<!--quoteo(post=1652047:date=Sep 25 2007, 01:31 PM:name=KungFuDiscoMonkey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KungFuDiscoMonkey @ Sep 25 2007, 01:31 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1652047"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think it would be better to focus on more items that would be more universally useful to map makers (and more likely to be encountered in the environments) than some vanity items like mementos from the past. Any vanity items can be up to the individual map authors to come up with.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
QFT
The focus right now should be more of TSA/futuristic items. Most maps will probably have small living areas compared to the rest of it. Some may not have any at all. Not every NS map is a huge city where people used to live. I.E. it only takes maybe 20 people to run a spaceship as large as ns_bast or ns_nancy, not hundreds. They also dont live in luxury...not much of a need for personal items/food/memorabilia.
Pinata please. I can just see one as an easter egg in every map. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />.
<!--quoteo(post=1651724:date=Sep 24 2007, 02:34 PM:name=J!)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(J! @ Sep 24 2007, 02:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651724"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->what would you have on the screen?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Maybe training program for marines (NS1). <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> (if it is on a TSA base) Alien description. (if it is in a lab, or on a TSA base) Security cam live image from some corridors. Sytem diagnostics. TSA OS desktop. (if it is on a TSA base) blood <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" /> "not connected" game statistics story of ns etc..
The focus right now should be more of TSA/futuristic items. Most maps will probably have small living areas compared to the rest of it. Some may not have any at all. Not every NS map is a huge city where people used to live. I.E. it only takes maybe 20 people to run a spaceship as large as ns_bast or ns_nancy, not hundreds. They also dont live in luxury...not much of a need for personal items/food/memorabilia.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
GREAT point. So it's not like DOOM 3 where every room had 50 of these and those. Maybe a few offices in the med faciclity with touchpad PDA type displays with blinking neon screens that say "incoming email", and a few xray boards with human xrays on them. [is a morgue room with bodybags too much for this game?] Bottles and glass vials with medicinal labels on them, desks with pills and boxes of nanite-bandaids. Medical credentials on the walls, along with posters for stuff like cancerfighting nanites and bone healing nanites [like the posters we have to plaster our walls with in the hospital].
A mining facility would have pinup posters of hot alien babes, and marine energy nano-fizz cans everywhere. [Maybe tobacco and alcohol isn't a good idea since it will change the rating??]. Tools and energy wires/parts everywhere. Also, what is a mining facitily without an entertainment area? [I can think of only 2 things a miner might want though, hehe, booze and women!]
A science facility where they study aliens would have coffee pots, science magazines and journals, also maybe small desktop sized alien bone structure models. Like the cool dinosaur bone models! Skulk teeth being analized by a small machine, syringes with glowing stuff in it next to a busted cat sized pet cage that maybe held a tiny alien. Oh yeah, and lasers. Gotta have lasers man! heh
We do have themed sets, the litter is a part of the "misc" set, so it should consist of objects that would be scattered almost any place. Like a crumpled up piece of paper, the suggested LCD/PDA device, boxes, etc.
Having said that, there are other ideas here that I would still like to include (in another prop set). For example, if I were to make a set for a living area of some kind, I would include suggestions like the baseball bat, baseball, chess board, etc.
Hi J , I work in the transport industry and have a few ideas for your storage areas , A) how about a 2m wide 360deg slippery dip for crates and as an alternate , one way acess to a level/ floor ( I used to use these at TNT for boxes when loading the local and interstate trucks.) that runs you at a fast speed onto either a 1-2m high conveyor or set off rollers running along a wall to a loading bay area. have a few crates follow thru occasionally to stop any belt campers. B)how about a raw mateerials cargo hold with a nemag grab(http://www.nemag.com/EN/product1.htm?main=2&subm=1#) that you as a marine could swing around and munch on an onos . In their current form they move at high speed and weigh between 16-30 tons without the 40ton of cargo inside they would look impressive dropping from the roof onto an attacking alien and squishing it like a garlic press.
