Originally I started creating levels about 6 years ago for HL1 to get into the games industry. I was fortunate enough to get my chance. Shortly after starting work with a games developer (about 5 years ago) I drifted away from HL1 mapping because I'd done what I set out to achieve.

Though I'm still working in the industry I've returned to HL2 level creating for a totally different reason. Anyone else who has worked in the games industry will probably also tell you that ultimately you've got little control in how the games you're working on develop. All the important decisions are made by the publisher, upper management of your company, your producer and lead designer. In effect, someone else is the brain, you're just the hand that actually creates what they want. If they want a shark with frikkin laser beams on its head, no matter how daft an idea it seems, that's what you've gotta do because they pay your wages.

So, basically, I've personally returned to level creating with HL2 because it allows be to be in total control of what I'm creating. I don't need to ask the lead designer if he agrees, or schedule how long it's going to take or anything like that. I can just do whatever I want, whenever I want, which makes a refreshing change from my working day.

/me looks at profile.. finds exactly what i suspected.

keep plugging away, by the time you are 20, you will see how funny your words were to us today

? quoting Campaignjunkie

I map because it's cheaper than drugs or alcohol.

that is just so CJesque..

i map because of the interesting people whom do the same thing.

i once thought, you had to be like minded to do it. i have since discovered just how erroneous that idea was.

for the most part, i like the people, and the camaraderie it generates.

you would be amazed satch.

before most of us old timers arrived here, we had never met. yet we all traveled the same circles. we all knew the same people, yet passed each other like ships in the night.

think where you will be 5 years from now, and that what we all asked ourselves 5 years ago :/