Level Design (WIP) KF-Imboca

[PK Frenzy]

Hello TWI forums, I've lurked for awhile and generaly post on the Steam forums but the steam forums are well...lackluster for mapping feedback. I'm just going to copy pasta my post from the Steam forums and hope for some feedback.

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I'm a massive fan of H.P. Lovecraft, I also love a little movie called Dagon.

This level is inspired by and based on the movie, The basis of the level is the town of Imboca (Innsmouth if you read the books)a labyrinth of corridors and stairs ways twisting through a decaying cityscape. At the bottom of the town are the docks, several buildings and a twisted main corridor that leads up to the church, the church connects to several of the building through underground passageways. The level is covered in a layer of fog, pouring down rain, constant rumblings and crashes of thunder, and a generally eerie ambiance.


Still a WIP (60% done)

 

[JEmmaB]

Welcome to the TWI forums mate!

Wow, your map is huge; I personally love the eerie atmosphere.

If you need testing I wouldn't mind helping.

Anyways good luck and hope to play your map soon.

 

[Fel]

Not bad, the building walls seem a bit bare. Perhaps some side walling pillar type things. Also houses look good with a bottom support wall as well. the more textures and depth for the buildings the better.

Overall i like the atmosphere, however here are some examples of more detail you can add to make your map stand out.

Examples; (I wont post pics just links as not to ruin your thread)

[URL]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/Dragon_fel/Tainyard1.jpg[/URL] (Look at the right the wall supprt for the building)

[URL]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/Dragon_fel/Shot00001.jpg[/URL] (on the left see the support pillars, great for depth and detail)

[URL]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/Dragon_fel/Pic2-1.jpg[/URL] (a little depth on the roofs helps too)

[URL]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/Dragon_fel/CityMission/Shot00240.jpg[/URL] (I think some more detail on the top part of your church would be nice)

[URL]http://i393.photobucket.com/albums/pp17/Dragon_fel/CityMission/Shot00261.jpg[/URL] (dont forget suport beams insde your church as well)
EDIT: I just saw you had support beams, however maybe you can grab an idea from this pic

Detail in the hallways as well on the inside would be nice too. Wall tables with a chair next to it, picture hanging and a candle on the table... or something like that. (pic 4 you posted)

I hope this pics help you make the buildings stand apart from each other on your map. And make your map epic and scary

EDIT EDIT: if you want more stain glass textures Download my map Damnation I have some in there. (My download link in my signature)

 

[PK Frenzy]

Thank you both very much for the responses.

JEmmaB: Testing is a ways off but I will definatly keep you in mind

Fel: Thank you for the referance materals, when I get back around to detailing the outsides I will certintly use some of this advice. I plan on using 3 types of stone and 2 types of wood for building exteriors, and add some slanted shanty (tin top) roofs. Beyond just the building walls I plan on 'destroying' several sections to create eye candy areas of the map and adding closed shutters to other areas (so i dont have to actualy put a large subtractives behind some of them). For now I'm trying to stick to defaults (for file size and simplicity) but I will certantly have another look at that map, which very well might already be on my computer I know alot of them off that list already are

Here are some of the pictures I am basing everything on.
"References"

 

[HaTeMe]

Ever played Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (or something like that)? Awesome game and I think its based on the book. It had a town called Innsmouth and people worshipping Dagon and what not.

 

[PK Frenzy]

Ahhh such a great and underrated game, I still have the CD somewhere in this great big mess. If i could find a way to port some of the textures like the paintings, pictures, walls and floors I would do it in a heartbeat. Lovecraft (and the people that picked up his mantle post-mortem) are amazing story tellers, they are artist of ambiance and everything spooky. I dont think I can measure up to thier levels but I can sure give it a good try (and have alot of fun doing it)

 

[HaTeMe]

Ahhh such a great and underrated game, I still have the CD somewhere in this great big mess. If i could find a way to port some of the textures like the paintings, pictures, walls and floors I would do it in a heartbeat. Lovecraft (and the people that picked up his mantle post-mortem) are amazing story tellers, they are artist of ambiance and everything spooky. I dont think I can measure up to thier levels but I can sure give it a good try (and have alot of fun doing it)

Shame tho that the game has a massive glitch near the end which prevents some people (like me) from finishing the game without using someone elses save..

Tho the beginning was the best part when you had no weapons. Especially the hotel where they break into your room and try to kil you , man that was scary.

 

[Fel]

Tho the beginning was the best part when you had no weapons. Especially the hotel where they break into your room and try to kil you , man that was scary.

Ha ha you can emulate that with a drop weapon script on the player spawns =D

Well Drop weapon, then destroy actor

 

[_Duke_]

Looks very good so far, very interested!
I can't help with any sort of technical advice, but visually speaking: your skyline is very flat (both literally and figuratively).

I'd encourage you to try and add some different shapes and visuals to give a more varied rooftop structure:
more pleasing on the eyes.

 

[PK Frenzy]

Did some work on the roofs. Not every building is getting one, just happens that they all have one in the screenie. The ones I leave flat will get a lip and some pipe drains running down the sides. Perspectivly the player will never get anywhere near or on the roofs (even the flat ones). Now off to work on some retexturing


Thank you again everyone.

 

[Benjamin]

I really like the style, it reminds me of the original Silent Hill. As already said some areas need a bit more detail, but other than that I really like the look of it so far. Keep it up!