monster_urby

Posted 2 years ago2022-12-11 14:18:33 UTC

monster_urbyGoldsourcerer

Celebrating 20 years of TWHL mapping competitions! Check out the newest competition: The Whole Goop Life

The Whole Goop Life

TWHL Competition 20th Anniversary Extravaganza

That’s right! Today, December 10th, 2022 marks the 20th anniversary of TWHL’s first ever mapping competition! (You’re excited, I can tell)

Now, the 20th wedding anniversary is referred to as the Emerald Anniversary, the precious green gemstone symbolising the occasion and often the traditional gift. Well, the Valve titles aren’t exactly riddled with precious gemstones, but there is one thing they do have. Radioactive toxic waste. Not exactly the ideal gift for your beloved, but the thick, green goop can mix up both gameplay and aesthetics if applied to a map in just the right way.

satchmo

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-11 14:41:02 UTC Comment #104925

Wow! 20 years, what a milestone.

jamie

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-13 01:11:53 UTC Comment #104927

Would a script count as programming? (I wanna use a custom .cfg of my own + some other stuff)

monster_urby

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-14 01:40:23 UTC Comment #104928

Would a script count as programming? (I wanna use a custom .cfg of my own + some other stuff)

So long as you don't edit any base game files (use a mini-mod if you must) but by coding I mean nothing that is going to alter the way the game plays or the ways that entities work. Just remember that I will be judging the maps and their use of toxic waste and other such slimes.

Sjaak-atijd-raak

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-16 01:11:28 UTC Comment #104929

ah great, another competition! I'll start working on a map, feeling up for it. 'green goo' as a theme is pretty challenging eh, we might need to get super creative for this one.

Zegfalt

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-17 09:11:35 UTC Comment #104932

I was env_shooting some goop the other day so this speaks to me

PsyWarVeteran

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-20 18:43:27 UTC Comment #104938

Toxic waste isn't a very easy theme to tackle. What kind of scenarios are you looking for?

A full length minimod that has slime as an obstacle? A single, beautifully created map that has no real gameplay but nice, goopy ambience? Or a combination of the two: a minimod that's a gruntfest without the slime playing a role, but decorating the environment instead?

Can you give some examples?

Archie

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-21 00:35:59 UTC Comment #104939

It's a creative brief, your interpretation of the theme is part of the fun!

monster_urby

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-22 22:20:06 UTC Comment #104943

Yup, as it says in the full brief: "Create a map or a series of maps in which the luminescent sludge plays a prominent role. An obstacle to be overcome or a deadly environmental weapon to be used."

Perhaps it could start out as a massive hindrance to the player until they grab an HEV suit and then it's harmless and they can get past a lake of the stuff to exit the level. Maybe the player has no weapons but they can deal with grunts or headcrabs by flushing toxic waste into an area to attract bullsquids. It can be used for decorative purposes as well, but I would say definitely try to factor it into the gameplay.

PsyWarVeteran

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-23 03:15:05 UTC Comment #104944

Dang, one of the first ideas I had was grabbing parts of some sorf of device for the suit and combining it into an upgrade to get past the slime, I guess that goes out the window

monster_urby

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-25 10:37:26 UTC Comment #104947

That sounds neat. I see no reason to back out on that idea. Go for it I say.

PsyWarVeteran

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-25 21:29:34 UTC Comment #104949

Thanks but I don't think so. Too close to your "get the HEV suit - slime becomes passable" example. I was trying to understand the goal better, don't want it to seem like I'm fishing for free ideas.

I'll think of something else, the point is being creative like you guys said.

Bruce

Commented 2 years ago2022-12-28 13:28:43 UTC Comment #104953

What I really disliked about the previous competition is that it was extended on the last moment. That was really not nice. Some participants might have been getting out of their way to finish it in time, and then suddenly all their effort turned out to be unnecessary. I understand why it was done that way, to encourage mappers to work faster, but it's inconsiderate, if it's extended, it should be done at least a week before the original end date.

Archie

Commented 1 year ago2023-01-02 19:16:38 UTC Comment #104972

it's TWHL tradition to extend competition deadlines at the last minute

Oskar Potatis

Commented 1 year ago2023-01-02 19:22:28 UTC Comment #104973

It's TWHL's equivalent of the academic quarter

Striker

Commented 1 year ago2023-03-21 22:34:21 UTC Comment #105183

Holy shi--- I might actually join this on.. oh.

Gotta check the TWHL tab more often.

Competition - The Whole Goop Life

The Whole Goop Life

TWHL Competition 20th Anniversary Extravaganza

15 Comments