Prologue
Hand_Me_The_Gun_And_Ask_Me_Again
Join Date: 2002-02-07 Member: 178Members
Join Date: 2002-02-07 Member: 178Members
"Seargeant Morley? Sit right down."
General Goldstein's office was cramped, underlit and noisy, much like the rest of the UCC Rosencreutz. I cleared a stack of books and computer parts off a small chair.
"You're probably wondering why you're here, right?"
I looked at him, unsure as to how to answer. Ignoring my gaze, he lifted some papers off a rollscreen and flicked it on.
"In the late twentieth century, an unusual technological construct, presumably of alien origin, was discovered on Earth. It was, how shall we put it, <i>lost</i> within a couple of years, but not before a fairly intensive survey was made. Some of the details remain."
His fingers pressed the rollscreen, and pictures scrolled into view. Turning the rollscreen around so I could see it better, he looked at me, his finely lined face illuminated by the blue-green vistas displayed.
A huge, infinite sky, holding ancient weathered metal constructions embedded into some kind of organic-looking material, almost like rock. Bird-like creatures, unlike any animal I had seen before, real or imagined, flitted between long, indecipherable spikes.
"Sir? While I've never been to Earth, I'm pretty sure these weren't taken there."
The General's face assumed a pained expression. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if he had changed his mind.
"Morley, when this was discovered, we already knew humans weren't alone in this universe, albeit in a somewhat surprising way. This just complicated matters. It was long suspected that the original builders of this construct would have left other traces of their existence, and now with the Ariadne Arm problems, we feel we need a little help.
"So, why am I here?"
"I thought that would have been obvious by now."
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-1.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-2.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-3.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-4.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-5.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-6.jpg" border="0">
<i>Arse. I managed to post it twice, and virtually delete the second, correct version. What a way to start. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> Anyway, this <b>isn't</b> an NS map - but I'm seriously considering building one in a similar style, tentatively dubbed <b>ns_sugarlump</b>...</i>
General Goldstein's office was cramped, underlit and noisy, much like the rest of the UCC Rosencreutz. I cleared a stack of books and computer parts off a small chair.
"You're probably wondering why you're here, right?"
I looked at him, unsure as to how to answer. Ignoring my gaze, he lifted some papers off a rollscreen and flicked it on.
"In the late twentieth century, an unusual technological construct, presumably of alien origin, was discovered on Earth. It was, how shall we put it, <i>lost</i> within a couple of years, but not before a fairly intensive survey was made. Some of the details remain."
His fingers pressed the rollscreen, and pictures scrolled into view. Turning the rollscreen around so I could see it better, he looked at me, his finely lined face illuminated by the blue-green vistas displayed.
A huge, infinite sky, holding ancient weathered metal constructions embedded into some kind of organic-looking material, almost like rock. Bird-like creatures, unlike any animal I had seen before, real or imagined, flitted between long, indecipherable spikes.
"Sir? While I've never been to Earth, I'm pretty sure these weren't taken there."
The General's face assumed a pained expression. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, as if he had changed his mind.
"Morley, when this was discovered, we already knew humans weren't alone in this universe, albeit in a somewhat surprising way. This just complicated matters. It was long suspected that the original builders of this construct would have left other traces of their existence, and now with the Ariadne Arm problems, we feel we need a little help.
"So, why am I here?"
"I thought that would have been obvious by now."
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-1.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-2.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-3.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-4.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-5.jpg" border="0">
<img src="http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/asylum/verc_18/verc_18-6.jpg" border="0">
<i>Arse. I managed to post it twice, and virtually delete the second, correct version. What a way to start. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> Anyway, this <b>isn't</b> an NS map - but I'm seriously considering building one in a similar style, tentatively dubbed <b>ns_sugarlump</b>...</i>
Comments
I just have one question, what kind of r_speeds do you get in that room in the first shot? Because if you can get that much detail into a room while keeping the r_speeds below about 700, I would like to know how <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
I also wonder about r_speeds though.
