ShiroiHusky_Winter2011

[ShiroiHusky]

Hey all!

Signed up today after reading of the winter challenge. I've not taken part in any such activity before but this one really sparked my interest and I hope I can succeed in creating something for it.

Decided to go with the cinema image as reference for my piece (finding extra images for it was HELL, though) and I want to aim for a dark, destroyed theme to suit the deteriorated look of the building (think L4D1 maps and you see what I mean).

Currently got a basic map idea planned out in my head that would work well will typical deathmatch games (CS: S, HL2: DM, Unreal) but would also be able to work as an L4D2 scavenge map (Or survival) so there are many avenues I could take.

I'll get started on map plans tomorrow and hopefully have something up to show you all soon.

Checklist:

Key: [ Not Done | In Progress | Completed ]

Part 1
-Plan level
-Gather more reference images
-Draw the layout
-Block-in the map
-Integrate gameplay mechanics
-Test pacing and flow of you level

Download Part 1 VPK Here

Part 2
-Detail the map
-Refine gameplay mechanics

Download Final VPK Here
Or Here

Progress Report: Jan 2nd 2011

Okay, skipping ahead slightly faster than I said I would, I almost immediately managed to sketch an idea for my map which I feel would work well, with various routes both in and out of the 'Cinelandia' complex.



Had to add other buildings around the borders, as well as some walls, else the map would sprawl on forever (I only have a month!)

I'll still be adding other, more detailed maps of the inside of the complex, including a café idea for upstairs, which would make a use for the two front balconies the building has.



If I make this for L4D as a survival/scavenge map, it opens a lot more ways to get around, as typically maps for those games have ladders and debris strewn about offering ways both up and down from upper floors.

[ShiroiHusky]

Progress Report: Jan 3rd 2011

After L4D2's Authoring Tools yesterday telling me that they were 'unavailable', I had to re-download. Now that's done, blocking the map out has begun.

I work in a slight odd fashion when it comes to fleshing out a map. I tend to create buildings as large boxes, then slowly replace parts for each floor/room as I go along. Then once done, I slice walls for texture splits, or replace them to simplify the building.

So today I have managed to find more images of the building.


- Given by the contest post


- Angled shot


- Detail of the front entrance's décor

And so far I have managed to block out most of the front portion of the building, with work now being done on the interior before i begin the car park.

[ZensDeath]

Wow. Outstanding job blocking out the Cinelandia building. Can't wait to see more!

[ShiroiHusky]

Progress Report: Jan 4th 2011

Was going to get some work done at College today, but L4D2 authoring tools decided they didn't like me there either, and with a proxy server governing the laptop users, there was no hope of redownloading it.

So Work today had to be put off until I got home, but I managed to get a fair bit done, nearly finished the basic structure of the cinema complex, just a few internal rooms left to create.

Here's some images:

-Rear shot, shows screen #1 and the roof


-Interior, straight after walking inside, the stairs are there to take you up to the café area.


-Looking up from where one of the screens will be, the projector room hole and 2 entrances can be seen.


-From outside, work has begun on the paving around the carpark, as well as the building next door, and the entrance to the complex.

[Nexusdog]

THanks for the update pics, I love it when we see the work emerging!

You may want to retexture the wall brushes so we can distinguish them in pics, as it is, everything is grey and a bit difficult to pick out details at times.

Also, consider making the stairs dog legged for interest and better spawning for the infected. Breaking up those long sight lines is gonna be something to consider due to the size of the building (it looks large in your screens) and if it is large, you'll have plenty of room to get a logical layout with various rooms and so forth.

I have to say, I really like your work so far, thanks for the update mate.

[ShiroiHusky]

Nexusdog,

Thanks, I'll definitely get to changing the wall texture tomorrow. And what exactly does dog legged mean?

I think I'll spend tomorrow going over a few possible new plans for the interior as well.

[Nexusdog]

And what exactly does dog legged mean?

available here



Basically, instead of one long flight of stairs, there will be a half landing and two shorter flights of stairs, usually doubling back on itself or by 90 degrees, as shown in the pics. It's a good habit to adopt as it's visually interesting, breaks up line of sight and in the case of l4d, it allows spawning to occur closer. Spiral staircases are awesome as well, but that's kinda time consuming.

[Oilcake]

Basically, instead of one long flight of stairs, there will be a half landing and two shorter flights of stairs, usually doubling back on itself or by 90 degrees, as shown in the pics. It's a good habit to adopt as it's visually interesting, breaks up line of sight and in the case of l4d, it allows spawning to occur closer. Spiral staircases are awesome as well, but that's kinda time consuming.

Agreed. Nicely put.

As for the dev textures, you could consider using the reflective textures instead. They're all different shades of grey, so you can have a darker one for floors/roofs and a lighter one for the walls. Think there's ten of them, or something. I much prefer using those to the grey and orange ones.

In any case, it's looking great! Looking forward to updates!

[ShiroiHusky]

Progress Report: Jan 5th 2011

Changed textures, could've spent some more time using a few different shades on different walls but it seems ok for now. Hope it's a little easier for people to see.

Changed the stairs around and added what will later be a food serving area for the café.

Also added a few holes and rooms so survivors can reach the rooftop, and the projector rooms.

Images:

-Steps now bank left and right, boxes around the edges will be changed to fence/guardrail models I'll make in part 2.


-Café food area service desk. Doors along the wall next to it lead out to the roof access and kitchens.


-From above, the hole on the left leads down into one of the kitchen areas and either a ladder or fire escape will provide roof access.


-Current overall shot.

Thanks to all who have chipped in advice so far! Tomorrow I'll be starting on the rest of the car park. Hopefully I'll have something by Friday night that I can start adding gameplay elements to.

[Foufoune_Rose]

So far in this challenge you are my favorite.
You've have been prompt to show your work, and it's the best imo.
keep it up :P .

[ShiroiHusky]

Hey, thanks a lot! That's nice to hear knowing this is my first attempt at one of these. I'm used to taking my time :lol:

[Oilcake]

Oh, yeah, that's a LOT easier to see what's going on! Very nice! Really like the stairs like that, too... 8-)

[ZensDeath]

Two thumbs up! Great work, I can't wait to see more.

[ShiroiHusky]

No pictures to post tonight I'm afraid. Todays work was all done on the laptop, which takes time to get out and set up to transfer back over to the desktop.

However I can say I've now pretty much finished the cinema, and am almost done with the carpark.

I like how this is shaping out. Good work!