[Ultimate Doom Community Project] Solar Struggle - Making maps where names are pre-selected (Development thread) [Looking for artists] [WE HAVE ALL THE MAPS]

[ViolentBeetle]

This is development thread. Official release thread.

 

 

(Recommended port DSDA-Doom 0.24.3 or above or something else that supports UMAPINFO. UMAPINFO isn't strictly speaking required, but useful)

 

 

So here it is: Solar Struggle. We will be mapping in limit-removing Doom format for Ultimate Doom, but will use both Doom and Doom2 textures (Thanks Jimmy for sharing it with me) with a few extras from Lunatic and Syringe, for moon textures and water and lava falls from CC4-tex. The texture pack is here

Our target port is Crsipy Doom and ultimately PrBoom+ 2.6 or DSDA fork (complevel 3), for their support of UMAPINFO which will be used to create custom intermission screens. Speaking of which, if you are interested in making intermission screens, please contact me. GZDoom is a secondary concern, it will most likely work fine is Crispy Works. So test your submission Crispy Doom.

 

The Premise and the rules.

Demons are inading Solar System. Naturally, you must defeat them.

The goal is to create 4 classic-style 9-map episodes, each taking place on a specific celestial body. Each map has a fixed name, pick what you like and try to make a map that looks like it. Some maps have additional gimmicks or rules, partially in homage of original Doom.

I want this wad to look like a homage to original Doom, so while making it look good is desirable, try not to overdetail it. Also try to make the looks evocative.

I don't want to make this wad very hard, but also don't want to make it too easy. First episode should probably be about twice as hard as original Knee-Deep. From then on, SIGIL on HMP should be vaguely our idea for UV. Final episode should be more in line with SIGIL proper or Thy Flesh Consumed on UV.

I don't want a magnum-opus map that take forever to finish, so you are recommended to make a map that fits in a square somewhere between 2048 and 4096 units. Not a strict requirement, but if you go way overboard, I might ask you to trim it.

Pistol-start is a prefered way to play, but outside of map changes, won't be enforced.

Maps should not be joke maps or extremely low-effort ones. They shouldn't look like you just picked up the builder. They also shouldn't be slaughtermap or have secrets that are mandatory for progression (Like an unmarked door or shootable switch hidden away)

Some entries have additional explanations. There's also a few mentions of which guns are allowed. Otherwise, let your imagination loose.

To claim a map for yourself, just post here. Also visit Blue Pineapple's channel where additional channel will be held.

There's no specific deadline, but if I don't hear from you in about a month since you made your claim, I might remove your claim. I'd like to get this out of the gate sooner rather than later.

Also, try making your map co-op friendly. Try not having single-use doors that close later, use repeatable actions, Thursday night survival is a great way to promote our wad when it's done.

 

Are you an artist? Check this post for what you can help with

 

Episode 1: Titan Terror (Fully done)

You are imprisoned on Titan, the moon of Saturn. When demons invade you break free and must find a spaceship to escape. The style is uncorrupted techbase, under an orange sky. Berserk and invulnerability aren't allowed here. Chainsaw can be placed at your discretion.

 

M1: Detention Facility - @myolden (Done)

You start in a prison cell. Only shotgun is allowed. Zombies of both kinds and imps are the only enemies.

Being the introductory map for the wad, I will only give it to someone I'm familiar with enough to trust.

M2: Admin Offices - @Peccatum Mihzamiz(Done, part of most recent release)

Pinkies and Spectres are now allowed. Chaingun can be placed in a secret and shotgun in the open.

M3: Barracks - @Doomlust (Done)

Chaingun is now in the open as well. Exit to secret level. Rocket launcher is hidden in a secret as well as up to 10 rockets.

M4: Mineral Processing - @Death Bear (Done)

Rocket launcher is now in the open.

M5: Mining Complex - @RataUnderground (Done, part of most recent release)

M6: Visitor Center - @Shawny (Done)

M7: Traffic control - @LoreCaco37 (Done)

Lost souls and cacodemons are now allowed, but in small quantities

M8: Huygens Spaceport - @ViolentBeetle (Done)

You must defeat several barons to get access to spaceship and escape. Spaceship should match the one in the next episode, so whoever is the second to make a map should copy a spaceship design.

M9: Excavation Area - @LateNightPerson (Done, part of most recent release)

Secret level. Cacos and Lost Souls are allowed here, as well as all the weapon up to RL. In homage to Doom, you must stumble upon a demonic star that spawns a lot of demons when approached.

