Tuesday 23.18 01.25.2011
There are those rare days when something changes everything. The scriptures seem to just unfold around you, you say all the right things in prayer, and a peace and tranquility seems tangible in the air. In those moments I know God. I know he heard me, and not only approved of my request but was pleased by it also, and it made all the difference today.
- iii
Monday 22.13 01.24.2011
Writing more in my book. Things are coming along really well. College is going a lot better than I figured it would and that makes it great. Despite the stress, and chaos around me, it seems that everything I'm setting my hand to is lined with success…hard work…but success. Thank you faith, and patience…and the author of it. I really couldn't do it with out you.
- iii
Tuesday 20.28 01.18.2011
Man I feel stressed. 1. I work 40 hours a week nights in LA. 2. I just started college again, and have 9 units Tuesdays and Thursdays but it's split between morning and late afternoon classes…LAME. 3. I haven't adjusted to sleeping yet…so I'm tired. 4. I just started working out and my muscles are sore. 5. Money is tight because my truck broke, and in fact I still need to buy books for school, and figure out gas… UGHHH AT LEAST I was already sick a couple weeks ago, so that's a relief…should be sick again for at least half a year.
- iii
Wednesday 19.18 12.08.2010
I stopped work on the gaming side of the project a long time ago, and instead have been focusing on novelizing the story. I am currently around 80 pages in and working on Chapters 6-10. The first 5 chapters, while done, will be undergoing revisions once I have completed Section 1 of the book, to tighten the story, expand missed concepts, re-work dialog, enhance emotional attachment to characters, remove obsolete, and erroneous portions, set a better pace, and generally make the work a more presentable project for publishing. Much of the content on this site has become outdated, though not so much that I intend to go through and correct it all.
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Monday 16.18 03.05.2010
I am still moving steadily forward on my maps. I have found a few more people who are excited to see the project go forward, while they themselves can contribute little more than "ooo's" and "ahhh's." Occasionally though one will have a good idea or two that tweaks things a little. Most of them however, have just been generally blown away by the idea. I would REALLY like to get someone on board that can create the meshes/animations. I can, but i'm not that proficient at it anymore, and I enjoy the mapping side a bit more. It would be amazing though to begin replacing all the characters from HL2 with my own designs. Maybe soon enough.
I know it's a long time between posts, but I don't think anyone ever reads these anyway…so yeah I've been lazy documenting.
As for right now, I have finally finished the architecture to the top side of the world and am currently designing the other areas I have set in my head before I attempt to interconnect all the pieces. i'm mapping faster, but i'm sure there are things I could do that would make my mapping more optimized. But with out a texture artist to help, it is a bit harder.
What would be amazing too would be to get an architect artist on board…I would love to sit down with them and get some amazing concept art going.
I need to work on two things still for tonight or whenever I get to it:
- I need to upload more screen shots
- I need to re-do the Chapters, and city names
- iii
Monday 19.37 12.14.2009
I have been working on the mapping bit off and on. I'm in a bit of a rut. I was kind of out of the mood for working on this for a while, but then I met this amazing girl, that was actually impressed with it, so I started up again.
So I have actually done a few things, namely I added more of the traditional HL2 characters into the game and started scripting them as placeholders for the actual characters that will eventually come.
I have been disappointed in my aforementioned efforts, due to scripting issues. A) I have a character that randomly decides it's a good idea to just fall straight through the elevator floor. LAME. B) I am having parenting issues with scripting sequences in tight places. I have someone walk to a counter and pick up a pot…this caused some sort of a problem with the collision system I think, and it doesn't resolve well in the resulting scripted sequence…which I have since scrapped and remodeled…it wasn't all that important anyway.
