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[Adrian]

Thanks for the kind words, man!

=== Alpha 14! ===

It's been just under two weeks since the last update, but this is still alive and well A week ago, I sketched what I hoped would develop into a skybox.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Skybox outline


For the most part, it came out alright. Be aware, however, that I'm still experimenting with different techniques to hide where the skybox geometry ends, so it's still early WIP. I've also spent some time doing a few detail sweeps and adding placeholders/props to give it a little more life. I'll let the pictures do the talking

From front entrance, looking out


Skybox, north view


Back of the house, lake on left


Front yard and view of southern skybox


Kitchen


Dining room


Living room


Computer room


Nicolette's bedroom


Balcony/outside Beth's bedroom


Beth's bedroom


Cubicles


Supercomputer room 1


Supercomputer room 2


Facade with lake in back (It's a special shot, so ignore the nodraw on the front gate and fences )

That's all for now! I'm not going to make any promises when I'll be out of alpha or when the whole thing will be finished, because I'll end up breaking it no matter what. It's a lot easier to take a "it's done when it's done" approach Playtesting has been a >HUGE< part of the development, and I'll give credit to all my playtesters when this is done

Here's the download to alpha 14:
https://www.mediafire.com/?6ugqb96guukarno

Enjoy!

[Rick Astley]

looks really impressive

[Adrian]

Well, it's been exactly two months since my last post. Rest assured, this project is alive and well I apologize for the lack of posting here, but I've been working on texturing the whole map when I'm not at my job. I'd like to say a trillion words of thanks to mangley for teaching my Photoshop and helping me develop those skills

With all that aside, I'll let the pictures do the talking. Bear in mind, the lighting is my next focus; it's very unbalanced in some areas as of now, since I'm just using a boat load of dull blue-ish lights so the map isn't fullbright.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Exterior








First floor














Dumb waiter


Second floor


















Stairway




Basement and hatches






















Cannon defense in backyard


New and improved mountains in skybox (many thanks to CCsaint for helping me with this!)


Last, but certainly not least, our facade

It's been a busy two months We are in the home stretch, now. As I mentioned, I just have to establish my lighting, furnish the map and add models (anything still dev-textured is a placeholder for models from E-S), and create soundscapes. I won't give a release date, because I know I won't meet it. This is roughly 85% done, and the last 15% should be quick. I just want this to be the absolute best I can make it before shipping, and with everyone's help that vision I had in March is becoming a reality.

[namajnaG]

I'm speechless. I sure missed a lot while I was away. This is amazing.

[soupcan]

^ indeed. The chateau looks great, Adrian!

(though, imo the texture choice for the concrete in the hedge maze could be better... looks too clean)

[CCsaint10]

Looks 1000x times better than when I last saw it man. Congratulations! Also, the mountains look great and even better than last time. Great job fixing them up! Can't wait for this map.

[Troy]

There is a problem with your toggle switches for secret ladder well.  The switches are not in sync with each other.  This makes is very confusing to determine which action does what.

Ex. If you start out on the ground floor, toggle the skull to the right, it opens the passage, you climb up the ladder, and the books are not out.  If you pull the books out, the passage closes.  If you start out on the second floor, pull the books out, it opens the passage, you climb down the ladder, and the skull is not to the right.  If you toggle the skull, it goes to the right and closes the passage.

[Zesty Mayo]

Looks fucking yummy Adrian.

[Adrian]

After a very productive week, I have more progress to share! Thanks everyone for the feedback, and many thanks to Troy for hosting a very successful event on his server, last Saturday, for the map. It was the first public playtest, and I received some excellent advice. Ever since, I've been further optimizing and detailing the map, getting it closer and closer to a finished product. As always, I will let the pictures do the talking

Outside














First floor






















Stairway




Second floor






















Basement


























Apologies for such a long post, but there was plenty to show for this update. As of now, the to-do list is as follows:
 - create soundscapes
 - create credits texture
 - do a final detail sweep with props from E-S (mostly in wine cellar and skybox)
 - create a custom loading screen

If I had to ballpark the completion of the map, I would say it's somewhere around 95%.
 
 I'm truly amazed by your guys' feedback and always appreciate it. I'm lucky to have such support for this project, and it's been a pleasure to work on it! I will keep you guys posted for the next playtest we have. After that, I will iron out any last-minute issues before release. I can safely say this will be released before August

[markpeterjameslegg]

It's a thing of beauty... Sniff!

[Troy]

It's almost done.

[Rick Astley]

Looks beautiful Man

though i dont know if its possible but perhaps a new skybox would really enhance the map
just as a suggestion

[killermonkey]

Wow that's the best looking map I've seen in a long time!

[Troy]

Lets get this map out to the public!

[Adrian]

Well, I can safely say the map is officially done. I'm not quite ready to release, but I'm looking at the end of the week for that

To wet everyone's appetites, and to hold you guys over until then, I made this:



 As a disclaimer, I need to say I am not video-editing savvy, nor am I experienced with doing this kind of thing. I tried using Source's demo smoother to get a better looking flyby, but I was running into multiple errors, including the demo removing random windows and doors at will. I think the noclip flyby worked well enough for now.

Enjoy!