Well, it's about done after AGES. There are still a lot of things I don't like about this map, but most can't really be fixed without starting a new one. I guess that's the problem of working on a map you started a long time ago. But it will be in Action HL 1.0, so I'm pretty pleased since that means it will actually get enjoyed by some people.

I just took a lot of screenies; if people would like to take a closer look, I can put up a final beta tomorrow. Although I welcome input, this map is pretty much done; I can't do any major reworking, I just don't have the time or energy at this point. I just wanted to share it with you guys, since your input on the map, and some of the special effects in it, helped me a lot.

Central Room, upper level:

Central Room, lower level:

Lower Tree Room:

Crystal Generator:

Pyramid:

Long Hallway:

A small room with a lava pit trap:

Spike Pit room (pretty fun stuff mwahaha!):

The Balcony/Fountain:

Well, that's the Grand Tour I guess. The map plays really well in AHL, which is what it was made for. AHL has fast player movement, and it connects well, so it scales down to small games okay. Also, in rounded server modes doors start sealing off the big central room after 80 seconds- those who remain outside get nuked. The keeps rounds from lingering too long. And yes, that was a bitch to set up

I think I'm most proud of the special effects, though. I developed the sunbeam, water fountain, and cinder effects specifically for this map, and I've never seen them used before. Maybe I'll make 'prefabs' of them once the mod is out.

Anyway, hope it was an interesting tour

Reminds me of a sort of Archealogical wonderland or somewhere you'd really wanna play tig in as a kid, dunno why, it's sorta nice and cosy near the sun, cold but not nasty down low.

I like the blues, though the main room lower level does look a bit square. Do like the strange ceilings you've done though, looks good.

What makes it look so good I think is the originality of the look and architecture.

Orph, here is a full installer for Action HL 5.6:
http://actionut2k3.ngz-network.de/pa/files.php?load=5&mirror=1

or you can get 5.5+5.6 patch separately if that link is slow: http://www.action-halflife.com/

Can you give me till tomorrow for the Temple beta? I just have a couple small things to fix, then it will be a 'final beta' I can give to the mod team as well. If you start a Teamplay w/rounds game with a couple bots, and wait the 80 seconds you can see the door-closing stuff in action (no waypoint file yet, though)

Glad you guys think it looks good. It was meant to be a quickie Goldeneye conversion like that little basement, map, but it bloomed into something more. Still, most areas are actually pretty blocky- I just put a lot of brushes INSIDE the blocky room or corridor to try to hide that lol. And since there were a lot of open areas, I created that angular 'style' of architecture to add some flavor without doing anything horrendous to the rspeeds.

what's really fun- getting on top of the doors in that first pic, then diving off, through the glass, and into the water pool below (preferably with guns blazing!)

edit: I'm also about done retexturing Monorail for Bulletbait... there are few pics of that here. It's also for AHL 1.0. Phew! I was gonna show those too but I thought this was enough pic spammage for one day.

at this point I'd love bug-hunting and tweakage ideas. like I said, though, I'm not reworking whole parts of the map at this point. I just wanted to share. Besides, UnrealEd beckons!! 

btw, whoever mentioned that I should use floor trim around stuff- thank you so much, it made a huge difference!

oh, and there IS a beta around somewhere, it just seems pointless to have people look at it and point out all the stuff I already fixed.

? posted by Gollum

/me downloads AHL specifically to see this map

dammit, now I can't whine about having to download Spirit of Half-Life to look at yours!

I'm tweaking a few things, I'll have an updated beta in a few hours.

[edit: fixed the bug]

I agree with all your comments Brasso. maybe I should just take out those vines? I know I should add more "greenery" but this map makes me ill just thinking about it at this point lol. That is a problem with my maps though- they tend to be too clean, perfect, symmetrical, etc.

and this map isn't for the contest lol

edit: oh, no, the animated fade wouldn't quite work right. I need to have 2 layers going in opposite directions for it to look right (imo), and I couldn't get the func_conveyors or whatever to scroll the other way. no matter what value, they went the same direction as I recall. these still look pretty good, though.

*sighs*

seems no one wants to tackle this baby jinxy

if its ok, i will critique it in the morning...

be good