I have also been replacing the "use-able" doors with un-usable ones, triggerable only by particular entities or groups of entities. I'm getting quite good at figuring out sequencing…
I am still having problems regarding squads (my sense of the word…not HL2 mapping's), and other unique annoyances that HL2 didn't exactly code for. But eventually I'll either find a work around, or I'll have to recode…it's all fun though, if not frustrating, and long to figure out. I would post new screens, except it really wouldn't mean anything as the bulk of the architecture is still in tack…I've only moved on thing to try to work out the annoying lag…
I have also begun modeling the Bloager. The online sketch needs to be updated, with the current sketch, and I since beginning the modeling process, I may actually update the model again, with a newer idea that my head is bouncing around. It wouldn't be that different from the current version, so I will probably still make the update. In fact several of the Dar-Kein currently have new more complete sketches, that aught to be uploaded. I'll try to see to that soon.
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Monday 21.24 08.31.2009
I updated the screenshots page with new photos. It now contains 2/3 of the mapping material I have completed so far. I did not update the comments to properly reflect the updates…so some of them may not apply. You may see the screenshots here. I am currently working on Chapter 1, Part 1: The Sunreach Appartments. It's a lot more complicated that I had originally planned and I'm not sure how it will turn out in the end… I'm trying to get it to work properly. I have also been planning out several game play elements and been expanding on those ideas. I want to make sure I incorporate as many of the various elements into the game as possible as early as possible. Starting off easy and then slowly building the complexity of them all.
Of course as a Terran your primary world involves Technology, inventions, and ingenuity and the bullk of your choices will involve using your brain to overcome obstacles. Rather quickly you will be introduced to a physical alteration allowing for Strength to become a natural alternative to Intelligence. Beyond these particular game play elements and balancing them into the maps I am creating now… I also am making decisions regarding: Fear, Magic, Shapeshifting, Flight, Economy, Vehicles, NPC mood and alliance, Infinite Mapping, and Default AI, Models, and Animations by Race.
I am hoping to bring a unique blend to an ever growing expectation for freedom in gaming. I hope that what I am trying to accomplish will be a bit more appealing than the total freedom of mayhem brought on by games like GTA, Assassins Creed, and Prototype. At the very least appeal to a broader base of players. Those who currently enjoy the mindless mayhem will find that it exists within the bounds of my world as well, but for those who expect a story they will find that a well developed storyline exists. For the puzzler, or the RPG gamer, all of them should find elements of this game to their liking, and yet none of it is a 'required' aspect to simply play the game. They are being added only to enhance an already enjoyable experience.
- iii
Wednesday 18.18 08.26.2009
Well I haven't updated in awhile but I have been busy. Perhaps i'll load some additional screen shots later. I have been learning a lot about how the Half-Life 2 engine works and the entities…I've been using more and more of them just for the opening sequences. I have designed in part the apartment complex where Kyle lives. I imagine I will load a shot or two about that. Models that are in the shots are being borrowed from HL2 until I can create my own.
I have also completed Phase 1 of my Illusory Infinite World. I hope to possibly complete Phase 2 in the next few days.
Phase 1 = equals the looping sequence.
Phase 2 = the math and logic counters used to create and destroy scenery
Phase 3 = adding the unique sections, and the 'boundaries'
Phase 4 = Setting all this up so it can be used as a template…
- iii
Thursday 01.29 07.23.2009
I have been working on two of my maps this week. One I am continuing to optimize and the other I am completely reworking (almost from scratch) and I'm optimizing as I go as it is far more convenient. I uploaded a few screen shots for the remodel. As usual everything is mostly in orange and grey until the day arrives where either I or someone else produces quality textures specifically for my maps. You can see the screenshots here.
