Near Death Experiences: A Community Project //CANCELLED//

[Major Arlene]

Welcome to Near Death Experiences, a community project that aims to explore people's thoughts and views on death and dying.

 

Someone asked me how this could be emulated in Doom, and he said, "Every beginning has an end, and it's our responsibility to make life as good as we can for ourselves and others. I can't think of a map for that, can you?" Well, think back to the very first episode of Doom. We slog through endless hoards of demons, and as we step into the teleporter after defeating the Barons, we think, "wow, I did a really good thing killing all those demons!" But, what's our reward? Another room of demons, surrounding us, tearing away at us before we are resigned to death. Regardless of our good deeds, our beginnings, we must meet our end. 

 

First things first, this is obviously a very heavy subject, so some disturbing content may make its way into the Discord and even the project. Keep that in mind before proceeding to the Discord or signing up for the project. Excessive gore, however, will not be tolerated. 

 

The rules of the project: 

1. No joke maps. We're adults here.

2. Any custom textures or resources are allowed, so long as permission is there to use them and credit is placed in your text file. Any unused textures or resources should be removed from your WAD before submission. Slade is a decent tool for this, but will not do everything, so please carefully proof your resources.

3. Custom music in pretty much any format is allowed, so long as the music is not copyrighted.

4. Please submit a text file with your WAD, in order to ensure proper credit and any important information on gameplay.

5. All maps should be in UDMF format, but this can be worked around if necessary. Please let me know in advance if you use a different format so I can plan ahead.

6. Maps should be built around single-play experience. Deathmatch and coop starts can be added but I won't require them.

7. Cooperative mapping is fine, please let me know if that's what you're doing and who you're working with.

8. Maps should be playable from pistol start- there will be a hub map that the player will be returned to at the end of each experience.

 

This mapping project started in August. I've been busy so I haven't been mapping much, and interest has been low, but I've got some fresh faces in and would love some more. There is no longer a set deadline for this project- the nature of this project requires everyone to come in and finish when they're ready, not on a set date. 
There are 32 map slots, but I'll add more if interest is high enough.

 

If you're interested in this project, feel free to join the Discord: https://discord.gg/jH863ru

I am looking for Tutors and Playtesters on this project, so even if you aren't mapping, I can likely use your help. 
(Hi, it's February and I'm still here! This project is starting to really take shape, but I'm still looking for mappers too! If you'd like to participate then please feel free to hop into the Discord and grab a slot!)
I'll also share some of the work I've done so far for the project:

 

 

Edited March 2, 2021 by Major Arlene : cancelled. see page 2.

[Remilia Scarlet]

I'll take a slot

[StormCatcher.77]

I'm not sure that I will be able to find time, but I will be watching this project. At this moment, I have no ideas ...

[Pegleg]

This sounds like an intriguing project. Given the subject matter, paging @Mk7_Centipede.
 

I don't have the requisite skill in UDMF, so I can't join. Best wishes to all the mappers on this project. I'm interested to see the final map set from this project.

 

[JustAthel]

Said this on the Discord but I may as well say it here to make it official

I'm interested in this project, and though I would be fine being a playtester, I'd like to try my hand at making a map for this 8)
I'm just not sure what slot to file it under, however, so hopefully that won't pose as too much of an issue :/

[cornchips]

I'll give it crack and take a slot.

[Big Ol Billy]

Cool idea! I’m down for a map. I’ve vaguely thought about doing some #deathpositivity maps before where the object is for the player to die rather than (necessarily) kill demons. Does that sound like a doable idea?

[Test Tickle]

Is it too late to get a slot? If not, I'm in.

[DFF]

It may be a while before I begin on this, but i'd be willing to make a short and sweet map for this.

[Major Arlene]

bumping since I've gotten some more interest, please check updated rules!

[TollyCastle]

I'll take a slot.

[Major Arlene]

rules have been updated as well as some actual proof there's work on this project! :D

[Remilia Scarlet]

Figured I'd show off the map I made for NDE ^_^ this is a mostly finished version with just a few texturing issues I need to fix.

[DukeOfDoom]

Okay, I am in.

Just a little problem: I usually make maps with Doom in Hexen format, but I can try to make a UDMF map too.

[Major Arlene]

6 hours ago, DukeOfDoom said:

Okay, I am in.

Just a little problem: I usually make maps with Doom in Hexen format, but I can try to make a UDMF map too.

That's fine! Hop in the discord and we'll help you with any issues you might have. 

[DukeOfDoom]

34 minutes ago, Major Arlene said:

That's fine! Hop in the discord and we'll help you with any issues you might have. 

I don't have Discord, sorry. But I may register there.

[Major Arlene]

3 minutes ago, DukeOfDoom said:

I don't have Discord, sorry. But I may register there.

yeah it's easier just to communicate there rather than clog up the DW thread with day-to-day communications, I'll do important announcements here as well but Discord is a much easier place to keep everyone informed.

