Some of you may know that a while ago there was a mini compo to create a miniature city with all the details as possible of a full-scale city. I decided to blow up my entry(
seen here) and make it into a HLDM map. Mind you there will be several tweaks and fixes and additions to this blown-up version, which is 4 times as big as the original mini city. I haven't done much on it yet in terms of visual upgrades and additions. So far I've only rescaled the map, realligned the textures, tweaked a few small brushes, and made a small attempt at optimization. It's not much(it really isn't) but here's screenshots of my last [imcomplete] compile.
As you can see, its blatantly fullbright as of now, and looks like bullshit. You can also see that it's bland as crap.The compile was taking forever(roughly 14 hours and going) so I stopped it so I could at least run it ingame and check the scale of things.
Yeah I know, as it stands right now its bland as hell(for a map of it's size) but here's a list of things I plan to do before I release it(if I can get it to compile
)
-
OPTIMIZE! Even with the optimization that I've done so far the r_speeds max at an unheard-of 7500 w_poly
I'm not surprised, though, considering the size of the map, the scale of textures(most of which remain at 1), and how much of the map is visible at a time.
-Rework the parking garage. Its too short and bland. I'll add some cars and lights.
-Rework many things such as street lights, parking spaces, and small things like that.
-Put a bunch of cars or trailers on the streets so the streets aren't so barren. This should make the gameplay a lot better too(people won't be able to shoot you from a mile away).
-Put fire hydrants on the sidewalk(I'd rather make them brush-based but I think I'll have to go with models considering I don't have much room for brush based props at this point).
-Create first-floor interiors for a few buildings.
-Add a building or 2 in the blank sidewalk space behind the blue-windows, brick building to take of some of that open space.
-Replace the park and parking lot with buildings for a second release which should change the gameplay dramatically.
If you've got any tips of optimization for something like this please tell me. I've already nulled off everything that I can. If it helps, none of the rooftops will ever be visible without noclip.
Now I await the inevitable "you're breaking the engine" complaint.