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Monday 05.38 07.07.2009
I have been super busy. I moved into a new apartment. I've been browsing the web for more reference materials AND boy are there some amazing artists out there. I've managed to draw up two new sketches. One was originally supposed to be of Sam Rauls, but it just wasn't what I was looking to achieve, but it is still good, so I've decided to include it as one of the civilian scientists. The second is much closer to what I'm looking for, but as usual legs and feet presented a problem for my skills, and so they are not present. I am still very pleased with her, as I have mentioned in the past, I am not particularly good with female characters, and she is one of my first attempts at a young character, though not as young as I shooting for. She still has a few things to tweak but I'll place her on the site, in her proper place as Elica, one of the Drakken. Additionally I have been working on a piece of fan-fiction for the Mousehunt App I play on Facebook. I know I need to focus on one thing, but that is the joy of being A D D, and having multiple projects…when I have enough to do I always have something to keep me interested and coming back working on more. So I hope to set everything up and scan these two sketches in today. I'll update again when I can.
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Saturday 05.43 06.13.2009
I uploaded the a sketch of the Dar-Kyarn. It looks fairly close to what I'm looking to make. I need to re-label the Larvae I drew…they are actually the 3rd instars. Regardless though it is the idea. I also need to re-draw the chrysalis. That has been an ongoing sketch associated with the Dar-Kein since almost the beginning. However, it doesn't exactly fit anymore. I have also done a lot of thinking, and I plan to fill in major chunks of data regarding the Dar-Kyarn, the Xrae/Xraen, and larval infestation. I am moving into a new apartment soon and I'm hoping that once I'm there I will have a better work area so I can work on this outside of work and on weekends too. With any luck I'll be in the mood to start meshing the characters again soon. Of course…drawing them isn't all that bad.
- iii
Thursday 16.09 06.11.2009
I have continued drawing more than anything. I have added a sketch of Gen. Augustus Flately, and several new images regarding the Dar-Kein eggs, 2nd Instars, and the Xrae larva.
I downloaded a new modeling program…one that is apparently not as great as XSI, but I have used it in the past successfully and I am familiar with it, so it aught to work out. It's called Milkshape by chumbalum soft. We'll see if I can't get some modeling in soon.
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Wednesday 01.25 06.03.2009
I'm fairly proud of myself today. I got on revised a few pages, added some info and left a news entry.
I am also fairly happy, because I got a lot done on the map before I couldn't focus anymore…I'm A.D.D. by the way…so staying on task is not the easiest thing for me. Another reason things take so long. I try to at least do a give or take situation though. If I can't work on the map then I work on the story, if I can't function with that then I draw the characters, scenes, whatnot. Today I finished up with Grum the Exceptional Chub Toad. Of course, I say finished, but you never know. I haven't decided if he needs hands…I kind of like the idea that he doesn't. I also drew a female Angaelus…and she turned out to be my best female work to date…and while that isn't saying much considering my past attempts at females…I personally think I did a pretty good job.
UPDATE - 16.18 06.03.2009
I scanned my new sketches in and they can be found on the following pages:
Grum - The Exceptional Chub Toad
Aeon
Aeron
Hopefully they are as cool as I think they are.
- iii
Monday 21.32 06.01.2009
K. i'm still working non-stop on the overhaul to my maps. They have been re-worked and are looking incredible…though still textured with orange and grey measure tools. So what's the hold-up? You've been working for at least a month now…
1st: I finally got my elevator working 100%. That was a major relief, and it took at least a week or more… and it took so much time to figure it all out that my head hurt a lot, and I needed long breaks in between. I respect the elevator engineers…A LOT!
2nd: I decided to work on lighting so I did a pre-compile…honestly I had no idea that I had created such a mess. I read an optimization guide when one of my compiles lasted longer than 8 hours…and was still running…no lights at all. I loaded up the portal file, and I could barely see there were so many blue lines. I began optimizing…and that was also time consuming. I'm almost done I hope with that. And I just need to re-affix the orange and grey textures. Everything is in a yellow no-draw.
For a few additional notes
A) Optimisation is good…read about it first.
B) Cordon areas do not optimize anything…but if done properly they are very useful for quick compiles.
C) I have been updating the Angaelus bios, and working on some new art work. I have no clue when I will get around to scanning my work. So far it's a single picture, but I hope to have more by the end of the night. Head over to aelus to read a little more about them.
