The Dark Mod: Video Preview Of Gleeful's New Map.

[New Horizon]

We weren't planning on any new videos for quite some time, Gleeful decided to have a little fun and treated the team to a video that showcased a new map he has been working on. We decided it was too good to selfishly keep it to ourselves, so we are making it public. Here is Gleeful's original post.

 

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I'm very happy to present you with the trailer of my third map.

 

That's right, my third map has got its very own teaser-trailer!

 

Don't ask me why – never having done anything like that I just suddenly felt like doing it (you might want to keep this complete and utter lack of experience in mind when judging the result).

 

You can find a stream right here:

http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2767236

 

Hope you guys like it!

 

Keep in mind, that The Dark Mod is still a long way off from completion, but the tools are still quite usable at this point. Anyone wishing to beta map can drop me a line at recruiting@thedarkmod.com

[Arumakani]

Looking awesome..."Buddy"

 

Any chance of a squill map flythrough? Residential sector?

 

Also are all those building for exploration?

Edited September 2, 2006 by Arumakani

[New Horizon]

Also are all those building for exploration?

 

We don't know much about the map ourselves, gleeful hasn't finished it yet, although it's highly unlikely that they're 'all' able to be explored. Having every building explorable just wouldn't happen on a modern machine, unless it was the most amazingly optimized map ever.

[demagogue]

Fun to watch!

I was going to first critique the fact that many of the buildings look so similar in style, but after a while it sort of starts looking cool, like a really anonymous city that almost abstracts itself.

This is the first time we've, at least I've seen AI expressions featured -- or at least what appear to be expressions (glances, etc).

Anyway, cool video.

[Vadrosaul]

Excellent

 

It gives a feeling of size and scope that was not in TDS maps.

 

I've never seen such smooth and believable body movement animations in a Thief style game. Whomever did those, extra props

[Darkness_Falls]

Do you know if there's a way to 'view full screen' on iFilm?

[demagogue]

Showing it to my friend, I noticed a few more things:

 

1. I wonder, in the opening scene, if all of that is brushworked city, or is some of that a creative skybox. In any event, it's such a large looking area, like a real city. I hope it'll be possible to put vistas like that in-game since it's impressive.

2. it seems we've got AI hammer-bashing the PC now. For some reason, I thought that was still a ways off.

3. anybody notice the black moon?

Edited September 2, 2006 by demagogue

[gleeful]

1. I wonder, in the opening scene, if all of that is brushworked city, or is some of that a creative skybox. In any event, it's such a large looking area, like a real city. I hope it'll be possible to put vistas like that in-game since it's impressive.

Its detailed models on the inside (of the citywalls) and a few dozen dummy buildings on the outside. They only have a few hundred polys each, so they don't tax the engine much.

 

3. anybody notice the black moon?

 

Yup, for some reason the moon turns dark occasionally - we're on it.

 

...it's highly unlikely that they're 'all' able to be explored. Having every building explorable just wouldn't happen on a modern machine, unless it was the most amazingly optimized map ever.

It's highly unlikely cause I'm way too lazy for that.

 

From a performance standpoint it actually wouldn't matter much - given that you visportal it properly.

[Subjective Effect]

I thought it looked great. Loved the fire and the "being attacked" bits, but the size of the map and the lighting were what I think people will really want to see.

[Ombrenuit]

I just realized what it reminded me of. They almost look like the backdrops to Sin City.

[Arumakani]

Why do you use heavy metal music in your vids?

[sparhawk]

Why not?

[Ishtvan]

The music used in FM authors' videos of their FMs is up to the author.

[demagogue]

I watched it without sound on this computer.

 

... which reminds me, did that guard look up because he heard a sound of someone coming? (I couldn't hear.) But then it looks absurd that he'd look *up* since he's on the top floor.

 

(edited by Gildoran to condense the posts as per your request)

Edited September 4, 2006 by Gildoran

[Arumakani]

Why not?

 

It seems too active and loud for a stealth game and even a flythrough. I think having a zombie means lets have haevy metal...? Then again gleeful may like the music

[Darkness_Falls]

... which reminds me, did that guard look up because he heard a sound of someone coming? (I couldn't hear.) But then it looks absurd that he'd look *up* since he's on the top floor.

What's above a top floor? A roof. It's not too far out of the realm of possibility that a thief would be on the roof, right? Not sure if that's what was intended, but that's my interpretation anyways and a good explanation to make it *not* absurd.

 

Heavy metal...

Thief used heavy metal. Although I didn't really care for this approach in Thief, it's kinda grown on me a little. I still prefer non-metal.

[Arumakani]

I always think of heavy metal as something used for twitch shooters.

[sparhawk]

Don't know, but I thought the music quite appropriate.

[Arumakani]

Is it because it is the builder's quarter? In the UK builders are usually thought of as slightly crass, wolf whistling women and bending over and showing their butt cracks

[bob_arctor]

LOL.

[Domarius]

Man, all the Thief intro movies have used heavy metal. Why is it an issue with this one vid all of a sudden?

 

I've always thought it was cool in a gritty sort of way, the harsh life the Thief leads.

[Arumakani]

Man, all the Thief intro movies have used heavy metal. Why is it an issue with this one vid all of a sudden?

 

I've always thought it was cool in a gritty sort of way, the harsh life the Thief leads.

 

Not an issue really. It just seems to be more suited for some quick action scene or quick movement between scenes.

[Inimitable]

I liked the black moon.

[obscurus]

Wow, quite impressive. I couldn't help thinking that it could use a bit more colour though, and a bit more of a shift towards the blue end of the spectrum (makes it look more atmospheric and night-like). And the windows looked a bit samey, perhaps having more randomly lit windows, different sizes etc. would be a good idea? But brilliant stuff nonetheless, keep it up.

[Maximius]

A very nice sneak peek, but just one point: At the end of the trailer is says "Coming in 2007." I realize this is referring to the map itself, but perhaps others viewing the video might think the Mod itself will be arriving in '07?

 

Edit: never mind, I watched it again, its pretty clear he's referring to the map.

Edited September 11, 2006 by Maximius