Fan Mission: Lords & Legacy by Kvorning (2013/08/30)

[Kvorning]

 

After a long time and a lot of delays, I'm extremely happy and relieved to announce the release date for my first map; Lords & Legacy, on Friday the 30th of August, 2013!

 

Lords & Legacy v.2.1

 

 

Resume:

 

"The Stonereach district has been governed by the Leary lineage for a dozen generations. The Leary lords have been both kind and generous, as cruel and greedy. Since the passing of 'Old Man Leary', his two sons have been sharing the title as Lords of Stonereach. Robert, the warm hearted and oldest of the two, is the governing lord of the district, while his brother Lancel just grows green and bitter with envy."

-...-

"The people want Lancel gone. Though Robert frowns upon Lancel’s cruelty, they are still brothers, and Lancel is still a lord. A petty man, protected by title and wealth, is difficult to remove without just cause.

 

A group of commoners and nobles, still with coin to spare, gave my 'contact' an offer he passed on to me."

 

 

Screenshots:

http://imgur.com/a/Lj8UJ#0

 

Notes:

Build time: 2013/03/30 - 2013/08/30

 

To install, simply put the .pk4 file in your fm folder and install from the in-game mission menu.

 

It is a large mission with optional objectives, so make sure to save often.

 

The ropes in the beginning have a 'slick' surface, to simulate being 'slack lines'. They are difficult, but once you get a hang of the slide they can be fun.

 

A couple of the large areas can be a bit rough on performance, and can be improved by adjusting the LOD slider in video options.

 

A few of visportals open only when you get close. This is to keep the frames smooth inside the respective building, due to early inexperienced design.

 

If you find any bugs which affect the gameplay experience, then you're very welcome to post them here, but please use the spoiler tags.

 

 

Big thanks to 'Obsttorte', 'Springheel', 'Greyman', 'Bikerdude', 'Sotha' and rest of 'The Dark Mod Team'for all the help, guides and tricks.

 

Also thanks to the other TDM users who provided fantastic support and feedback during the build.

 

Thank you for beta-testing:

'Bikerdude', 'TylerVocal', 'Simplen00b', 'nbohr1more', 'Briareos H.'

 

Special thanks to:

'Danus', 'Dsx' & 'Stanleh' for testing, help and support.

 

v.2.0.1 changelog:

Bugs:

-The "Master Thief" challenge was impossible to do for a while, due to incorrect values. Fixed.

-Getting seen by "The Killer" now also fails the "Ghost" challenge.

-The 3 cardplaying guards no longer float mid air, as their chairs are now nailed to the floor.

-Fixed the sound of the furnace continuing after the flames were extinguished.

-Fixed weird glittering on the power cables around the map.

-Fixed some moonlight popping in and out.

-Fixed openable windows in Commons, clipping into the frame.

-Fixed a book dropping through a desk.

-Fixed visportals closing too close in Lancel's Tower, slight hit on performance though.

-Added more monsterclip to Service Tower and Robert's Tower's entrance.

-Improved a few vis_portals with func_portals.

-Replaced curbs in Slums and Commons with some more detailed versions and changed textures.

And a lot more little unecessary tweaks.

 

Gameplay:

-Added new challenge: (Jack White) - Do not knock-out anyone.

-Reduced the amount of starting gear, depending on difficulty.

-Added cubemaps to most windows on the map.

-Redid most func_statics in Commmons Quarter to reduce tris and increase performance. Draw count is still somewhat high.

-Removed all transparent windows as they didn't have actual gameplay value, just a performance drain in exchange for glitchy visuals.

-Lancel's safe can no longer be picked. Find the key!

-Added a couple minor cosmetic details in the sewers.

-Moved a coinpurse from a wealthy commoner's sleeping butt to his nightside table. Also adjusted his furniture so thieves can better move around.

-Changed sounds for several doors across the map.

