Competition 35: Vanilla Half-Life
Created 6 years ago2018-08-13 10:28:15 UTC by
Penguinboy
Created 6 years ago2018-08-13 10:28:15 UTC by
Penguinboy
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 10:28:15 UTC
Post #340510
A new competition is up! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of HL1, the aim is to make a map that fits into the HL1 campaign using the standard HL assets. Hopefully we can get some good entries!
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 12:08:11 UTC
Post #340512
Your entry must be for the Steam version of one of the following games: Half-LifeSo vanilla steam HL. Also you can only submit a .bsp.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 12:11:19 UTC
Post #340513
Just when I felt an itch to map something for GoldSource!
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 12:42:49 UTC
Post #340515
I don't know why my name is the example for the filename format, but I look forward to all entries being attributed to me.
Presumably the main differences between this and the last compo are that it must be single player, and that it should be a unique area (that fits the Black Mesa aesthetic) rather than a reimaginin of an existing one.
Presumably the main differences between this and the last compo are that it must be single player, and that it should be a unique area (that fits the Black Mesa aesthetic) rather than a reimaginin of an existing one.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 12:55:43 UTC
Post #340516
Your entry (map files or mod name)By this I'm guessing we are allowed to submit our entries in mod format. If so, are we allowed to include custom main menu background images?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 13:22:54 UTC
Post #340517
This is cool, I hope yet again to get a map submitted.
@Jessie I thought that too. But it sneakily uses your login name for the example.
Isn't that full name too long for bsp names by the way?
@Jessie I thought that too. But it sneakily uses your login name for the example.
Isn't that full name too long for bsp names by the way?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 14:16:11 UTC
Post #340519
Hello, Just wanted to say I look forward to playing the results.
I have a few Steam keys for various games that I would be happy to donate. Just let me know.
Also, is there anything I can do to help promote the challenge?
I have a few Steam keys for various games that I would be happy to donate. Just let me know.
Also, is there anything I can do to help promote the challenge?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 14:19:35 UTC
Post #340520
@Dr. Orange: Only BSP files in your submission please. No custom content aside from wadincluded textures.
@Unq: Is it? I didn't know there was a limit...
@Jessie: Yes, this isn't looking for a remake, but an original layout in the style of HL1.
@SSB: Unmodified Steam HL only. I'll put the BSP file(s) in the
@Phillip: Thanks! Helping spread the word would be much appreciated in any format you like, even just a quick tweet or something.
@Unq: Is it? I didn't know there was a limit...
@Jessie: Yes, this isn't looking for a remake, but an original layout in the style of HL1.
@SSB: Unmodified Steam HL only. I'll put the BSP file(s) in the
Half-Life/Valve folder and run it, so it needs to work without any custom mods.@Phillip: Thanks! Helping spread the word would be much appreciated in any format you like, even just a quick tweet or something.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 14:34:20 UTC
Post #340522
@SSB Why are you lecturing me with the map limits?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 14:41:45 UTC
Post #340523
I believe he got confused over what we were talking about.
There is a limit for map names, but I don't know it.
There is a limit for map names, but I don't know it.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 14:54:46 UTC
Post #340524
The limit for map names is 31 characters. Various parts of the engine and the game use different limits, but that's the lowest limit i know of.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 15:54:00 UTC
Post #340525
There's one important rule missing in my opinion, what about prefabs or stuff that we already did in the past, can we re-use those? Seems a bit unfair if that's okay, because some people obviously have a larger collection of "prefabs", so it's basically copy & paste for them?
But I guess where do you draw the line then, if you allow prefabs. Only those that got shipped with Valve's Hammer Editor?
But I guess where do you draw the line then, if you allow prefabs. Only those that got shipped with Valve's Hammer Editor?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 16:38:47 UTC
Post #340526
Too bad i've never played Half Life Black Mesa. I'm sure that would help stimulate some inspiration for anyone entering. I've been too busy these days to map much. Just simple maps for cs 1.6 servers. Good luck to those who enter, i'd love to check out the entries when they're done.
If this was for both sp and dm I think it might gain a little more traction but that's just my opinion.
