What can i do with the sdk?

[evochinima]

I am a programmer at heart, and i want to use source as my engine. Since i cant afford the licence ill have to create a mod. The thing is, i want to create my own game, not modding another game. And before you say 'derp, its called a mod, ofc youre modding another game'... Well just dont. I would simply like to know how much freedom creating a mod gives me. Am i bound to create a re-textured half-life or can i live out my wild nerdy dreams?

Id be great if someone could link me a fine example of how much people are able to do with the moddingtools

[ErikKiller]

Well you can create a total-conversion.
Basically it only requires a source-engine game to work.
(Good example would be Black Mesa - http://www.blackmesasource.com/)

[Phott]

Total conversatoion: http://www.resistanceandliberation.com/
A damn fine one, but since you're just modding an engine it's still going to be Source at heart, and people will notice most likely.

[BubbleQ]

Is not UDK a better choise for creating games like you really want them too? I have seen booth 2d and 3d games come to life with it, And it seems to be free aswell. But I have never used it and are still holding on to Source. That is a suggestion, I have no idea at all of how limited you are to source. SO I can´t help you there.

[marks]

UDK coding = unrealscript.
Source coding = C++

You tell me which is more transferrable and commonly known.

[SotaPoika]

IMO the "most total-conversion" there is for Source, is Flipside: http://www.moddb.com/mods/flipside

[evochinima]

UDK coding = unrealscript.
Source coding = C++

You tell me which is more transferrable and commonly known.

"My sentiments exactly"

I've looked at the wiki and i've decided to go with the source engine. Its way more flexible than i first thought, and i guess having some (far too many) years of experience with it's games is a big bonus.

[stoopdapoop]

eclipse was a bit different.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/eclipse

and there's also half life: Tactics
http://www.moddb.com/mods/half-life-tactics

and HL2 wars
http://www.moddb.com/mods/half-life-2-wars

and Dual Reality
http://www.moddb.com/mods/dual-reality

and tension
http://www.moddb.com/mods/tension

and dogfight
http://www.moddb.com/mods/dogfight

As far as creating game mechanics goes, I'd say your only limit is your own skill. There's nothing binding you to make a hl2 clone, or even a first person game.

[evochinima]

You convinced me stoop. Especially the dual reality mod, since i had something similar in mind.

I guess this question is kinda related to the topic: Is it possible to create dynamic maps a la diablo? I know that source uses the bsp format which has no support for this whatsoever, but still? Has there been any mod attempting to do this and succeeding? (this forum really needs the (a)-smiley)

[marks]

Came out in the AlienSwarm SDK not 3 days ago:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Swarm_TileGen

[evochinima]

Came out in the AlienSwarm SDK not 3 days ago:

http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Swarm_TileGen

hah! Perfect timing then. Thanks alot!

[Saxon]

You convinced me stoop. Especially the dual reality mod, since i had something similar in mind.

I guess this question is kinda related to the topic: Is it possible to create dynamic maps a la diablo? I know that source uses the bsp format which has no support for this whatsoever, but still? Has there been any mod attempting to do this and succeeding? (this forum really needs the (a)-smiley)

People have made dynamic maps for CSS, typically for Zombie Escape gamemode. It's down to the mapper to do, though theoretically you could create an entity which does that work for the mapper.

[Mr. Happy]

eclipse was a bit different.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/eclipse

ooooh eclipse was awesome! except it didn't work on my computer...but still!
There are alot of cool stuff put out by guildhall.

And indeed, it's all about your own skill. Good luck!

[Mr. Happy]

eclipse was a bit different.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/eclipse

ooooh eclipse was awesome! except it didn't work on my computer...but still!
There are alot of cool stuff put out by guildhall.

And indeed, it's all about your own skill. Good luck!