Duke It Out In D.C. HRP

[NightFright]

Since there was no way to delete the old soundtrack poll, ADM was so kind to delete the old thread so I could open up a new one. It's a good way to prepare yourselves for the DukeDC HRP v1.5, too.

[XTHX2]

Nice :P

[Jinroh]

Wish I had DukeDC, but I enjoyed it so YAAY!

[NightFright]

Maybe someone should finally approach some remaining guys from (dissolved) Sunstorm Interactive to ask them to declare the addons abandonware. I bet no profit is earned still with them, anyway. On the other hand, there might be a reason why they didn't already do so by themselves.

I also just noticed the DukeDC addon was mainly done by a single guy, Robert Travis, who did 8 of the 10 levels. It took him only 16 weeks to do those maps, and that's just amazing considering how well-designed they are.
IMHO this is still the best of the three commercial addons out there (Duke Caribbean is good, too, but I didn't like the scenery and the customized art), and it deserves the best HRP as well.

[supergoofy]

only for DukeDC they may gain very little profit, because it is included in Killaton Collection

but I agree, they are abandonware

[NightFright]

Finally, the news you have been waiting for!

DukeDC HRP v1.5 has arrived. I strongly recommend using it with latest HRP Update v3.10, for the maphacks have been optimized for it. It's a new experience.

[XTHX2]

Looks pretty godlike! I'll try it after, exactly... 5 hours as my computer is still not fixed yet...

[NightFright]

Before I forget to mention it: The current to-do-list has been added to the HRP in a separate textfile - for those out there who may be considering to do something for the pack. Still waiting for Bill tied to chair!

[NightFright]

I have posted this into another thread as well, but I think it also belongs in here. There is an easy way to launch DukeDC addon with HRP without having to use autoload folder: The solution is to use ProAsm's PlayDuke launcher v5.5. In this version, it is possible to selectively launch conversions/addons with specific HRPs. Here's how to do it for DukeDC:

1) Copy/extract PlayDuke.exe/PlayDuke.ini into your EDuke32 dir.
2) Put dukedc.grp and xdukedc_hrp.zip into "Games" subdir of your EDuke32 dir.
3) Rename xdukedc_hrp.zip to dukedc_hrp.zip (i.e. remove the "x" at the beginning).
4) Run PlayDuke.exe, select "Dukedc" in the conversions section, click "Play Conversion".

It is as easy as that. Eventually, you might need to change the used engine from "Duke3dw.exe" to "eduke32.exe" in PlayDuke.ini, but that should be all you need to do. If you have the usual stuff in your autoload dir, i.e. HRP, HRP Update, maphacks and optionally SD_Duke, everything will work fine.

You can download PlayDuke v5.5 here as long as it is not up on ProAsm's site itself.

[XTHX2]

Yeah I just read it on another thread. Anyway, I tried and it works perfectly. Nice job with all those stuff. Congratulations!

[Mateos]

I think I have a prob : I don't see what's new except OGGs

Better white granit, but see it, and after ? If I use a BAT for start it, it's not a prob ? PlayDuke isn't indispensable ?

[NightFright]

Well, there's a changelog. The dukecan model has been added, but except for detail textures, I guess there are no graphics changes otherwise. This may be disappointing, but there have been no new contributions for almost a whole year.

You can still run DukeDC HRP without PlayDuke, of course. If you place it into autoload dir while putting the groupfile into duke3d.grp dir, it should run as well.

[Mateos]

Ok, what contribution do you need ?

My BAT (DukeDC is very good under Duke Plus ) :

eduke32.exe /gDukeDC.GRP /gxDukeDC_HRP.zip -jDukePlus -hdukeplus.def -xDUKEPLUS.CON

Edit :
I upload screens, if this can help you :
http://mateos.picturepush.com/album/...In-DC-HRP.html

[NightFright]

I have included a detailed todo-list in the DukeDC HRP zipfile itself, just check it out. There's still much left as you will see.

I take it you got that new HUD shotgun from DukePlus mod? Maybe it should be considered to use that for regular HRP as well... looks better than current one, at least. Anyway, I have no experience with DukePlus (yeah, shame on me), so I cannot tell you if you are doing it right or not. But judging from your screens, it seems to work.

[Mateos]

DukeDC haven't a modify CON, it's for this DukePlus work with it. And I found 3779.png, the door of access for bunker under White House !

[Radar1013]

The song for E3L7 is AWESOME!!!

[NightFright]

Yeah, sometimes famous tunes like that one prove to be the best choices. That theme from the "Fate of Atlantis" soundtrack was just perfect because it is dark and depressing. And if you listen very closely, you can even hear water noises in the background, fitting the sewer theme perfectly. I also think Mark Knight's "From the Dark" fits DUKEDC6 ("Metro Mayhem") extremely well.

In fact, what I am doing here is not just a mere HRP for DukeDC addon, I am also enhancing it. Just consider the changed level stats screen (original DC used standard tile) or background story screen (there wasn't one in the original game). With this customized soundtrack, the whole thing goes even further.

[Mateos]

I have found a graphic bug :

http://mateos.picturepush.com/album/...-In-Space.html

And, just an idea : DC is in Washington, and the background is constituted by fir trees. For realism, you can modify it, but it's so great work, you can let it

[NightFright]

I don't have that problem. It's probably caused by the DukePlus mod you are obviously using. Always try to play without mods first.

The DC skyboxes haven't been made by me, but Piterplus. Any suggestions for changes regarding those should be directed at him.

[NightFright]

So, after some time has passed now since the release of v1.5, I'd be interested to know whether you think the new music is an improvement over the old MIDIs we had in earlier versions. Not only quality-wise - I am basically talking about whether how they fit and the like.

[Mateos]

The ancients was super, the news are awesome !

What volume do you select on MP3Gain ?

[ZaphodB]

Love the music. Loving all the HRPs so far (still need to try winter and carrib, but duke and DC are awesome graphic & music wise)

[NightFright]

I think I just used standard (pre-defined) volume setting in MP3Gain. Guess the result turned out just right.
What do you mean with "the ancients"? The secret level?

My personal favorite is Knight's "From The Dark" for DUKEDC6. The melody is great and fits the subway atmosphere very well. All in all, I am quite satisfied with all the selections by myself (took me long enough to figure it out, anyway).

[Mateos]

"The ancients" are the musics you used in 1.4.2, and remplace by news.

[Radar1013]

The song to Smithsonian Terror i don't seem to like. It sort of goes with the level, but i don't like the tune of it. I'm having mixed feelings about that song.

The song to Capitol Punishment is pretty cool sounding too, but i don't think it goes with the level too good.

And i don't like the song from that Train Station level and i don't think it goes good with the level either. Here's some good song i think goes good with this level. http://markmcwane.com/music/Periculum-Initial_Theme.mp3. It's by Mark McWane. And it seems to have a more techno style than his other songs.

Other than that, all the other songs go great with their respective levels!

EDIT: Actually, never mind about Smithsonian Terror, even though i don't like the tune, it oes go good with the level.

[NightFright]

Some mixed feelings regarding the soundtrack remain, of course, and I won't say it's the final version yet. I am also kinda frustrated about the fact that the direct MIDI-conversions sound rather poorly compared to the professionally orchestrated ones. Mark Knight wrote he would have converted them by himself if he had more time, but obviously he hadn't.

There will always be room for criticism, and I am grateful when some of it is mentioned here. Main goal for v1.5 was to get rid of the MIDIs, and that was achieved... at least.

You should always keep in mind that I am delivering more than the addon had to offer in the first place. There was no DC-specific level stats screen, no new font color, no menu panel with the background story and of course no new music. Considering that, it's still kinda cool how the addon could still be improved a bit by the HRP.

[Hendricks266]

Looking back, the antenna model that I made looks very blocky, cartoonish, and unprofessional. Please add it back onto the to-do list as a redo.

[NightFright]

That's what I thought. Anyway, you can correct your own mess by yourself, too. It doesn't have to happen right away.

[Mortal Shang]

Hello dudes, I'm really sorry to disturb you, but I still don't manage to run DukeDC HRP (therefore I've succeed in terminating all the 4 episodes from the atomic edition with HRP update on Vista OS). I tried all combinations with PlayDuke too : the same bad end with the regular duke3d e2m1 wich is loaded.

[NightFright]

You know you need DukeDC groupfile in order to run it?

[Mortal Shang]

Yep I've got it, everything seems loading good (DC HRP update screen, DC music, DC green font) but I can't see the "Duke it out in D.C." episode from the list menu.

[supergoofy]

better load with /gDC.grp
or put DC.grp in autoload folder

[Mortal Shang]

It doesn't work anylonger with dc.grp/dukedc.grp in autoload dir, what the hell ??

[Hendricks266]

I'll just respond to all 3 HRPs:

What are your computer and video card specs?

Are you using the latest EDuke32 snapshot?

Is the “xdukedc_hrp.zip” it in the duke3d.grp subfolder of the autoload subfolder? Make sure you have no user.con in your Duke directory.

[NightFright]

I recommend usage of ProAsm's PlayDuke launcher for use with addons. Makes things a lot easier.

Usage:
1. Copy PlayDuke launcher into EDuke32 dir (parallel to eduke32.exe).
2. Create new subdir "games". Put dukedc.grp and xdukedc_hrp.zip there.
3. Important: rename xdukedc_hrp.zip to dukedc_hrp.zip!
4. With normal HRP, maphacks and update pack in "autoload" dir, launch PlayDuke.exe.
5. Select "dukedc" in the left window -> "Play User Addon". Done!

It's possible you have to tell PlayDuke first to use EDuke32 (instead of Duke3dw). In this case, open "PlayDuke.ini" with a text editor and check that the first line looks as follows:
DukeFilename=eduke32.exe
If anything else than "eduke32.exe" is there, delete it and replace it as shown above. Save and enjoy.

[Mortal Shang]

What are your computer and video card specs?
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ / 3Go RAM / Vista OS / ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO

Are you using the latest EDuke32 snapshot?
Sure and Duke Nukem HRP works fine !!

Is the “xdukedc_hrp.zip” it in the duke3d.grp subfolder of the autoload subfolder? Make sure you have no user.con in your Duke directory.
My xdukedc_hrp.zip is in the autoload folder, dukedc.grp and duke3d.grp are in the EDuke32 folder (the same if dukedc.grp is in the autoload dir).

@ NightFright : I tried exactly what you say but nothing works with PlayDuke.

[NightFright]

That's strange. It should really work that way. There must be some technical problem involved.

[Mortal Shang]

The groupfile should be named dc.grp or dukedc.grp ?
The groupfile should be put with EDuke32.exe or in Autoload subfolder ?

[NightFright]

If you use PlayDuke, it belongs into "games" dir. Name should be "dukedc.grp", but that's not necessary.

If you put it into autoload dir, things get complicated. You must load HRPs in this order: /g[DukeDC groupfile] /g[HRP zipfile] /g[SD_Duke mod, if you use it] /g[DukeDC HRP]. This means usage of parameters, if you don't rename all files so that their alphabetic loading is like above.

[Mortal Shang]

I see, I'll check the alphabetic loading of my files in autoload folder.
many thanks to all of you !!