 

Episode 2: Ceres Carnage (Fully done)

You have arrived to the asteroid belt and must make it to the core of the dwarf planet. Each level should give you a feeling like you are descending. Drop off the ledge, go down stairs or ride lifts down. Doesn't mean you should always go only down, and never up, but each level must give strong feeling that the exit is way below the start. Only the first level have you walk in the open, the rest take place underground. The theme is corrupted techbase. Berserks are now allowed.

 

M1: Piazzi Spaceport - @Lorenz0 (Done)

You arrived on a spaceship from E1M8 and must go inside a base. Chaingun is the only weapon in the open. Plasma and up to 40 extra cells can be found in a secret. The plasma remains in secret until otherwise specified. All monsters are allowed, except for bosses and barons.

M2: Storage Complex - @Wavy (Done, part of most recent release)

Shotgun and Chaingun in the open. E2M2 homages are encouraged.

M3: Stock Exchange - @DFF (Done)

Rocket launcher is now in the open. Barons can now be encountered.

M4: Air Filtration Plant - @Weird Sandwich (Done)

M5: Abandoned Tunnels - @ViolentBeetle (Done)

Exit to secret level.

M6: Transport Nexus - @Jark (Done)

Plasma is now in the open.

M7: Research Complex - @cannonball (Done)

M8: Ceres Gateway - @Nefelibeta (Done)

You must fight a cyberdemon for access to a portal. Portal should not be explicitly reachable, since map will end on Cyberdemon's death, as in original. Try using scrolling small segments of SKY3 for portal effect.

M9: Artefact Storage - @Hitboi (Done)

Secret level. Plasma here is also in the open.

 

Episode 3: Moon Madness

The moon itself is taken by demons. There's still techbase, but demonic sections, lava and corrosive blood are widespread.

 

M1: Lunar Gateway - @LordEntr0py (Done)

Portal, represented by wave-y SKY2 is behind you. Shotgun and chaingun are both available. All monsters except barons and bosses are allowed.

M2: Tranquility Terminal - @RHhe82 (Done)

Rocket launcher is now available in the open, so are barons.

M3: Deep Space Observatory - @dac (Done, part of most recent release)

Plasma can be picked in a secret

M4: Fusion Plant - @BluePineapple72 (Done, part of most recent release)

Plasma is now in the open

M5: Helium Refinery - @Captain Toenail (Done)

M6: Deep Crust Borehole - @myolden (Done)

BFG available in a secret. Secret exit is here.

M7: Freight Terminal - @Theperson (Done, part of most recent release)

BFG in the open

M8: Space Elevator - @muumi (Done)

Space elevator is represented by sector art disappearing way out of sight into the sky. You must combat spider mastermind near it.

M9: The Dark Side - @Astro X (Done, part of most recent release)

Secret map. BFG is allowed here as well.

 

Episode 4: Venusian Violence (Fully done)

You have arrived on Venus somehow. Aesthetic of the episode - floating city, lots open space, not just with sky ceiling, but also sky floor and open space to a horizon. Corruption on medium level, otherwise city/techbase design. Lots of environmental hazards, crushers and damaging floors.

You can have up to 2 cyberdemons per map, except for the M1.

 

M1: Docking Station - @LordEntr0py (Done)

Only rocket launcher is allowed on this level. But please don't make a Hell Beneath homage health-wise.

M2: Customs Office - @Anarkzie (Done, part of most recent release)

All weapon up to and including plasma are available. Secret exit

M3: Commercial District - @RataUnderground (Done)

M4: Residential Areas - @DJVCardMaster (Done)

BFG is now available

M5: Waste Recycling Facility - @MAN_WITH_GUN (Done)

M6: Mass Propulsion - @SMG_Man (Done)

Lots of machinery that keeps the city afloat. Cyberdemon is the boss using tag 666.

M7: The Tether - @Engired (Done)

Small cable is disappearing into the sky hole in the floor, out of sight. Gaining access to this hole and jumping in constitutes an exit

M8: Impact Site - @PinkFlamingo (Done)

You are on the surface of the planet, inside a massive crater. You must defeat mastermind to win.

M9: Cult Headquarters - @Mystic 256 (Done)

Secret level

 

PS Shout out to @Ofisil for his THEME GAWAD project that inspired this one.

 

Edited July 10, 2022 by ViolentBeetle

[TheNoob_Gamer]

Another CP which is similar to Booked and Literalism in premise, but in Doom 1? Interesting!

[ViolentBeetle]

1 minute ago, TheNoob_Gamer said:

Another CP which is similar to Booked and Literalism in premise, but in Doom 1? Interesting!

I missed the Literalism post until you mentioned it, went to check it. Their names are somewhat more abstract apparently.

[Weird Sandwich]

Can I take E2M4 - Air Filtration Plant, please?

