Unnamed Half-Life2 SP Map (WIP)

[Kabelen]

Hey! This is my first post here at the forums and I'd also like to introduce myself now. I'm, as you can see from the nickname, Kabelen. I've been doing level-design for almost 3 years now. I have only released one map so far(co_awake_b1, for Natural Selection) which was included in confused's NS map pack. I got myself a new computer so I could start mapping for HL2 about 2 months ago and now I have something going that I want comments on.

So over to the map. I don't know what the story is going to be, but I know what sort of environment I want to create. For now I just want ideas and tips on how improve the areas I'm going to show you guys on these screens here:

















Please give me comments and constructive critics. Thanks in advance for comments!

[wiggle987]

Not bad at all, but your map is really lacking in decals. But then again coming from me, I'm a decal freak, and I love decals
*goes off to play with decals*

[Spas12]

very nice, i like the architecture. hopefully its long and fun?

[Kabelen]

Decals will be added.

The plan is to write a decent story and make the map(s) long and fun yes.

The yellow(ugly) lights will be changed, in fact they are changed now and a few decals have been added to the floor here and there .. All I need is something more drastic of a change before I compile again.

[IZaNaGI]

I love those corridors and very atmospheric colours your using, makes me smile

Keep at it!

[Ophidian]

Maybe those brick arches a little unrealistic? It seems to me, that in real life, that'd be near impossible to pull of. Maybe you can put a border on the inside of the brick arches, to kinda hold the bricks in place.

[Kabelen]

In the high- or the low-ceiling corridor?.. I'll do my best trying to build these borders. I'll post a screen as soon as I've compiled with them. Then the new lighting also will be revealed

[Ophidian]

I'm talking about the brick in the very first picture. That just seems a little unrealistic to me.

[Kabelen]

Yeah I can see what you mean. I tried to make a border on the inside.
Is this something like what you had in mind?:

[Orion]

Really nice. I like the architecture a lot. Any idea of what you're gonna call it?

[Kabelen]

Thanks alot! No I have no clue yet. Just gotta see how it turns out first. I have my storyline ideas by now, but I don't know exactly how to use the idea I like the most atm... Just wait and see! I'll come up with a catchy name

[Vash.]

Looking good so far, keep it up. I would only say just keep adding more details to make it look good.

[Torrean]

Nice, I think that if you make some more details and a name, it'll be nice! I don't know about the bricks either, maybe a small grating at the top to "hold" them up?

[Kabelen]

Yeah I know, the bricks are starting to annoy me now. I'll figure it out somehow. Make them wider? I could do that. Make them about 4 units wider or so. I think that would prolly look better. I'll change them for the next compile if I don't get any "noes" about it.. .. I'm also running a compile right now with some nice(I at least think) changes to the corridor with the annoying bricks. I'll post a screen when it's done compiling.

EDIT:

Compile done and things look good, except two door borders.
I tried to get a kind of cold feeling out of the lighting and think I managed it pretty good. (or did I?)..



How's that? Also, notice that there's water, red lights, and pipes(of course) under the grate..

[dDG 007]

The atmosphere looks very nice, even though it's just a hallway... which is an impressive task to pull off -- making a hallway look cool.

Also, I hope those lights are tied to physics constraints and have dynamic lights. That would really look great.