NOTE: Ninjapirate gave me the green light to post this within this forum via PM. So don't be hatin'!

Greetings and salutations my fine friends from the Gaming World Forums! Myself, Goatgoat and Warlin have been mapping a doom map pack for some time now. Originally it was supposed to be a 9-map Halloween pack we would release on devils night as a Halloween treat to everyone here. However, due to real life issues and the fact we like to put alot of effort+testing in to our maps, we have come to the conclusion we cannot make the dead line. Instead of simply scraping everything I suggested that we change the project from 9 maps, to a community megawad aimed at 32 maps where anyone could contribute. The new dead line is 2009 October 28th*. Not only will this allow us more time, but we create a true community megawad that involves anyone interested**.

* This project will go on until its:
A; Complete - We get enough people interested and 32 maps (with ours included) have been submitted.
B; Inactive - We(and anyone who joins this) finish our maps and there are no more active mappers for 2 months.
C; DEADLINE - October 2009 comes around and everyone mapping(at that time) believes they can wrap things up within the month or so. We will extend from the 28th of OCT 2009 if we have mapper(s) who have promising looking maps that just need more time.

** If interested, you must claim a map and start working on it before Oct 05th 2009

Here is how it will work; If you are interested in maping a map(or maps) you simply post here saying which map you wish to make. Me, goat, or warlin will post when it's "OK"'d. From there you create it asking for help/assistance as needed. Feel free to ask us or anyone else participating to beta test it and comment on it. Once you are feeling good with it, you send it via email to me so I can add it to the megawad and make sure it works correctly. Unless you are given special permission, you can only reserve 1 map slot at a time.

To keep things pretty simple and clean cut, the wad will be in DOOM2.EXE format, so do not use any other front end. Custom sounds/sprites will not be allowed. If you can add a texture without overwriting an existing one and it works with vanilla doom, it will be accepted. Custom music will be accepted, but as you know; many midis are used more than once. So, The creators of maps with overlaping music will have to talk it over on which song they will use.

All maps MUST be solo friendly. This is to say they must be possible to complete from start to finish on single player   starting with only 50 bullets and 100 health. Player 2, 3 and 4 starts are required for co-op, but adding additional "MULTIPLAYER" ammo/monsters to enhance Co-Op is optional. Like wise, please do not put too much weaponry or ammo in.  Try to avoid using a BFG in maps before MAP19 since it IS the most powerful gun! Making a map with Deathmatch compatibilities is not required but encouraged if you feel you can do so.

When sending a map in, include a text file in the following format;
---------------------------------------
Level #             : {MAPXX}
Level Name          :
Author(s)           :
Editor(s) used      :
Beta testers        :
Bugs                :
Inspiration         :
Author's comments   :
----------------------------------------


{word} Means its an example of what to put.

If you don't know what to put, just put "N/A". Also include at least 3 screenshots no bigger than 1024X768 and in jpeg/gif. When you send in the map(s) leave them as: MAP01 in the wad so I can change and merge the wads accordingly.

There is no dead line except Oct 28th 2009, but if you remain inactive for too long, we reserve the right to kick you from the project. Being inactive for too long basically means not posting/updating us on your progress at least once every 3 weeks. I do also ask that; if possible once every 2 weeks you send me your "progress" percentage so I can update this thread.


Here is how things are going so far;
       
MAPXX ||  Claimed By:  ||  Status:  || Map Name:
==========================================================
MAP01 || Rowain       || 0.00001%       || N/A
MAP02 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP03 || Warlin         || ~33%~~~~  || The Pits
MAP04 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP05 || Mr. L         || 0.0001%    ||
MAP06 || Goatgoat    || 0.0001%    || N/A
MAP07 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP08 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP09 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP10 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP11 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP12 || Goatgoat    || Complete  || Goat's Unnamed map
MAP13 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP14 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP15 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP16 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP17 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP18 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP19 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP20 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP21 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP22 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP23 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP24 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP25 || XaviarCraig || Complete  || Savage Ways
MAP26 || XaviarCraig || ~55%~     || Paths of the Gods
MAP27 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP28 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP29 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP30 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP31 || N/A           || N/A       ||
MAP32 || N/A           || N/A       ||



Extra map info:


Map03 - The Pits

Warlin's Comments: My map starts out with a mix of gothic and industrial look to it. As one progresses, fields of Lava follow. I am trying for a horrific industrial feel here. Since this is an early map, it won't be too rough, but it's looks may give you the feel it will be!

Screenshots:


MAP12 - Goat's Unnamed map

Goatgoat's Comments: Why do I need to have comments?

Screenshots:


Map25 - Savage Ways

XaviarCraig's comments: This map is pretty linear till the last 1/3 but the beta testers found it rather fun. It starts off like  old fashion dungeon crawl with a evil maze, but later opens up a bit to allow players to go multiple ways. On skill levels up to "Hurt Me Plenty" its not too difficult. However, on ultra violence even the most skilled players will be pushed hard.

Screenshots:


Map26 - Paths of the Gods

XaviarCraig's comments: I purposely made this map have 3 paths that have different themes. Each theme is about a type of combat you will face. It varies from the path which pit the player in awkward fighting situations to the path which is strictly about clean fights. So far the beta testers are finding this map pretty hard on UV, easier difficulties are not available yet.
Screenshots:

There isnt... Yet! You could be one to make one Ragnar! You got plenty of time to learn and map ^_^

Update on MAP26 here; The making of the dueling path as I am gonna call it is well underway. The first path which is supposed to be all about tricky combat situations is pretty much done, but goatgoat thinks its abit too hard. I have to kind of agree with him as the battles are alittle over the top at times. So I am probably going to reduce the monster count or change a few monsters before I add it too the megawad. Here is a overhead shot of MAP26 so far;

Update on map26 here: I finally got a few hours to work on it as my college has temporarily stopped gang raping me but it wont last long so I am trying to get as much in as possible. I officially broke the halfway point on this map. Out of the 4 pathways, 2 are fully complete. The longest and shortest paths are complete. I had multiple people(myself included) Do a few runs to catch the obvious problems. Its looking really good so far. When Christmas break comes up I  am hoping I can finish a 3rd path. The two paths which are complete and have had testing are the LOKI and ULLR paths.

The LOKI path is basically a long path where the player is pitted against monsters while in awkward situations. This path is all about how well you can work while at a disadvantage terrain wise. Screen shots have already been posted(see first post)

The ULLR path is the dueling path. There are 7 quick fights and 1 not so quick fight with 2 battle types. The first type is 1v1 where the player just fights 1 monster, there are only 3 of these fights. The second type is called "Party Tyme" Where the player fights multiple monsters at a time, there are 5 of these fights.

screen shots of ULLR path;

Maybe I ought to fraps my adventures through my own levels!

Anyway good to see you are still alive! Your map is looking good too! Dont forget to pm me the details so I can update the OP

Update on map26; Dispite the massive workload that accompanies a college semester as it approaches its end, I have gotten some progress done on the map. I have had a couple of beta testers pinpoint a few serious bugs with the ULLR path. I have also began work on the THOR path. The entrance is complete and I am working on first section which follows. This map is turning out much larger than I had originally intended! Fear not for it will be quite a masterpiece when its finished! Currently its 1.5mb for the map alone. No other content, just the map! I hope it doesn't turn into Deus Vult part II by the time i finish!

Oh and here is a overhead shot of the entire map so far;

Wanna give it a try? Not all maps have to be massive at all. I am just making a couple of large ones since I always wanted to try it but never had a reason for motivation! You could just start off making simple ones and gradually make them larger as you feel comfortable with. I also found a decent Doom Builder guide to help out anyone interested.

http://drsleep.newdoom.com/data/doombuilderguide.pdf

One way to get used to mapping(and improve your patience) is by first graphing a basic map out on graph paper. Make it slowly room by room. When you finish gradually add additions until you think its good enough.

Edit: Goat finished his first map now that college has lightened up abit for him aswell. He has claimed MAP06 as his next project

And you got MAP05 :P

I know how the doom community can be. They are pretty friendly toward players but they tend to expect mappers to "know it all" and get alittle snippy when you ask questions that are deemed as basic.

Goat and Warlin are both better mappers than I. They both know how to add that one little touch that makes a map look pretty professional. I can carve out maps halfway decent but I have alot of trouble adding detail where its needed. They have tolerated me so far and managed to make mapping fun again. Before I met them I had never completed a doom map before due to lack of reason to finish them. I also never made maps which were large before.

Anyway, I just adding you to my AIM/MSN list(s) so I will drop you a line soon :P Feel free to ask us any questions you want. I cant say we will have an answer, but we will try to help you find it!

Oh an your past works look pretty cool! I look forward to seeing your maps

Hey! Don't go scaring away a potential 5th person! XD