[VanaheimRanger]

This is a really cool idea, and I've seen you mention it on Discord a few times.  I'd love to make something for it but I feel I am mapped out so to speak, mapping appeals to me until I sit down and start doing it, then I realize i'd rather just be playing, lol.  I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this project, though.

[-TDRR-]

I wonder, is this meant to be stuff like almost dying in an extremely dangerous situation like... A bunch of meteors falling nearby and you just BARELY dodge them?

 

Or stuff like when you step on a lego?

[Bridgeburner56]

@-TDRR-

Time to go practise your reading comprehension

[-TDRR-]

19 minutes ago, Bridgeburner56 said:

@-TDRR-

Time to go practise your reading comprehension

The "lego" part was a joke, but it's a serious question. Like, you mean like ACTUALLY dying or almost dying by environmental hazards or that sort of stuff?

[Bridgeburner56]

Pretty much can be taken how you want. The act of dying? What happens after death? What happens when you come close to death? All are valid ideas to explore

[-TDRR-]

17 minutes ago, Bridgeburner56 said:

Pretty much can be taken how you want. The act of dying? What happens after death? What happens when you come close to death? All are valid ideas to explore

Sounds really cool, will be following this for sure. Quite unique idea for a Doom community project and has lots of potential.

[Bridgeburner56]

Yeah I was drawn to it too which is why I agreed to help the Major with the project. I'll be starting my map hopefully next month too which I'm pretty excited about

.

[Pegleg]

 

1 minute ago, -TDRR- said:

The "lego" part was a joke, but it's a serious question. Like, you mean like ACTUALLY dying or almost dying by environmental hazards or that sort of stuff?

 

"Near Death Experiences, a community project that aims to explore people's thoughts and views on death and dying"

 

I think Major Arlene left it sort of open-ended, but the maps for this project could easily run the range from violent to introspective to claustrophobic to vast to serene to jarring. I think it's somewhat left up to your own interpretation (so long as it's serious), but I think it's meant to be very much like Bridgeburner said.

 

Heaven and Hell, Netherworlds, traveling from one plane of existence to another, dying and then being brought back, being near death and fighting for life, being on death's door, watching those around you suffer and die, your own suffering as you die, others suffering as you die and you being trapped in your own space unable to do anything, peace after you are freed of earthly torments, a descent into madness as death approaches, etc., etc.--the possibilities are endless.

[-TDRR-]

18 minutes ago, Pegleg said:

Heaven and Hell, Netherworlds, traveling from one plane of existence to another, dying and then being brought back, being near death and fighting for life, being on death's door, watching those around you suffer and die, your own suffering as you die, others suffering as you die and you being trapped in your own space unable to do anything, peace after you are freed of earthly torments, a descent into madness as death approaches, etc., etc.--the possibilities are endless.

That just gave me an idea! I won't sign up but if i get to map something and actually finish it, is it fine if i submit it if i haven't joined the Discord before?

[Avoozl]

I'm not sure how I feel about a project for Doom based on NDE's. I have been obsessively researching and reading other peoples pleasant experiences of leaving the body and entering a very loving place full of beings since late 2017 from sources such as IANDS, NDERF and We Don't Die Radio, the usage of the idea through a game may give the wrong understanding or idea of what NDE's are about to those who lack knowledge on the subject. We seem to be reaching a time in humanity where such things are becoming more accepted and no longer ridiculed.

[Bridgeburner56]

2 hours ago, Avoozl said:

I'm not sure how I feel about a project for Doom based on NDE's. I have been obsessively researching and reading other peoples pleasant experiences of leaving the body and entering a very loving place full of beings since late 2017 from sources such as IANDS, NDERF and We Don't Die Radio, the usage of the idea through a game may give the wrong understanding or idea of what NDE's are about to those who lack knowledge on the subject. We seem to be reaching a time in humanity where such things are becoming more accepted and no longer ridiculed.

I think you've missed the point of the wad slightly. This is not about NDEs specifically (it's slight misnomer) rather what happens around death and after. An opportunity to explore death and the afterlife, very much conceptual. It's at best a coincidental link.

 

Spoiler

Also I doubt that everyone's brushes with death are loving but that's just me.

 

[Major Arlene]

it's been a few months since I've last updated, but rest assured for all it's still very much a thing. I've got a few completed maps for the set and an awesome lineup of mappers that I'm proud to have with me here :)

Attached is an album with some map screens to prove we're all still working on it :)
Updated hopeful release date is the tail-end of 2020.
https://imgur.com/a/Rt3CZa7

[Major Arlene]

oh heck it's been like a year lol

I promise we're still going!
My original map has FINALLY been completed and is ready for testing!

 

Bauul has also made an incredible secret level that I think you guys will enjoy!
 

 

We're still aiming for a beta soon in early 2021- watch this space!