Topic: dm_habittrail_v18beta

[dj]

Smackintosh has sent me a new version of habittrail station, and he would like feedback.  Please post your comments (whether good or bad) here.

[dj]

Played this map once tonight with about 6 people.  The gameplay is very smooth, avg fps for me was 150-200, no choke.  My suggestions:
Do something so it is easy for a player to figure out what level they are on (a sign on on the wall, different color walls. etc.)
I'm tired, and can't think of anything else for now.

[Smackintosh]

thanks... i'll work on it.
i'm trying to setup different texture sets for different levels or areas,
maybe i can put signs for levels like [1] and [2] etc... i'll think about what else i can do
to make the areas more different from each other as far as design.

[mephisto_kur]

Haven't gotten to try it yet.  My mother is here until tonight, so I may or may not be on tonight.  Hopefully we can que it up when I am on.  I am anxious to see it and see how it plays.

BTW, for those that don't know, Habit Trail is a brand name for those tube things you get for your hamsters.  I figured that out last week when we went to the pet store.  I've never owned a rodent, so I never noticed before.

[Trlgg]

hehe, I knew it.  I use to be a asst. manager at Petco

[Smackintosh]

Yep, i used to work at a pet store too.... for 4 long years... that's where i got the idea
for the interchangeable parts for the map. One of my friends suggested that i make a
special 3D skybox for it. The whole map would be inside of an aquarium, with hamster shavings at the bottom, a large watter bottle on the side, and a rotating hamster wheel. I actually made the whole setup but decided that it would be better as a space station.

[dj]

hehe A space station does sound better than an aquarium; although the aquarium idea made me think of an "under-sea" station; although I don't know if that's possible or realistic considering FPS, etc.

[raVen]

Im still looking forward  to play smackintosh's map  , never had a chance  , wish it was in the voting choices .

[mephisto_kur]

Okay, I've had my first run at this map.  It is a GREAT improvement in playability from the initial release - its a shame you couldn't keep the feel, but there was just no way to do that without making it unplayable.  Anyway, my thoughts...

The pros:
Lots of tight corners and fast action.
Weapons are abundant and balanced.
Good lighting makes it have a darker and more sinister feel.

Cons:
More spawn points.  Sometimes when there were a bunch of kills at once, the spawn points became a death trap, killing everyone as the next person spawned.
I agree with Dj that some way of differentiating the levels would be nice.
A few more rooms - but only if you go for the space station idea a bit more.

This map is definately getting better every time I see it.  Good work, man.

[Smackintosh]

thanks... i try.
i will work on adding your suggestions... i'm slowly making the station bigger,
but i also want to add more detail to what i already have. once it's bigger i can make more spawn points.

yeah i wish i could've kept the original feel too... but you have to make sacrifices sometimes for the greater good.

[Smackintosh]

I know its been awhile, but i want to redo habitrail again... it makes me sad that I spent so much time making it, and
it really didn't go anywhere. I will take all of your suggestinos to heart.

I want to take everyone's ideas and make a fun map that is completely playable. I'm going to spend alot of time on each piece, so when pieced together it will be a smooth design. I've learned alot since last time, I would have gotten to it quicker, but the last few steam updates HOSED source SDK and I was working some tough hours. It will be a long process, but in the end, I hope its worth it.

It would be great if I could post versions in progress here to get everyone's opinions. i'm still a long way off from playable versions, I'm having to go and take pieces that are "keepers" and retool (simplify & redesign) them.
I have some ideas and might need suggestions from time to time. that is if anyone is interested....

[aldog]

I can't wait to play.  Way to go Smack!!   

[Smackintosh]

thanks alldog!

here is the newest version so far, click here to download>

http://www.killazinc.net/main/uploads/user14/habitrail_03v1.zip

put the file here>
C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam\SteamApps\your account name\half-life 2 deathmatch\hl2mp\maps

2d top down view in hammer>

   

some screenshots>
   
   

[dj]

Have I seen this version smack, or is it new?

[Smackintosh]

you've seen it in a way, its just be re-organized for better flow.
I just started today, and only spent about 4 hours or so re-arranging it...
so its not much different than the last version, just smaller, I felt like retooling it a bit and keeping only the good parts.

I plan to change the textures around and add some new areas, I want it to be alot bigger than previous versions.
If you play it, feel free to give suggestions.