Ns_test development stopped

DOOManiac

<div class="IPBDescription">I'm open-sourcing the rmf... lookie here</div>I've decided to stop development of ns_test. There's a lot of reasons: Wanting to spend a bit more time playing the games I got (haven't touched gta3, dungeon siege, or sof2 in weeks, and war3 is on the way), and also having a little more time to concentrate on my calc2 class (there have been a couple times I foolishly mapped instead of doing homework). Another big reason is when I started ns_test, there were only 2 maps for ns, and it didn't look like the others would be ready anytime soon, so I decided to start my own. Two months later, my map is ready to be playable, but so are a lot of others. hehe.

But the main reason I stopped development is that I just don't feel that it is up to NS's standards, both artistically (the map lacks detail, which I don't really have an eye for so it would be hard to add them), as well as technically (i for some reason cannot reduce the texture usage to less than 4mb, even though it seems to use a lot less textures than other ns maps).

I've always believed that being a good mapper also involves realizing when your work isn't up to par, and being able to admit it. I don't want to waste my time making a map that people find ugly and won't want to play, nor do I wish to spend gobs and gobs of time trying to get it even close to the quality of the other NS maps.

But I don't want the work I did to be a complete waste, so I've decided to release all of what I have so far.

<a href="http://members.cox.net/doomaniac/ns_test/ns_test.zip" target="_blank">ns_test BSP</a>
Here is the BSP file for those of you with the NSTR (it will work w/ normal hl too if you download and copy the wads). Have fun running around. Maybe you can even play tag with it or whatever :)

<a href="http://members.cox.net/doomaniac/ns_test/ns_test_rmf.zip" target="_blank">ns_test RMF</a>
Here is the RMF file for those who'd like to open it up in worldcraft and take a look at the architecture. Feel free to base a map on what I have here, but please be reasonable. Don't just copy all the architecture over, add a door, and call it your own.

<u>NOTE:</u> WAD's used are halflife.wad, ns.wad (the new one, so download it), and wall_lab.wad which is downloadable <a href="http://www.natural-selection.org/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=4;t=2786" target="_blank">here</a>.

Sorry to let some of you down. I know 95% of you could care less about the map, but there were a few of you out there who were looking forward to it. But I'm really quite relieved now that I don't have one more thing pressuring me, so I'm pretty happy with my decision.

Have fun with the .rmf and .bsp!



<!--EDIT|DOOManiac|June 28 2002,13:53-->

shoven

A brave decision DOOM, and I respect you more for it. I thought the map was looking really good. Thanx for the rmf and bsp, I'll take a look around.

Commando

Damn it doom, your map was good  <!--emo&:(--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('><!--endemo-->

ChromeAngel

I have playtested this map and can vouch for it's playability.  It felt it only needed more architectural detail and lighting contrast to make it offical quality.

Sorry to see your not sticking with it DOOManic.

Here's hoping you get bored with that commercial dross amd finish it.



<!--EDIT|ChromeAngel|June 28 2002,19:09-->

Nay

should never give up on your map no matter what u think. usually the author sees the map differently than the players, its like my ns_doom map was taking the, you know what <!--emo&:p--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'><!--endemo--> and i felt like stopping it, but i tryed my hardest to finish it and here it is finally done, after about 50+ compiles, 1month of hard work and over 8 different compile errors, it has been a pain in the....

but its good of u on how u show us your rmf and bsp, thanks m8 <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo--> cu around

HubbubJub

Hey, it looked great. a lot better than mine...

Nay

i also think this deadline has put alot on stress on the mappers, but these days its the only way of getting the maps. But i think deadlines can cause alot of things like errors in maps more chances of less quality but thats only my view, everyone maps totally different

MonsieurEvil

If we wait for all the mappers to give us what their happy with, we will never release. Most of you are not yet in the business world, but you will come to learn about deadlines that are out of your control, and how to get the job done regardless.

Or think of it as a term paper - you can hand it in on time for an A-, or hand in a better paper a day later for an F.

Relic25

Amen.

KungFuSquirrel

The first thing I learned here in the office - deadlines get people's collective ##### in gear and get things done. Otherwise you run into people who are all talk about how great their part will be and yet they never produce. Granted, that still happens under deadlines, but not nearly as often.

realityisdead

Sorry to hear that doom. <!--emo&:(--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('><!--endemo--> But if you weren't happy with the level, it was probably the best thing to do rather than stress yourself out over it. Glad to hear you're happy with the decision, otherwise I would be arguing against it right now.

<!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->The first thing I learned here in the office - deadlines get people's collective ##### in gear and get things done. Otherwise you run into people who are all talk about how great their part will be and yet they never produce. Granted, that still happens under deadlines, but not nearly as often.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Heh, Sounds familiar. I learned that a couple years ago the hard way. And as a plus, I also learned to not to go on about your own work in the first place. Saves you the trouble of dealing with your pride later. Besides, who likes an arrogant twit?

Back on topic, Doom: Have any plans for any second attempts after a little cool-down? I'd love to see you keep at it. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->

DOOManiac

I might make a second attempt, but not for a long, long time. heh. I usually have feast/famine mapping binges, and right now starts the famine. :)

and as far as maps never being finished goes, i have a quote i forgot who said but here it is:

"A good piece of art is never finished, only abandoned."

this can apply to many things. maps, code, music, etc.

Nay

hay doom, i ran around your level i think its really good, i think it would certainly play good, didnt u submit the map file? or did u only just compile? maybe a second attempt should be thought about <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->

bye

Willow

Doom why didn´t u try to finish the map for the release after the official, i´m doing that for mine and i hereby ORDER everymapper who is depressed coz of not making the deadline: keep the map and wait 4 the next release, (there is gona be a release after the official right? lol.)

SentrySteve

I really enjoyed looking at those screenshots you had DOOM -- I just loved that door that looked like a Lvl5 was trying to pound it down.  However if you felt that your map was not as good as others and this was the best thing to do I am behind ya, and have fun playing Sof2 and GTA3!