Duke Plus Maps thread

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Blade Nightflame

I don't know about you guys or my skill level, but I was almost pwned by that Battlelord at the start. I think there's a slight lack of ammo and health within that area, myself.. =/

What map are you talking about??

[Blade Nightflame]

Desert Base, I'm guessing. (The one where, when approaching a turret, several Overlord pop out.) The start is a bit unfair. And this was on a low skill level, say, the second one.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Blade Nightflame

Desert Base, I'm guessing. (The one where, when approaching a turret, several Overlord pop out.) The start is a bit unfair. And this was on a low skill level, say, the second one.

Hmmm. Well, in the latest version I've uploaded of DP, the door to that level is locked. You can still load it as a user map, but it shouldn't be accessible from the hub map. The level is broken and Mia Max requested that I remove it until it is fixed. So that makes me think you don't have the latest version.

[Blade Nightflame]

I was playing 1.8 when I was playing the map. (Still couldn't finish it. No hints on what to do later.) =/

[Daedolon]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

Hmmm. Well, in the latest version I've uploaded of DP, the door to that level is locked. You can still load it as a user map, but it shouldn't be accessible from the hub map. The level is broken and Mia Max requested that I remove it until it is fixed. So that makes me think you don't have the latest version.

DP has a singleplay episode with a hub map?

[XTHX2]

Originally Posted by Daedolon

DP has a singleplay episode with a hub map?

As far as I've spoken with DT, it is not a real hub map and again, as far as I've spoken with DT, he should be releasing an example of a real hub map sometime I'm waiting with patience.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Daedolon

DP has a singleplay episode with a hub map?

Check it out.

[Mia Max]

Anyone wants to beta-test my map Desertbase2?
If not, this would be a final alpha-release

There's not much left of the original. Now it's a combination of three maps of mine: Desertbase, my other map that I have already released and a 2 years old map, my first one that orginally has had a xbox theme.

Download:
http://rapidshare.de/files/40511077/Desertbase.map.html

[DeeperThought]

Yikes, I hope you didn't throw away any of the really good stuff! I'll check this out when I finish DNWMD 1.5.

[Spiker]

I've just played the map and I have to say that it's much better now. Great work.

[Mia Max]

Thanks! Finally I've built a map that's playable

@DeeperThought: This would mean that the map is complete and can be included in Duke Plus.

I still plan to make one more big update for the map. I'd like to add the outdoor area with the cran, but I've trouble to copy it into the map so I gonna have to rebuild it and this will take time.

But for the moment, the map is playable and ready for use...

[Helixhorned]

Great map, very balanced gameplay! I noticed some sprites that should be wall-aligned in non-HRP mode, though.

As for the problem of sector copying, try to delete all sprites from the original map (or the area you want to copy), the bug shouldn't appear then.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Thanks! Finally I've built a map that's playable

@DeeperThought: This would mean that the map is complete and can be included in Duke Plus.

I still plan to make one more big update for the map. I'd like to add the outdoor area with the cran, but I've trouble to copy it into the map so I gonna have to rebuild it and this will take time.

But for the moment, the map is playable and ready for use...

I just started playing it and so far it's great. It will be included with the next DP, along with some other requested changes.

[DeeperThought]

This is a great map, and seems totally different from the map you had before. The design and shading in the new areas is really excellent. There's a few points that need a bit of work though.

First, the map doesn't set the player's movement or weapon options, but it really needs to. There's one point where you have to use the gravity gun, for example, and the player might have that turned off, making the map impassable. I would recommend having all of the weapons options forced on, and all of the movement options except for grabbing/throwing.

Second, it's obvious you built using the HRP, because some sprites need to be wall-aligned:


A minor quibble, but imo a different type of switch would look better here:




Gameplay: It some ways it was quite good. The difficulty was about right (maybe a little on the easy side), but there were no annoying problems like cramped spaces that often ruin maps. However, I think the gameplay could be improved. There were some places where the enemies had absurd amounts of health for no particular reason. The swarm of newbeasts near the sawblades was the worst offender, then there was a commander shortly after that. I think it's kind of dumb to have nonboss enemies surviving lots of rocket hits, sawblades from the gravity gun, etc. If you want to add challenge, I can make those big turrets functional for you. Also, that battlelord that shows up in the area where the Dukebot spawns: WAY too much health on that guy. I would rather fight two battlelords than have one with a ridiculous amount of health. I think there's a lot of DP stuff that could be utilized to enhance the gameplay in different places. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at it myself, in fact.

[Mia Max]

First at all, thank you for the detailed report!

About the weapon option I've already updated my map. Though there's even a way to finish the map without the gravity gun, but I won't tell...
I think it's not important to fix the movement option.

I gave the swarm of newbeasts that amount of health because with less health the Dukebots kept killing them all.
But instead of much health I could let more newbeasts spawn.
Instead of the commander there will be a boss.
Big and slow moving turrets would be great!
I also like the idea if you will add some DP stuff to improve the gameplay.
I will upload a current version in about 12 hrs.
And now, I go to sleep. It's already 5:15 AM

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

First at all, thank you for the detailed report!

About the weapon option I've already updated my map. Though there's even a way to finish the map without the gravity gun, but I won't tell...
I think it's not important to fix the movement option.

With the dodge moves enabled, I could easily get up onto that ledge without the gravity gun. But I guess not many people know how to do wall jumps...

Originally Posted by Mia Max

I gave the swarm of newbeasts that amount of health because with less health the Dukebots kept killing them all.
But instead of much health I could let more newbeasts spawn.

