Tigger wrote:
Ok... so...

This is kind of a planning thread, what do you think would be best?

I think the less limitations the better, and if people want to play easier ones for the start and harder ones for the end, maybe a few BTS maps in there, go for it.

Sorry BTS?

http://wiki.thinkingwithportals.com/wik ... and_for.3F

??? See me after class. --msleeper Damn right you will, you sexy beast.

Anyway, I'm very interested in this project and hope to make a good contribution, maybe about the size of rainbow palace. I'll get started next month.

msleeper wrote:
This is kind of a planning thread, what do you think would be best?

I think knowing what the "story" we're wanting to tell would be good.

Is this an alternative Portal Story, ala the Portal Flash Map Pak? Are we using Glados, or creating new voices for another AI? Is this just a set of maps thrown together to prove we can map, ala a map pak?

Do we want to put this in the HL2 setting the way the Portal Flash Pack did?

Do we want to make this an early setting ala the Hurricane maps?

Do we want to make this a Post Glados map maybe? One where... the AI is gone, self destructed, post Portal, and things are broken? Maybe every map has some lost power or devices that don't work and the player has to figure out how to escape?

I think what would be best, as msleeper suggests "the less limitations the better" so those wanting to participate focus on making good quality maps that stay within the Portal theme with a variety of difficulty. Then when the maps are selected they can be arranged from easiest to difficult with of course an introductory map (with the wakeup chamber) and a finale (with some sort of boss alternative glados ending) made by designated experienced mappers. --- sorry if I'm just repeated what was already said; but I'm just running it through my head at the moment.

Sounds like a good idea if executed correctly.

The story idea I had was pre-Portal, in the sense that you were another test subject. The game would start out as an in-game first-person movie of you just kind of hanging out in a house, watching TV, and then you nod off, and then you are inside the Relaxation Vault.

Then the map-pack would play out as an alternate Portal, maybe go into a BTS area, but obviously you would not escape and die at the end.

are new wall, ceiling, floor etc textures allowed?

msleeper wrote:
The story idea I had was pre-Portal, in the sense that you were another test subject. The game would start out as an in-game first-person movie of you just kind of hanging out in a house, watching TV, and then you nod off, and then you are inside the Relaxation Vault.

Though I love the idea of a group effort to create a good set of Portal maps, I don't think this is the optimal way to achieve the beginning of the game. I like the idea of beginning as an ordinary citizen, but rather than having the person start in an area that seems unlike those experienced in the Portal game at all, how about this instead:

The player begins by riding down an elevator with an older woman/man (which the player will find out is their parent through the following dialogs) to the lobby of the Aperture Science facility. Once inside, the player has a chance to explore a larger space filled with offices and people (kinda like a large, fancy, occupied BTS area) while scripted animations of their parent talk with the main desk explaining how this is their child. From there, you could follow your parent as they begin working their way towards their work area; BUT along the way the mandatory security system separates you from your parent and somehow or other causes you to lose consciousness or black out until you wake up the the test chambers....

Just my idea. Not sure if I hold much merit, but I come to this site quite often as I love to see what work is being accomplished in the Portal game. Hopefully I will eventually release my first map. The main test chambers are done and now I am working on the BTS areas (which may be more than just BTS areas.........)

However, after I finally release my map, I would love to contribute to this project. My only question is, do we want to stick entirely to the Portal theme of puzzles, or are new and original ideas allowed (by which I mean other than usual shoot portals, use cubes, dodge turrets) as long as they maintain the Portal feel to the maps?

Doomsday192 wrote:
are new wall, ceiling, floor etc textures allowed?

Yes, custom content would be allowed since it would just be packaged with the download.

Rasky_26 wrote:
Though I love the idea of a group effort to create a good set of Portal maps, I don't think this is the optimal way to achieve the beginning of the game. I like the idea of beginning as an ordinary citizen, but rather than having the person start in an area that seems unlike those experienced in the Portal game at all, how about this instead:

Until I do some investigation, or someone who has tried before, can confirm or deny if NPCs work in Portal, we may have to scratch the idea of having other people walking around. Remember that the Portal SDK is not available, and we would basically have to make a mod to add in NPCs like that. I may be wrong though.

Rasky_26 wrote:
My only question is, do we want to stick entirely to the Portal theme of puzzles, or are new and original ideas allowed (by which I mean other than usual shoot portals, use cubes, dodge turrets) as long as they maintain the Portal feel to the maps?

Go all out, this doesn't need to be Get Some More Portal in terms of puzzle or difficulty.

made a VERY small BTS part, posting everything on it now here:

http://forums.thinking.withportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=232

Well, I gotta get my current map finished within 2 or 3 weeks (school project, so a strict deadline), and after that I'll be on holiday for 3 weeks. After that I can help.

I really want to make something small for this, maybe some fling juggling.

But too many maps too little time, damn you god!

So we'll see...

hey watch it. its not my fault!

Mr. Happy wrote:
I really want to make something small for this, maybe some fling juggling.

But too many maps too little time, damn you god!

So we'll see...

rellikpd wrote:
hey watch it. its not my fault!

Wait, what?

gee i can't remember who made it for me! maybe it was interitus... korajun? no... it wasn't hurricane, i don't think... oh well but anyway i have this nice little turret dispenser room that would be fun to incorporate...

Ok... I'm in. Are we going to set up a special download area for our map pieces?

Edit: Maybe one visible only to board members? That way visitors won't be randomly downloading our work.

We have a private forums section for staff, I can make a new one that "community project mappers" have access to.

My map is done

is it ok to upload screenshots ahead of time?

NPCs do work in portal, they just cant see you thru portals. and citizens call you dr freeman(i think)

edit: oops double post >_<