dm_playground_beta

Ok, after literally a couple months of tweaking, testing, rebuilding, and
pouring over online hammer tutorials I'm finally satisfied with dm_playground.

Updates since the release of dm_playground_beta (3/16/05):

• Greatly improved overall FPS, heavy optimization, much zippier gameplay
• Redesigned playfield geometry to be less camper friendly
• Complete texture tweaking/rescaling
• New detailed skybox
• Removed the water tower

• Screenshots:

dm_playground http://moike.net/playground/
dm_playground beta http://moike.net/playground-beta/

• Download

http://moike.net/playground/dm_playground.zip

• EFNet #Motorcycles Server with the map in rotation

66.127.103.165 / moto-games.squick.net

Enjoy,
-Mike-

[quote]

Greetings... First a bit of preface/obvious CYA excuses.

[size=13]
1. I'm not a graphic artist.

• Some people have the ability to create amazing looking maps with

loads of creativity. Sadly, that's not me. This is my first crack at
doing anything like this. Lots of simple square blocks.

2. I'm not a 3D modeler.

• I'm a network/server guy. Usually I'm the one who builds the servers,

sticks them on the pipe, and makes sure they stay updated and running smooth.
This is my -first- attempt at using anything like Hammer or any type of
CAD/3D modeling tool. I usually always leave this stuff to trained professionals.
I've had to teach myself everything with all the online tutorials and pure
experimentation with hammer.

3. I know everybody hates big boxes.

• But right now at my skill level anything a little more complex is going

to require quite a bit more practice with Hammer and modeling in general.
I tried to take all the parts I really liked about the custom maps I keep in
rotation on my HL2DM server and kept bits of those ideas in my mind while
building this map.

4. This isn't 100% original.

• This is a remake of a CounterStrike map from Nipper called playground_x_s.

I found the .vmf for it on a mapping website. I'd like to give credit to Nipper
for a good portion of the original map geometry this map is based on. Thank you.

5. It's not perfect yet.
I've been working on it for about four weeks now. And I've just in the last
few days gone through all the online docs I could find about map optimization
and done my best. In a couple spots fps dips low. I'm trying to figure out the
root of the problem. And there's not much in the way of soundscapes at the moment.
I'm still learning how those work.

My crummy hl2dm hosting server with the map in rotation

• 66.127.103.165 / moto-games.squick.net

Enjoy! And of course I appreciate any type of constructive feedback any experienced
map makers/players may have for me as I work on the final version.

Thanks,
-Mike-[/size]

[/quote]

Whoa there mate, don't feel you need to make so many excuses, the map
doesnt look half bad! I would never have thought this was your first
effort, and I'm sure nobody else here would have either. I don't have
time right at the minute but I'll take a look at this later hopefully.

i stopped reading here: [quote]My first map - dm_playground_beta [/quote] and left.

some of these new mappers think its necessary to write a bibliography of their lives that lead up to the creation of their first releases. :sad:

Well, we can be quite a critical bunch here. I'm sure its a bit intimidating for someone who knows their stuff is beginner quality material. Anyway, what this says to me (in a too many words), is 'hey, I'm new, I KNOW I'm new, and I wanna learn'. Applauds mike for picking up hammer.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Finger</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Well, we can be quite a critical bunch here. I'm sure its a bit intimidating for someone who knows their stuff is beginner quality material. Anyway, what this says to me (in a too many words), is 'hey, I'm new, I KNOW I'm new, and I wanna learn'. Applauds mike for picking up hammer.</DIV></DIV>

finger, sometimes its difficult not to become to ensnared in all this. i know you are right, but you know also that Duncan, and i are among the top people here whom have helped people. neither of us cares if they are new, or pro's

still, sometimes even i get overwhelmed, i simply get tired of people whom come here so negative. even when its about themselves.

i know i am guilty. i think my maps are the worse ever created, but for some stupid reason, no one else seems to agree. at least not totally, so i leave them in my profile.

anyways, to make a long story short, i absolutely hate it when people put more effort into a text file than their maps. i admit i didn't look at this map, but as i said, i saw the loooong write up and departed.

so, shoot me. i am not able to help everyone. :sad:
my apologies to the new member, he got caught up in my pet peeve... unknowingly.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>i stopped reading here:

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quote:</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>My first map - dm_playground_beta </DIV></DIV>and left.

some of these new mappers think its necessary to write a bibliography of their lives that lead up to the creation of their first releases. :sad:

</DIV></DIV>

Sorry if it was a bit long winded, I do apologize. I just figured nobody on Snark had any clue at all who I was, so I'd give a bit of history. When I release my next map you can rest assured it won't have a bible attached to it.

Thanks,
-Mike-

don't fret it, you cannot please everyone, and its silly to even try.

today, you annoyed me, tomorrow you may be my hero.

map to please yourself, allow others to either like it, or not.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>don't fret it, you cannot please everyone, and its silly to even try.

today, you annoyed me, tomorrow you may be my hero.

map to please yourself, allow others to either like it, or not.

</DIV></DIV>

No problem... Thanks.

As a peace offering, here is something I made for the map that did not make the final cut for beta. But it's still an interesting bit of work.

http://moike.net/playground/working-rope-bridge.jpg

And here's a small demo .bsp to play with...

http://moike.net/playground/working_rope_bridge.zip (62k)

It's a deathmatch FPS killer, but I'll be making a .vmf available for individuals who want to experiment with putting functional rope bridges into their maps/mods.
-Mike-

This map is brilliant. I know there are maps out there technically and visually better, but from my point of view (a player), this has to be one of the best to date. The layout is just pure gaming fun.

Ambient sounds are needed.....keep up the good work, and tnx for a great map to my lan evenings with the mates :smile:

heh I detect the above player being a friend...

Nice map!

Orph,

that was a bit callous.

First, you gripe if the screens are'nt the right size.

second, you gripe if the post is'nt in perfect format

third, you gripe if theres something else about the posters style or any little thing.

Sheesh!

How about helping this guy out. and downloading the map.

There are screens, a downloadable, playable zip file, and a great interest in the mappers behalf to learn more. What else exactly do you need ?

In fact on the steam forums he even went so far as to export an actual working sway bridge, which he had to remove from the map due to performance issues. (I saw the screens and it was impressive actually).

I played the map, and in my opinion, it is a quite well constructed arena style map. I would suggest maybe a few more variations in texture selection, and maybe a simpler cable cart deal, (The ones in the map are a bit buggy, or maybe just too slow). Otherwise an excellent first attempt. Maybe attempt is the wrong choice of words. Excellent first map!.

Juim

I have never liked this map.. I doubt I will like it now. Even though it looks like you did a nice job converting it over.. the water tower is just outta place, and a park out in the middle of no where.. I just cant get excited about this map. Sorry.