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New singleplayer set in progress

Posted: Mon May 31, 2021 4:52 pm
by Alter-Fox
So I dug up some old D2X-XL maps from one of my old laptops and, surprisingly, not all of them were garbage. Over the past week I've taken the best five of them (one of which has been released before) and compiled them into a little set. I've got the maps in pretty much working order, and barring any unforeseen issues I should have everything ready to release on the new DXMA site in a week or two. :)

What you can expect:

Four enormous levels, plus one somewhat smaller one. Not quite Descent 1.5 or Call of Charon quality, but surprisingly close.

Custom loading screens for each level.

Briefings, (at least if I can hack them together), exploring a part of Descent's overall story arc you might not expect.

Six or seven new music tracks. One for the briefings, one for each level, and possibly one for the title screen. For those who don't know, I've been learning the guitar over the last several years, so you can expect something closer to the Descent 2 Redbook than, say, my previous IDM-elecropunk sorta tracks for The Enemy Within.

Speaking of that estimable Enemy Within, guess which robots you'll face here? Hint: they're not the standard ones, and if you're not familiar with The Enemy Within you might be in for some nasty surprises on the last couple maps. If you are familiar with The Enemy Within, you still might find a couple surprises.

Lots and lots of neat D2X-XL stuff. All of the maps are at least set up with ambient sounds, and some of them have got more effects and even a little 'scripting' going on.

A massive battle to end the whole thing off.

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FNYABEFUQ (frequently not-yet-asked but easily foreseeable and useful questions)

Will there be a version of these maps for non-XL players?
Unfortunately not, these maps are enormous and many of them use XL features in ways that are pretty integral to how you play them. Plus, even if it were possible to "scale them down", I wouldn't have the time. And yes, I'm very aware that this limits how many people get to play these maps.

I know you like to use lyrics in your music sometimes. Will you insist on defiling my ears with this madness yet again?
Mwahahahahahaa :lol: I've tried to use songs of mine that will reflect the main character's personality and state of mind as well as the level environments, in order to keep briefings a little bit shorter. Don't worry if you've got sensitive ears, though, at least there won't be any swearing :roll:

What exactly did you do to the TEW bots for those "surprises"?
Weapons, behaviours, and models will all be as you remember if you've played TEW. Aside for a couple of minor retextures to fit slightly weirder level themes, there's only.... but I won't spoil that. Also, the bosses and the thief will use, mostly, their stock D2 versions.

When screenies?
I will try to get some screenshots up here in the next few days.

Re: New singleplayer set in progress

Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 8:52 pm
by Alter-Fox
I've got some screenshots together for levels 1-3 -- didn't have time to get to the other two before work this morning.
And if I can get the embedding to work I'll share them.

Level 1-- this is the one you might recognize
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Level 2
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Level 3
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Re: New singleplayer set in progress

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2021 12:11 pm
by vision
That looks great!

Re: New singleplayer set in progress

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2021 10:13 am
by Alter-Fox
Here are a few screenshots of level 4 and 5 -- not quite as extensive as the pics I took of the first three, 'cause the maps are long with more intense fights.... but I think they'll give you some idea of who's coming back, a couple someones who you might not have seen in a while :)
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I'm still working on the briefings -- using a very old laptop that can still run briefed -- and I'm testing through the rest of level 5. It shouldn't be long now!

Re: New singleplayer set in progress

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2021 3:27 pm
by TRUEpiiiicness
HA, that last screenshot is the best way to (re)introduce the warlord. Mega to the face!