Redhot Mapping

Before we go into “tease mode” there was an excellent thread posted on the Quake3World Forums So all you mapper types, get your pens and pencils ready…its lineup time [okay, the baseball season is upon us too]. Astrocreep, Webmaster over there has begun a thread entitled, Post all your Level Editing Links here!!!. It features links for tools, manuals, tutorials, textures/shaders, terrain, map objects, Macintosh, sound effects, plug ins, architecture & level design, map packing utilities, review sites and a whole lot more. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check it out and bookmark most, if not ALL of these sites since they provide great information in your mapping endeavors.

Speaking of mapping, I was talking to SweetnutZ and got a sneak peak at some of the “extra” work he has put into Casa. Gone are the boxy looking structures you can see in the Urban Terror Screen shots found on the web site. The map is a combination of architectural styles, taking Italian and Spanish influence and using them together. Since SweetnutZ is a 2D and graphic artist, his texturing is quite impressive. He has already been in contact with WetWired and BattleCow, both of whom have “provided real early feedback…and helped a lot” says SweetnutZ. Unfortunately with his job of finishing up the impressive looking user interface [UI], chances are this level will not be seen until after the release of Beta 2, with a few other surprises. Look for new screen shots in the future from Casa.

Thanks to TheSorus, who is a member of the clan DAWG, and a frequent visit to the Urban Terror Forums. He bought up an excellent point, that I missed when I read the April 2001 Issue of PCGamer. There was an article [on page 110 for those playing at home] in the Opinion Section under The Point After titled Specification Shock. While the authors take centered around the comparison of console vs PC sports games, his opinion did raise a few questions in my mind, as did some of his thoughts about computer gaming. “In my eyes, the problem is that PC sports developers are aiming way too low in the marketplace. By trying to appease those with lower-end systems, they wind up frustrating their actual target audience.” I think he is onto something here. I could be completely nuts for thinking this, but the fact remains, “If you build it, they will come” when talking about gamers.

Counter-Strike had flaws, still does depending on who you ask, but the mod is still the most successful undertaking in online gaming today. Why should SID have to sacrifice “quality” to appease those with lower-end systems? Hell, I cannot count the number of people who have said something to the effect of, “Oh yeah, I bought Quake III just for Urban Terror.” Does it stand to reason that, if the mod/game does not run well enough you will upgrade? Sure, to some point, be it more RAM, a new video card, faster processor. I can remember playing Quake 2 on my girlfriend’s IBM 233MHz Aptiva, with onboard sound and video, I dropped $249.99 on a Voodoo2 card. Why? To get the game to run better. More on this, as I think it will turn out to be a solid rant for Friday. Look for it.

I sure hope the Urban Terror Community is an excited as we are about Beta 2. Eight members of SID and one brother, spent about 2 hours last night playing Team Survivor, followed by an insanely intense game of Capture and Hold on Tub’s new map, Abbey. We really feel good about the progress which is coming along. All the pieces are falling into place. And damn that Apox. I never see him, yet I am always on the receiving end of weapons, catching bullets with my teeth. Just an incredible time! Stay tune and watch the Silicon Ice Development and Urban Terror web sites in the coming weeks.