How do I make a mod for Quake 2?

[steaknkidneypie]

I was wondering if you could provide me with a step by step guide on how to make your own mod for Quake 2.

I would like to add to this mod a feature where you can create your own bots.

I'd also like my mod to be similar to the Gladiator and Eraser bot.

Any help on this would be gladly appreciated.

[quadz]

Howdy,

I was wondering if you could provide me with a step by step guide on how to make your own mod for Quake 2.

Unfortunately step 1 on the list is a doozy:

1. Become highly proficient at C programming.

After that, step 2 might be to become familiar with some existing bot code.

The source code for the mod which runs our "zigbot" server at tastyspleen is online here:

https://github.com/tastyspleen/zigock-q2

It's an interesting approach to a bot, however the code is not factored for understandability. (I.e. the code is "messy".)

Another example for study might be the Q3 Arena botlib, which if I recall correctly was an evolution of the Q2 gladiator bot:

https://github.com/id-Software/Quake-III-Arena/tree/master/code/botlib

Again, though, sorry to say, but with what you're asking for there's no way I know of to avoid step 1 above.


Regards,

quadz

[beanz]

Perhaps go down the map making route?     You can then create maps and add bots, using a map maker.  Skin / player making, as well?  etc.     Plenty of opportunities here, where advanced programming is not required   

One good webby for map making: http://leray.proboards.com/

There's a number of map makers around.  I've played around with TrenchBoom: http://leray.proboards.com/thread/3529/trenchbroom-simplest-editor-quake2-addon

Then, there's PAK editors, which could also be what you'd like.  And so on ...

Any help?       bean$   

[steaknkidneypie]

I have been trying out Trenchbroom and following the tutorial on the Youtube website.

I'm still learning how to make maps and it will take time.

Still I don't understand. How can you create bots in a level editor? 

[beanz]

Can't create bots via this method.  Was signposting you to other possibilities   

Follow this interesting topic (blog etc.) by Quke.ie:

http://www.quake.ie/news/quake-2-bots-forever.php

He's been looking into bots for a while!   

As to making your own bots, no idea.  There are a few out there ... 

bean$   

[r1]

If you're unfamiliar with C coding I'd start with something really straight forward and gradually increase complexity.
Once you get past the basics you can begin tinkering and tweaking more advanced bot code like Eraser or Gladiator.
There's plenty of simple tutorials on google you can follow along to get a introductory understanding of quake 2 coding.

Here's one
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/bot/oak1.html
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/bot/oak2.html
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/bot/oak3.html
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/bot/oak4.html
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/bot/oak5.html

If you jump straight into Eraser or Gladiator without C knowledge you might have a hard time
Google / Youtube is your best friend for both learning C and quake 2 related coding:

http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/c/c1.html
http://www.quake2.com/dll/tutorials/
http://quakewiki.net/archives/qdevels/q2tutorial.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8sFa1Blt0k

[sonny]

More people should try to make mods   
Here are some more modding resources:

quake2 tutorials http://www.insideqc.com/q2tut/

quake tutorials http://www.quake-1.com/docs/quakesrc.org/

q2 mod sources http://tastyspleen.net/quake/downloads/mods/