Carnage

Thanks for the explanations everyone. I understand the various features as much as I need to now. Now I can continue without worrying

So if I understand correctly, SEED is primairly used for larger FMs with lots of outside areas?

Since the last time I created an FM a lot of new features have been implemented. Things like Normal maps, and now LOD and SEED. Could someone briefly explain these features to me? What is the advantage of using these, do I have to use them, is it a lot of work to get them in my FM, what kind of features do you really need to have in your FM nowadays, what if I wouldn't use them would my FM look bad or have bad performance? At the moment I'm just building with DR and I haven't got a clue why I would need to use these features. Don't get me wrong, I understand from posts that these features are amazing, but I'm just such a noob that I can't really understand why they are amazing. Lots of thanks for explaining this to me.

I'm certainly going to buy this and Mass Effect 3 of course which will be released in the fall as well . @ 7upman: It might be time to start installing your games in English. Your English writing is perfect, so why bother with a lame German version? I wouldn't even want to play a game in my native language, it just sounds wrong. Edit: @ biker: Isn't this the same trailer 7upman linked?

That little video looks amazing ocn, really immersive! It would be a shame if you'd quit the contest, this already looks like it is going to be a pearl. Just give it a bit of a rest and then pick it up again.

Welcome to the forum max. First of all the best place to start looking for your answer would be to go to the Chalice of Kings thread. Most of the time your answer can be found there or you can ask. It also keeps the forum 'tidy'. I had a quick look for you and this is what I found: Hope you'll be able to finish it now

A prefab would be great, I have been reading a bit about it in the wiki but some things are way over my head . Haha the force is strong in this one

Cheers Tels, will the jet stream also affect the player or do I have to create a func_forcefield for that?

So opening a door to a room that is filled with water and the water pouring out would be the complicated one ? Is it even possible?

Is it possible to trigger liquid materials in DR? For example a mudslide, or when you're walking through a shallow river and the water rises rapidly at a certain point.

Poll looks good to me. I agree with Sotha that gameplay should have the highest weight. First and foremost one should enjoy a map, having some kind of seasonal effect is a great addition, nothing more or less.

+1

Part of what you say might be true April, but sometimes it is necesarry to have a contest for people to start building. I don't wanna be a prick by the way but lets keep it on topic and don't make it another discussion thread. Like the first post states: '(This thread is not for discussion of how the contest should be run or whether it should be different.)'

I certainly don't mind anyone (especially the ones who have never worked with DR before) starting prior, it's just for fun isn't it? The thing I noticed when I created my first FM is that I had a lot ideas that I wanted to work out but most of them didn't even make it, but it's part of understanding DR better and better. We don't want to discourage new mappers that could potentially build a lot of FMs in the future right ? Anyway that's my opinion. A quick update nbhor1more: I'll start a fulltime job on the 1st of March but I think 3 months should be enough to finish my FM, it will only be a small one. So I'll start building the FM once the contest starts and see how things go from there.

Haha I might, count me in as a maybe contender. I've got an idea that I'd like to work out but I don't know if I'll have enough time, because maybe I'll have a new job soon which will be fulltime. Thanks for the info Fidcal, I'll try it asap and let you know how it works out. More info is always appreciated but only if you have time, it doesn't really have a high priority at the moment.

A few questions: 1. Is it possible to let AI appear only when the player triggers something at a certain moment or do you have to hide them somewhere just like 'Patently Dangerous'? 2. Say I'd like to create a daytime FM, is it necessary to create windows you can look through to create the kind of light you get during daytime or is it possible to create the same with an ambient light? Cheers

Well I kinda wanted to keep it a secret , but I'm working on it as we speak. Don't want to spoil too much but it does involve a bank. If everything goes according to plan and I have the time it will be released this year. The more time the sooner it will be released . Won't be a huge FM, would say small to medium sized. Rather keep it small and interesting and learn from the mistakes of part 1. Speaking of part 1, it's very likely I'm going to release a redux version which will be rebuild from scratch with help from the feedback I had from the community. I'm thinking about releasing the two parts together, but that all depends on the time I have.

A real unique mission that I enjoyed very much. It's totally different from what I've ever seen. Vertical use is the best IMO. The thing that wasn't really there was a story but I didn't mind it that much because it was so much fun to figure out where to go next. When I saw that you released a FM (unexpected for me) I had high hopes and it certainly wasn't a let down. Great job!

Great mission you really have improved a lot. Business as usual was already good but the difference with that one is huge when you look at this one now. Loved your skybox, how did you create it? Overall performance was good on my 3500+, 1GB Ram and 7800 GT 256MB but at some point it started to stutter a lot. A quickload solved that problem. Like most of the people said a bit too easy because of the AI but yeah I know it's very difficult to keep the performance as high as possible. Had a big laugh at some of your readables and your briefing . Looking forward to your next FM which will be released in not too long

I'm also still a noob and finished my first mission a while ago. What I did is play some missions, think of something I'd be really motivated to create, read the A-Z guide and build my FM step by step with the guide. I also looked at how other people made some things but like Melan said that's not always the best way, because it's good to figure out some things on your own. Dark Radiant itself is really easy to use and the latest version is even easier IMO. The wiki almost has all the info you need but you can always ask here cause the community is eager to help you. Once you have released your first mission you'll get lots of feedback and with that you can improve yourself and it motivates you even more to continue building. EDIT You haven't got the latest version of Dark Radiant I see by the way. The latest version is 1.4.0 the link can be found in the TDM Editors Guild.

Maybe a weird idea but let the poll starter decide if he wants it to be private or public. Both have their pros and cons just as SneaksieDave explained

Great mission, especially the beginning was a joy, so beautiful the mines. I bet it took quite some time to create those. Because the mines were that great, the middle part became really boring though. Took me quite a while to figure out what to do in the end but what a great ending. Story really is one of the best so far. Also loved the drunk guard in the beginning .

Very nice mission, I really enjoyed it. I loved the part where the story totally changed. Didn't get stuck anywhere or what so ever, it was challenging at some points but not too difficult. Looking forward to your next mission

Great mission so far. I'm well on my way but I have some problems finding the key for the cabinet. Any hint where to find it. I've looked in the places that were in the readable but couldn't find it. Cheers

A great mission Sotha, I really enjoyed this one. There wasn't much I didn't like. The only thing I couldn't find out was Looking forward to the rest of the missions, cause if this is the quality standard it's going to be difficult to decide who wins