with health problems as of late. I had a gastrointestinal infection that, coupled with my autoimmune liver disease, has wrecked my health for the past 2 weeks. I've been mostly away due to not feeling well and needing to(slowly) heal. Once I am better I will be more active. Hope you are all doing fine, and I'll see you around.
That's another thing that's hard: limiting the space the player can move in. It's easy if the level is indoors, all corridors, like Nova Prospekt or the likes: just lock the doors. Nature's limit on level size.
But outdoors? It's hard to put impassable barriers anywhere without making the gameplay feel stilted, awkward, forced. Artificial.
You're in a part of the city where every exit has conveniently been blocked by collapsed buildings? That doesn't make sense, then how did you get in there, and how is Gordon gonna get out there once the screen fades to black?
Or put up traffic cones and riot barriers and cover them in toolsinvis? That's even worse. Gordon can shoot down helicopters, but a traffic cone is enough to stop him? Nah.
Separating the playable environment from the backdrop that's just there to liven up the scenery is pretty hard, at least in my experience. Guiding the player naturally, so they try to go down routes they can't as little as possible and can tell easily where they are supposed to be and where not is even harder. Campaign maps don't have this problem; each level transitions into the next, so the questions of entrance and exit are already answered, and having only the exit ramps blocked while the highway remains open is much more plausible than walling the player in on all sides. But standalone maps have to have a beginning and end that makes sense (at least that's what I want for mine), and that's tough.
I haven't really found a good answer for it yet. Entrances are easier than exits – just some drops that the player can't climb back up –, but it's something I struggle with immensely (and the way my brain works, I can't get to work on the rest of the map until I've solved that problem – it sucks, really).
But outdoors? It's hard to put impassable barriers anywhere without making the gameplay feel stilted, awkward, forced. Artificial.
You're in a part of the city where every exit has conveniently been blocked by collapsed buildings? That doesn't make sense, then how did you get in there, and how is Gordon gonna get out there once the screen fades to black?
Or put up traffic cones and riot barriers and cover them in toolsinvis? That's even worse. Gordon can shoot down helicopters, but a traffic cone is enough to stop him? Nah.
Separating the playable environment from the backdrop that's just there to liven up the scenery is pretty hard, at least in my experience. Guiding the player naturally, so they try to go down routes they can't as little as possible and can tell easily where they are supposed to be and where not is even harder. Campaign maps don't have this problem; each level transitions into the next, so the questions of entrance and exit are already answered, and having only the exit ramps blocked while the highway remains open is much more plausible than walling the player in on all sides. But standalone maps have to have a beginning and end that makes sense (at least that's what I want for mine), and that's tough.
I haven't really found a good answer for it yet. Entrances are easier than exits – just some drops that the player can't climb back up –, but it's something I struggle with immensely (and the way my brain works, I can't get to work on the rest of the map until I've solved that problem – it sucks, really).
it has new story, new charactors, betrayl, freindship, and death.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
class CObject
{
public:
void ExecuteDeb(int num)
{
printf("Printing! %i ", num);
}
};
class CObjectLinker
{
public:
CObject* objs;
int numObjs;
CObjectLinker(int num)
{
numObjs = num;
objs = new CObject[numObjs];
}
void StartExecute()
{
int number = numObjs;
keepExecuting(number);
}
void keepExecuting(int& curNum)
{
objs[curNum].ExecuteDeb(curNum);
curNum--;
if(curNum < 0)
return;
keepExecuting(curNum);
}
};
int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
CObjectLinker linker(4);
linker.StartExecute();
}
(Voluntary project so no payment)
Engine: GoldSrc (Half-Life)
Roles Needed: Programmer, Concept Artist, Level Designer (LD role full)
Hello and good day.
Lambda Team is working to revive the cancelled Hostile Takeover expansion as a mod. We aim to make it our own by taking the essence and adding our own ideas and creativity to make it unique and not just a copy.
It's a Singleplayer campaign, set in Half-Life's universe during the events of the second half of the Resonance Cascade, in another region separate from Black Mesa. The player steps into the shoes of a junior G-man and works to complete his assignment while accompanied by members of Team Fortress: Classic (not TF2).
The mod will include:
If you're interested, DM me in Discord @Chimz76 even if not meeting all requirements.
General Skill Requirements
Level Designer Skill Requirements:
Programmer Skill Requirements:
Concept Artist Skill Requirements:
Work in Progress
Work in Progress
Work in Progress
Work in Progress
Engine: GoldSrc (Half-Life)
Roles Needed: Programmer, Concept Artist, Level Designer (LD role full)
Hello and good day.
Lambda Team is working to revive the cancelled Hostile Takeover expansion as a mod. We aim to make it our own by taking the essence and adding our own ideas and creativity to make it unique and not just a copy.
It's a Singleplayer campaign, set in Half-Life's universe during the events of the second half of the Resonance Cascade, in another region separate from Black Mesa. The player steps into the shoes of a junior G-man and works to complete his assignment while accompanied by members of Team Fortress: Classic (not TF2).
The mod will include:
- New combat mechanics with new and original weapons, plus G-man "powers".
- New and original NPCs that change up gameplay.
- New locations.
If you're interested, DM me in Discord @Chimz76 even if not meeting all requirements.
General Skill Requirements
- Good team spirit and communication.
- Open to feedback and criticism.
Level Designer Skill Requirements:
- Familiar with Half-Life Level Editor tools.
- Familiar with Blockout/Grey Boxing and Fast Prototyping.
- At least one published Goldsource map.
- Familiar with concepts of Level Design.
Programmer Skill Requirements:
- Able to code NPC behaviors.
- Able to code weapons.
- Familiar with FGD development.
- Familiar with Half-Life Featureful SDK.
Concept Artist Skill Requirements:
- Able to work closely with designers.
- Able to paint pieces that can be read and used by modelers.
- Experience in painting weapons, creatures, characters.
- Experience in painting environments.
Some sneak peaks
Work in ProgressWork in ProgressWork in ProgressWork in ProgressIt's another revolution! Of Earth around the Sun...
Not much has happened in my life since last year. I'm continuously trying to come to terms with some emotional parts of my life and move on. Acceptance is the hardest thing in life. Taking care of your spirit, or soul, or whatever you want to call it (having a connection with something bigger than yourself) is harder than going to the gym. Constant negative news from the world, new wars, the war next door in Ukraine.... is sometimes taking a mental toll.
Yet, I find myself prepared better than ever to cultivate a positive outlook. Maybe life does get better in the 30s, who knows.
This year marks my first time I went snowboarding outside my country, and I visited the French Alps, specifically Les Trois Vallees! Here's a picture of me on one of the tops! I was constantly in awe at the landscapes. They're breathtaking! (especially at >3000m
)
Last year I've also exchanged my Hornet for a Tracer, and now I'm timidly planning a hypothetical trip to Italy on 2 wheels. But I'm not sure yet, I think I need to find some partners. I did a 1000km trip last year and apparently it's not as comfortable as a car trip, who knew :)). I have second thoughts about all this stuff. I dream of spending a summer with a girl in my father's countryside orchard.
On the gaming front, I have very little time to play new titles, especially single player ones. I mostly play some CS2 with a couple of regulars now and then, and recently I played a few matches of Helldivers 2. I'm only level 10, but I think this game is a bit overrated. During the Christmas break I played and finished Talos Principle 2. I heartily recommend it, but to be played in order (so Talos Principle 1 -> Talos 2).
On the cinematic side, I guess everybody saw Dune 2. Other than that, haven't seen many new films. Maybe I'm out of the loop but most of the Hollywood stuff, with few exceptions, seems like the same series milked to death, same universes... it's growing stale and tiring. So for some reason I'm shifting my attention to European cinema. Recently I've watched Close (2022) and it was heart breaking. It's a dramatic coming-of-age story, it kinda reminded of some lost friendships, lost childhood innocence and being carefree, and relationships without closure.
I've also started watching The Three Body Problem, I think it has potential.
