User profile

Jinx

member
Registered:
Wed Nov 27th 2002
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Mon Nov 19th 2018
Location:
Ohio
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76561197970327666
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Profile

I've been mapping for Half-Life for several years, though not so much lately as I've been busy with work etc. Action Half-Life is the mod I have been most involved with. One of my maps is in v1 of the mod, and I spent a lot of time behind the scenes beta-testing, fixing issues in other maps, and supporting other mappers in the scene. I also ran the AHL Map Deport for a couple years, writing reviews and digging up 'lost' maps to make them available.

As a mapper I tend to focus on visual effects, ambiance, and game play innovation. The HL1 engine is pretty limited, but that makes the challenge greater in a lot of ways when you want to do something different. I'm also big on customizing- most of my map .zips are big and have a ton of files because I always use custom textures, sounds, models etc. I tend to view each map as a mod unto itself, so I want them all to be very distinct.

I also DJ regularly, mostly electro-industrial & EBM. I am poking around at writing a fantasy novel, too.

Action Half-Life - <A HREF="http://distraction-mod.com" TARGET="_blank">Distrac

Maps

0
Small map for 2-4 players. Layout loosely resembles the map from the old N64 game, though I added an extra passage to improve connectivity. This is a redone, retextured version of my first maps. I did a conversion of a simple map because it seemed like a good way to learn.

Why go back and redo this old map? I was bored and wanted to see what I could do to make a fairly plain map interesting using lighting effects and stuff. Also, this map served as a testbed for effects I later used in other maps.

Beyond that, there is something 'pure' about a 2Dish crate map like this. It is simple, but the constraints can shape the gameplay in interesting ways. In the case of HLDM and AHL, the limited space makes grenades, tripmines, etc. much more effective.
0
If you are looking for a big, beautiful arena map with a lot of ambience and good rspeeds, this is for you. The DMC version also has neat teleporter and jumpboost effects in it.
0
This is a map of mine that is included in Action Half-Life. I decided to finally make a HLDM version.

Things to know about this map:

*It includes detail textures (r_detailtextures 1 in console to turn them on), so surfaces look less blurry up close. The effect is really nice, though it can cause a little engine lag on some systems.

*It has a system similar to some stock HLDM maps- you press a button and the central room's doors start closing. You have to be inside when they close or you are killed. A small text readout at the bottom of the screen will warn you, and notify when you are in the safe area.

*It has a game_player_equip starting players with a jump pack and magnum. This is to offset the size of the map, and the fact that the stock pistol is garbage.

*It has custom everything- sounds, textures, sprites, skybox. And yes, those are cinders/sparks shooting out of the flames.

Anyway, hope some of you HLDMer's enjoy it. It has its flaws, but I'd rather work on new maps than revise old ones to death.

There is also a slightly revised 'director's cut' of the Action HL version:
http://www.cryotank.net/maps/temple/ahl_templedc.zip

Articles

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