An outsider's point of view on Black Mesa Release

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#41

I can’t stress enough how true this is. One of the reasons I’ve been okay with waiting so long (despite times of getting my hopes up and shit) is because I frequently make levels for games, and even the simplest of levels can take months to make.

Even remaking things still takes a while - level designing for source and Quake engine games (many games infact) is much akin to 3D modeling, albeit of large, detailed environments - so the fact that they are redesigning things to make more sense by today’s standards only adds to the build time.

Some of the most detailed maps in Quake 1 that are being made take from several months to a year, so I wouldn’t be surprised that this could take longer given the requirement for more detail.

And level designing is just one piece of the puzzle.

#42

I think this thread makes a solid point to show the reactions that can occur. An intelligent person can still be an impatient one. A reasonable person can be below the belt with his comments. And the most important one: differing opinions can still lead to anger instead of understanding. The wiki idea is great, and if implemented I’ll be more than happy to educate the MODDB folks to quell their tempers. Anything to make things more smooth.

And yes, some of us do have a fucking idea how developing a project can be. From concept to level design, texture design and animation, scripting and testing, it’s a strain for the limited number of people working on it. That’s the misconception flamers can have. Limiting your knowledge on both sides of the spectrum is counter productive. Not having an understanding of the emotional response that something like a Half Life remake can have on long term gamers can cause issues. Just for the fact that you can take someone’s opinion or concern and turn it around by responding harshly, calling them idiots or fags makes them troll or flame themselves.

It’s clear that some people have invested way too much time and emotion into this project, and as I have said before on the MODDB page, there are a plethora of mods out there that have been released and are of a high glossed nature. Live life, play games. There’s no point really getting overworked for something that will either come out or fade away. When the Devs want to speak up I am guessing they will. In the meantime I will still have my worries and concerns, and nothing anyone can say will change that. When it is released, I will enjoy the experience of playing through the game in a new light. And if it drops off the face of the earth I will regret it never coming to light, and then move on to something else worthwhile. Either way my world is not going to end. You all should keep that in mind.

#43

The Devs are quite aware of the impact this mod has on the gaming community at large. Every time they post something, the websites and blogs light up. They also know that with this, anything divulged has to be carefully worded so as to not have simultaneous “mod iz ded” and “mod iz relesed tomorow!” pages.

Why, even some goofing around by NON-DEVELOPERS has turned into a major rumor-mill that some select members have received the game early and I’ve seen at least one person on the MODDB page say that they’ve given up on the mod because of the goofing and believing that select individuals got it.

What you should take from this is: The devs are posting to this forum all the time. That means that the mod is alive and actively being worked on.

I think EVERYONE* needs to take a major chill pill and BREATHE! It will be hear before you know it. And punching that elevator call button over and over again won’t bring the car to your floor any faster.

A good sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results. The devs aren’t giving a release date simply because you ask for one. The mod will be done “when it’s done”.

The haters and the flamers on MODDB and on this forum (and other places) will be first in line to download the mod when it comes out, though. I’m sure of it. And then they won’t even post a “thank you”. You can count on it.

I’ll post a thank you, though.

#44

Seriously, tho. What danielsangeo said.

#45

Huh? Maybe I’m misunderstanding you (I didn’t read the whole thread), but it is implemented. Notice the big button at the top that says WIKI?

No offence meant, btw :wink:

#46

I think he meant some sort of “Recent Updates” being added to the Wiki… Like when JamesKane posted that we’d see dead workers in our travels through the facility being a “recent update”. New news and all that.

I’m sure that it wouldn’t be that hard for a Wikier to do that, though. I’m not a Wikier but I do sometimes correct grammar and spelling errors when I come across them. :wink:

#47

I think he actually meant the idea where recent wiki updates would be featured on the home page so people would see where the updates are and stop whining about a lack of them.

#48

My post was too rich to be countered by that. My point still stands over yours. The fact remains; bitchers will bitch anyway, so give them something to bitch about. And whatever you do, don’t let them ruin your fun by disregarding the thread just because of that. It’s not fair to those who don’t give a shit if people bitch. You’re bitching right now. ;D

#49

Calm down a little bit, please. Rather not have fighting in a thread that’s pretty pretty well-mannered and productive so far.

#50

Though I’m quite centred on the issue, as both parties give good arguments (except for the few who just go “we haven’t heard anything wah wah wah”).

I understand the frustration of a lack of updates, but I do understand the amount of effort this mod requires whilst maintaining a social and family life with other commitments such as work.

Though I must admit Vormaen has been one of the more reasonable and articulate of the argument about the delay.

Again I see both sides of the argument, but I must say, a big media release is obviously quite tiresome, but a “don’t worry, we’re still here” post would be nice…at least over a year on.

#51

I suppose I am, but I’m entitled to.

Oh, wait…

:stuck_out_tongue:

#52

Patience, young padawan. Only time will tell. Its a work in progress. Buts a BIG work. It took valve 7 years to release Half-Life 2. As far as I’m concerened, the dev’s are on the right track.

                               So why should we critisize them?

Good job to the developers, you’re on track.

#53

What people fail to realize is that while, no, it doesn’t take much time to post a short update, it’s their time and they decide how to spend it. No one has any right to make demands on what they do with it.

#54

the dev’s have given us plenty of info so lets just sit and wait until the release

(at most, 3 months of waiting) :smiley:

#55

you don’t know that

#56

wishful thinking :frowning:

#57

For me the issue is not the wait, (I HAVE waited and will continue to wait as everyone else), and not even the lack of updates, but the lack of an answer to the question: How in the hell were they thinking more than a year ago that it was a month or two away from done and will release by end of 2009, when in fact it still is not ready 14 or 15 months later!!! THAT is what’s eatin’ me… a good answer and I’ll continue to wait happily free of irritation. :smiley:

#58
  1. unexpected real-life events preventing work on the mod
  2. unexpected development problems, adding to the work on the mod
  3. all of the above

take your pick

#59

Probably the 2nd point mostly, with some of the 1st thrown in at times. Good points though, make sense. Thx.

#60
  1. unexpected vvis crash

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.