Or maybe something more creative?

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Big and slow moving turrets would be great!

OK, I'll add those when I get a new version of your map.

[Mia Max]

Newest version of Desertbase:
http://rapidshare.com/files/14747188...base2.map.html

[Mikko Sandt]

What to do here (I did notice there's a skull outside that appears via night vision but have no idea what to do about it):

[DeeperThought]

I forgot to mention before, I got stuck for a while because this area looked impossible to get to. When you are down below, it doesn't look like you can jump up to it.

[DeeperThought]

What do you think of this guy as a replacement for the miniboss near the end of Desert Base?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaqGAaB55I

P.S. I'll do the big turrets next.

[Mia Max]

Originally Posted by Mikko Sandt

What to do here (I did notice there's a skull outside that appears via night vision but have no idea what to do about it):

There are two ways:
Spoiler:

show spoiler

1: On the big boxes there are small boxes that can be picked up using the gravity gun. If you build a tower in front of the big boxes, you should be able to jump on them.
2: If you use the googles you can see a green skull at the shaft behind you (screenshot). Below it you can shoot a hole into the shaft.

There are even more green skulls. Those show also secret places.

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

What do you think of this guy as a replacement for the miniboss near the end of Desert Base?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaqGAaB55I

P.S. I'll do the big turrets next.

Absolutely awesum! This is the kind of action the map needs to the end.
Thank you for that one!
I didn't even know that the RPG can shoot like that. Will this be a new feature or did I miss something?

EDIT: Ahh, you've already posted it in the Duke Plus thread...

[DeeperThought]

Hmmm. I think the map is pretty easy right now, even if you don't find the secrets. The first part (the new area you added) is the best, but when you get teleported to the next area (copied from your old map) there's not much challenge. Making the big turrets functional will help, but I think it's going to take more than that (not necessarily a larger number of monsters, but maybe a different mix in different places). I hope you don't mind if I play around with the monsters out there.

[Usurper]

Laser Cycloid was awesome.

[Mia Max]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

Hmmm. I think the map is pretty easy right now, even if you don't find the secrets. The first part (the new area you added) is the best, but when you get teleported to the next area (copied from your old map) there's not much challenge. Making the big turrets functional will help, but I think it's going to take more than that (not necessarily a larger number of monsters, but maybe a different mix in different places). I hope you don't mind if I play around with the monsters out there.

No problem. I'm glad to see that you have many ideas for the map.
You keep the latest version of the map. So it's not necessary for me to make any changes until you're done improving the gameplay.
There's not much free space for the sectors left so the map design should be completed.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

No problem. I'm glad to see that you have many ideas for the map.

Actually, I don't. But maybe I'll come up with something.

[Sobek]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

What do you think of this guy as a replacement for the miniboss near the end of Desert Base?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeaqGAaB55I

P.S. I'll do the big turrets next.

Oh man, that is just awesome. Are you using that bloom mod or something? Most of your videos seem to show some things having really strong (what looks like) light blooming... Can't say my fire effects ever glowed quite so nicely as they do in some of your videos

[DeeperThought]

Yes, I used bloom. It's very good when used properly.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

No problem. I'm glad to see that you have many ideas for the map.
You keep the latest version of the map. So it's not necessary for me to make any changes until you're done improving the gameplay.
There's not much free space for the sectors left so the map design should be completed.

I'm almost ready to release the new version of DP with your overhauled map. The changes I made to the map were very minor -- I just add/changed some monsters in a few places. Most of the work has been fixing DP bugs.

[Mia Max]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

I'm almost ready to release the new version of DP with your overhauled map. The changes I made to the map were very minor -- I just add/changed some monsters in a few places. Most of the work has been fixing DP bugs.

Did you add the new miniboss and the big turrets?

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Did you add the new miniboss and the big turrets?

Yeah.

[Mia Max]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

Yeah.

Nice

[DeeperThought]

A complete playthrough of the new Desert Base, with the unreleased DP 1.85:

PART 1

PART 2


The movies spoil the map, of course.

[Mia Max]

I like it when you shot the alien queen into her ass.
Spawning that alien queen after the newbeasts attack was also my idea, but she always kept running away.
Thank you for the great gameplay videos!

[Mikko Sandt]

I liked the second part very much. Reviewed the map (see my site). Hope to see more from you, the next time something other than hi-tech stuff though.

[Mia Max]

Hi!

I'm going to release my new duke plus map pretty soon.
It contains many spooky areas and some secret places using the advantage of duke plus effects.
I hope it will find its way to the level hub

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Hi!

I'm going to release my new duke plus map pretty soon.
It contains many spooky areas and some secret places using the advantage of duke plus effects.
I hope it will find its way to the level hub

That's awesome news! I'm going to release DP version 2.0 very soon. I was planning to release it in the next few days, but I can delay if you want your map included but a few days isn't enough time for you to finish.

You might want to contact me via private messaging or MSN to get the latest unreleased DP -- there's a few new things in there that you might find useful.

[Sang]

Holy shit Mia Max, that looks very interesting

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Sang

Holy shit Mia Max, that looks very interesting

I second that. And I forgot to mention: if you want any new quotes, sounds or other resources added to DP for this map, just let me know.

[Mia Max]

@DeeperThought, you got a PM.

[Spiker]

Today I've resumed working on my map. I plan to spend 2-3 hours a day working on it. But don't expect to see it soon:P Unless I get some kind of mapping spree