Szuran Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) NEWEST UPDATE: Here it is! Unfinished and extra raw. However, I poured an ungodly amount of work into it, so if you are interested, take a look. Rework it if you wish. http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=55296229774902124580 This project was abandoned to focus on https://www.facebook.com/HeCameFromBeyond/ OG POST: I've started a Facebook page for the mod, when I'm posting update about the progress and also some general thoughts and ideas on modding. I've love it if you joined me: https://facebook.com/HMAm --- Hello guys. I've been with you for a couple of days. For over a week, I've been working on my first map / mod ever. I chose to mod Doom as it seemed simpler than the Build engine -- I have zero experience with coding or designing, so it looked like the best way to go. I don't know if I'm doing it right, but I've discovered a new hobby. There is NOTHING more satisfying than creating a level and seeing how it comes together. I have this idea and I'm trying to make it real. I'm far from finish. I showed some screenshots earlier, but every day I make so much progress that it's like a new layer of refinement. That's why I wanted to start a thread for my mod. It's supposed to be 7 map long. Below you can see the first map. I think I went overboard with the details, it's a small map (it's supposed to be small and easy - it's the first level), but it takes me ages. I'm posting this also to kinda... get convinced that this is worth it. I'm spending every free moment on this project and I'm extremely unsure of myself -- I feel like an idiot asking you about simple stuff. Maybe I'm not cut out for it. Maybe I hope for too much. We'll see. What's the mod about? You're Mord, half-angel, half-demon doing the dirty work for the Eternal One. The future turns out so bad that The Man decides to hit the reset button. You're the reset button. Edited November 7, 2020 by Szuran 29 Share this post Link to post
Tor1zo Posted April 24, 2019 Looks awesome! As i always say: cant wait to play it!! 0 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted April 24, 2019 Thank you! I hope to finish the first level by the end of the next week. 0 Share this post Link to post
Beezle Posted April 25, 2019 Wow, this looks really cool! That's damn good for a first map from what you've posted so far. Wish I could give you some tips but I've never made a map before, so all I can really say is just take your time and have fun with it. Can't wait to see how this turns out:) 0 Share this post Link to post
nrofl Posted April 25, 2019 For a first map this seems very nice. I like it! 0 Share this post Link to post
⇛Marnetmar⇛ Posted April 25, 2019 This is one of the best-looking first maps I've seen. Keep it up! 0 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted April 25, 2019 57 minutes ago, Marn said: This is one of the best-looking first maps I've seen. Keep it up! Thanks. If it looks good, it's only because I don't know what can't be done. But I too thought it did look okay and they browsed some WADs posted here, and realized I don't know so many things. The enemies will be the biggest challenge. 0 Share this post Link to post
Chris Hansen Posted April 25, 2019 Looks really good! I say keep going. You've got it :) 1 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted April 25, 2019 After this feedback? No chance in hell I'm stopping. :) 5 Share this post Link to post
Nevander Posted April 25, 2019 Looks way better than my first map. Interesting. 0 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted April 25, 2019 What do you think about little bits of visual storytelling? I like when they don't break the flow. Left 4 Dead did it brilliantly. You want to know the story - stop and read the grafitti. I'd like to implement something like this. I don't know how you do it, but I first think "what would be fun in this part of the map", and then "what could be this place and what's its story". I'm trying to give every place a purpose, and even though you probably won't know it, I know it kinda makes sense. Also, I'm adding these banners to tell a bit more about the world, its downfall and the baddies' attitude. All in the glorious cheesy was of retro action movies and 2.5 fps games. 6 Share this post Link to post
Vyre Posted April 27, 2019 Looks sweet! Eager to play it, the pics look cool :) 1 Share this post Link to post
HeyItsDuke Posted April 30, 2019 Now this is awesome. I'll be stalking watching this thread. Looks great! Especially for your first map. 1 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted April 30, 2019 Thank you! Credits screen is done. I'm now taking on the biggest challenge, which is enemy design, so it'll take me a while. 4 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 2, 2019 (edited) First major bump in the road. Sprites may look alright but take ages to make. My method probably isn't the most effective since every single sprite requires tons of color adjustments to match the others. Other solution would be to cut the number of frames in half, but I'm not sure of the results. Since there is so much left to do, I think I'll use recolored Doom sprites instead, although that's something I'd like to avoid. Bummer. 2 Share this post Link to post
