DBK03: Shrine of the Silver Cyber-Primate - looking for mappers!

[Big Ol' Billy]

The ultraverse's most savage game show has moved to a new network: the Diabolical Broadcasting Korporation. Take the role of a "lucky" contestant and battle your way to--uh--well, they promised there were prizes, right?

The DBK series is--finally!--back with a tech/mesoamerican theme that acts as a sequel to an old favorite, Legend of the Hidden Tech. Packed with lots of gimmick-ready special mechanics and interactive things, the Krew is bringing the series back in a BIG way. Check out the standalone demo map below for a pretty extensive demonstration of the new resources, narrative framing, and the overall look & feel we're going for. Then download the development kit to get started making your own map with the resource pack. MAPS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 1ST JANUARY 5th, 2023!

DOWNLOAD RESOURCES:

• "Qualifying Round" demo map v02 (standalone, plays MAP01)

• Development Kit v02, including:
  • Resource Pack v02
  • Map Template v01 (MAP02 slot)
  • Bonus Map Template v01 (MAP34 slot)

• "Webisodes" (bonus mode demo) v02 (run with Resource Pack & Bonus Map Template, plays MAP31-34)

previous versions:

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• "Qualifying Round" demo map v01 (standalone, plays MAP01)

• Development Kit v01

• "Commerical Break" bonus mode demo v01 (run with Resource Pack & Bonus Map Template, plays MAP30-34)

RULES:

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1. This project targets ZDoom 2.8.1 and modern GZDoom. Make extra sure your map works in ZDoom 2.8.1, as this will allow us to record testing demos reliably! (Avoid ZDoom 2.8.1-only glitches and effects that do not reliably carry over to modern GZDoom versions.)
2. Maps should feel classically "Doom-y" with a careful sprinkling of ZDoom-enhanced features. Make sure your map is fully functional with no player jumping/crouching/freelook. Jumping and courching will be disabled; freelook will be optional. No-freelook will be recommended for the most challenging, old-school experience.
3. Do not take control away from the player or change the music during gameplay. Embrace that old-school feel!
4. Maps should be completable from pistol start and in -nomonsters mode.
5. Aim for a map length of 5-15 minutes for on a casual playthrough.
6. Do not add your own resources or modify the resource pack. The resource pack blacks out many stock textures, which are restricted and not for use. Restricted stock things have also been replaced with a "DO NOT USE" sprite.
7. Use the Map Template (above) to create your map. This template map (MAP02 slot, by default) is set up to help you use the set's various custom mechanics, including the project's ACS script library, and includes a dummy map. TO START YOUR MAP: make a copy of the template map, rename it as you wish, and then open this map in your editor. Delete the dummy map's things and sectors (or, better, move them aside for your reference) and begin building your own map. Your map should still have the dummy map's ACS scripts.
8. Select your map's music from the resource pack by choosing a map slot (MAP02-14). You may use any of the tracks used in the demo map except for D_ASMUS. If you want to use custom music, put your map in the MAP15 slot and save your music as the lump D_CUSTOM. Custom music must be MIDI and cool.
9. Your map should contain at least one group of audience members. Also set up at least three security cameras and a screen to display your mapper logo (see the dummy map for a demonstration). If you're having trouble with these mechanics, the project leader can add them during the finalizing process.
10. Submit your map by JANUARY 1ST JANUARY 5TH, 2023! This is a firm deadline. Anything, at any stage of progress, submitted by this date will be considered for the final project, though your map will have the surest chance at inclusion if it is complete, creative, and polished. If you've got a great idea and limited time, submit a sketch or draft in map form and we'll see if we can flesh it out during finalizing (but no guarantees!).

BONUS MODE MAPPING:

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A great option for mappers with limited time! Bonus maps act as an alternate game mode, called Tomatl's Treasure Hunt. Here, the player must collect all the Wolfenstein 3D treasure items to open the gold exit door. A bonus map should be a one-room arena (some freedom of interpretation allowed) with a focus on challenge and a central gimmick. See the "Commercial Break" bonus mode demo (above) for an illusrtation. Use the Bonus Map Template (also linked above) to create your bonus map.

TIMELINE:

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After January 1st January 5th, the project leader (me) will make a plan to finalize the project in the next few months, according to their (my) judgment. This will include sequencing the maps, implementing difficulty settings, and any other touches needed to make the set feel complete. After trying out the bimonthly format, I think the kind of sets the series is creating need something a bit more flexible to allow for everything to come together cohesively. Thanks for understanding!

SCREENSHOTS:

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[esselfortium]

This looks great and super charming, looking forward to playing it! I love the Legends of the Hidden Temple theme.

[Big Ol' Billy]

Thanks for the encouragement, Essel!

FYI working on a small update to the bonus mode demo, just to do away with the MAP30 hub and present the maps like more conventional bonus maps that you just IDCLEV to. May revisit the bonus hub idea in the finalizing stage, but it's needless complexity here. Stay tuned...

[BROS_ETT_311]

I SPY OLMEC!!

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[Big Ol' Billy]

It may seem a little quiet here, but a baby caco tells me that there are at least three maps in development as we speak, including one from Scrangus McBrickdad that I've gotten to see in action!

Moreover, we have what will be the final resource pack update (barring any significant bugs), along with a little streamlining of the bonus mode map collection and further polishing on the demo map. Mappers should at least make sure to grab the Development Kit v02, which has the latest resource pack (dbk03-rez-v02.wad).

Resource Pack v02 changes

• Improved liquids! PSWATER[#] for a smooth blue water texture, OFALLW[#] for waterfalls

• TREEG3 midtex for all your fake forest scene needs

• A small addition of Turok textures (prefix TK######)

• A few other flats and textures from mid-90s early-3D games

• Three new MIDIS: D_HOCUS (MAP16), D_HOTHED (MAP17), D_MNBLD (MAP18)

Re: the bonus mode, I've removed the MAP30 hub for now, as I think I have a clearer (and more straightforward) idea of how I want to sequence these maps. The maps themselves are unchanged.

I SPY OLMEC!!

Never heard of him... *starts sweating nervously*

[Big Ol' Billy]

Quick update while I'm doing some final (weather-delayed) holiday travels: the official deadline is extended to *****JANUARY 5th*****. This is a one-time-time-only extension, folks--though remember that you just need to submit something (at any stage of progress) for consideration in the final project! You can of course just post in this thread, but messaging me works too, which has actually been the norm this time around.

I'm excited about how things are shaping up! By my count, we're looking at something more like a 6-map project plus some bonus/credit stuff, which I think could be a nice, digestible length for players. But there's definitely room for more. More details to come!