MML Helmsdeep - feedback

([AE]HawkeyE) #1

As a fan of Helm’s Deepp I of course downloaded the latest version, while I like all of the additions that you’ve made, I don’t understand hwy it’s so much darker. I was flying around in spectator and went into the helm’s horn tower and got stuck on the bottom of the staircase since it’s is virtually pitchblack for a large portion of it, although for some reason it makes a sand type sound when I walk over the stuff. The map is also dark in various other spot. Also one of the textures for the terrain that you used aren’t loading for me at all, I get big yellow and black boxes for half of the terrain and portions of the cave. Also, the caves, I can tell that you spent quite some time making those massive things but aren’t they excessive? I keep on getting lost on my way to the gate. Now on the good side :), I love all the new additions to the map including the little wood planks over the Main gate that the tank has to drive through that now open, very nifty heh. Also the rubble left after the sewer entrance is blown is quite cool and realistic. With the sewer entrance, the water is a bit odd, make the splashing noise but the water looks like a flat texture and isn’t flowing at all.

But I still love the map, keep up the good work gerbil!

EDIT: Changed title to something more relevant. Sock

(Chruker) #2

Regarding the darkness, he didn’t intended it to be so.

He replies on many other comments in this thread: http://www.splashdamage.com/index.php?name=pnPHPbb2&file=viewtopic&p=64804#64804

(G0-Gerbil) #3

I knew before reading this thread it’d feature the phrase ‘too dark’ :smiley:
Yeah it was a mistake, I R n00b :smiley:
Missing textures - you are obviously one of the many who got it via in-game downloading and hence didn’t read the README, which clearly states:

Delete any and all previous versions.

Basically the old version conflicts with the new.
It’s good practice to always delete older versions of a map when you get a newer one, but autodownload does not give you the chance, nor do you tend to get the readme. God I love auto-download and the problems it causes :confused:

So go into your etmain/ folder and delete the file called mml_helmsdeep_fp.pk3 and you’ll see the map in it’s much nicer textured glory.

Expect a new version of the map in maybe a week or so - the darkness thing is killing it (although it’s only horn and stables, but the lighting overall is crap anyway :)), but I won’t simply recompile with ambient, I’ll take the time to add in more detail and do some of the lighting properly.

(Schaffer) #4

Hi Gerbil,

I like the newer version but was wondering if you inted to keep the door icons on the command map as they are or do you intend to do something a little funkier? I also thought that the rain when you are standing on the ground below the main ramp (ie right next to the main wall below the gate) seems really thick, almost un-naturally, but then it might be my cheapskate fx5200 card being a piece of shit.

The command map looks cool but I also thought that due to the colours and the alpha transperancy in game that it seems a bit hard to read. You also might want to look into multiple command maps to depict different levels since you have overlaid several paths in the helm and the caves.

Overall another excellent map, better than any RTCW conversion :slight_smile: Dont do it :slight_smile:

(G0-Gerbil) #5

The icons will get funkier I assure you - I had hoped to do proper ones this time but to be honest I just got annoyed and wanted that version out :slight_smile:
Not seen about the rain - will look into it :slight_smile:
I’ll make the routes etc on the command map more clear next release - I made the effect a bit too subtle which even I regret while I play - I’d forgotten the ingame version gets blended :slight_smile:

(Schaffer) #6

That’s cool. I do like the command map, has an old age feel about it, which is hwat I am guessing you where trying to achieve.

(jah) #7

well what to say.

i’ve seen some screenies from the map long time ago… i absolutely love the geometry of the fortress overall and the map looks ‘real’ (as in = to the movie). i see that you still have a lot of work to do yet and from the other comments i’ve read i will save mine to later.

the map is coming out fine.

dream
I wonder… could this be a TC mod for et? lord of the rings mod? classes would be human (the sword mans), elves (the bow masters), hobbits (equipped with a small dagger but able to handle explosives), the dwarfs (battle axe!) and ofcourse the mages (capable of reviving fallen comrades and even resplenishing health!)… and orcs… mighty urukhais (deadly with their long bladed swords), orcs (and their bows), dark mages, oh wonder of wonders…
wakes up

ah… we just have to escort the tank… :frowning:

lol got me dreaming there :stuck_out_tongue:

ah one suggestion: how about making those ladders where the orcs start to climb the walls? could be a 2 stage constructible where fase 1 was the actual rope (where the orcs had to pull to elevate the ladder) and the 2nd and final stage the ladder itself (is it possible to animate this :??? guess not). dunno just an idea (and another way for the axis to penetrate the fortress. btw add fog to the map and some lightnings like wurzburg radar? :o

really. if someone wants to make a mod for ET based of the lord of rings mythology/battles/whatever i would gladly help/join with my photoshop skills. tho i doubt that there are any crazy coders out there with nothing better to do. hehe

cheers gerbil.

(Ramoonus) #8

there were some big bugs
glad that their fixed

(G0-Gerbil) #9

TC is a bit much, I’ve seen too many mods fall by the wayside because people don’t realise how much work they involve.
Given that just the maps are taking forever, I think broadening the project at this stage would be a bit over-optimistic :frowning:
As for ladders etc, they are still a possibility, but firstly I’m trying to prevent axis having too easy a job getting in, and keep framerates down (it’s currently a bit low for my liking outside - don’t want to potentially lower it more).

Yes, I’d love a TC, but right now I’m not thinking about it.
Maybe when I’ve got a few more LotR maps out I might give it a rethink :slight_smile:

(jah) #10

well i have lots of ideas for it :smiley:

if i knew how to code c++… i don’t know where to even start. i can code php, actionscript, javascript, xsl/xml… but they’re all web based programming languages. never dealt with a application language before. i would give it a go tho. well the only thing i’m really good at is texturing :\

oh well… if ya do find ppl crazy enough to start a project like this pm me. or if ya want some custom textures for this map i can help out.

cheers. :slight_smile:

([AE]HawkeyE) #11

Gerbil, if you need any help with other LOTR maps, or even this one, I’d be glad to lend a hand, playing the first playable version of your map inspired me to do some LOTR mapping of my own, though I realised the epic proportions of undertaking a map like that and my skills at that time were, err, as shitty as could be. I started Minas Tirith, a gate so far! :), the Black gate, made a bit of the gate, cool spikey things too :), and the caves of Moria, that being the most in depth, made somewhat the entrance and the cave area, although the textures will have to be altered since I played around with these in the RTCW editor :), not that they’re that in depth heh :). Anyways, I’d be happy to help :).

(G0-Gerbil) #12

For people interested in a LotR mod, they don’t need me to be part of it, they are perfectly entitled to do one anyway :smiley:
HawkeyE - I’m afraid I am not into group mapping, I’ve turned down offers in the past because I can’t offer the commitment required when other people rely on me for things.
Keep on mapping though, I look forward to seeing what you come up with :slight_smile:

(Fusen) #13

k so we all settled that gerbil is leader of the LoTR mod? lol =P

AROMED VAPORIZERS

(Schaffer) #14

All hail King Gerbil, Lord of the LoTR Mod :slight_smile:

(TFate) #15

Cool!! When can we expect a beta release, Gerbil? :smiley:

(G0-Gerbil) #16

I hate you all :wink:

(seven_dc) #17

LOL. Gerbil you are in problems now if the bush radio catches this… Think about that you start receiving emails of people asking for mod and private testing.

Child Zoloft

([AE]HawkeyE) #18

I just noticed how many emoticons were in my last post :banghead: :bash:
lol