NcSource:Mapping

Introduction

Mapping for Neocron: Source is very simple. NC:Source is an Orange Box modification for Valve's Source engine, meaning it runs on the updated source code used to power Valve's newest games such as Portal and Left 4 Dead. To create a map that is compatible with this technology, you need to 1) own an Orange Box game and 2) download the SDK Toolkit from Steam. The program used to edit maps is called Hammer and I will not go into how to set up the editor itself. There is plenty of info available on that here. For the purposes of creating compatible content, you can use any Orange Box game configuration to launch the Hammer editor. Certain entities are going to be used for the actual multiplayer game rules, but they are as of yet, undefined.

General Mapping Guidelines

The ultimate goal is to create a tribute to Neocron and Neocron 2: Beyond Dome of York, so when creating content for NC:Source it is important to stay true to the form that is currently present on the "live" servers. That being said, NC:Source is a deathmatch mod and gameplay will differ from that in Neocron itself. With that in mind, alteration of certain environment aspects will be expected and encouraged because Neocron is built in a very dated engine. In fact, this project was spawned from a few community members' aspiration to recreate and improve certain areas of Neocron. So, adding detail, creating hi-res textures, etc are all encouraged. The best way to think about creating maps for NC:Source is this: When you walk through your work, is it immediately recognizable as a sector in Neocron? If it is, while at the same time looking updated, then you have created something that we are looking for.

Specific Guidelines

This space is reserved for upcoming entities and specific direction in regards to map creation. Ideas and assets that have specific purpose and structure will be outlined here. For example, Whitestuff created a combination of entities that emulate the grav lift effect in Plaza 1's elevators. Here we would have a tutorial explaining how to do this in other maps so as to keep the gamerules uniform across multiple artists. It is safe to say, that this area is under construction...

Showcase

This area is for work that is in progress or already completed.

Whitestuff's Plaza 1 Remake: Hammer 3D Preview: