Forum posts

I took the plunge and bought Mass Effect Andromeda on the cheap and... I gotta say, don't believe everything you read on the Internet. This game simply doesn't deserve all the flak that it's been getting.

It's by no means amazing and I am playing the patch 1.08 version, but seriously. I wouldn't have paid full price for it simply because EA Games, but for £23.99 this really isn't a bad game.

Rough around the edges maybe, but not BAD

I rolled a dice.

1/2 = A
3/4 = B
5/6 = C

And the winner is... 5. So C.

---

Flipping the circuit breaker on a fusebox, there’s a faint hum and the lights click on one by one, illuminating the dank, concrete hallway in front of you. Your footsteps echo around you as you both trudge towards a steel door at the far end.

“So, what’s McKenzie’s problem?” Davis finally asks, adjusting a security helmet that appears two sizes too large for his head. You shrug in response as you reach the door. The racket on the other side is immense. Turning the handle, the door slowly creaks open. A series of pipes snake in and out of the walls, ceiling and floor, some leading into large machines. The two of you make your way across the room to another steel door. You turn the handle but the door doesn’t shift. You look to Davis who simply shrugs, and then brace your shoulder against the door. With a firm shove it swings open, out into the cold, dark depths of the transit system tunnels.

The transit system is Immense in size. Even after a couple of years at Black Mesa, you still struggle to comprehend the sheer scale of the place; Concrete walls that fall away into the seemingly endless dark below you. You step out onto the grated metal walkway, recalling how McKenzie would often tell new recruits that these pits were actually bottomless. Although dimly lit, you can see the walkway goes for about 100 metres, until reaching a ladder that heads up to the station platform above you, as well as the stationary tram you had been sent to fix. The rushing wind catches the door and slams it behind you. You give it no thought and you take a few steps, until you look around and realise that you are alone, with no sign of Davis anywhere. You turn back and reach for the handle on the door, which starts to jostle frantically. You grab the handle yourself and pull with all your strength, but the door doesn’t budge. You can just about hear the muffled sound of Davis’ voice on the other site, combined with his feeble attempts at shoving the door in same manner as you had.

“Excuse me?” a voice calls from above you. You look up to see a scientist leaning out of the rear window of the tram car. “Are you planning on doing any work today? Some of us have places to be.”

You mean to respond when suddenly you feel the grated walkway rattle beneath your feet, accompanied by a deep rumbling noise from somewhere further down the transit line. You grab the handrail to steady yourself, and it passes. Regaining your footing, you look one more time to the door, and then back to the tram suspended above you.
A) Stay down here and attempt to free up the door to get Davis out
B) Climb up to the platform and deal with the tram on your own

I find in those games the tension just builds and builds to the point where you cannot stand it any longer.

Then you get your head blown off and you straight up shit your pants.

Still somehow enjoyable, if not a little bit of a pain in terms of the cost of replacing underwear all the time.

I've been using ezquake

Word of advise: If you load a saved game and cannot shoot your weapons, open and close the console...

I kept closing the game and relaunching for a while. If I hadn't done that through Friday and Saturday, I might have finished by now.

@Admer456: I once made it my personal mission to get Pvt. Elder through Brecourt alive.

His health went into the red, but he lived to the end of the mission! Success!

However, he is just a generic grunt on the field at that point of the story, so he got swapped out for another random dude in the following mission.

ANYWHO, my weekend consisted of me buying Quake on steam and playing through the whole thing. Well, as far as E4M5 - Hell's Atrium. So I'm in the final stretch!

I also played Torchlight 2 with a couple of mates. Pretty good fun, and despite it having a cartoony style it gets pretty gorey and has very very dark lore in places.

I believe Rufee is the one who arranged those previously. Not really a 'collaboration' thing as that is regarding mapping specifically, but I don't doubt that there will be more in the future. They usually take place around Christmas.

Yeah, this could be a while off yet. Given the amount of interest, I'm hoping not too much longer.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll keep you posted.

Instead of TWHL World/Tower, it could be TWHL Mod. Adding new weapons/enemies would take collaboration not only from coders, but also modellers or 2D artists (sprite based weapons!), so whole HL1 modding community would be involved.

TWHL Mod would be interesting to take part in, but I may try with just mapping and strict rules as well.

This was an idea I had a while back too, but it takes a lot more organisation. TWHL Tower was just a map pack and that took over a year to complete and release!

Don't get too excited just yet, I'm just gathering information here.

After the success of TWHL Tower (both the development and reception from players) I've often thought about opening up another TWHL collab project. As most of you likely know, I am strictly a GoldSource mapper only at this point, so if I were to open up another project it would be for HL1.

I am just curious as to whether there are enough members who would be interested in participating.

---

In addition, TWHL Tower had a series of strict rules in terms of the amount of space used. I would like for future collabs to have similar limitations. Not necessarily in terms of space available, but specific themes or gameplay styles. On the one hand this does limit you in terms of freedom, but I think it also helps to keep some degree of focus, preventing you from getting carried away.

---

So that's all. Just looking to see if A) people are likely to participate in future projects and B) people are good with strict limitations/rules

Once I am done with my main project, depending on the response here, I might look into starting something up.

Thanks guys!

Playing around with stock Half-Life content, trying to make something that resembles the original game.Some of you may have seen this on Twitter already.

Gives me an idea for the next TWHL collaboration, should I ever start one.

Apply some logic to that situation Vodka. If you can see the interior through the skybox then what should you actually be seeing there? The exterior wall.

It's not a bug. It's poor planning.

Nice try... but no

Two a piece. Any more votes or it if going to go to a random pick?

Bottom line, make what you like, but this... One of two things is happening here.

1. You're attempting to accurately recreate the layout of the Columbine high school. Would be a little bit of an odd choice, but since your blog site has already stated that's not what you're going for...

2. You're sticking the name 'Columbine' on a generic school themed map in a poor attempt to be "edgy." In the early 2000s then it might have been but in 2017? To borrow from Yahtzee Crowshaw's list of similes: "It's about as edgy as a spherical cake in the middle of something."

That's been suggested before Rufee, with previous stories. Never happened as far as I'm aware.

After tightening your belt and double knotting your boots, you check yourself over in the mirror set in the closet door. There are another three sharp raps on your door and the sound of a muffled voice coming from the other side. You approach it, picking up your ID badge as you pass the bedside table and clipping it into place. You punch in the combination to unlock your door and it slides open.

A blast of hot air hits you, the eastern hallway of the topside dormitories getting the full brunt of the morning sun. Standing outside your door, sweat already beading on his forehead, is your neighbor and fellow security officer, McKenzie. An older member of the team, his dark brown hair is beginning to grey at the sides, his gaunt, angular face adorned with a couple days worth of stubble. He meets your gaze with his steel grey eyes as he taps his watch, “Two minutes to eight, Carlisle. Keep trying and you might just miss the tram one day.”

You step out into the corridor, squinting your eyes as they adjust to the brightness, and keying in the combination again to lock your quarters. You give a nod to McKenzie and you both start walking to the exit.

Stepping out onto the tram platform, McKenzie grabs a copy of the Mesa Times as he passes a magazine rack. The automatic doors seal behind you just as the 08:00 tram trundles around the corner towards the platform.

You sit opposite one another in the central bay, a couple other guards and a maintenance worker shuffle in and take their seats, clutching coffee cups and magazines. The tram shudders as it prepares to leave, the sound of gears whir as the door slides shut. For a moment, nothing seems to happen. McKenzie looks up from his paper, glances to a couple of the other passengers, before the tram lurches forwards violently and begins to move.

“Piece of junk,” one of the guards groans, tapping the maintenance worker on the shoulder, “What do you guys even do all day? You sure as shit don’t fix anything around here.”

The worker doesn’t look up from his magazine, simply extending a middle finger over his shoulder

---

The air begins to feel stale and grows considerably colder as the tram descends into the depths of the facility. The warm glow of the sun replaced by cool blue from the fluorescent lights, the sound of birds and the gentle breeze replaced by humming air ducts and droning machinery. McKenzie shudders as you pass a couple of large fans.

“Looks like it’s gonna be a busy one for us today,” he says, still fixated on The Mesa Times, “Big experiment over in Sector C apparently. Lot’s of eggheads getting lost on the transit system, no doubt.”

You smirk in response as the tram begins to slow, the announcement system crackling to life, “Now arriving at: Area 7. Security and Control Facilities.”

You disembark from the tram and walk along the grated platform towards the large security doors, McKenzie in toe with the paper tucked under his arm. You nod to the guard in the booth as you approach and he opens up the doors, another blast of cold, musty air hitting you both in the face. McKenzie plants a hand on your shoulder and smiles sympathetically, “Still not gotten used to it?”

You shake your head as you step into the airlock.

“Well,” McKenzie stretches “The hours are long and it’s mind numbing work at times, but the pay makes it all worth it.”

You raise a single eyebrow and he can’t help but smile.

Stepping into the security complex, you head over to the main desk. Sgt. Laurey, is sat at the main desk, hammering away at a keyboard, clearly already getting irate. He is a rotund, balding man with a thick black moustache, you often wonder how he came to be a member of the security force, let alone head of Area 7 Security.

“Ah, there you are boys,” he swivels towards you in his seat and dabs at his brow with a paper towel, “I got a couple jobs that need seeing to, pronto. First off, there’s nobody manning the lab access doors in the north wing. We’ve left the doors open for now but the administrator would have my head if he found out nobody was checking IDs. Secondly, we’ve got issues with a tram on the lower level. The door won’t close and the damn thing won’t leave the platform until it’s safe. I’ve called maintenance who told me they were sending somebody over but Hell if I know where he’s gotten to. So… not exactly our job but I need a couple guys to take a look at that.”

“So,” McKenzie pipes up, “By my count, you need three guys, not two.”

“Ah, yes,” Laurey snaps his fingers a couple of times and gestures to a scrawny kid with scruffy blond hair, sat on a bench behind you. He jumps to his feet and enthusiastically marching to the desk and lining up with the two of you. “This is Davis. New kid. Ran the training course a couple of days ago and got his first shift this morning. You three decide amongst yourselves who's doing what.”

He goes back to working on his computer and the three of you turn to one another, Davis beaming at you both.

“You kidding me with this?” McKenzie jabs a thumb towards Davis, “What are you, twelve?”

“I’m… I’m twenty one, sir.” Davis stammers, and he turns to you “I didn’t get your name-”

“Alright,” McKenzie starts “Carlisle, what do you want to do? Guard duty or picking up the grease monkey’s job with the tram?”
A) Fix the tram with McKenzie, leave the rookie to guard the lab doors
B) Send Davis with McKenzie to fix the tram and watch the doors yourself
C) Take the rookie down to the tram and put McKenzie on watch

---

Alright guys. I didn't proof read this as much as I would have liked but it's now 01:40 and I'm up for work at 06:00.

Enjoy!

A) 3
B) 4
c) 0

DiscoStu tipped the scale and it looks like we're rocking the Black Mesa Security get up. First part will be up later today.

B. I can't find my login for TWHL - PlanetPhillip

Hahaha

UMCFF - 2017 EDITION

You jolt awake, an abhorrent, rhythmic screeching filling your ears. Fumbling around the bedside table, eyes firmly shut, your fingers trace the outline of a water bottle, a book and finally the source of the noise. Hitting the button on top of the alarm clock, you slump back into the groove formed by your body in the mattress. You feel the cool morning breeze sweep in through a nearby window, rushing over your semi-naked form, prompting you to wince and reflexively pull the sheets up tightly under your chin.

You jolt again as there are two sharp raps against your door. You look back to the clock, noting that another fifteen minutes has passed. You sit up, throwing the sheets aside and skipping to your private restroom. After a hasty shave and shower, you make your way to your closet and swing the double doors open. Reaching inside, you pull out your uniform.

A) A sky blue shirt, beige triple pleated khakis and a pair of penny loafers. Last, but not least, your frankly ridiculous red and black striped tie.
B) Your light blue shirt, navy blue pants, a utility belt, black work boots and black tie.
C) Your urban camo fatigues and combat boots.

---

Yes! It’s this thing again. The old multiple choice fan fiction. Something to get the community talking and for me to flex my writing muscles.

This time we’re heading to Black Mesa, but this time you get to choose your role! So, from the very brief intro above you should be able to determine that you get to chose whether the character you control is a scientist, security guard or a member of the HECU team.

In subsequent sections I will try to offer as many choices as are sensible and the one with the most votes will determine how the story progresses.

As with all my previous stories, some choices may lead to the death of supporting characters and so on. I’ll even try to interweave the characters paths with the existing games and expansions where possible, just to see if you can spot these key moments from the writing / interactions.

So… who do you want to play as?

Awesome Satch!

Ubisoft Conference:

Mario + Rabbids - Meh. Not a fan of turn based strategy shooters or whatever you call them.

The Crew 2 - People played The Crew?

Transference - Another bloody horror game that is only made less appealing by VR

Assassin's Creed Origins - Another bloody Assassin's Creed. This years flavour is sand.

Just Dance - NOPE

Skull and Bones - Let's take the best part of our best received Assassin's Creed game and join the MOBA market. Looks alright, I guess.

Far Cry 5 - The game I was most interested in and the gameplay hasn't really swayed me either way. It looks a lot like the previous games in a new setting, which is what I was expecting I guess. Would have been nice if they demonstrated the new features, such as the customisation that they mentioned.

Beyond Good and Evil 2 - I know absolutely nothing about the original, other than the name. This clearly wasn't gameplay sooo, pointless. Also, the characters seem to punctuate sentences with the word 'fuck.'

Swearing is cool.

I've only caught up on Bethesda and Microsoft so far.

Bethesda was deeply disappointing and I honestly would have preferred if they had showcased Wolfenstein 2 (actually decent looking) and Silent Hill 22 (big old heap of meh) as part of somebody else's show.

Microsoft's X Xbox X One X whatever the fuck is shaping up to be quite a decent mid-range PC... I guess. Otherwise, Anthem COULD be good if Bioware doesn't Bioware all over it. It could be quite fun to blast through an open world game in customisable combat suits with the SnC crew.

Bethesda is all I'm interested in this year. Hoping to hear something about Starfield, but otherwise I'm guessing we'll get a Quake Champions release date and some Fallout VR news, neither of which really interest me.

I'm also expecting to see Far Cry 5 gameplay, and I really hope it's not gonna be another generic Ubisoft game...

Aye, pretty excited for that last place

I have only ever used ATI once. Never again. It screwed up Hammer...

[m]That's unforgivable.[/m]

Am I an Nvidia fanboy? Well, if fanboy means 'person who had a considerable better time of it when using an Nvidia card,' then yes. Yes I am.

Same way I shun Apple. Same way I shun Call of Duty. Some people like it, I do not.

This guy probably doesn't think so. Ha. Nah, he probably just jumped to the lobby and started a new game.

Archie is correct.

Step to it!

I hadn't. I tried it. I didn't enjoy it.

Tin-of-Baked-Beans-With-Sausages Crazed-Gunman Honey-Nut Bagpuss...

Jesus...

springy
monster
butthole inspector
Reginald B. Pinkshoes
robust
poop
prosperous

---

sealions
shoot
reverberated
molest
run
Remove your trousers

---

leprechaun
Professor Custardpants
mountain
rigorously
sodomised
metallic
gyrating
groin
smothering
tin of baked beans with sausages
journalist
Theobald

I am losing my shit here... I actually had to sit down.

The anticipation is palpable

Oh, so you need to actually speak to participate in such tournaments?

...No? We make the teamspeak channel open to all who want in, but it's not compulsory. There's only 8 slots anyway.

We often just hit the Shoutbox and the TWHL steam group when a game is up. If its down to Archie or myself, it's only ever going to be late night / early morning GMT

Is cs 1.6 free on steam?

It's £6.99. About the cost of a sub with a drink.

Also, TWHL gatherings are so much fun:

Counter-Strike 1.6 2014 Tournament
CSGO 2015

Feels like it's been too long since we had a good marathon.

Top Clancy games seem to have a trend of being unbearable to play alone and impossible to take seriously with mates.

For that reason alone, they get a pass.

Crollo. What are you doing?

Meatball sub
gathering
hairdressers
dusty

---

The vicar
spatula
viscous
river

---

masturbated
Belgium
nostril
gooey
battery
climb
falling

---

gyrate
otters
slippery
schedule ?
drop
pudding
bowl
the rough area of Manchester
shoot

---

slather
father
"Tell me when it starts to hurt."

I'd love a third.

But other than that off the top of my head I can't remember who else's wasn't!

It seems that basing my remaster on a forgettable original map has made it also forgettable... Is that a point in my favour?

Wallace Breen
rusty
spoon
gonads
crooked
banana

---

Potato
Archie
bewilderment
it
moist
sea-lion
spongy

---

buggered
snacks
drinks
flipped
rotate
casserole
deactivate
sexy
priest

---

uncomfortable
table
spiky
poke
pudding
God fucking dammit

---

sausage
gesticulating
sandwich
ejaculated

Update: That first game win was definitely beginner's luck.

Pahahaha

In other news, I see that people are now playing STRAFE. I've got to say, it looks like the most repetitive, bland game I've ever seen. If it's trying to emulate the shooters of the 90s... I'm not sure which shooters they were playing back then... None of the good ones, that's for damn sure.

Round 2! ROUND 2!! I totally missed this!

I'm definitely interested in PUBG

That would be my current project.

I'm gonna have to try and catch one of these streams!

I think I will likely stream my next project as much as possible as well. I always enjoyed streaming my work on TWHL World and people seemed to like watching and getting involved in the discussion.

Being a fan of pixel art, low poly is right up my street.