Why does Half-Life mapping rule so much

I was just sitting here wondering...why Half-Life mapping rules so much. Is it because you can create your own virtual world and fight in it? I don't know. I have never been IN to anything like this. Drugs, alchohol, sports, TV, etc....

The concept of mapping to me, even though it has basically been around since the beginning of computers is, with lack of a better term, awesome. I believe you can tell a thing or two about a person by their map. It is dark, gloomy, disgusting, uplifting, inventive, boring, etc....If you were good enough at it you could take some digital pictures of your own house, then map your own house and texture it. Obviously people have done this, however, you could also use it as a selling technique! If they want a virtual preview of your house from anywhere in the US, you could get a walkthrough! Just disable the weapon models and have the end user walk around in it before they bought it! Yeah...pretty goofy idea, but I bet it could happen. The HL community getting hired to build their virtual house. Anyway enough of that.

Just something else cool about half-life mapping....I don't know...it shouldnt be allowed to have this much fun.....I mean where else could you blow up a building, kill your best friend (500 times), and shoot and destroy everything you see without going to federal prison for the rest of your life? Of course you could map any first person shooter game, but since this is a Half-Life board, I will stick to half-life. I take that back...mapping for, say, Lemmings doesnt exactly give you free range to explore your minds creativity.

There isn't a real point to this post other than to bring back up the point that it is a pleasure to be able to create the world you always wanted to.....secret doors, warps, and other things.

So why does half-life mapping rule so much? I don't know. Maybe for me it is the sweet release from reality. Not saying that reality is bad, but it doesn't hurt to step outside for awhile. Reality is only what you make of it I guess.

Peace.

I believe mapping is great because

1. You can create your own little world

2. It is like being an architecture

3. Yu can build your dream place e.g. your dream house

4.It gives you that good feeling to see others enjoying your creations

I agree with a lot of the other things that 'Dark Tree' has said.

I like mapping because:

I am really good at it.
People like my innovative ideas.

I like mapping because the games are too easy and I need to make them harder. Like SuperTyrian 2: Lord of the Game. :smile:

You get to be God and create your own world. You can make it as beautiful or as nightmarish as you want. Its an art.

It seems like the new people mapping on source don't understand this. They think its about making a map as quickly as possible and getting everyone to play it. Just look at the plethora of box and fy maps that have been released since HL2 came out.

My advice to new mappers (also applies to game developers, etcetra):

Make a map that you find fun to play. It doesn't have to be technically fancy, just fun. If you have fun chances are other gamers will too.

I like mapping because:

I am really good at it.
People like my innovative ideas.

Just recently, I've noticed that you are quite the big headed bastard aren't you :razz:

• Mapping gets me chicks

• Mapping enhances my drug use

• Mapping makes me bigger and stronger, and hones my powers of concentration and contemplation... and vocabulary.

• Mapping cured all of my life threatening diseases (like being from Louisiana).

• Mapping got me a job

:razz:

I think for me "It gives you that good feeling to see others enjoying
your creations" really hits the nail on the head. Even if my maps
aren't that "good" its still cool to play them with other people and
see them being played. Plus on a server if people are like "woah
this is so sweet who made this" you can be all like "it was totally me
man! any suggestions?"

Mapping got you a job!

What company do you work for finger?

Did you study it at university?

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting habboi</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Mapping got you a job! </DIV></DIV>

we have a few of celebrities really.. you should keep your ears open more often :smile:

its kinda neat too. knowing them and knowing you were there before they got the jobs.

wipes sudden increase of moisture from eye corner

proud /me is.

Mapping is art. Just like painting a portrait or a landscape, only cooler since it's 3D. Mapping is art, and I will never ever be nice to a so-called "mapper" that makes only killboxes or funyards (that explains my rating). Those are NOT art. Note the notorious HL2 map pack.

I think what he means also is why is Half-life mapping more addictive than other games and such?

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Andrei</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Mapping is art. Just like painting a portrait or a landscape, only cooler since it's 3D. Mapping is art, and I will never ever be nice to a so-called "mapper" that makes only killboxes or funyards (that explains my rating). Those are NOT art. Note the notorious HL2 map pack. </DIV></DIV>
Well .. that's kinda it. I personally believe that mapping is indeed, trying to make something that is art, but what makes it "perfect art" is the placement of monsters, AI, scripted scenes, and flow in singleplayer mode. Personally, I'd like to see some SP levels from some of the good DM mappers around here :smile: