Black Mesa Mods

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#201

Modders would need to provide their own code but there is no way for us to make this a practical option. Modding HL2/Source is a very unique setup as the game source code is provided and mods are distributed as their own individual entity; the only unifying factor between them is shared content through the use of required games (like HL2) and engine code (SDK bases). Handing out the source code for BM and letting people create their own code-based mods could turn into a real nightmare for everyone as every BM mini-mod that has code changes would replace the DLL files. Ultimately this would lead to incompatibilities with other mini-mods and create a big headache.

In theory, you should be able to reference other directories in /sourcemods as gameinfo.txt search paths to use their content in a different, custom mod. However any custom code would require new DLLs for that mod, and would override/take priority over BM’s DLLs.

Ultimately, everyone should have a good range of freedom to edit what they please within the mod, but code is really out of the question.

EDIT: This doesn’t apply to any multiplayer that may come along later; mind you - most servers will probably be running as pure servers; so all content will have to match to avoid cheating (via material ‘hacks’, etc)

#202

This has probably been suggested in this long ass thread many times but the immediate posts above make me think what can be done of a remake mod where almost all the needed resources are done and available to mess with. Black Mesa expansions, being, the original Half Life expansions. It’d sure cut the workload down by a fat load, though I’m wondering how easily resources can be restructured.

It just paves the way for perspective mods to be made taking place in Black Mesa. Also, If I could figure out what the hell the Sven-Coop devs do nowadays I’d love to see their brand of co-op implemented. Not to speak of current co-op in development, I’d just love to play through Black Mesa as the punisher is all.

Or 1940’s Captain America, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

#203

It would be great if the mod teams currently working on the Source remakes of BS/Op4 would just make them mods to BMS instead of to HL2. It would greatly reduce their workload and it would ensure a consistent look and feel of the BMRF between BMS and these mods.

Not to mention that we might see them released in 2-3 years instead of 5-6 years.

#204

Not to mention that all the BS and Op4 teams have died (to my knowledge) before now. I imagine making them BM mods would definitely reduce that risk.

#205

Things that change only maps and skins are easy to put on top of BM, but anything that requires new code (AI, weapons etc) needs to replace the entire BM code - do everything from scratch, and since the BM source code is not going to be released, that is very hard.
The only feasible middle-ground is the gmod-approach of either a scripting language being added to override/add things, or some other form of new mini-mod-API being added to BM. This allows people to extend rather than have to replace the BM code. Neither of these will happen I think, at least not before release.
Were they to happen, that puts at least some of the BM devs in the same position as Valve - having to support some sort of API that allows people to modify things. Not a position they want to be stuck in methinks and neither do they want to give it a half-assed try and mess up the great reputation they have made by giving us this level of quality.
So, unless either the source is released (see RabidMonkey’s post above as to why that doesn’t work out), the devs do lots more work to support mini-mods, or someone really passionate hacks such a solution together and properly supports it long-term, then the extend of BM-mods will be map/skin packs only, which still leaves heaps of room for creativity. There also is room for mods that do replace the code, as long as they re-create every feature they need - not at all an easy task, especially not to get perfectly right (and fans hate bugs), but I guess not impossible either.

[it always makes me laugh when I go to click Post Quick Reply when I know for a fact it’s not a quick reply… :stuck_out_tongue: ]

#206

Well it’s not like Op4 or BS have new or altered gameplay from HL1 that would require new code. It’s mostly just the assets like models/textures and music/voiceovers that they would need.

#207

I feel guilty for being a complete illiterate when it comes to modding, though I should’ve sensed It wouldn’t have been as easy as it sounds should this be in fact 100% accurate. What hope then, would such a mod have? Regrettable, but not to be helped. Thus is the way of things.

Well Op4 did have new weapons and, aside from male assassins, it had a new branch of Race X creatures and bosses. Still, I’m not in complete understanding of the limitations posed. I’d suppose as long as the resources are there to use a fully dedicated team of modders could do something resembling a spin-off, but then again it all comes down to the people involved.

EDIT: Browser went kerplooey, calling a mod to delete the double post at their convenience Puh-lease! Preferably the shorter post if you will!

#208

New enemies, new AI for these, new weapons, new effects (tho depending on how the particle system stuff is done this might not be a problem), and last but not by any means least, rope climbing and the grapple.
All of these require new code.

#209

As of late October or early November, it’s “alive” again. The team for Guard Duty and a few other Blue Shift remake teams are collaborating on it now. I doubt it will ever be as good as BM, though, and a BM mod would make more sense.

#210

Well as little faith I tend to have in mods goes a few remake teams coming together spells out nothing but good things to my ears. I wonder how the Opposing Force teams are doing.

#211

It would be great to see those two mods team up to make any assets shared by both mods. Like the Xen aliens, HECU marines, Black Ops, some weapons…well, you get y point :stuck_out_tongue:

Otherwise they’ll never make it.

#212

Wouldn’t work. They wouldn’t credit the BM team for their models.

#213

Looking at the media for Operation Black Mesa, I can already tell that it probably won’t be able stand up to Black Mesa’s quality. Which sort of is a shame, I wish that the BM team would consider allowing others to use their models and textures (so long as they are credited of course). But even that might not be enough, just the level design doesn’t look right. A lot could change though!

#214

I was talking about the Op4 and BS remake teams teaming up. But if they were to make theirs a mod to BMS I think they’d credit this team.

#215

If I understood on of Bean’s posts correctly, they could certainly make a mod of Black Mesa (in others words make something that requires BM to be installed as well as a source game rather than repackaging its content with their own mod), But I doubt it would be very beneficial to them. OP4 uses lots of different weapons and enemies, and doesn’t share a whole lot of maps in common with HL if I recall correctly, its been awhile since I last played it. Which means they would still be on the hook for creating most of the stuff.

I wouldn’t doubt though that after BM is released it will inspire others to want to make a high quality remake of OP4 and BS.

#216

Maybe you should wait until OBM’s release to tell about the quality. All screenshots are WIPs. We simply don’t want BM’s models and textures because we can make our own stuff. We have a very dedicated team, just like Black Mesa has. Better for the players, since they will see the Black Mesa Incident by two different perspectives :smiley:

#217

Ok, bit of a necro-post, but yeah, I agree with you. I doubt BM started out with the same level of quality that they are now, and I doubt that all the dev’s began work on the mod at the same level of experience that they are now. The longer people work on something the more their skills improve and the more polished and well designed things become. So I guess suffice it to say that Rome wasn’t built in a night.

#218

They didn’t team up, they share some people, but they work is separate.

#219

Honestly I thought OBM looked like absolute shit when I first saw it. I am rather impressed with it after it’s latest update, however. Hope it turns out well.

#220

^^, bscly. It obviously has a lot more that needs to be done than BM does, but the newer stuff looks pretty good.

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.