What is health? - April Fools CP [Dev thread - RC1 out!]

[Astro X]

 

This is a inspired by the fair and balanced idea of sending Earth's favorite marine in yet another mission to heck and beyond, except this time with only 1HP! I was inspired by Clippy's cruel and sadistic map called Zombie.

 

WHAT IS HEALTH? - APRIL FOOLS CP - I chose this name after the fact that m8f said he was unable to find a single wad with a title containing an interrogation mark.

 

Anyway, without further ado, here are the guidelines:

 

• doom2.wad;
• Boom, targeting DSDA-Doom (cl9), no custom enemies/weapons;
• Player start; co-op starts;
• Reachable exit;
• All kills and secrets must be obtainable;
• Implement difficulties, otherwise I'll do that for you;
• Make sure you can beat your own level pistol-start without saves;
• Place a computer area map item in your map (if you forget to do so, I can do it for you, I guess);
• Health and armor pickups don't actually heal the player, so you can use them for decoration and, you know, the jokes;
• Hitscanners are allowed when used in infighting instances (and when not requiring too much rng), otherwise avoid them;
• Invulnerabilities are allowed, but in a reasonable way. Don't mindlessly place multiple spheres;
• Damaging floors are allowed if avoidable, otherwise, please, provide a few radiation suits (map must be beatable);
• Custom texture pack: CC4-tex
• Custom skies: you are free to add one, as long as it's compatible with the wad;
• Deadline: March 28th 2023 - release April 1st 2023;
• You can choose pre-existing midis for your maps, or compose something you'd like for the project as well. You can help with art too;
• Up to 03 maps per player. Mappers of all levels of experience are welcome.

 

How do I begin a level with 1HP only? We're going to use dehacked for that. A berserk pack is allowed, since it won't influence the amount of health the player has.

 

For now, you can choose any map slot that is still available. I'll sort the levels by difficulty if it gets too wacky.

 

So, keep in mind the lower slot you take, the shorter/simpler/easier your map should be. Preferably, if you choose slots 31 and 32, the map should contain a gimmick that stands out (e.g. use of partial invisibility, telefragging sequences, crushers, infighting puzzles); map 15 should have a secret exit, as well as map 31. Map 01 should give the idea of an opener, and map 30 should have a closure vibe. Map 07 should be a tribute to Dead simple, if possible.

 

 

MAP01: @Astro X - DONE!

MAP02: @phoo - DONE!

MAP03: @aRottenKomquat - DONE!

MAP04: @Azafran - DONE!

MAP05: @Pegleg - DONE!

MAP06: @Snowy44 - DONE!

MAP07: @Sneezy McGlassFace - DONE!

MAP08: @Stupid Bunny

MAP09: @Kuro_mahoh - DONE!

MAP10: @knifeworld - DONE!

MAP11: @scientifikgenius - DONE!

MAP12: @SuyaSS - DONE!

MAP13: @LuzRoja29 - DONE!

MAP14: @mr-around - DONE!

MAP15: @Heretic926 - DONE!

MAP16:

MAP17:

MAP18:

MAP19: @Axuris - DONE!

MAP20: @Norb

MAP21: @reaction - DONE!

MAP22:

MAP23:

MAP24:

MAP25: @holaareola

MAP26:

MAP27:

MAP28: @Astro X - DONE!

MAP29:

MAP30:

MAP31: @Cilian

MAP32: @Doomy__Doom - DONE!

MAP33: @Heretic926 - DONE!

 

We have these slots, but we're not limited to them strictly, if by any chance we surpass 32 people willing to take part in the project. I just feel that giving the player the opportunity to choose one number is better than a host ordering maps as he wants. I think it provides the feeling of "I'm responsible for this specific map" rather than being responsible for one random map in the set.

 

 

 

@reaction

Edited April 1, 2023 by Astro X

[RED77]

I'm interested in collaborating as an artist, what do you have in mind?

 

[Pistoolkip]

Can you provide a WAD with an example of the Voodoo-doll trick? That will save a bunch of people a headache if they could just copy-paste that

[xScavengerWolfx]

So if there is no health / armor throughout the level(s). Can we at least have like a berserk pack for at least one area? I mean yes i know it kinda defeats the purpose of the joke but i am looking at it more as a mapper stand point. 

 

I mean you want invulnerability at least one, don't you think having a berserk pack would benefits having a invulnerability? 

 

Also what slots are available? I could whip up a quick demo map if need be for people who want to get a better understanding of what you mean. 

[Lucius Wooding]

4 minutes ago, xScavengerWolfx said:

So if there is no health / armor throughout the level(s). Can we at least have like a berserk pack for at least one area? I mean yes i know it kinda defeats the purpose of the joke but i am looking at it more as a mapper stand point. 

 

You could place a berserk on the player start, then trigger the voodoo damage script right after.

[Astro X]

29 minutes ago, RED77 said:

I'm interested in collaborating as an artist, what do you have in mind?

