My new map!

[Mia Max]

After building a half of a year this map, it's finally complete!
I spent a long time on making good outdoor shadows, I added some nice looking textures and modified the turret. I'm also very proud of my Duke Car crash
My main objective was to create a realistic looking environment.
The map contains 2456 sectores, 16384 walls (max. limit ) and 2183 sprites.

Important things:
Installation:
Copy everything from miamax.zip into your duke3d folder and copy autoload.zip into autoload folder.
The map is optimized for HRP V3 and SD_DUKE MOD V1.2.
There are places with a far range of sight, many models and highres textures, so you'll need good computing power.
I have no clue if the gameplay is good enough, because the graphically aspect was most important for me.
But hey! I got 162 enemies and one boss

I would be glad if you play and enjoy my map and please report bugs!

ENJOY
http://files-upload.com/388942/miamax.zip.html

[DeeperThought]

Your map isn't just optimized for SD_Duke, it requires it, because your ROTATEGUN actor uses SD_Duke specific tiles. I want to try this with my own mod, but I'll have to re-write your turret code first.

[DavoX]

It doesn't work here, it says that eduke.con has errors.

[DeeperThought]

I've got it working, and so far it looks good. However, there is an error in textures.def:

texture 3924 { pal 0 { file "textures/halo3trailer/0006.gif" } }


The file is a .jpg, not a .gif

This error will not only prevent people from seeing the texture, it will also prevent them from loading the map as a user map in the latest EDuke32 snapshot (in the latest snapshot, there is a bug where user maps become inaccessible whenever there is a "does not exist" error caused by a texture failing to load.)

DavoX: I don't know if this is the source of your con errors, but remember that this map only works with SD_Duke (unless you make some changes, as I have.)

[DavoX]

I'm going to wait for a proper release to play this.

[HangNail]

I had the same error that Davox mentioned so I changed the line in the textures.def that DeeperThought pointed out and I got the map to load. A lot of textures were missing when I played the map so at times it was confussing but I finished the map in 61:43. The missing textures was probably my fault because I used the default eduke.con when I got the eduke error. Overall I thought the map was very good, lots and lots of detail and I really liked the shadow work throughout the map. I had a lot of lag when I played the map but that was because my pc doesn't perform well with the HRP and SD_Duke. Thanks Mia Max, I really enjoyed playing the map and hope to see more of your work.

[Mia Max]

Texture 0006 should be 0005 (black).
I'll download the latest snapshot and then I'll check my map again.

@HangNail: Thanks for playing my map and thanks for the good feedback.
But I wonder that it was playable with the missing textures. That must have been a pain to your eyes

After correcting bugs I'll upload a new file today.

EDIT: I updated the download-link. Now my map/mod works with the latest Eduke32 snapshot.

[DavoX]

Can anyone send me sd_code.con ? it doesn't seem to find it. also i had to comment out 123.con since it had so much undefined stuff.

[DeeperThought]

Davox: read my earlier posts. It won't work without SD_Duke.

[Mia Max]

Mayby I should upload a second version that doesn't use SD_DUKE.
I'll only have to remove some turrets and the Duke Car crash.

[DavoX]

I am using sd_duke, but it doesn't have sd_code.con anywhere.

Please, it only takes a minute to upload sd_duke.con

[Mia Max]

Here it is

Why don't you have sd_code.con?

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Mayby I should upload a second version that doesn't use SD_DUKE.
I'll only have to remove some turrets and the Duke Car crash.

Removing the actors would downgrade your map. Try using this version of the code instead:


123.rar

Remember that if you don't use SD_DUKE, you'll still have to include a con that includes the 123.con

[DavoX]

I AM USING SD_DUKE, i commented out 123.con because it has a lof ot undefined stuff.

[DavoX]

Not working, i'll pass on this map i guess.

[DeeperThought]

Well, here are my thoughts about it. I am not a mapper, so my opinion is that of a player, not a builder.

The design was hit and miss. Some parts were really cool -- like the uneven floor in the first room, and most of the outdoor areas. My favorite part was the first outdoor area where you go through the hole in the wall and are confronted by the giant turrets. The choice of textures was good in most cases, but in some areas seemed random, lacking a consistent theme. I felt the same way about some of the sprite placement. For example, IIRC there's a nice courtyard that's marred by the inclusion of an ugly green Duke statue.

Overall, I would say that the indoor area that you start in is mediocre and kind of annoying, but the map improves a lot once you get outside. Most of the map reminded me of Serious Sam (in a good way). I also think that the outside portion might be a good basis for a multiplayer map.

As for the gameplay and difficulty, I'm not a good judge because I was using my own mod and cheated. I did notice that there were a lot of enemies, though.

[Mia Max]

Sorry, I'm not very good at that kind of stuff.

@DeeperThought: Please, can you upload a better zip file of my map/mod that works for everybody? I would be much obliged!

EDIT:
Thanks for playing, DeeperThought!
I like the Duke statue, but I should have changed the skin. Silver or golden.
How did you like the boss area?

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

Sorry, I'm not very good at that kind of stuff.

@DeeperThought: Please, can you upload a better zip file of my map/mod that works for everybody? I would be much obliged!

EDIT:
Thanks for playing, DeeperThought!
I like the Duke statue, but I should have changed the skin. Silver or golden.
How did you like the boss area?

The boss area was great, but I was too busy cheating my ass off in god mode to really appreciate it.

I'll make you a deal: I'll put together a user-friendly package for you (with fixed cons, etc.), if you promise to do some mapping for my new mod (I know, that's a lot more work for you than me, but you can take it or leave it )

[Mia Max]

I'll think about it tomorrow.
I don't want to tell you today, it's already late.
I guess, you won't need a mapper who doesn't keep his promise.

[HangNail]

I just played the map thru a second time after downloading the second version of the map. Those killer turrets weren't there the first time I played the map. I am still missing textures when I played the map and I've tried everything I can think of to fix the texture problem. I reloaded all the eduke/HRP/SD stuff and tried the 123 file that DeeperThought supplied so I guess wait and see if any future versions of the map will work better for me.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

I'll think about it tomorrow.
I don't want to tell you today, it's already late.
I guess, you won't need a mapper who doesn't keep his promise.

Don't worry about it. I could really use a mapper but there's no pressure.

I went ahead and made a user-friendly package for this map

DOWNLOAD

It includes 3 files: readme.txt, MiaMax16384.bat, and autoload.zip

To play the map, place autoload.zip in the autoload directory, then run the .bat file and select 16384.map as a user map.

I hope this works for everyone but I can't guarantee that it's 100% foolproof.

Spoiler:

show spoiler

If sd_duke.zip exists in the autoload directory, then the SD_DUKE mod will be used. Otherwise, the game will load without SD_Duke, and the special map actors and sprites will still be there.

The map will also work without the HRP.

[Sang]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

since SD_DUKE requires the HRP).

That's odd, when I was playing through Iggy's Sewerside earlier this week I didn't bother doing the whole HRP jazz so I just played it with lo-res textures. But the SD_Duke effects were still there.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Sang

That's odd, when I was playing through Iggy's Sewerside earlier this week I didn't bother doing the whole HRP jazz so I just played it with lo-res textures. But the SD_Duke effects were still there.

That's true, but there are a ton of def errors if you run it that way. I'll edit my post, though. In the case of Iggy's map, the HRP is required because of the akimbo pistols that use the HRP pistol model.

[Iggy]

Any other filesource for me other then that Files Upload link? Like Rapidshare or something?

[Mia Max]

@DeeperThought: Thanks a lot for making a user-friendly package for my map

Okey then, I'll take a look at your mod.
I need some ideas (or will you give me some order?), then I will start mapping.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

@DeeperThought: Thanks a lot for making a user-friendly package for my map

Okey then, I'll take a look at your mod.
I need some ideas (or will you give me some order?), then I will start mapping.

I have a thread about it here that gives some information, but you'll also need a copy of the mod itself. I'll try to get one to you soon.

[Mikko Sandt]

I too had many missing textures. The outdoor areas were laggy as hell and the level takes up to two minutes to load (luckily I died only once).

Also, how am I supposed to be able the beat the Queen? There isn't even close to enough ammo available.

