Black Mesa Source V5 - "They're still working on Xen?" - Games

[QUOTE=Tuskin;46912195]IIRC they're making their own version of Xen, no-one knows what it is going to be like.[/QUOTE] No one knows exactly what it's going to look like, but i doubt it's going to be completely different from the original in terms of gameplay and theme. It's still going be a large, open, strange alien landscape with weird plants, creatures and floating platforms everywhere. The only thing that they can really do with it is make it look really nice.

[QUOTE=nightlord;46912509]No one knows exactly what it's going to look like, but i doubt it's going to be completely different from the original in terms of gameplay and theme. It's still going be a large, open, strange alien landscape with weird plants, creatures and floating platforms everywhere. The only thing that they can really do with it is make it look really nice.[/QUOTE] I think it's widely held that Blue Shift Xen is the best interpretation, which is set on a large and various contiguous island with a handful of platforming parts. I would like the new Xen to be designed as a compromise between larger worlds and islands. Floating islands were sorta a huge red flag that this is not Earth anymore.

I have to love the Freeman's Mind "comments" on Xen.

My concern with the multiplayer component of BM is that it since BM is a source game it will be competing with the two biggest, most established source multiplayer games: TF2 and CSGO. I'm not saying it is a completely wasted effort, but isn't there concern that BM: Multiplayer will be overshadowed by the two source-based FPS titans that have been around for a long time and will probably be upgraded to Source 2 pretty soon?

[QUOTE=Garfuncle;46912913]My concern with the multiplayer component of BM is that it since BM is a source game it will be competing with the two biggest, most established source multiplayer games: TF2 and CSGO. I'm not saying it is a completely wasted effort, but isn't there concern that BM: Multiplayer will be overshadowed by the two source-based FPS titans that have been around for a long time and will probably be upgraded to Source 2 pretty soon?[/QUOTE] I doubt the BM team is looking to be the next multiplayer titan.

Here is another of Brian's new prop image folks. [t]https://i.imgur.com/8kj39QN.jpg[/t] [URL="http://forums.blackmesasource.com/showpost.php?p=593585&postcount=49"]http://forums.blackmesasource.com/showpost.php?p=593585&postcount=49[/URL]

[QUOTE=Garfuncle;46912913]My concern with the multiplayer component of BM is that it since BM is a source game it will be competing with the two biggest, most established source multiplayer games: TF2 and CSGO. I'm not saying it is a completely wasted effort, but isn't there concern that BM: Multiplayer will be overshadowed by the two source-based FPS titans that have been around for a long time and will probably be upgraded to Source 2 pretty soon?[/QUOTE] I was honestly expecting a coop version of the original campaign rather than any sort of competitive thing. There are [I]so[/I] many other fps games with a PvP mode shoehorned into, I really can't see the BM team making yet another uninspired deathmatch game to add to the pile.

[QUOTE=Mort Stroodle;46914018]I was honestly expecting a coop version of the original campaign rather than any sort of competitive thing. There are [I]so[/I] many other fps games with a PvP mode shoehorned into, I really can't see the BM team making yet another uninspired deathmatch game to add to the pile.[/QUOTE] Maybe because the original had deathmatch and it was pretty damn great? Seriously, HL1's weapons are so diverse that it's really fun to have chaotic matches full of Gluon lasers, Gauss jumps and general explosions everywhere. Oh, and Bees.

So are the devs planning on keeping the current adjusted max ammo counts and clip sizes and all that for the release? I realize it's easy to fix with a config file, but still, curious.

[QUOTE=Bokito;46914035]Maybe because the original had deathmatch and it was pretty damn great? Seriously, HL1's weapons are so diverse that it's really fun to have chaotic matches full of Gluon lasers, Gauss jumps and general explosions everywhere. Oh, and Bees.[/QUOTE] This. HLDM is pretty seriously underrated. It was a really fun and diverse shooter. No we're not hoping to be the next CS or CoD or whatever. But we are hoping to fill a fun niche which our fans can enjoy and build a community around until Xen, and will allow us to interact and have fun. Our MP will be constantly updated for free with new maps, bug fixes, balance changes, map changes, based on community feedback. We're hoping to be really interactive (myself particularly) during this process so the community can have a huge say in how MP develops. We're also hoping to see people make really cool stuff with our SDK for the workshop. In our spare time, some of the mappers have already made loads of fun, silly concepts which you couldn't see in other games. We think we're onto something pretty neat which the fans are going to love, it's why we're working on it so hard! It's not shoehorned, at any rate. We've worked really hard on it, the level design team in particular. [QUOTE=Old Hermit;46914881]So are the devs planning on keeping the current adjusted max ammo counts and clip sizes and all that for the release? I realize it's easy to fix with a config file, but still, curious.[/QUOTE] I believe so, though the current multiplayer MP5 has 45 rounds in a mag.

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46916787]This. HLDM is pretty seriously underrated. It was a really fun and diverse shooter. No we're not hoping to be the next CS or CoD or whatever. But we are hoping to fill a fun niche which our fans can enjoy and build a community around until Xen, and will allow us to interact and have fun. Our MP will be constantly updated for free with new maps, bug fixes, balance changes, map changes, based on community feedback. We're hoping to be really interactive (myself particularly) during this process so the community can have a huge say in how MP develops. We're also hoping to see people make really cool stuff with our SDK for the workshop. In our spare time, some of the mappers have already made loads of fun, silly concepts which you couldn't see in other games. We think we're onto something pretty neat which the fans are going to love, it's why we're working on it so hard! It's not shoehorned, at any rate. We've worked really hard on it, the level design team in particular. [/QUOTE] Why is that being worked on instead of Xen, though? Xen should have been the first thing finished and included in the game instead of Multiplayer.

[QUOTE=nightlord;46916860]Why is that being worked on instead of Xen, though? Xen should have been the first thing finished and included in the game instead of Multiplayer.[/QUOTE] I have explained the logic already. I get it, you don't agree with our decision. Sorry, but we can't please everyone. We think our course of action is best for the community and for the team. It's not up for discussion, really.

-snip-

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46916878]I have explained the logic already. I get it, you don't agree with our decision. Sorry, but we can't please everyone. We think our course of action is best for the community and for the team. It's not up for discussion, really.[/QUOTE] You haven't explained it. You've said it's releasing with an updated singleplayer and with multiplayer because Xen isn't done, but that doesn't explain why instead of finishing off Xen first you've put time and effort into doing the Multiplayer instead. Instead of putting a lot of work into the multiplayer, that time could have been spent working on Xen. Unless the reason is something like adding an entire new Multiplayer component requires a lot less work than Xen does and Xen is years off, it doesn't make sense.

Let it go.

[QUOTE=nightlord;46916942]You haven't explained it. You've said it's releasing with an updated singleplayer and with multiplayer because Xen isn't done, but that doesn't explain why instead of finishing off Xen first you've put time and effort into doing the Multiplayer instead. Instead of putting a lot of work into the multiplayer, that time could have been spent working on Xen. Unless the reason is something like adding an entire new Multiplayer component requires a lot less work than Xen does and Xen is years off, it doesn't make sense.[/QUOTE] I literally explained all of this earlier: [QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46909486] In order for us to release with Xen, we would have to keep you waiting for even longer, without anything to hold you over, and with relatively little communication as we plan to keep Xen mostly under wraps until release. We thought an updated and improved SP with a polished, constantly updated (for free) MP component would make people happier than waiting for ages for Xen, with no word in between. We appreciate that it might not be what everyone wants, and that a lot of people are eagerly awaiting Xen, but we think it is the most sensible option both for ourselves and our fans. It will be added in a (and I stress again!) FREE update later down the road. Plus, having some financial support while working on Xen would be extremely nice for a lot of team members, who are honest, hardworking people. There's A LOT that we're working on that we haven't shown and discussed yet. That's still to come.[/QUOTE] MP is much less work than Xen and plays significantly to our team's strengths. Xen requires new technology (some of which comes from engine port, which took us an excruciatingly long time), a huge array of new models and textures, concepts, plans, particles, NPCs, code, scripting, choreography, voice lines, refinement, testing, sounds (and much more that I'm sure I missed) and our plans for it are really extremely ambitious and huge, far beyond a straight remake. A vast amount of work! For MP we have still made a lot of new stuff, but we have been able to use a lot of what we already had, and lots of the new talent which was brought on came from MP experience. Doing it the other way around doesn't make sense from any standpoint. As I've said, we're excited about MP and think you guys are going to love it. I get that you don't care about it, and that's fair enough. But you will get Xen. The fact that you only care about Xen personally does not mean that we've made the wrong decision. Bear in mind you don't know all the facts. I've said all I really can on this and would rather not discuss it further. You'll just have to let it go, at this point, I'm afraid. Sorry.

