Dwelling - large MBF21 map in the works [It's polishing time]

[KeaganDunn]

Private playtesting will become available very soon!

 

In February 2021, I released Demonkind's Dwelling. After some time, I felt like I could've done a lot more with it, as a lot of areas were underdetailed and unused. The combat was mostly underwhelming for some players. In late April 2021, I began work on a complete revamp/redesign.

 

Dwelling is a single-level PWAD consisting of one giant MBF21 map for Doom II. 

https://doomwiki.org/wiki/MBF21 [-complevel 21 for DSDA-Doom users. MBF21 is only supported in GZDoom v4.7 and above.]

 

This project is aiming to be like a modern Sunder map, but not as long and a lot less linear. Similar to Lullaby in a sense, the difficulty of the map resides mostly in the larger setpieces, but there are bits of small-scale and incidental encounters as well, so there isn’t always a stop-go approach to the combat. That being said, Dwelling will be pretty damn hard, especially on UV. HNTR will be balanced for those looking for a more relaxed experience, but will still be pushed in some areas.

Essentially: You can expect a nonlinear map carried by unique combat setpieces, all wrapping around to a central hub area deep within the citadel. Should you locate the secrets, you might find some more niche stuff (platforming, puzzles, etc.) that might prove very rewarding.

 

A release is planned in the spring of 2024, if not June.

 

Here's the story I came up with, if you care:

Spoiler

Amidst a dark, drab city/town stands a large citadel that looms over everything nearby – sporting a threatening black and blue color scheme and various gothic architecture. It has not gone unnoticed; civilians have attempted to breach it but with little success. The origins of the citadel and its vast courtyard are unknown, too – no one knows how the hell this thing got here or what happened to the buildings that apparently occupied the area before. It is not without hostility, either – attempting to breach this stronghold and uncover its secrets will result in heavy resistance from demonkind, often in the form of unforgiving combat setpieces. In that sense...they must be waiting for you.

 

 

Comparison picture that I will be updating periodically. Dwelling (the full version) currently has >38000 linedefs, >60000 sidedefs, >60 voodoo doll scripts, ~2000 monsters on UV, and 9 secrets. All of these likely have already changed.

Spoiler

 

Edited March 17 by KeaganDunn
update: almost done!

[Walter confetti]

Looks really good! Good luck with the project!

Edited July 10, 2021 by Walter confetti

[KeaganDunn]

Little update. I might start rolling out a little piece of the map for testing via Discord/Doomworld PMs soon.

 

Map stats and status bar as of July 14, 2021, and a small view of the inside.

 

*cut images - outdated and hogging file attachment limit*

 

 

Edited October 22, 2021 by Dunn (& Dunn)

[KeaganDunn]

Been a little while. My mapping has slowed to a crawl - I have little ideas and have considered retexturing and rebuilding some areas.
I've also had some other projects in the works: One of which is already released, and one that is somewhat Doom-related.

Although, so far, I can thank @RonnieJamesDiner for helping out and putting together the green cyberdemon for this project. They will be credited...just about everywhere this project shows up. haha

 

To compensate for the slow progress, here, have a pentagram. :v

 

[KeaganDunn]

Oops.

 

 

I've more recently come back to work on this beast (after all that charting). Some rooms are finally getting filled in. They may not be final, but I'm just happy stuff is getting done again. I've updated the info and screenshots in the original post - do have a look!

 

Also, graphic/music commissions for this project might finally be happening...

[Yandere_Doomer]

Holy... wow!

i almost confused this wad for Foursite at first.

i love the huge, heavily detailed indoor space.

[KeaganDunn]

I am offering a beta of Dwelling for private playtesting. Message me on Doomworld or Discord ( Dunn & Dunn#8435 ) if you're willing. 
Difficulties are implemented for the map but will need playtesting and further balancing, which I will greatly appreciate feedback/help on!

 

- I highly recommend a recorded playthrough (commentary or not) as it says a million more words than a paragraph, but you can still provide written feedback if you want.

- There is no exit, just yet. Playtesting will mostly be focused on the combat setpieces themselves.

- A shortened version of the Dwelling text file will be provided so you know what to expect.

- You will be added to the playtester list, which I hold in high regard ;P

- Estimated play time to get everything will be at least 1-2 hours for a blind playthrough.

- Please do not post the WAD publicly anywhere when I send you it. Please.

- Nothing is final!

 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Dunn (& Dunn)
further info

[Electro Rage]

Hey, I just decided to ask: How is this doing? It's been 7 months and still no word? This really sounds interesting, and I'd really like to play it.

[KeaganDunn]

7 hours ago, Electro Rage said:

Hey, I just decided to ask: How is this doing? It's been 7 months and still no word? This really sounds interesting, and I'd really like to play it.

 

Hey! Thanks for checking in on this. I've been working on and off - sometimes the inspiration is there, sometimes it isn't. I was able to turn to Shades of Azure for shorter, less ambitious work, I've been obsessed with Detroit: Become Human and making videos of it, and recently started on a remaster of Bloodbath MAP06.

 

But I can definitely show off a few more things. I might roll out a new beta for private playtesting.

 

The main building is complete layout-wise. I just need to get around to making the finale, which hopefully will include a new custom boss monster...

 

 

 

Edited May 9, 2022 by Dunn (& Dunn)

[Electro Rage]

That looks great. Don't want to DWELL on it though! *bdum-tiss*

[Red Recluse]

Darkness under starlit space look like energy purty.Beautiful project.

[Red Recluse]

Don't work link please give another.

[i suck at nicknames]

following cuz i wanna play this :>

[KeaganDunn]

 

Ahh, how about that? A bit more of radio silence...but why? Interest in other things? General lack of motivation?

 

Or the fact that it took me a while to sit down and figure out the final boss of Dwelling, and make something happen...

[LadyMistDragon]

Just curious...is this still being worked on?

[KeaganDunn]

Indeed it is! I've only just gotten back into it, and only the final battle is what's left, aside from polishing the rest of the beast...

 

Hopefully this spring or June it will be out. I've been buckling down and finishing out projects before putting more focus on Adulthood™.

 

I would share more screenshots, but there may be quite a lot of changes in the coming months.

Edited February 8 by KeaganDunn

[KeaganDunn]

 

[KeaganDunn]

MARCH 16, 2024 - 8:13 PM

3 years and 40000 linedefs later, the "W1 Exit Level" linedef is finally placed in Dwelling.

 

Private playtesting will soon become available.