User profile

satchmo

member

Registered:: Wed Nov 24th 2004
Website:: https://www.signalhillrotary.org
Last seen:: Mon Aug 3rd 2026
Location:: Los Angeles, U.S.
Occupation:: pediatrician
Languages:: English, Mandarin, Spanish

Logins:: 5
Snarkmarks:: 1809
Forum posts:: 2039
Profile views:: 3924

Profile

I am a fifty-something pediatrician in California, soon to be an aviator. My busy life consists of seeing a lot of patients, learning to fly, exercising, and spending time with my dog.

I have been a gamer since high school (Class of 1991). Some of my old favorites include the original Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, Doom II, Jedi Knights, Deus Ex, No One Lives Forever 2, Medal of Honor series, Half-Life, and Unreal II.

It's been a long time since I last logged in to the SnarkPit. I don't play games anymore, except for Microsoft Flight Simulator. I am retiring from medicine and becoming an airline pilot.

I started mapping in September of 2004, with the original Half-Life engine. I have made a few Source maps since, but my mapping career came to a halt when I turned 50.

Besides being a mapper and gamer, I am also a cinephile, a jazz connoussier, a bodybuilder, a runner, a writer, and an avid reader (mostly fiction).

"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett, 1983

Maps

Escape from Black Mesa

This was my first realistic mapping attempt. It's very small, but hopefully it's still enough to give you a thrill ride.

Objectives:
1. Break out from the jail
2. Find your HEV suit
3. Rendezvous with Barney at the ledge of the cliff

Tips:
1. Use stealth initially and try to get an assault rifle as soon as possible
2. Try to evade the guards by navigating the periphery of the complex
3. Watch your step when you're at the edge of the cliff (you'll die if you fall off accidentally)

The map ends abruptly when you meet up with Barney. I haven't mastered game_text or env_fade when this map was made, but I am not planning to update it anymore.

Detritus

Detritus is a biological term that describes decaying organic matter. You will encounter plenty of detritus in this map.

This is a small map and a short single-player campaign. It will take approximately 15-20 minutes for a first-time play through.

There are several hidden weapons in this map, including an RPG and a Magnum.

Interception

Fairly challenging puzzle involving two clean-style chambers, a funnel, a laser, and a light bridge. The puzzle is slightly more difficult than the official Portal 2 puzzles.

There should be 2-3 "AHA!" moments in the puzzle. The solution is not technically difficult to execute. If you find yourself throwing cubes or flinging over and over again, you should find an easier way.

Version 1.52 compiled with high dynamic range rendering effects.
Version 1.57 added a Rattman den.
Version 1.60 added a pool of toxic water.