Description

You're a server expert and this is your first (and last) day at Black Mesa. Feel free to explore and interact in the maintenance areas, but remember that your actions can have an impact!

Created for TWHL Competition: Make Black Mesa Come Alive!

How to install

Extract the archive into your Half-Life folder and relaunch Steam.

Developed and tested on Half-Life 25th Anniversary Update with default (non-HD) models. Also tested on Half-Life 1.1.1.0 (WON).

Devlog

I started working on the map the day after the competition was announced, and by the end of August I had a basic layout (with dev textures) and a list of events and interactions I wanted to accomplish within the time limit.

My main focus was on: I wanted the map to be interactive, have an environmental narrative, and include actions that have a small but noticeable impact.

I then began to design the rooms. The original layout changed minimally, and I continually edited the list. By mid-September the room design was complete (with rough edges), so I split the rooms into several visgroups and started working on the resonance cascade sequence in the server room. I scripted that in about 5 days.

Next, I worked on the scripting and modifying the pre and post-disaster variants, which were separated by two visgroups. As the deadline got closer, I looked at the list of things I still had to do and split them into three groups: critical, "would be nice," and low priority.

I started breaking the visgroup combinations into smaller maps for better optimisation, lighting, and to connect pre and post-disaster variants. By the original deadline I had all the critical items and a few "would be nice" items done, but thanks to the deadline extension at the end, I was able to finish off my list and get some extra stuff done too.

I've been playing with Hammer Editor for about 15 years and I'm a fan of Half-Life mods, but I've never finished a single map or modification until now. I used my accumulated knowledge with Hammer, texture creation in Photoshop and my interest in game development to create this mappack, so I hope it was worth it

List of events (spoilers!)

• If you go behind the security desk in the lobby, you can set off the alarm under it. One of the security guards will open the door to the secure room, so you can go visit Otis.
• In the locker room, you can lock the security guard in his locker. This action will have an impact.
• The toilets are fully interactive! Enjoy!
• There are notes on the shutter and inside Tesla's Taco that explain why it's closed.
• You can jump into the water in the food court. This action will have an impact.
• You can fool around in the kitchen at Big Tony's Pizza, but the chef won't be happy about it.
• At the double red doors in the offices, you can see an interaction between a security guard and Gina.
• There's a model train in one of rooms in the offices you can play with. All aboard!
• At the depot, you'll be greeted with a warm welcome by a friendly worker. Then, the fun really begins! You can climb on the tram or play with the crane. Workers will love it!
• In the hologram recording room, you can record yourself by just activating the microphone. Then, you can view your recording.
• If you get wet, the server administrator will notice.
• The monitors and vending machine are breakable!
• If you've locked the security guard in his locker, he'll survive events after the resonance cascade and you can use him to open the door to the secure room with the revolver. Otherwise, there will be one more security guard zombie.
• Once you've got your firearm, you can head back to the shaft and shoot the broken shutter control to open the closed Tesla Taco.
• Someone's stolen the detonation charges! Can you find the thief?

Extra credits

Voice acting

System Administrator - Ronald Hamrák
Old Security Guard, Chef & Workers - Generated with ElevenLabs (Bill, Roger & Chris)

Prefabs

The Rimpository by Rimrook
PC Monitors, Keyboards, Framed Photos and Toilets by Mr. Floyd
Chair and Security Camera by X-Ray
Hazardous-Course 2 Source Maps by Richman
Half-Life SDK Source Maps by Valve

Additional assets

Opposing Force, Blue Shift & Uplink by Gearbox
Half-Life: Extended by Extended Studios
Urby's all-in-one Zombie Model by monster_urby
DEV Textures from TWHL Tower 2

Tutorials, ideas & inspiration

TWHL Website & Discord
The303.org
Valve Developer Community
monster_urby, Mr. Floyd, simbl & Rickman

Testing

bloo, Archus Aradius & James25

Used tools

• J.A.C.K.
• Adobe Photoshop
• Audacity
• Wally
• Half-Life Assets Manager
• Half-Life Texture Tools
• newbspguy
• Map2Curve
• XBLAH's Modding Tool
• SDHLT
• Crowbar