[RHhe82]

What sort of deadline is involved? Are you looking for master mappers, or do you accept novicey-mappers (but not unambitious or troll mappers) like myself?

[dac]

MOON BASES

 

Can I take E3M3?

[ViolentBeetle]

1 minute ago, RHhe82 said:

What sort of deadline is involved? Are you looking for master mappers, or do you accept novicey-mappers (but not unambitious or troll mappers) like myself?

I'm looking for someone who is reasonably experienced, but not necessary a master. If you have basic understanding of map structure, and how to make it look decent, should be fine.

 

There's no specific deadline, but after a month or so I would start pestering you. "I'm alive and will deliver soon" would probably be enough for me, but the situation where you disappear for a long time without updates is not desirable.

[RHhe82]

Oh, and might I reserve E3M2? I’ll let it go if I don’t consider myself fit the prerequisites :P

[RHhe82]

7 minutes ago, ViolentBeetle said:

I'm looking for someone who is reasonably experienced, but not necessary a master. If you have basic understanding of map structure, and how to make it look decent, should be fine.

 

There's no specific deadline, but after a month or so I would start pestering you. "I'm alive and will deliver soon" would probably be enough for me, but the situation where you disappear for a long time without updates is not desirable.

Okay, I think I might fit the bill. If you want to, you can quickly check out my previous work (both of them...) from:

 

1. The first (more or less) finished map I did: 

 

 

2. My entry for the Booked CP (Map 06): 

 

The format shouldn't be an issue (ie. I have no special inclination towards UDMF, limit-removing should be just as fine...)

 

 

[ViolentBeetle]

27 minutes ago, RHhe82 said:

1. The first (more or less) finished map I did: 

I didn't play all the way though, but it was pretty good. So you seem qualified enough.

Just make sure you test your map in proper port, because GZDoom changes a few things that result in maps that work in gzDoom not working elsewhere.

[myolden]

I'd like to request E1M1. If I'm not able to, I'll take E1M2.

[Astro X]

Can I have E3M9? And is it a sequel to E3M1 like in the original?

[ViolentBeetle]

Just now, myolden said:

I'd like to request E1M1. If I'm not able to, I'll take E1M2.

Yeah, I think E1M1 will be safe in your hands. I'll put you there.

[ViolentBeetle]

Just now, Astro X said:

Can I have E3M9? And is it a sequel to E3M1 like in the original?

Since you asked, I was going to suggest it to have similar progression - with fake exit and opening up previous areas, but I don't want to copy the whole premise. It would be awkward to do for a community project to copy another map.

[DJVCardMaster]

I'll take E4M4

[Death Bear]

Slap me with E1M4: Mineral Processing.

[LoreCaco37]

This sounds fun, I've never mapped for Ultimate DOOM before. Mind if I nab E1M7?

Edited October 2, 2021 by LoreCaco37
spelling

[cannonball]

Hmm, well for some reason I always have an itch for UDoom mapping. Let’s have a go at E2M7 if that is okay?  

[Nefelibeta]

Looks pretty cool, I'd take E2M8 slot

 

(Also, I want to ask some questions about slaughter. By slaughter, does it mean no arena type gameplay? Or does it mean no stacking too many monsters?)

Edited October 2, 2021 by Nefelibeta

[Wavy]

I couldn't join the Literalism CP, so I guess I'll join this.

 

I'd like E2M2.

[Mystic 256]

ill take E4M9 if its open

[Jark]

Greetings, 

 

I have interest and a few ideas for in E2M6: Transport Nexus if it is available.

 

 

 

 

[Wavy]

By the way, could we add a MIDI to our map?

[rouge_means_red]

Another ViolentBeetle CP? Let's go!

I'll take the e1m5 map slot

[ViolentBeetle]

28 minutes ago, Wavy said:

By the way, could we add a MIDI to our map?

Yes, absolutely. I didn't think it's worth mentioning.

You can pick your own midi or I'll pick one for you if you won't.

[DFF]

Yo put me down for e2m3 commerce exchange, sounds like a fun map to start

[Hitboi]

Sounds cool, I want to map for E2M9.

[Wavy]

5 minutes ago, ViolentBeetle said:

Yes, absolutely. I didn't think it's worth mentioning.

You can pick your own midi or I'll pick one for you if you won't.

Thanks! I might use The Demons from Adrian's Pen from Project Redux (for obvious reasons).

[ViolentBeetle]

Oh boy, maps are being picked quikly. I better grab one for myself (E2M5) specifically.

 

I also processed a batch of claims, please check I recorded you in the right place.

[Doomlust]

looks cool, I'll try the E1M3 if possible