[DeeperThought]

Mikko,

Did you use the easy install version that I uploaded? (I'll bet you didn't). It's very simple: just unzip the contents of the download into an EDuke32 directory. Put the file "autoload.zip" in the autoload folder. Then run the included .bat file. It will run with or without sd_duke, with or without the HRP, depending on what else is in your autoload folder. No textures are missing, I just tested it.

DOWNLOAD

[Mikko Sandt]

Yes, that's naturally the version I used since the old version isn't even available for download.

[DeeperThought]

Originally Posted by Mikko Sandt

Yes, that's naturally the version I used since the old version isn't even available for download.

Maybe you didn't put autoload.zip inside the autoload folder? Or you ran EDuke32 without using the included .bat file?

[Mikko Sandt]

Originally Posted by DeeperThought

Maybe you didn't put autoload.zip inside the autoload folder? Or you ran EDuke32 without using the included .bat file?

Who you think you're talking to? Of course I did all that. I can still read you know.

[DeeperThought]

In the absence of more information, asking the obvious questions is about all I can do, regardless of who I'm talking to. The log should indicate which def files actually loaded and whether the game failed to find textures.

EDIT: I think I know what the problem is. Some of the textures don't have dummytile definitions. This wasn't a problem for me, but it could be a problem depending on the contents of your folder. I didn't really want to adopt this map, but since I've already taken it upon myself to make an installer, I guess I'd better fix it

EDIT2: No, that's not it. The included tiles015.art has all the necessary tiles, so additional dummytiles are unnecessary. So, I don't know what is going on in your case, Mikko. It works for me and I can see nothing wrong.

[C. M. Dratz]

I too have missing textures in the map (DT helper package) and must check my stuff.

[Mia Max]

I want to make a second improved version of my map.
So I need to know which parts you didn't like.

And can someone post screenshots of the missing textures, please?

EDIT: About the missing textures:
Perhaps the map's too big, so some PC can't cache all textures.
In that case, I will split the map in the new version.

[Mia Max]

Originally Posted by Mikko Sandt

I too had many missing textures. The outdoor areas were laggy as hell and the level takes up to two minutes to load (luckily I died only once).

Also, how am I supposed to be able the beat the Queen? There isn't even close to enough ammo available.

Yes, the map was built to it's limits on a quite new PC. So a fast PC is nearly necessary.

You can get ammo this way:
There's this tower, which door closes right in front of you once you get close to it.
But there's a slot left to the door's bottom.
The queen breeds these newbeast-creatures that shoot shrinker.
Try to get hit by them when you're close to the door and you will be able to go through.
There you'll find much ammo... and health.

It isn't supposed to be easy

[DavoX]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

EDIT: About the missing textures:
Perhaps the map's too big, so some PC can't cache all textures.
In that case, I will split the map in the new version.

I don't think that's likely to ever happen. Some people that complained about the textures have very good machines.

[sb742]

Very promising mod/map.

First half/bit just outside the 'nuclear base' was fantastic stuff.

[Mikko Sandt]

Originally Posted by Mia Max

So I need to know which parts you didn't like.

I had no issues with gameplay until the boss fight. You could include a hint concerning the shrinker trick in the readme. Design was good throughout the map.

The level took me 20 minutes and I died once on S2 (the battlelord near the end got me).

And can someone post screenshots of the missing textures, please?

[Mia Max]

Your TILES014.ART is different to mine.
Some textures are definitely wrong.

Is it legal to post this art file?
It comes with the "Duke It Out In D.C." addon.

If it's not legal to post this file, can I extract the textures I need from TILES014.ART and include them into my TILES015.ART ?

[DeeperThought]

tiles014.art are custom art tiles and if you are using them, you need to include them with your map. I'm pretty sure it is not legal to distribute tiles from that add-on. But the fact is, a lot of maps and mods come with large numbers of tiles copied from Duke 3D itself (usually because they change a few tiles and then have to include the rest from that set in order to make it work). I never hear anyone objecting to that common practice, which is technically illegal but nevertheless has been a fairly standard Duke modding practice since 1996. Including some tiles from an add-on that isn't even being sold anymore would not normally raise any eyebrows.