It's been said already but I'm all for pictures of people, families, some newspapers, etc.
Oh and some pictures of the dev team scattered around the map would be great too <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
yeah i was going to point them to the blog that stats about perticular tile like sets, so how mnay bits and peices does this alpha like chunk of the tech realse have 25 props and 50 textures wasnt it?
Games: Holographic games [wouldn't that be easy enough to do by assigning "cloaking" to objects on the board?] These wouldn't work of course, and maybe they could sorta flicker a tiny bit. I say holographic vanilla chess, battle chess [marines vs. aliens?], laptops with looping game videos like "Skulk Attack 6". TSA Marine action figures on a desk would be RAD, just size a guy down to 1/25th the size and line them up on a shelfs, or on a desk. Magazines like "H.M.G.", or "ONOSpro."
Food: Lerky Jerky. Gorge Gummies [man I like these first two alot, I'm gonna make some textures tommorow!]. Fade Fizz, energy drink ["Are you draggin ass? Wish you could move like a fade at work? Then how bout some Fade Fizz!]. Cut up alien body parts [kinda like sushi]. Big stuffed "turkey like" gorge no a table with an apple in it's mouth [now I'm just being mean, I know].
Decorations: Fish tanks/bowls. Small cages with alien pets inside, maybe some of them would appear like the skulks got to em [bloody destroyed cages]. Virtual pets, just like holographic games, could have small holographic pets on a desk, or in a tank. A monitor with fake fish on them. Pictures of families and friends. Would mirrors be a good idea? Plants, cool tropical glowing kind, and maybe a couple mean looking ones with teeth.
<!--quoteo(post=1651871:date=Sep 24 2007, 11:43 PM:name=Buzzou)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Buzzou @ Sep 24 2007, 11:43 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1651871"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->if its added, make it flammable.
i'm not anti-american, its just that i dont think any object should be added that specifically draws reference to any nation, political party, race, or religious belief. you'll only be opening a can of worms, and smart-$#%es like my self will defile them at any opportunity. i'm as patriotic and proud of my country and heritage as the next guy, but if i saw an australian flag in an NS map, i'd be wishing there was some way i could digitally urinate on it - IT JUST DOESNT BELONG THERE.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Your point is exact and I could not agree more. No propaganda please.
They COULD still have flags, but instead of using an already existing one, make it something that would fit for that particular map. For a mining map use a Association of Galactic Miners flag [A.G.M.]. Or for another map give it a fitting flag that would actually be present on the outside of the building, or something like that. A map of an abandoned terraformers facility could have a flag on the outside, above the entrance door that said "Terraformers 5"....
Idea for a capture the flag kinda map : How about each team has a "heavy" remote controll to open their own area to space as they are both in a massive cargo area( similar to one of the maps now where you break the crates to get to fixed controlls) .The remote could only be lifted by a heavy or onos and could not be teleported thru a phase gate and would only work when plugged in at opposing teams console with both controllers in the same place. This could be a safety feature that was designed by the cargo transport ships builders as a failsafe even if they did not expect aliens and marines to be in the hold. Insted of just sucking out into space the personell as it does currently , everything would be pulled into space from the hive /CCdown to any nodes / res towers into the void, say over a black hole or a dwarf star.
even a bunch of quick-and-gritty bundles of pipes/equipment would be really useful. The kind of models that could be put behind walls or under the floors, semi-covered by grates and whatnot. We need a lot of ambient props, and some such as these would not even require a hitbox.
