GMod Tower

It has been a whole month since we’ve had any sort of an update, so I’m sure some people are starting to think the tower is dying. Ah, but this media update is here to crush those thoughts. Why? Because there’s about 43 images in this update. Also, this update should cover just about everything that has happened in our development this past month. Let’s get right into it, shall we?

We have been focusing on perfecting different things as we place them into the alpha for testing.

In coding, Hxrmn and Nican have both been working hard on many different pieces of code.

Nican recently finished coding a seat mod for us to use. Basically, it allows one or more people to sit in any given model.

Hxrmn got a lot done this month including his new graphics library that supports SVG files. His code takes the data from SVG files (vector graphics) and translates them to display in-game. It allows us to create icons and other useful graphics without creating custom textures.

In graphics, I have reskinned a couple models to make them usable in GMod Tower.

We’ve also done some work on logos.

In mapping, I personally have been refining all the maps before I gently place them into the alpha VMF.
I improved the lighting and added in the new reskinned table for Chef Louie’s.

I also added the reskinned models to the Suite and added the new mirror entity supplied in EP2.

Including all of that, the Lobby and the Food Court merged together last weekend (the start of the alpha).

As you may have heard, I’ve had a lot of trouble trying to contact Slashhacked. I’ve emailed him four times now in the past three months. Since I have not received anything from him, we have to make up for his lost by recreating his work. So I looked over his screenshots throughly and recreated the Route 66 Bar.

The toilet’s aren’t that reliable…

I finished hole 15 for the Mini-Golf. Hole 15 is based on AlMightyBob’s design, without the waterfall.

And lastly, work on Puzzle: Impossible has been getting a boost lately.

I hope that fills your media-craving stomaches.

I’ll be posting a media update very soon. We have been working hard behind the scenes the past couple of weeks. Puzzle: Impossible is coming along nicely and the mini-golf is a couple clicks away from being finished. The pool has been fully optimized, Chef Louie’s lighting has been greatly improved, the lobby is 80% finished, the suite’s bathroom has been fixed, LazerBlazer now has a debriefing and supplies room, general chat has been completed, and I just spent three hours reskinning models. Also coding has been progressing quite well. I’ll try to show all these things in the next media update.
Not to mention, but I have been working on putting all the maps together to create the GMod Tower alpha. I’ve already combined the lobby with the food court/shopping district. It didn’t take too long to compile and we’re in good shape in terms of brush limit.

Anyways, thought I should let you know that we are still alive and kicking.

Sorry for the long delay; I’ve been quite busy with school lately. Luckily for you, it’s a big update tonight. I moved all the maps to the new EP2 code and as such many materials and lighting issues are now completely gone or improved.

Let’s start with a quick update on the Pool:

I added some really small lights (in the corners) for detail purposes, while also fixing the reflections (finally). As you may be able to tell, there’s still some miscellaneous things to fix. I also have to optimize this bad boy to place in the compilation VMF.

In addition, Sharpshot123 requested wood around the volleyball court to help it blend in better. So, I took the request and tried it out. It looks a lot better.

Next, I applied some final touches to the Suite and added in the suite bed.

You may not notice it, but I improved the lighting greatly from the previous version.

You can press E on the bed and actually fall asleep. It replenishes your health and plays a tune. We might improve the sleep experience by adding in random dreams. I can’t confirm dreams at this time, however.

I changed some of the textures in the bathroom, and I may change them up again (until I find ones that suit it perfectly). Also, we have not finished the models for the bathroom just yet (that’s why I’m using the grimy default HL2 ones).

Last but not least, I finished work on Hole 14 for Mini-Golf.

Episode 2 really made everything look so much sleeker.

Well that’s all the update I have for you tonight. Look forward to another big update on Puzzle: Impossible sometime this weekend.

For whatever reason, our thread has been archived. It’s probably a good idea to start fresh anyways. Our new thread (maybe temporary) is now http://forums.facepunchstudios.com/showthread.php?t=478864.

While I was at it, I decided to update the team list and progress.

A couple weeks ago, I stated the Pool was completed. That was correct, but I had some people test it with me and give their own opinions on any additions and bug fixes I needed to make. Because of this, I added a few different things and fixed quite a lot of bugs. I optimized the map, fixed the reflections, improved the lighting for the bar, added player clips, fixed some of the water, changed some textures (and lined them up properly), and improved func_detail usage. That’s just what I fixed; here are the additions:

Sniper suggested that I add a window on the side of the bar to make it seem a little less constricted.

As we messed around on the map, we found that a small volleyball court would be a nice addition.

Butt Face coded the SENT for the tube. I plan to add multiple textures with different designs and colors in the future.

Also, Sniper and Slash bugged me to add some side ladders in the deep section (where the diving boards are placed).

That’s all I have for today. Once again, I’m planning to have another media update on Puzzle: Impossible tomorrow.