Bryan T Posted May 2, 2019 (edited) There are tons of sprites on realm667, hopefully you can find something there you like. ( I haven't been to that site in years, what's up with the incessant popup every page? ) 1 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 2, 2019 Unfortunetly not so much. No 80s biker gangs or techno preachers. :) But I'll find a way. 0 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 2, 2019 A film I was addicted to in my teens (basically a superhero horror) and THE scene that inspired the main character of this WAD and his powers. :) 1 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 5, 2019 Since I'm asking a lot of questions in the editing section, I feel kinda obliged to prove they aren't for nothing. The mod is progressing nicely, I have some - hopefully - cool weapons and got to the 2nd level. I'll release a two level demo when I'm done and use your feedback before creating the rest of the mod. Here's a couple of new things, including custom pickups, better weapon sprites and enemy placement pretty much locked. 2 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 10, 2019 Map 2, Facade of Faith, in the making. This one's much more complex than the first one and I'm hoping to take you on a little journey. Plus a new weapon that I think will surprise you with its effects. When this is ready, I'll release the demo. Excited as hell! 2 Share this post Link to post
Tor1zo Posted May 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Szuran said: Excited as hell! X2 0 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted May 19, 2019 Wasting way too much time adding way too much detail, but frankly, how could you NOT do this? Where's the point you stop and say: it's fine, it's done? I haven't found it yet. Instead of nearing the finish line, I feel like it's moving with my every step. 5 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted June 6, 2019 (edited) HMA journal, stardate whatever. I decided to keep all the HMA stuff here to not multiply threads that no one reads anyway. If anyone played this demo: http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=04719947943909065423 please know that after HAK3180's review I've recognized problems and the demo is already obsolete. Most of all, it's playable ON MIDDLE DIFFICULTY ONLY, as I haven't properly tested other settings. Other changes, already implemented but available only in the final WAD, include: - weapon balance (boomsnap now kills anyone except bosses in 1 snap, more powerful doves) - easier church navigation (1st floor key holding area now available from the start, barrier on the cross is immediately visible as well as the effect of button presses, button that opens the cross passage is now highlighted with the banners and the cross) - hard difficulty now has more resources - VV-Sector and Ear of Ga'ud enemies now have fewer health points I'd like to give my thanks to anyone who took time to test it and most of all, provide feedback. I'm learning, this is my first modding effort, I needed your criticism. Right now I'm well in map 3, Neon Styx, where I decided to have a sinister face on the facade of the bad guy's HQ. I wanted to do it because I've never seen anything like it in Doom. It's still an early version, so it'll look much better, but I'm happy with the progress. Hooo boy, this is fun! Edited June 6, 2019 by Szuran 3 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted June 12, 2019 "Not enough" is starting to be a theme in this project. Trying to create a believable city environment, I thought some banners would make it more vivid. But some wasn't enough, and instead of creating 3 I'm at 7 and counting, because I just don't want to repeat the same texture (too often). But after I added that, it was not enough. If I can add more, why shouldn't I? So storefronts appeared. Trash cans. Graffiti. Neon signs. Lamp posts. Then vehicles (and it's extremely hard to make them look even remotly like vehicles using Doom 2's vanilla capabilities). Then movie posters. I find it easy to stop and I think I got more sidedefs than half the original Doom. On one street. In a level that features not only this one street, but a subway station, an apartment complex, a promenade and a huge square. Damn. It's gonna take ages and it won't even look as good as most of the WADs I see here. But I've already put so much time into it. It'd be stupid to stop now. 6 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted October 9, 2019 (edited) FINALLY I have something to show. This has been a long road. Edited October 9, 2019 by Szuran 2 Share this post Link to post
Jawohlf Posted October 10, 2019 Dude, it looks amazing! Please, do keep at it. :) 1 Share this post Link to post
Szuran Posted October 10, 2019 Thanks. :) I will, even though it already took me 100s of hours and probably 3 people will play it. :) 1 Share this post Link to post