Other small detail props could be things like: -details for under catwalks. If a mapper places a one-brush catwalk with a few cables holding it up, it looks like crap. But if every 10 feet or so theres a small detailed prop on the side that is attached underneath (which could maybe be what attaches the cables), it would make it look far better. Do you understand what i mean or do i have to do something quick in photoshop? -props like the HL2 Combine Door locks; these were much more extravagant and stood out, but perhaps a locked and unlocked door prop could be used. Example: all the locked doors that are just for show (which good maps are supposed to have to make it feel more realistic) could have a visible lock down over the door (attached to the wall beside it), maybe even with a red light on it. Then the unlocked prop would be the same lock, but in the up position, so its only on the wall and not touching the door, with a green light. -Crates. Sure, everyone hates crates, but space marines need supplies as well, and crate props that actually have detail in them would be fantastic. People mostly hate crates because mappers overuse them in weird places. -Room-specific props. E.G., mess hall tables and fridges, hive location alien plants (think Biodome) or even infested pillar props, random pillars, chairs, consoles, med-lab tables and whatnot... theres so much to make <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" /> -Random details. Again. I'm picturing even something like a foot-by-foot-by-4-foot (so a tall cubish shape) sort of thing that simply has a bit of indented detail, and maybe a colour or light on the inside of the indent. Perhaps add on a base that makes it look like its attached to the floor. Could be used in any number of situations to either affect gameplay or simply add fantastic detail.
<!--quoteo(post=1653578:date=Oct 2 2007, 02:21 PM:name=StixNStonz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(StixNStonz @ Oct 2 2007, 02:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1653578"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->-Crates. Sure, everyone hates crates, but space marines need supplies as well, and crate props that actually have detail in them would be fantastic. People mostly hate crates because mappers overuse them in weird places.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, that's exactly why. Look at maps like de_dust. They couldn't think of anything better to put in such a mindless game, so they put crates everywhere, and they still included them all over the place in CS:S! *sigh*
Crates do belong in maps, especially in certain areas: Loading docks. Rooms where they would have a related texture stamp on the side, fitting that room [a small crate with a red + on the side in a mdeical lab, a gun stamp on the side in a weps supply closet]. So it wouldn't be so bad if they used them very sparingly in the rest of the areas, and change the way they look too. Not every crate has the same logo, or NO logo on it [counter strike style, god I hope were past that].
Some of them will be opened, or wrapped in netting for loading, or in the process of being scanned! There could be a recieving room with a monitor next to one saying "bio hazard detected, recommend immediate quarantine, per mining trade regulation 57.b sub-6", orrrrr maybe just a flashing warning light with a much shorter version like "biohazard detected", hehe.
Another idea for a map like "cargo" [where they are used alot more] would be an area where crates are moved from a huge supply room by a robotic arm [kinda like begining of HL1], then they are put onto a conveyer belt where they are sent who knows where. But again, they dont look like they were "placed in the map for cover." Or, every 15 crates moving along a conveyer belt would make the "scanner" pickup some sort of illegal stuff inside [like an xray machine], and it would be moved by an arm into a small container where it is destroyed somehow [frikin lasers! or incinerated by flame].
These ideas not only change they way "crates" are presented, but also change elements in the game which I think adds to the realism yes, but also variety. The rooms where crates are being moved heavily, could have loud machinery! Now were are playing with the sound a little. A room with a conveyer belt would have a constant "running turning sound", like a very smoothed out tank track noise. The area where the crates are scanned would have intermediate noises. The scanner could make simple beeping sounds when a crate is found to be "ok", then moved along. When a crate is found to be including something "bad" [alien life form, illegal goods, whatever] a red light would start along with a buzzing noise, then the robotic arm comes down [along with it's own robotic noises] and picks up the box, and somehow disposes of it.
Crates can be used, but the thing is they all look the same, and they don't add anything to games except something to stand behind, so yes they do look like crap usually.
I think I like the idea of having either a working [moving] supply belt going on, or maybe just one that was stopped, since obviously the people at this facility either fled, or were all killed, whatever, but you get the point. If stopped then other props would just be drag n drop [the isolation palet in the picture here]. But, if it was still working, then maybe instead of a palet, the supply boxes could be dropped onto a spot on the ground where it opens up and they are "transoprted elsewhere."