If this was for both sp and dm I think it might gain a little more traction but that's just my opinion.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 18:19:35 UTC
Post #340530
@Solokiller - OK thanks for clearing the bsp name limit up. I was thinking it might be 16 characters. Isn't 16 the entity name limit?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 18:29:11 UTC
Post #340531
I don't think there's a limit to entity names, the save/restore code can handle any length but there may be other places where there's a limit.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 21:20:12 UTC
Post #340532
I sure hope i have a map lying around that fits this theme
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 21:21:41 UTC
Post #340533
Aw yeah, its been a long time since we gotten a competition! I'm gonna ping it to some communities to spread the word around.
So only custom textures, but no models or any other sort? Also can we do more than one level if we wanted to, or is it limited to one .BSP file per entry?
So only custom textures, but no models or any other sort? Also can we do more than one level if we wanted to, or is it limited to one .BSP file per entry?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-13 22:51:33 UTC
Post #340534
I was hoping for a compo where I could make something in Source. May or may not make something for this one.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 08:25:46 UTC
Post #340536
This is so cool! Looking forward to the maps!
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 14:01:12 UTC
Post #340537
Oh my God.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 15:39:22 UTC
Post #340538
I'm so glad there's a rule to stick to normal HL architecture. Will mean I'll have to force myself to stick to low detail which hopefully means I can actually get around to make a full, proper entry.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 16:20:14 UTC
Post #340539
I don't have any specific ideas yet, but since we have 3 months I might be able to come up with something.
Two questions: Are we allowed to submit multiple bsp files, and will this be judged using the original models, or the HD pack? Need to know whether or not I'd be able to use beta animations that the HD pack removed.
Two questions: Are we allowed to submit multiple bsp files, and will this be judged using the original models, or the HD pack? Need to know whether or not I'd be able to use beta animations that the HD pack removed.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 16:24:53 UTC
Post #340540
Oh my God.Translation: Shit, once again I shall have to postpone progress of The Core.
- might not be right, but the thought of that made me chuckle.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 22:14:45 UTC
Post #340541
@torekk: We can't really enforce prefabs, so they're fine to use.
@savva: Multiple bsp files are allowed.
@JeffMOD: Either is fine, be sure to include instructions in your readme if you need them off, otherwise HD models will be on since that's the default.
@Striker: I highly doubt Urby had any intention to work on The Core in the next 100 days even before a compo was posted!
@savva: Multiple bsp files are allowed.
@JeffMOD: Either is fine, be sure to include instructions in your readme if you need them off, otherwise HD models will be on since that's the default.
@Striker: I highly doubt Urby had any intention to work on The Core in the next 100 days even before a compo was posted!
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 23:18:55 UTC
Post #340542
Am I allowed to add voice acting to my entry?
ie is it pragmatic to edit SENTENCES.txt for my entry?
ie is it pragmatic to edit SENTENCES.txt for my entry?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-14 23:22:12 UTC
Post #340543
Surely voice acting would require custom sound files, which are not allowed.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-15 00:54:52 UTC
Post #340544
Yes, as stated in the rules, no custom content aside from wadincluded textures. No custom models, sounds, code, sprites, or anything else. And it needs to run on base Half-Life (not Opposing Force or Spirit).
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-15 14:22:55 UTC
Post #340547
I've really been digging into Half-Life's maps recently, the way Valve added detail (when they bothered) and the truly bizarre choices they made in some places.
I'm gonna work on something that I would have made back in 1999 when I first opened WorldCraft2.1, when all I had to work with was what came with Half-Life.
Shame about the HD models being default now but... I can turn a blind eye to that... or just have a whopping great message at the start that says to use the LD models.
I'm gonna work on something that I would have made back in 1999 when I first opened WorldCraft2.1, when all I had to work with was what came with Half-Life.
Shame about the HD models being default now but... I can turn a blind eye to that... or just have a whopping great message at the start that says to use the LD models.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-15 14:31:05 UTC
Post #340548
Damn I could enter. Better warm up that software mode.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-15 23:10:36 UTC
Post #340553
I started... balls
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 02:37:00 UTC
Post #340554
Oh, vents, that's what I need!
...Should probably start on a layout first though... Starting very prelim work on an idea. Should probably install Sledge.
...Should probably start on a layout first though... Starting very prelim work on an idea. Should probably install Sledge.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 04:30:34 UTC
Post #340556
Urby, calm down, you're gonna scare the kids.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 05:06:58 UTC
Post #340557
I literally have not had a single idea yet.
I also haven't given the competition any thought.
