I bring you... the Xen Levels in Black Mesa

General Development Source 1
#81

If Half-Life was “constructed” that way the sequels would either be non-existent or very, very bad.

#82

wow. I just wish I knew how to hammer, because I have a whole bunch of free time and want to see this finished.

Also, the HDR in Xen is cool. I haz HDR on my faces

#83

Try it. It’s pretty easy and in my opinion fun as hell.

#84

Will do

learning map design and java at the same time should be fun

#85

Map design: Sleek, awesome, and hella fun. B)

Java: Messy, bulky, not so fun. :stuck_out_tongue:

:slight_smile:

#86

You’ll grasp mapping like breathing in comparison.

#87

Well the basics are easy but the artistic part is where it gets difficult. You need to be a good artist with a solid vision to actually get that part right.

My failure to realize any solid visions is one reason why I have never released any map of my own. :frowning:

#88

Story of my life. Anything decent-looking I’ve ever done was a recreation of something else, and even then I stayed very close to the original.

#89

I’m learning Java right now and these are pretty much my feelings :smiley:

I have to agree, the artistic part is really the hard part of mapping once you actually grasp how to make the maps, but while I haven’t released any maps for games, there is one map in particular for Quake 1 that, while I haven’t finished it, I have come extremely far and (according to people that tested it) it’s actually fun, and that was all thanks to the fact that I did a little planning before I actually made it.

Nothing fancy at first, just general ideas of what I wanted to make. As the level got bigger I realized how important it was that I actually think of something rather than just jump in and continue along so I drew up some concept layouts for the map and wrote down some gameplay ideas, and that helped me a ton.

I probably could finish it up and release, if I didn’t have so many more ideas I want to put into it, although lately I haven’t really had the time to sit down and work on it.

#90

If I had any sort of creativity I would never leave the SDK.

#91

Usually when I’m not mapping I don’t have any good ideas, but I find that the more I focus on creating stuff, the more ideas actually come to me. It doesn’t hurt to take inspiration from uncommon things either. Oddly enough, I’d say some of the most fun I’ve ever had was creating and testing my maps, more so then actually playing some of the games.

#92

Can you give download for this “remade” xen?

#93

Yeah, same here. I have ideas for maps, but it never gets to the point where I can start making them properly. :frowning:

Also, I find decompiling and tinkering with Valve’s maps taught me more than any tutorial. Although maybe it’s why I never get off my arse and make my own?

#94

Even if he does you’ll have to own Half-Life: Source.

#95

If you guys want, I’ll be willing to release the first map for download somewhere. I won’t include the HL:S materials though, which means it’ll be up to each of you to extract them for yourselves.

#96

Materials list noa.

#97

First Xen map (and a modified version of the preceding Lambda Core map) is up for download here:

https://www.gamefront.com/files/22396510/xBM_R1.zip

MATERIALS AND TEXTURES ARE NOT INCLUDED! YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OWNING HALF-LIFE: SOURCE AND EXTRACTING THE RELEVANT FILES TO THE PROPER BLACK MESA DIRECTORIES YOURSELF.

When in doubt, just extract the entire “xeno” folder from HL:S to BMS\materials. You’ll also need everything pertaining to the skybox neb7.

#98

I havent got a clue what you guys are talking about but Zen in BM would be fabulous, Oh sorry I GET IT a youtoobe vid yes very good. How did you do that? I finally finished BM today because I took my time marvelling at the excellent work and in 3D it looks even better. I wish I had some sort of notion about modding but you guys are very talented, (Talking about this thread obviously) the Zen thing not the BM guys.Although they are Uber talented too. I wonder how you send the hat to Zen when Zen isnt there yet?

#99

All I know is that when I saw Gonarch, I just had this song stuck in my head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU

Perhaps make this the battle song.

#100

Nice release!
I really enjoyed playing the first Xen map.
xbm_c3a2h.bsp however needs to be named bm_c3a2h.bsp to replace the official last BM map, so it’s loaded by the preceding map.

PS: Is anyone (including you) currently working on other maps?
How’s the work with the Gonarch going? I’ve given up on that one. There’s just no solution that i’d be satisfied with.

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.