Criss-Crossing

Why does it seem I start every news bite the same way? “Damn, has it been a month since I updated?” Well, yes Oswald, it has. Again not much on my part to dedicate to keep up on what’s going on in the Urban Terror Community. I am not out of the loop, just behind. I don’t think much needs to be said when it comes to the development of the “next” release of Urban Terror. Look for an update on the web site in the coming days!

As for level design, I still cannot map…hahah. Too time consuming, like many of you I have some great ideas, but I am nowhere the accomplished level designer, along the lines of INVIS, SweetnutZ, Dragonne (yes I included you!), laerth and others. I will continue to do what I do best, bring you up to date on levels, with that said, let’s start off with someone who has some kick ass talent, along with a previous rocking CTF level. That level designer being MasHeeN. His level, ut_eagle is one of the most widely played community levels to date.

MasHeeN’s latest project is titled, ut_crossing and we have displayed some previous information on it, but now it is available for all to play test and improve. Based around SID’s “post Cold War” theme, here is how the level is touted. “It is 1980. On a cold evening in the USSR, an industrial area holds more secrets than it wishes to disclose, but someone has been searching. Vital documents are missing that prove the existence of this, much denied, processing system. The foreign agents must be found and stopped at all costs!”

While I have not played ut_crossing on a test server yet, I have taken a tour of the facility and while I cannot comment on playability, the other “design areas” that make a successful level are there. I am quite impressed with the overall layout, combining both interior and exterior areas for games to frag in. I think one of the most notable features gamers will comment on is the moving train. The sounds are outstanding! The rumble of the train moving through the facility really add to the overall level, same goes for the ambient noises. Being this is a “beta” version of the level, there are still some minor issues that need to be cleared up. I did note some z-fighting (that I am sure will be corrected), minor lighting issues that wash out the texturing and some older textures I would personally change, just because they are old, in terms of when they were released. There are definitely better textures out there that could replace them.

Again, texturing for many gamers is a minor issue, but in my book it is just as important as the five other “design criteria.” It also goes to show you are an accomplish level designer if you can combine all of this criteria together. If you would like to download ut_crossing, I recommend it, but in order to improve on what MasHeeN has done, please comment in this thread on the Urban Terror Forums. I also made a roadie this past week to the East Coast, you can read about my trip in the latest, Oswald’s Rant. Had a great time and I want to thank all those who made it possible: MFDoom, CaptPorno, AGBD, FSKGhozt, Fragging_Newby, Dragonne, QueenBee and those who made the trek to the {TRIAD} LAN Party.