- more cord types, not just thin black ones.. - computers - chairs, tables - bins - cups, food, dishes etc - more realistic type water/ waterfalls - clothing, boots, personal equipment - dead eggs - alien plants, failed alien births - sound boxes, radios, cameras (interactive) - carcasses or either pets brought onto ships by marines, or even carcasses of aliens - possibly ai pets, like a cat or dog maybe which can attack aliens - portable fans - working doors to cupboards or dorms etc - fridge/freezers - ovens, showers
things which give the game more of a realistic feel than just fighting in a prepared battle zone.. give places more life like an unexpected infestation or even an attack on a homeworld alien planet..
This is probably just a HL1 engine limit, I am sure the water in NS2 will look better.
- dead eggs - alien plants, failed alien births
Two GREAT ideas! Eggs that are like half burned up. And aliens that didn't make it. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/asrifle.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::asrifle::" border="0" alt="asrifle.gif" />
- carcasses or either pets brought onto ships by marines, or even carcasses of aliens - possibly ai pets, like a cat or dog maybe which can attack aliens
I will be making a medical facility for my first map, and I am hoping I can put a fish tank in it, but I don't know if it is possible. [I have not mad maps for years, I hope they don't suck, hehe]
<!--quoteo(post=1653676:date=Oct 3 2007, 04:11 AM:name=corpsman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(corpsman @ Oct 3 2007, 04:11 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1653676"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I am hoping I can put a fish tank in it, but I don't know if it is possible<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Check out cs_xcom for CS:S. The mapper made his own animated model, which is actually a bunch of little fishies swimming all around.
Sorry, it is so funny. But after I thought about it, why couldn't we have this? I mean, you could have personal videos playing messages from home, maybe screensavers like this silly gif file, or even gaming videos of NS1 loopping! Man, everyone who played it will remember the "good ol days"...
<!--quoteo(post=1653750:date=Oct 3 2007, 11:46 AM:name=corpsman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(corpsman @ Oct 3 2007, 11:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1653750"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I would be happy if we could just see a monitor with this on it.
Sorry, it is so funny. But after I thought about it, why couldn't we have this? I mean, you could have personal videos playing messages from home, maybe screensavers like this silly gif file, or even gaming videos of NS1 loopping! Man, everyone who played it will remember the "good ol days"...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> 2nd for the epic Techno Viking.
btw you need help with props gimme a shout, i'll be more than happy to help even if for free ^_^
Instead off crates how about mass grave obelisks with "Here lies regiment XIIV off the interstella marines , devoured and digested on april 1 2355" Or wrecked space junk / attack equipment like the vertical rockets in HL2. You could have flowwing liquid iron like on a blast furnace flowing across floor with the occasional blast off slag and iron from the taphole that would burn anyone in the way (like an old style cannon firing shotgun spray style pepper shot at massed troops)
locallyunsceneFeeder of TrollsJoin Date: 2002-12-25Member: 11528Members, Constellation
I would like to see broken weapons/equipment TSA and otherwise. A higher poly version of the old SG with a large gash down the side or some such thing. Some of the coolest doodads in Starcraft are the broken command centers and seige tanks. Maybe broken welders(chopped in half) since they are more of a civilian tool.
Basically anything that is HL2 or better, like picking up cups/binders and such and if possible throwing them or beating aliens with them. Then someone could make a custom map that's all about killing each other with materials people find.
Comments
QFT
The focus right now should be more of TSA/futuristic items. Most maps will probably have small living areas compared to the rest of it. Some may not have any at all. Not every NS map is a huge city where people used to live. I.E. it only takes maybe 20 people to run a spaceship as large as ns_bast or ns_nancy, not hundreds. They also dont live in luxury...not much of a need for personal items/food/memorabilia.
For example, a Sewer theme, and the items you would find in a sewer such as, tools, misc junk/garbage
Computer/Office theme: Chairs, Computers/screens, futuristic keyboards/inputs, papers/schematics
Rec Rooms/Mess Halls Theme: Clothing, basketball or a football, chess boards ( Holo graphic Chess board? ), Cups.
Maybe training program for marines (NS1). <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" /> (if it is on a TSA base)
Alien description. (if it is in a lab, or on a TSA base)
Security cam live image from some corridors.