<b>r_speeds</b>? The top one, probably the worst, reaches peaks of about 780 wpoly. Partially because of the 50m tall shaft above, and partially because it's a single-player map and the limits are higher. Apparently. Sources will be released under the GPL when it's finished.
I wanted to build a multiplayer map, and Natural Selection sounds unusual, fun and more interesting than, say, Counter-Strike. <b>ns_sugarlump</b> is currently in the thinking-it-out-in-my-head stages (yes, I map in my head before going anywhere near Worldcraft). Of course, I had to link the back-story into Parallax...
<a href="http://parallax.webhop.org/" target="_blank">http://parallax.webhop.org/</a>
As for your shots... MY GOD MAN!!! Bob -DEFINATELY- Likes.
And Bob doesn't maim people who makes things he likes. You're safe.
For now.
Just as a question though... you aren't making anything too level over level, are ya? <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
And I'm not so sure about your backstory, but since we're lacking alien info, I can't comment much. Just be sure to read the <a href="http://www.natural-selection.org/world_marine_start.html" target="_blank">Marine backstory</a>, on where the Marines first ran across aliens.
<b>Please ignore the above. I just realized that it ain't an NS map. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--></b>
<!--EDIT|Moleculor|Feb. 09 2002,01:51-->
My only complaints are a) you don't seem to be using the ns.wad which is probably related to b) this map doesn't seem to be an NS map. I sure hope you do make an NS map because your work is utterly beautiful and unique.
*grins* I didn't see this at first either. But it -isn't- an NS map. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
I love the organic rock in those pics - fantastic feeling of open space too. I really can't wait to see what your real NS map will look like (I'm planning on stealing all your ideas).
I'm just past the thinking-it-out-in-my-head stage and into the drawing-it-on-100s-of-sheets-of-paper-and-seeing-it-in-my-dreams stage <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
p.s. you could afford to expand the textures in the top on to reduce r_speeds
OH
MY
GOD
[edit] some of the pics look a bit like System Shock all over again, which of course is a good thing! [/edit]
This map was in no way inspired by Halo. Honest. I've never even played Halo - it's not even available in the UK yet. In fact, I hope you realise that...
Oh, I admit it. I've seen Halo screenshots, videos and so on, and I really like the shapes of various bits of alien hardware, etc, especially those things sticking out a certain island which so many screenshots and videos seem to be of. I didn't intend to copy Halo in any way (honest! <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo--> ) - but in a way this map is a homage to the game.
A prize of an ampersand to the person who spots the giant reference to a former Bungie game... <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
Regardless, my last post was a compliment, mind you... <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
And yes, I did take your comments as a compliment - for my next trick, I'm going to reveal an Earth-based map with wide open spaces, realistic vegetation and cliffs, canyons and so on, in no way inspired by that 'Halo' game. Honest. <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo-->
Oh, and I've realised there's another (gigantic) Bungie reference in those screenshots - one which has made its way into Natural Selection as well.
Your work is awesome. Give in to the power of NS. You know you want to.
Natural Selection is your new family. Flayra is your new god. MonsieurEvil is your new girlfriend. (*muffled whispering*) What? I can't say that? Oh, sorry... (*back to glazed-over eyes*) MonsieurEvil is not your girlfriend, that was... ah... just to keep you on your toes. NSTR is your new friend. Map. Now. Or termination protocol will engage.
God, I'm strange... <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo-->
Nice to see you here, Mr. WhoMe. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
Yet another project to delay Parallax with. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
Actually, I've done more work on Parallax over the weekend than I have in the last couple of months. I'm preparing (drumroll) the Parallax l33t-SDK!
Ahem. I think I need to get this back on-topic.
Errr... Anyone want to know why it's called <b>ns_sugarlump</b>? <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
*Resistance is FUTILE!!!*
You must join NS!!!!
hehe