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46917006]I literally explained all of this earlier: MP is much less work than Xen and plays significantly to our team's strengths. Xen requires new technology (some of which comes from engine port, which took us an excruciatingly long time), a huge array of new models and textures, concepts, plans, particles, NPCs, code, scripting, choreography, voice lines, refinement, testing, sounds (and much more that I'm sure I missed) and our plans for it are really extremely ambitious and huge, far beyond a straight remake. A vast amount of work! For MP we have still made a lot of new stuff, but we have been able to use a lot of what we already had, and lots of the new talent which was brought on came from MP experience. Doing it the other way around doesn't make sense from any standpoint. As I've said, we're excited about MP and think you guys are going to love it. I get that you don't care about it, and that's fair enough. But you will get Xen. The fact that you only care about Xen personally does not mean that we've made the wrong decision. Bear in mind you don't know all the facts. I've said all I really can on this and would rather not discuss it further. You'll just have to let it go, at this point, I'm afraid. Sorry.[/QUOTE] That's all fine then, thanks for explaining. I haven't said i don't care about the multiplayer and only care about Xen, just i thought it would make more sense to finish that first but now you've explained the reason for it, it isn't a problem. I'll definitely get the game and play the multiplayer once it's released.

[QUOTE=nightlord;46917029]That's all fine then, thanks for explaining. I haven't said i don't care about the multiplayer and only care about Xen, just i thought it would make more sense to finish that first but now you've explained the reason for it, it isn't a problem. I'll definitely get the game and play the multiplayer once it's released.[/QUOTE] Lovely juvely :v: Happy to answer any questions from people which are within my power. We really want to be more involved with the community this time round, hence why I'm our "community manager". Woo.

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46917056]Lovely juvely :v: Happy to answer any questions from people which are within my power. We really want to be more involved with the community this time round, hence why I'm our "community manager". Woo.[/QUOTE] To be honest, at this point Xen to me just sort of feels like "When it comes, it comes". The prospect of having valve IP's under non-valve management in a multiplayer however sounds heavenly, and so does an overall graphics boost in a game I replay like twice a week anyway. Either way, keep up the good work. You'll release Xen on your own time, and that's fine with me.

I would like to have HEV zombies in Xen, especially the Gonarch's Lair.

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46917006]I literally explained all of this earlier: Xen requires new technology (some of which comes from engine port, which took us an excruciatingly long time), a huge array of new models and textures, concepts, plans, particles, NPCs, code, scripting, choreography, [B]voice lines[/B], refinement, testing, sounds (and much more that I'm sure I missed) and our plans for it are really extremely ambitious and huge, far beyond a straight remake. [/QUOTE] Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think there was much in the ways of voice overs in the Xen levels. The only speaking lines are the couple of cryptic phrases from the Nihililanth and the G-man's speech. [QUOTE=foxy87;46917754]I would like to have HEV zombies in Xen, especially the Gonarch's Lair.[/QUOTE] And I wouldn't have minded seeing HECU zombies, but they weren't in the original game either.

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46917056]Lovely juvely :v: Happy to answer any questions from people which are within my power. We really want to be more involved with the community this time round, hence why I'm our "community manager". Woo.[/QUOTE] In the steam release with updated models, will the MP5 be the M4 like in the half life hd pack?

[QUOTE=Galen;46918751]In the steam release with updated models, will the MP5 be the M4 like in the half life hd pack?[/QUOTE] M4 and Beretta were cut long before the initial release.

[QUOTE=foxy87;46917754]I would like to have HEV zombies in Xen, especially the Gonarch's Lair.[/QUOTE]i think i read somewhere that the little bit around the neck of the HEV suit protects that from happening idk it'd still be a cool thing to fight

[QUOTE=TextFAMGUY1;46917006]Xen requires new technology (some of which comes from engine port, which took us an excruciatingly long time), a huge array of new models and textures, concepts, plans, particles, NPCs, code, scripting, choreography, [B]voice lines[/B], refinement, testing, sounds (and much more that I'm sure I missed)[/QUOTE] Does this mean....audio logs for various dead HEV scientists scattered around Xen? I fucking love games that have audio logs that give you bits of something that happened and I would love stuff like that in HL

[video=youtube;uNCu_spSlwY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNCu_spSlwY[/video] [url]http://www.moddb.com/members/michaeltannock/images/mark-iv-hev-suit-female#imagebox[/url] [url]http://www.moddb.com/mods/black-mesa-hazard-course/images/battery#imagebox[/url]

For a second there I thought that was official Black Mesa content.. However he is in the Black Mesa Dev Group on Moddb [editline]13th January 2015[/editline] [QUOTE=Bloodshot12;46921904]Does this mean....audio logs for various dead HEV scientists scattered around Xen? I fucking love games that have audio logs that give you bits of something that happened and I would love stuff like that in HL[/QUOTE] There are alive Scientists on Xen you know. And the nihilanth speaks.

Actually given the number of dead scientists on Xen, I'd love to see a mod exploring Black Mesa's initial forays into Xen.

[QUOTE=artDecor;46922577]Gina[/QUOTE] it's not that great

Doesn't look like a very genuine walk.