Sytem diagnostics.
TSA OS desktop. (if it is on a TSA base)
blood <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />
"not connected"
game statistics
story of ns
etc..
The focus right now should be more of TSA/futuristic items. Most maps will probably have small living areas compared to the rest of it. Some may not have any at all. Not every NS map is a huge city where people used to live. I.E. it only takes maybe 20 people to run a spaceship as large as ns_bast or ns_nancy, not hundreds. They also dont live in luxury...not much of a need for personal items/food/memorabilia.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
GREAT point. So it's not like DOOM 3 where every room had 50 of these and those. Maybe a few offices in the med faciclity with touchpad PDA type displays with blinking neon screens that say "incoming email", and a few xray boards with human xrays on them. [is a morgue room with bodybags too much for this game?] Bottles and glass vials with medicinal labels on them, desks with pills and boxes of nanite-bandaids. Medical credentials on the walls, along with posters for stuff like cancerfighting nanites and bone healing nanites [like the posters we have to plaster our walls with in the hospital].
A mining facility would have pinup posters of hot alien babes, and marine energy nano-fizz cans everywhere. [Maybe tobacco and alcohol isn't a good idea since it will change the rating??]. Tools and energy wires/parts everywhere. Also, what is a mining facitily without an entertainment area? [I can think of only 2 things a miner might want though, hehe, booze and women!]
A science facility where they study aliens would have coffee pots, science magazines and journals, also maybe small desktop sized alien bone structure models. Like the cool dinosaur bone models! Skulk teeth being analized by a small machine, syringes with glowing stuff in it next to a busted cat sized pet cage that maybe held a tiny alien. Oh yeah, and lasers. Gotta have lasers man! heh
Having said that, there are other ideas here that I would still like to include (in another prop set). For example, if I were to make a set for a living area of some kind, I would include suggestions like the baseball bat, baseball, chess board, etc.
A) how about a 2m wide 360deg slippery dip for crates and as an alternate , one way acess to a level/ floor
( I used to use these at TNT for boxes when loading the local and interstate trucks.) that runs you at a fast speed onto either a 1-2m high conveyor or set off rollers running along a wall to a loading bay area. have a few crates follow thru occasionally to stop any belt campers.
B)how about a raw mateerials cargo hold with a nemag grab(http://www.nemag.com/EN/product1.htm?main=2&subm=1#) that you as a marine could swing around and munch on an onos . In their current form they move at high speed and weigh between 16-30 tons without the 40ton of cargo inside they would look impressive dropping from the roof onto an attacking alien and squishing it like a garlic press.
Oh and some pictures of the dev team scattered around the map would be great too <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile-fix.gif" />
Games: Holographic games [wouldn't that be easy enough to do by assigning "cloaking" to objects on the board?] These wouldn't work of course, and maybe they could sorta flicker a tiny bit. I say holographic vanilla chess, battle chess [marines vs. aliens?], laptops with looping game videos like "Skulk Attack 6". TSA Marine action figures on a desk would be RAD, just size a guy down to 1/25th the size and line them up on a shelfs, or on a desk. Magazines like "H.M.G.", or "ONOSpro."
Food: Lerky Jerky. Gorge Gummies [man I like these first two alot, I'm gonna make some textures tommorow!]. Fade Fizz, energy drink ["Are you draggin ass? Wish you could move like a fade at work? Then how bout some Fade Fizz!]. Cut up alien body parts [kinda like sushi]. Big stuffed "turkey like" gorge no a table with an apple in it's mouth [now I'm just being mean, I know].
Decorations: Fish tanks/bowls. Small cages with alien pets inside, maybe some of them would appear like the skulks got to em [bloody destroyed cages]. Virtual pets, just like holographic games, could have small holographic pets on a desk, or in a tank. A monitor with fake fish on them. Pictures of families and friends. Would mirrors be a good idea? Plants, cool tropical glowing kind, and maybe a couple mean looking ones with teeth.
i'm not anti-american, its just that i dont think any object should be added that specifically draws reference to any nation, political party, race, or religious belief. you'll only be opening a can of worms, and smart-$#%es like my self will defile them at any opportunity. i'm as patriotic and proud of my country and heritage as the next guy, but if i saw an australian flag in an NS map, i'd be wishing there was some way i could digitally urinate on it - IT JUST DOESNT BELONG THERE.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Your point is exact and I could not agree more. No propaganda please.