 

 

Once again, a big thanks to 'Bikerdude' for taking the time help out and locate room for improvement!

 

 

v.2.0 changelog:

Bugs:

-Fixed various textures and surfaces and a few minor tweaks.

-Tweaked some sounds to be in line with TDM 2.0 changes.

-Fixed 2 certain AIs being too sensitive rather than drunk. (Thanks to AluminumHaste!)

-Tweaked LOD on some objects, to prevent windows "popping" in and out.

Gameplay:

-Added more monsterclip to the towers, so the AI can now run up and down stairs. Only the stairs in the small tower has issues still.

-Added more monsterclip in the city so the guards can follow you up all stairs.

-Added a few minor details.

-Windows in the city now dims sound, resulting in less aggro from guards and more convincing soundscape.

-Reduced 'draw calls' in all the large areas, increasing performance. The map is still heavy at certain areas.

 

Another big thanks to 'Bikerdude' and 'Greyman', for taking time out of their own schedules to help optimize the map's draw count and other significant adjustements!

 

v.1.0.3 changelog:

Bugs:

-Fixed 4 black chairs in one of the towers

-Fixed a floating painting

-Fixed several clipping objects

 

v.1.0.2 changelog:

Bugs:

-Fixed zfighting in the library's bookshelves

-Fixed a black window in one of the towers

-Fixed several typos in readables

Gameplay:

 

-Added a visual clue to which windows can be accessed.

-Adjusted the "slipperyness" of cables and ropes, still watch your step though.

 

 

v.1.0.1 changelog:

Bugs:

-Fixed an issue with the main objectives not being in "sync".

-Fixed console spam from a script

Gameplay:

-Adjusted required loot for each difficulty from "3000, 4000 and 5000" to "2500, 3500 and 4500".

Edited May 1, 2014 by Kvorning

[grayman]

Yay!

 

Congratulations!

[RPGista]

Should be geat, congratulations on the feat. Like the storyline so far.

[Robert]

Screenshots look great! I'm looking forward to playing it!

[Bikerdude]

Congrats young man,

 

I can honestly say even though this is Kvorning's first map you should not consider him a newbie by any stretch of the imagination. It was said that I was some sort of mapping prodigy when I first started mapping, well Kvorning has blown that little title into the weeds and slapped me a few times as he went past. This map is of sufficient calibre and mapping bling, that it would give mapping giants the likes of Grayman & Melan serious pause for thought..

 

You people are in for a treat, but do your selves a favour though. You'll need to watch where your going, so you don't bump into things while your gawking...

 

[zergrush]

A mission focusing on blue tones and light? Not very common in TDM so far. Will have to check it out. It's good to see that some missions are finally starting to leave the old yellow lighting paradigm. Would still like to see one based on gray/white light.

[raymeld]

Thank you , looking forward to it!

[nbohr1more]

Outstanding mission. Like Biker said, this is a "serious" mission. You will be impressed, guaranteed.

 

Congrats!

[Lux]

Very much looking forward to this! Congrats, Kvorning!

[Loa4ever]

Congratz Kvorning will looking to experience this mission .

[Kvorning]

Thank you all so much! I'm gonna play through the map a couple of times to make sure you get the best possible version next friday.

 

Bikerdude, that there is one hell of a kind review and I'm honestly a bit lost for words, but thank you!

 

Hadn't it been for you and the other guys in credits, I wouldn't have been able to put this map together in this time frame.

[Goldchocobo]

Those are some of the most beautiful screens of TDM related content I have ever seen.

Congrats. I can't wait to play it.

[Obsttorte]

Must ... play ... this mission

[Tr00pertj]

Looking forward to this release. Looks awesome.

From the screenies and descriptions so far here in this thread I can say It blows a lot of first maps out the water.

 

Congrats kvorning

 

Can't wait ...

[Moonbo]

Looking forward to playing this one!

[Diego]

The screen shots look amazing! Tomorrow I won't be able to play it though :~ Well, sunday it is then.

[Obsttorte]

@Diego: It's Friday in a week

[Tr00pertj]

Hay Diego: Slow down man your living in the future

[Kvorning]

Hehe sorry, I didn't set my release date for a week in advance just to torture you. It keeps me from changing things forever, while still having a week to play the map myself and catch a few last minute bugs.

 

Oh and so that people with busy schedules, who've been waiting for it, are able to plan a bit ahead for a new map

[Obsttorte]

It's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's FridayIt's Friday

[161803398874989]

Gotta get down, am I right?

[Kvorning]

It most certainly is Friday and the download link is now available!

 

Sorry for keeping you all waiting, but I can assure you it wasn't for nothing. Some good tweaks were done and a leak was found and sealed, improving performance in The Keep area.

 

Enjoy!

[lowenz]

Downloading!

[Obsttorte]

Played this mission for over an hour now. I'm not finished but I want to give some feedback.

 

 

 

Aesthatics:

 

As the screenshots already suggested, the look of the mission is very good. Especially the city part looks good. On the negative side is that you reused the same pre-made objects over and over again, what makes it a bit repetitive. Performance is another problem, but I had that problem in my first mission, too.

 

Most of the insides are well done, too. The towers of the brothers are a bit weird from an architectonical oint of view, though.

 

So from what I've seen so far I would rate this at 4 of 5.

 

Gameplay:

 

A bad message first. The letter objective didn't check as I've put the letter in the tresory, and I can't frob it anymore to retry it. In the towers, there are no aas areas on the stairs, what means that the ai can't follow the player if he is moving to another stage.

 

The climbing around on all those pipes is very funny. Also having some enterable windows is quite nice, but the way they can be entered could be a bit more different. I've checked the loot count for curiosity and gathering 5000 of 5600-5700 loot if I saw it right seems a bit high to me.

 

In such a big mission it would be good if the player would have all maps from the beginning. Some players like *exploring* a mission, but to me it often ends up as aimless wandering, what can get frustrating. Personal opinion, of course.

 

The amount of moveables, especially readables, that don't serve any purpose is quite high and sometimes confusing.

 

Overall I think this could be a solid 3 of 5, but I will replay it on a lower difficulty setting to check that.

 

Story/Readables:

 

Very well written and interesting. 5 of 5 so far.

 

Please don't take any of this contents too negative. It is a very good mission for a first attempt and shows a big potential. Take it as constructive criticism

 

 

I will report back after I finished it.

[Kvorning]

Constructive feedback is always welcome!

 

 

You need to place both the letter and the heirloom before the objective completes.

 

I'd like to have written some background story about the construction of the district, which is the rationalization for the repetitive design. The idea is basically that rest of The Slums were torn down, and The Commons were build over short time, with modern, solid materials, but colder and trivial. Obviously living conditions are better in The Commons, but the people who moved in are mostly terrible, delusional and vain. They don't live in The Nobles Quarter, but they like to think so.

 

However as you say there are readables enough, and though some of the stories seems a bit of a side track, they all give hints about loot

 

The stairs are a scourge indeed. To redesign them at this point would take too long considering my free time is about used up. If the map becomes popular enough, I could redo some for a later version. Honestly I'd rather do a new map with new concepts though.

 

The loot requirements also seem a bit high to me. I've turned them down once, but I think 2500, 3500, 4500 would be more suitable. However a lot of loot is with the lords, and are definitely worth robbing.

 

I was torn on the maps as well, but wanted the mission as one of those you "explore" with a sense of reward, when you discover something new. Getting an area map should be somewhat easy to find, but not unrealistically detailed with all apartments conveniently drawn. Problem is getting into the mind of the average player, and not the player I want to play it

 

I get your points and in retrospect I'd really like to have done a lot differently, but doing everything over each time I get better techniques, would be a never ending work for me.

 

Edited August 30, 2013 by Kvorning