I also haven't given the competition any thought.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 06:30:03 UTC
Post #340559
OH NO YOUR MAP LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL
meanwhile I made a an octagonal sphere and it crashed my computer rip
meanwhile I made a an octagonal sphere and it crashed my computer rip
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 07:30:30 UTC
Post #340560
I might rework an old map for this, if i have time.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 08:24:52 UTC
Post #340562
I'm looking forward to 90 days from now when I remember I started working on something for this. Then I'll work solidly on it for five days and still not finish it.
Should be fun...
Should be fun...
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-16 23:50:44 UTC
Post #340570
Golly gosh urby I dont recall there being square pot plants in original HL campaign you rebel
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 01:04:01 UTC
Post #340571
I’m using only what’s on the disc.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 01:27:59 UTC
Post #340572
Oooh, you have a physical copy! What version number is that?
Golly gosh urby I dont recall there being square pot plants in original HL campaign you rebelCompo 36: Literally Just Decompile a HL1 map
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 02:15:52 UTC
Post #340573
I haven’t used it in a while. It’s not my original,
My original was a clone of the first release copy. This is the November 8 1998 GOTY Edition.
My original was a clone of the first release copy. This is the November 8 1998 GOTY Edition.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 11:54:08 UTC
Post #340574
hey now jeffy, hold your horses just one minute what I meant was while the plant models may be in game files I don't recall anywhere in the HL campaign where they show up (but then again I havn't played the SP campaign in a long time so I could be wrong)
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 12:27:16 UTC
Post #340575
I don't think they were ever used, no. I was mainly just making a joke because you were calling Urby a "rebel" for making geometry not directly present in the original game.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 13:14:06 UTC
Post #340576
Rimrook, does that mean Worldcraft 2.0 as well? Good luck
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 13:34:15 UTC
Post #340577
Worldcraft 2.0And the original compile tools... eep.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 14:15:57 UTC
Post #340579
They're just joking SSB.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 14:52:55 UTC
Post #340581
For someone who wants to participate but doesn't have any ideas, I would have tried to imagine what was behind the broken elevator you see just after entering C3A1. You know, it has a loading point inside but leads to nowhere.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-17 14:53:28 UTC
Post #340582
SSB, it was just a joke about how the competition is being as close to half-life / vanilla as possible, so the joke was that to be vanilla / original, they would use the outdated and dysfunctional original compile tools and worldcraft. It's nothing to get up in the air about.
Think I've got the plan for my map already in my head. Just to confirm, it's meant to look as if it's part of Black Mesa, but not necessarily something we've seen before or include recognisable areas, right?
Think I've got the plan for my map already in my head. Just to confirm, it's meant to look as if it's part of Black Mesa, but not necessarily something we've seen before or include recognisable areas, right?
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-18 19:19:13 UTC
Post #340597
For someone who wants to participate but doesn't have any ideas, I would have tried to imagine what was behind the broken elevator you see just after entering C3A1. You know, it has a loading point inside but leads to nowhere.Funny that you mention this, last year, Don (Unq) over at Run Think Shoot Live hosted a Half-Life anniversary live-stream in which he played through Half-Life in one sitting. It was me who suggested taking a look what's behind those elevator doors: There's a func_button that targets an info_landmark referencing a non-existing bsp file. Great trivia.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-18 20:23:54 UTC
Post #340599
Funny thing is, I had an idea for a hldm map just a day before the competition. Guess I'll make two versions of the map, and maybe finish some of my old projects before moving on with the mod.
Posted 6 years ago2018-08-19 02:06:16 UTC
Post #340600
Judging will be based on how well your design matches the original game in addition to the standard measures such as lighting, architecture, ambience and texturing.This is confusing me. Is this saying we should... 'mimic' Valve's sloppy style of mapping? By sloppy I mean:
- Limited usage of fancy angled surfaces, rounded corners and precision vertex manipulation
- For lighting, create a block, put light texture, don't bother scaling and/or shifting the texture
- Even worse, don't even bother with texturelights, just point lights only
- Forget to align textures on some faces
- To connect two area together, built a square corridor with barely any detail work
- No more than a 5 faces cylinder primitive brush
Is this what we will be judged on, or can we go all out with insane high levels of detail, spend hours vertex manipulating that perfect cliff wall, support pillar, computer terminal as well as spend days getting that perfect lighting going?
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