They COULD still have flags, but instead of using an already existing one, make it something that would fit for that particular map. For a mining map use a Association of Galactic Miners flag [A.G.M.]. Or for another map give it a fitting flag that would actually be present on the outside of the building, or something like that. A map of an abandoned terraformers facility could have a flag on the outside, above the entrance door that said "Terraformers 5"....
How about each team has a "heavy" remote controll to open their own area to space as they are both in a massive cargo area( similar to one of the maps now where you break the crates to get to fixed controlls) .The remote could only be lifted by a heavy or onos and could not be teleported thru a phase gate and would only work when plugged in at opposing teams console with both controllers in the same place. This could be a safety feature that was designed by the cargo transport ships builders as a failsafe even if they did not expect aliens and marines to be in the hold.
Insted of just sucking out into space the personell as it does currently , everything would be pulled into space from the hive /CCdown to any nodes / res towers into the void, say over a black hole or a dwarf star.
Other small detail props could be things like:
-details for under catwalks. If a mapper places a one-brush catwalk with a few cables holding it up, it looks like crap. But if every 10 feet or so theres a small detailed prop on the side that is attached underneath (which could maybe be what attaches the cables), it would make it look far better. Do you understand what i mean or do i have to do something quick in photoshop?
-props like the HL2 Combine Door locks; these were much more extravagant and stood out, but perhaps a locked and unlocked door prop could be used. Example: all the locked doors that are just for show (which good maps are supposed to have to make it feel more realistic) could have a visible lock down over the door (attached to the wall beside it), maybe even with a red light on it. Then the unlocked prop would be the same lock, but in the up position, so its only on the wall and not touching the door, with a green light.
-Crates. Sure, everyone hates crates, but space marines need supplies as well, and crate props that actually have detail in them would be fantastic. People mostly hate crates because mappers overuse them in weird places.
-Room-specific props. E.G., mess hall tables and fridges, hive location alien plants (think Biodome) or even infested pillar props, random pillars, chairs, consoles, med-lab tables and whatnot... theres so much to make <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />
-Random details. Again. I'm picturing even something like a foot-by-foot-by-4-foot (so a tall cubish shape) sort of thing that simply has a bit of indented detail, and maybe a colour or light on the inside of the indent. Perhaps add on a base that makes it look like its attached to the floor. Could be used in any number of situations to either affect gameplay or simply add fantastic detail.
Yeah, that's exactly why. Look at maps like de_dust. They couldn't think of anything better to put in such a mindless game, so they put crates everywhere, and they still included them all over the place in CS:S! *sigh*
Crates do belong in maps, especially in certain areas: Loading docks. Rooms where they would have a related texture stamp on the side, fitting that room [a small crate with a red + on the side in a mdeical lab, a gun stamp on the side in a weps supply closet]. So it wouldn't be so bad if they used them very sparingly in the rest of the areas, and change the way they look too. Not every crate has the same logo, or NO logo on it [counter strike style, god I hope were past that].
Some of them will be opened, or wrapped in netting for loading, or in the process of being scanned! There could be a recieving room with a monitor next to one saying "bio hazard detected, recommend immediate quarantine, per mining trade regulation 57.b sub-6", orrrrr maybe just a flashing warning light with a much shorter version like "biohazard detected", hehe.
Another idea for a map like "cargo" [where they are used alot more] would be an area where crates are moved from a huge supply room by a robotic arm [kinda like begining of HL1], then they are put onto a conveyer belt where they are sent who knows where. But again, they dont look like they were "placed in the map for cover." Or, every 15 crates moving along a conveyer belt would make the "scanner" pickup some sort of illegal stuff inside [like an xray machine], and it would be moved by an arm into a small container where it is destroyed somehow [frikin lasers! or incinerated by flame].