On the books side I recommend "Scattered minds" by Gabor Mate and books by Carlo Rovelli (ex: "White Holes").
How's everyone doing?
Not much has happened in my life since last year. I'm continuously trying to come to terms with some emotional parts of my life and move on. Acceptance is the hardest thing in life. Taking care of your spirit, or soul, or whatever you want to call it (having a connection with something bigger than yourself) is harder than going to the gym. Constant negative news from the world, new wars, the war next door in Ukraine.... is sometimes taking a mental toll.
Yet, I find myself prepared better than ever to cultivate a positive outlook. Maybe life does get better in the 30s, who knows.
This year marks my first time I went snowboarding outside my country, and I visited the French Alps, specifically Les Trois Vallees! Here's a picture of me on one of the tops! I was constantly in awe at the landscapes. They're breathtaking! (especially at >3000m
)
On the gaming front, I have very little time to play new titles, especially single player ones. I mostly play some CS2 with a couple of regulars now and then, and recently I played a few matches of Helldivers 2. I'm only level 10, but I think this game is a bit overrated. During the Christmas break I played and finished Talos Principle 2. I heartily recommend it, but to be played in order (so Talos Principle 1 -> Talos 2).
On the cinematic side, I guess everybody saw Dune 2. Other than that, haven't seen many new films. Maybe I'm out of the loop but most of the Hollywood stuff, with few exceptions, seems like the same series milked to death, same universes... it's growing stale and tiring. So for some reason I'm shifting my attention to European cinema. Recently I've watched Close (2022) and it was heart breaking. It's a dramatic coming-of-age story, it kinda reminded of some lost friendships, lost childhood innocence and being carefree, and relationships without closure.
I've also started watching The Three Body Problem, I think it has potential.
On the books side I recommend "Scattered minds" by Gabor Mate and books by Carlo Rovelli (ex: "White Holes").
How's everyone doing?
Some might've noticed I've been absent on the Pathos Engine channel of the TWHL Discord. I've been dealing with some problems in life and for the sake of my sanity I need to take some time off from the project. Yes, again, and this time for a bit longer. If you have any burning issues, please e-mail me at doommusic666@hotmail.com or submit an issue on the Pathos repository. Until then, take care.
One of these days I was doing my yearly pilgrimage to the Hazard Course when, for no particular reason, I decided to examine the more overlooked corners of those maps. So I took the HEV suit, went into the next room, and noclipped up to the pipes along the ceiling.
That's when I found this lil' guy:
🐀 #1 - a rat patrols the ledge above the second hologram (t0a0)
I had never seen this rat before. I had never heard any mention of this rat before. Has it always been there?
After this earth-shattering discovery, I realized that, though I knew the Hazard Course was the only place in the game rats could be found, I did not know how many. So I decided it was time to take a rat census.
🐀 #2 - on the pipes before the jumping section (t0a0)
🐀 #4 - ditto
🐀 #3 - target range floor (t0a0b2)
🐀 #5 - ditto
#3, #4 and #5 eventually gather around the pipe and stay there forever
I looked on every nook and cranny I could think of, but didn't find any more, so for now, this should be the definitive answer: there are 5 rats in all of Half-Life.
Why did I do all of this? ...I don't know! I just think it's amazing how it's possible to keep learning new things about this game, even after you think you've seen everything. Now, what I want to know is: did YOU know about 🐀 #1?
That's when I found this lil' guy:
🐀 #1 - a rat patrols the ledge above the second hologram (t0a0)After this earth-shattering discovery, I realized that, though I knew the Hazard Course was the only place in the game rats could be found, I did not know how many. So I decided it was time to take a rat census.
🐀 #2 - on the pipes before the jumping section (t0a0)🐀 #4 - ditto🐀 #3 - target range floor (t0a0b2)🐀 #5 - ditto#3, #4 and #5 eventually gather around the pipe and stay there foreverWhy did I do all of this? ...I don't know! I just think it's amazing how it's possible to keep learning new things about this game, even after you think you've seen everything. Now, what I want to know is: did YOU know about 🐀 #1?