New exciting remixed maps on whale!

[NIN-IceFox]

See the current tutorial to get started making your very own remixes! http://tastyspleen.net/quake/forums/index.php?topic=18877.0

Here's some nice further examples to showcase map mixer possibilities, so here they are and all of these can be found on whale!

Some things seen are even only possible with unreleased version currently such as the ability to change already defined lights in the bsp, which can include sun. Beta mixer also features ability to convert any image quickly to a .wal texture and even can generate near perfectly tiled textures on demand with any image you supply with simple sliders in a menu! And there is much more to come!

mkrust by Killer to a reactor station (atomic_smasher)





big space gun by DMP to more modern sci-fi look (scifi_spacegun)




Arena map by whodini with redone texture and relit with sun effect currently only possible in the unreleased version of map mixer (moon_alter)




the great bk2 (author unknown) converted to a foreboding fort look right out of a fairytale! (fort_of_forbode)




bk8 (author unknown) with night-time medieval overhaul (fort_frog_pond)



campcity (author unknown) to a winter base theme (echo_base1)


city1 converted to cold medieval theme (castle_peak2)



marics84 by maric changed so dramatically as to be almost unrecognizable! (marics84x)


4u2map12a by 4u2 clan to haunted mansion theme (ghost_mansion)



stonemn2 (author unknown) converted to a martian surface theme (martian_canyon)

[r1]

Good work!
These look great...
I especially like how the atomic smasher map turned out. The triggered laser array surprised even me 

The space gun with an automated firing sequence is sweet. The whole map comes alive in a laser light display like no other. Would make the stroggs proud 

Moon alter has some interesting lighting. Those drawn out shadows cast from the columns, give it a realistic moon lit feel.

The live frogs of the fort_frog_pond, were super creepy! There's just hopping about and are indestructible, some kinda mutants of the apocalypse. Again great lighting inside the castle.

I really like the atmosphere in martian_canyon, it does give an idea of the martian landscape. Reminds me of that base in total Recall. Now just top if off with some dish arrays or martian artifacts, and it'd rock!

Keep it up!

[NIN-IceFox]

Big gun altered to cleaner sci-fi style (biggun2x)


bugdm7 by bugman to arctic outpost theme remake (arctic_outpost2)



semper06 by renegade to another alternate stone and night theme (sea_castle)

[r1]

Wow,
Big gun looks better than the original! It even has a working anti matter particle beam powering it! 
As far as arctic_outpost2 goes, what did you do to my pet Shamblers! They're all frozen like ice-cubes! 


Neat look on sea_castle, was high tech before, but you made it look totally ancient! And you used enough torches to light count Dracula's castle!

[NIN-IceFox]

4u2map5b by 4u2 clan to sea & night medieval theme (kyuubi_king)



marics105 by maric with the clock turned back! (mars)




Interactive mecha overhauled to fancier style (timberwolf2x)

[Naked Guy]

for what its worth, i don't care for most of the remixed maps, for the same reason as people quit caring for the customizable myspace...too much going on in most of the remixes, or they are too dark.  simple is good, the important thing is the game play.   

[r1]

for what its worth, i don't care for most of the remixed maps, for the same reason as people quit caring for the customizable myspace...too much going on in most of the remixes, or they are too dark.  simple is good, the important thing is the game play.   

Can't say I agree with everything you said, but the myspace reference gives some pause for though, since it hints that simple is better and clarity is preferred. And I do agree that esthetics is the key to making pleasant maps that don't get in the way of game play. But it's not a foolproof formula to deliver interesting maps 100% of the time. I also know that only playing candy coated maps lacking in character becomes boring after a while.
For those who don't already know this, its also worth noting that Wod players are some of the most impatient and demanding out there, only wanting to smother themselves in fast paced mind numbing action all of the time. I got to remind you that sometimes it's good to pause and admire your surroundings, and be more appreciative, not only of the mod and its crazy action, but also of the diverse maps presented.

The whole customized myspace vs customized maps argument, or even the myspace vs facebook argument in this scenario: quake 2 environments, can only be made to a limited extent, since they serve a totally different purpose. As far as some of these maps being too dark I got to say that I feel the same way, and looking at the above: before and after shots, they tend to look on the dark side. Liking this or that style though is just a matter of personal taste. Some like the dark goth style and feel comfortable in it, but a vast majority don't. I personally like some balance. So, I've been encouraging Kits to branch out and try some brighter designs. I admit I'm also guilty in indulging the other extreme: making a lot of my maps sunny, bright and warm. And some people hate that as well, so its purely a matter of balance and personal taste. Contrast is needed, and textures are great, but they cannot dominate everywhere, and there must be times for the eye and mind to relax. Kits has a different personality and his maps turn out totally different than mine. This has nothing to do with remixing craft as a whole, but with the choices one makes, just as you personalizing your myspace with crazy zebra patterns would be.

[NIN-IceFox]

Quake's limited color palette often doesn't lend itself very well to brighter maps unless the textures themselves are a little darker or the textures are well made and look ok in brighter settings which is rare. This was something I learned from experience was that either lower overall brightness and a dominant color hue like from a sky usually seemed to blend textures the best. id software and lots of other quick mappers seemed to do most with the common orange hue since most Quake maps are using the stock rusty metal style and they would blend poorly otherwise. Although it does work, I don't like to use that style, too common/repetitive and bland so I like to have other custom textures and use different hues like blue, purple, or other exotic looks. I also try to strike a balance between users of average modulation and higher modulation levels (gl_modulate) and usually aim to make them look best at around 3 or 4. I also don't recommend using gamma. But I'm still improving and have many more possibilities to experiment with!

Now while what I do at this time may indeed not effect gameplay itself a whole lot currently, that eventually will change of course once more support for things can make their way in! I hope to see things like weather with tornadoes and lightning clouds or ice storms and stuff which could either be a hazard or something you could take advantage of with certain weapons or runes, and of course the monsters and stuff we have mentioned in the other thread which is coming together, and as well as things like entity switches which can be shot or touched to activate/toggle anything you want. There's always a lot on the drawing board!

On the subject of diversity again, I add the best way we will get that is from volunteers who would be interested in making use of the upcoming tools! Any of you will be having your chance to play a very important role in this expansion of the mod!

[r1]

I don't think this has a lot to do with Quake 2 palette. It's just a design decision, that you either embrace or don't.  I think that Gothic style maps are a great choice for whale, as long as there's also diversity of other maps. There are plenty of examples of brighter less gloomy maps that experimented with contrast and worked out well. The players and I have spoken, we want brighter maps as well! Can you make it happen?
 

[Acer]

like to have other custom textures and use different hues like blue, purple, or other exotic looks.

Maybe >this one, it has a nice winter theme with a soft purple hue.

[Naked Guy]

the gawdiness i'm referring to is almost exclusively to do with the translucent monsters, the tanks driving around, stuff like that that can't be interacted with, it's just there..because.

[poser]

The remixes are a trip. I'll get in a new one and it takes me a few minutes to realize I'm in a map I know LOL It's nice in that it changes things up some. Also, for peeps that don't know the maps real well, it evens the playing field a little. It's a nice twist.

poser