These ideas not only change they way "crates" are presented, but also change elements in the game which I think adds to the realism yes, but also variety. The rooms where crates are being moved heavily, could have loud machinery! Now were are playing with the sound a little. A room with a conveyer belt would have a constant "running turning sound", like a very smoothed out tank track noise. The area where the crates are scanned would have intermediate noises. The scanner could make simple beeping sounds when a crate is found to be "ok", then moved along. When a crate is found to be including something "bad" [alien life form, illegal goods, whatever] a red light would start along with a buzzing noise, then the robotic arm comes down [along with it's own robotic noises] and picks up the box, and somehow disposes of it.
Crates can be used, but the thing is they all look the same, and they don't add anything to games except something to stand behind, so yes they do look like crap usually.
I think I like the idea of having either a working [moving] supply belt going on, or maybe just one that was stopped, since obviously the people at this facility either fled, or were all killed, whatever, but you get the point. If stopped then other props would just be drag n drop [the isolation palet in the picture here]. But, if it was still working, then maybe instead of a palet, the supply boxes could be dropped onto a spot on the ground where it opens up and they are "transoprted elsewhere."
status screens "failure, warning bla bla bla..."
rails and tunnels like this <img src="http://www.49thline.com/assets/images/Dark_Places_Mine02.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
stairs <img src="http://campus.udayton.edu/udq/images/2007/010907darkplacesb.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
- computers
- chairs, tables
- bins
- cups, food, dishes etc
- more realistic type water/ waterfalls
- clothing, boots, personal equipment
- dead eggs
- alien plants, failed alien births
- sound boxes, radios, cameras (interactive)
- carcasses or either pets brought onto ships by marines, or even carcasses of aliens
- possibly ai pets, like a cat or dog maybe which can attack aliens
- portable fans
- working doors to cupboards or dorms etc
- fridge/freezers
- ovens, showers
things which give the game more of a realistic feel than just fighting in a prepared battle zone.. give places more life like an unexpected infestation or even an attack on a homeworld alien planet..
This is probably just a HL1 engine limit, I am sure the water in NS2 will look better.
- dead eggs
- alien plants, failed alien births
Two GREAT ideas! Eggs that are like half burned up. And aliens that didn't make it. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/asrifle.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="::asrifle::" border="0" alt="asrifle.gif" />
- carcasses or either pets brought onto ships by marines, or even carcasses of aliens
- possibly ai pets, like a cat or dog maybe which can attack aliens
I will be making a medical facility for my first map, and I am hoping I can put a fish tank in it, but I don't know if it is possible. [I have not mad maps for years, I hope they don't suck, hehe]
Man, you have some GREAT ideas here.
Check out cs_xcom for CS:S. The mapper made his own animated model, which is actually a bunch of little fishies swimming all around.
<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/GuanShao/1191138425342.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Sorry, it is so funny. But after I thought about it, why couldn't we have this? I mean, you could have personal videos playing messages from home, maybe screensavers like this silly gif file, or even gaming videos of NS1 loopping! Man, everyone who played it will remember the "good ol days"...
<img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/GuanShao/1191138425342.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Sorry, it is so funny. But after I thought about it, why couldn't we have this? I mean, you could have personal videos playing messages from home, maybe screensavers like this silly gif file, or even gaming videos of NS1 loopping! Man, everyone who played it will remember the "good ol days"...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
2nd for the epic Techno Viking.
btw you need help with props gimme a shout, i'll be more than happy to help even if for free ^_^
I have got some areas that I would love getting some help with.
Also:Edit: That came off as "do it for me" I meant, for someone to answer a couple of questions I might have.
You could have flowwing liquid iron like on a blast furnace flowing across floor with the occasional blast off slag and iron from the taphole that would burn anyone in the way (like an old style cannon firing shotgun spray style pepper shot at massed troops)