- iii
Wednesday 19.02 04.22.2009
I've been working non-stop on remodeling the maps I made for Chapter 2 - pre-breakout. I had to gather a lot of new ideas, and ran around taking pictures of buildings: offices and what-not. I think the over all feel is much better. I am also working slowly…SLOWLY on developing textures. I wish I was better at it…but i'm sure in time I'll figure out how to do just what I want. I hope to put some new screen shots up. I re-did everything in the base orange and grey measurement textures. It looks a little weird, but cool at the same time.
- iii
Monday 22.41 03.23.2009
I added a group of screen shots from the Labyrinth of Caos…. Keep in mind textures and creatures are simply being used from HL2 until I make my own.
- iii
Thursday 08.48 03.12.2009
Well I've been working but I've also been super tired…so I've gotten a few things here and there done. I've been working on a map for the Isl. of Caos (spelled correctly). And I've even had segments of it tested. Everyone so far has said it was hard, but the smiles on their faces as they played indicated it was challenging in a fun way. I'm hoping that it will remain that way.
I also uploaded a picture for Gah'met.. I'm very pleased with it…he might have trouble with walking through a normal sized door, but at almost 7 feet he would have that problem anyway.
- iii
Saturday 08.14 02.21.2009
Went Camping out toward Lake Arrowhead, CA at Camp Hinkley. So far its been pretty good. Nice group of people showed for the activity, maybe 60ish… I'm going to add a few pages and then get off…that's the plan.
- iii
Friday 01.40 02.20.2009
Well today was productive and frustrating. I opened Softimage XSI | Modtool to work on some models…and they wouldn't load. That freaked me out so I hopped on the web to see what could be the problem…I used a Symantec tool to "clean up" my registry the other day, and it managed to screw up XSI. Thanks Symantec. It took a hunk of my night to re-download and install the mod tool. I have a wireless internet connection…so I can download from just about anywhere, thats the up side. The down side is that it takes forever in Los Angeles. All well. Its done and my models can open again.
Other than that pleasant surprise…I re-organized the website by adding a lot of categories into what I hope should be the final setup…for most pages. I also set up category pages to help navigate a little quicker through the Compendium.
Additionally I found some old notes for other games I have running through my head, so I added those too. The additions aren't organized very well…but you can skim through if you like. If you read carefully it should give a pretty good idea of what is going on…in most cases.
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Wednesday 21.22 02.18.2009
Well I guess I got a lot done…sort of. I downloaded and installed everything I supposedly need to program the mod. But then I forgot the power cord to my laptop when I left for work. I created my first mesh in Softimage XSI | Mod Tool. You can see that here… I created the sketches for more of the Dar-Kein, but I wasn't able to scan them yet. And yes, It's just me working on the project. For now I guess that is the way I want it. It's nice to have a hobby, and have the freedom of working on it, or not working on it as one sees fit.
- iii
Friday 23.13 02.13.2009
I uploaded some pics and integrated them into the site…I don't think anyone is reading this so I'm not going to go through the trouble of indicating where. The game logo sketched a long time ago, and a friend pointed out that it isn't spelled correctly…I didn't care much; a sketch is used to get the point across…so I used it anyway.
- iii
Thursday 22.22 02.12.2009
I bought a wireless scanner today and I'm working on editing the pictures as well as uploading them…hopefully soon.
- iii
Wednesday 01.29 02.11.2009
I am continuing to update pages and add content, taking a break from mapping. I hope to be able to put pictures up soon…but it will most likely be a while before that occurs. Take a look around…the forums are up, and the membership areas are also available.
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Tuesday 04.33 02.10.2009
The Site is up and is now under construction. As the story has developed a lot further than the games many areas will have content long before the game ever comes out. So please don't leave negative feedback or ask what ETA's exist…I have absolutely no way of judging that yet. I am currently working on my first and oldest project: Apocalypse Rising. Sorry if it bugs.
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