 

You tell me. DM me or write your ideas here :)

 

20 minutes ago, Pistoolkip said:

Can you provide a WAD with an example of the Voodoo-doll trick? That will save a bunch of people a headache if they could just copy-paste that

Yea, I could do that. Gimme a moment.

 

7 minutes ago, xScavengerWolfx said:

So if there is no health / armor throughout the level(s). Can we at least have like a berserk pack for at least one area? I mean yes i know it kinda defeats the purpose of the joke but i am looking at it more as a mapper stand point. 

 

I mean you want invulnerability at least one, don't you think having a berserk pack would benefits having a invulnerability? 

 

Also what slots are available? I could whip up a quick demo map if need be for people who want to get a better understanding of what you mean. 

I'll write down the slots and mappers as they come.

 

2 minutes ago, Lucius Wooding said:

 

You could place a berserk on the player start, then trigger the voodoo damage script right after.

Good point! I also like having berserk.

[Ravendesk]

Any chance of this going for cl9 instead of cl2? Since it's limit-removing anyway... There is just so much more to explore with cl9 in reality setups.

[Shepardus]

Rather than require everyone to set up a voodoo doll to do 99% damage to the player (which, among other issues, would make it impossible for players to play continuously), why not use DeHackEd to set the player's initial and maximum health, like in pepper.wad?

[Astro X]

3 minutes ago, Ravendesk said:

Any chance of this going for cl9 instead of cl2? Since it's limit-removing anyway... There is just so much more to explore with cl9 in reality setups.

There is :)

 

I just wanted to keep it simple for the first time we're doing this - yea, I think people are gonna want a second, and more elaborate version of this.

 

Anyway, I've just built maps for cl2 so far - that's another reason for the restriction. But I don't mind bumping it to cl9 :)

[xScavengerWolfx]

9 minutes ago, Astro X said:

I'll write down the slots and mappers as they come.

One more question: When you mean limit removing are you talking vanilla or boom? I can work with both since i'm familiar with both 

[Astro X]

6 minutes ago, xScavengerWolfx said:

One more question: When you mean limit removing are you talking vanilla or boom? I can work with both since i'm familiar with both 

I meant vanilla, but as I mentioned, I don't see a huge problem if we build for boom.

 

Edit: I'm not an expert when it comes to source ports, compatibilities, but as long as your map doesn't crash DSDA-Doom, or cause weird bugs, I'm okay with that.

 

I'll check out pepper.wad as Shepardus mentioned. I didn't know about that one.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Astro X

[Ravendesk]

38 minutes ago, Astro X said:

I'll check out pepper.wad as Shepardus mentioned. I didn't know about that one.

You can also check hundreds & thousands which I believe does the same thing, i.e. sets 1 hp start with dehacked. Also I think it uses berserk as well without any voodoo trickery, but not sure if I remember it right.

 

45 minutes ago, Astro X said:

Anyway, I've just built maps for cl2 so far - that's another reason for the restriction. But I don't mind bumping it to cl9 :)

cl2 limit removing maps will work perfectly with cl9 aside from a few corner cases, so it would really be nice to see it target Boom (cl9) just to have the voodoo doll closets working.

 

I'm interested in this but not sure I'm going to have enough time in March, so might sign in later if I can make it and if there are still slots available...

[Norb]

Sign me up baby, map slot 20 please.

Edited February 28, 2023 by Norb

[Astro X]

15 minutes ago, Norb said:

Sign me up baby, map slot 20 please.

Sure thing!

[Norb]

Just now, Astro X said:

Sure thing!

Thank youu :D

[Stupid Bunny]

This sounds too fun not to contribute to. I’ll throw in a little map (doubtful I’d have time to do more), aiming for the MAP08 slot for now. Is there any intention to make it themed/episodic, or is it going to be more of a 32-map smörgåsbord of styles and ideas? I’m fine with either, especially since I’m unfamiliar with the CC4 texture set (in spite of seeing them everywhere) and like going for eclectic texturing anyway when I can. 
 

I’d advocate for cl9, too, it offers a lot more flexibility without breaking too much compatibility. Don’t worry, I’m inexperienced with Boom mapping too.

[Astro X]

3 minutes ago, Stupid Bunny said:

This sounds too fun not to contribute to. I’ll throw in a little map (doubtful I’d have time to do more), aiming for the MAP08 slot for now. Is there any intention to make it themed/episodic, or is it going to be more of a 32-map smörgåsbord of styles and ideas? I’m fine with either, especially since I’m unfamiliar with the CC4 texture set (in spite of seeing them everywhere) and like going for eclectic texturing anyway when I can. 
 

I’d advocate for cl9, too, it offers a lot more flexibility without breaking too much compatibility. Don’t worry, I’m inexperienced with Boom mapping too.

Initially when I was brainstorming, I thought maybe separate episodes, each one with a slight different set of rules. But then it'd get too restrictive and people would quickly fill one episode, leaving the other empty based on the rules. So I think we can start with just a scale in difficulty. I'm almost sure there's gonna be a sequel CP to this one. We can increase the complexity there, if you don't mind :)

[Ordon]

This is awesome :D

I think i will take part in this, after i polish up my own WAD.

 

[Doomy__Doom]

I'll take one. Idk which slot though, I'll probably try weird stuff (at least initially, until I realise it's a horrible idea).

 

W.r.t. being at 1 HP and berserk, how about just a quick dehacked instead of weird voodoo mess:

Doom version = 21
Patch format = 6

Misc 0
Max Health = 1
Initial Health = 1

This should make starting health and berserk pickup health = 1.

[Astro X]

@Doomy__Doom thanks, man. That's because when I first asked in a previous thread, nobody mentioned this method. I never used dehacked (I like to play as close to the original as possible). However, in this case, for this CP it seems to be the way to go. We're going to use this.

[aRottenKomquat]

This sounds fun. Can I have MAP03? I'd like to do a small, short puzzle map that would fit early in the WAD.

 

Also just to clarify, if you're using a Dehacked patch to set initial and max health, then berserk packs are okay, right?

[Doomy__Doom]

test.zip

A more complete dehacked (and a room with relevant items to see how it works):

- IDFA, IDKFA, IDDQD keep player at 1/0

- berserk, soul- and megasphere keep player at 1/0

- armor bonuses do not give armor when picked up

- blue and green armor cannot be picked up (TIL armor class = 0 does that)

- health potions still give +1 hp and should still be 100% banned from placement

Spoiler

Patch File for DeHackEd v3.0
# Created with WhackEd4 1.2.4 BETA
# Note: Use the pound sign ('#') to start comment lines.

Doom version = 21
Patch format = 6

Misc 0
God Mode Health = 1
IDFA Armor = 0
IDFA Armor Class = 0
IDKFA Armor = 0
IDKFA Armor Class = 0
Max Armor = 0
Max Health = 1
Max Soulsphere = 1
Megasphere Health = 1
Soulsphere Health = 1
Initial Health = 1

 

 

Pointless item hunts, secret/pathing signposting, Serious Sam traps, yellow screen of armor bonuses and other nonsense befitting April Fools without breaking 1 hp gimmick. If nothing else, at least cheats should be this way imo, that's definitely in spirit for 01.04 release.

[Scypek2]

MAP30 should end with you finally picking up a medikit.

(Edit: combined with a bunch of health potions to get around the dehacked patch's limitation, I guess?)

Edited February 28, 2023 by Scypek2

[Astro X]

48 minutes ago, aRottenKomquat said:

This sounds fun. Can I have MAP03? I'd like to do a small, short puzzle map that would fit early in the WAD.

 

Also just to clarify, if you're using a Dehacked patch to set initial and max health, then berserk packs are okay, right?

Yea, berserk packs are allowed. I'm gonna update OP.

[Xaser]

Reading up, there's no reason to stick to cl9 or exactly-32-maps nowadays -- MBF21 and UMAPINFO are both a thing in all the relevant ports. If nothing else, consider ditching the 32 map format and free up the number of slots to match the number of contributions you get rather than stick to the old cliche.

[Stupid Bunny]

@Doomy__Doom omg yes amazing I love the idea of using soulspheres and armor bonuses as pointless ornamental tchotchkes to go hunting for. So much more excited for this now. RIP the blue juice but I will still be sure to have fun with this

[Astro X]

28 minutes ago, Xaser said:

Reading up, there's no reason to stick to cl9 or exactly-32-maps nowadays -- MBF21 and UMAPINFO are both a thing in all the relevant ports. If nothing else, consider ditching the 32 map format and free up the number of slots to match the number of contributions you get rather than stick to the old cliche.

That's fine. People wanted me to write down the slots so that they could pick and choose from. So I went ahead and added them.

 

29 minutes ago, Stupid Bunny said:

@Doomy__Doom omg yes amazing I love the idea of using soulspheres and armor bonuses as pointless ornamental tchotchkes to go hunting for. So much more excited for this now. RIP the blue juice but I will still be sure to have fun with this

I also dig the idea a lot. Imagine a perfectly placed soulsphere in a beautifully decorated room just teasing you.

[Walter confetti]

5 hours ago, Astro X said:

Limit-removing, targeting DSDA-Doom (cl9)

Wait, so it's for limit removing (cl2) or boom (cl9)? I don't get it.

[Doomy__Doom]

While we're on the subject of compat (I would appreciate a few MBF21 options like monster-killing floors and ground-monster-blocking lines but boom is fine too), I also have a question about resource pack - any particular reason for more limited CC4tex rather than its bigger sibling 32-in-24tex?

 

Also, custom skies yes/no? And if yes what methods are allowed - UMAPINFO or only sky transfers?

[Stupid Bunny]

39 minutes ago, Astro X said:

That's fine. People wanted me to write down the slots so that they could pick and choose from. So I went ahead and added them.

 

That makes sense in a project that's limited to 32 maps, but for a non-episodic project with no upper or lower limit on contributed maps (which now that Xaser says it I think is a good idea), having a MAP01-32 list like this on the OP is rather misleading. I'm not familiar with UMAPINFO and how flexible the project could be with secret levels and exits but doing this could let us go a little more nuts if lots of people want to contribute