rock solid work on the updated models/skins. I don't envy trying to add polys to the player's face. We've got weirdly attached to old cereal box head these past almost 20 years, almost anything that isn't exactly the same is going to feel weird. 

Because they force players out of their comfort zones. An element of randomness in an otherwise routine gameplay scenario, and potentially deadly. However, this is also the very reason most players dislike or hate them. But isn't it great that, even after all the years, there's still something that makes people uneasy - a little bit like when we first encountered Shamblers and Archviles back then and how terrified it made us, while today they are danced away and treated like any other enemy.

As for Episode 4, the first few years I also considered it the weakest of them all. Reminded me of Doom's Inferno in the sense that it seemed like another example of dumping (Peterson's) maps that didn't fit anywhere else. But I've since come to like it a lot, not despite its strangeness but because of it. Ironically, whenever people talk about what makes Quake great they often mention things like strange, arcane and otherwordly places and supposedly Lovecraft-inspired themes - all of which is represented by E4, strongly condensed in it. Yet, when it comes to actually playing it, people like it least.

I'm not fundamentally opposed to so-called tamebabies like necros introduced them first, but one has to keep in mind they are different and remove a lot of the tension that original tarbabies create. 

I do agree somewhat. Maybe the other episodes would have benefited from the "tricksyness" of petersons maps, but peterson's maps weren't as pretty as the other episodes. I'm pretty sure this is all covered in Masters of Doom actually (it's a good read). 

was the best episode. 

New player is done, and it's a huge improvement:

http://quakeone.com/forums/quake-mod-releases/works-progress/9573-authentic-model-improvement.html 

but the model owns! 

Cheerio, here I go, on my way...

OK, it's 'honest injun' time; I no longer play Quake and have not done so for three or four years now. I did occasionally load up new levels and no-clip through to look around them but that didn't last long, and I even stopped mapping altogether for quite some time.

However, I always did enjoy knocking brushes together and so, on and off for the last couple of years, I have continued playing with the editor, and even 'toyed' with qc when it seemed right to do so. And of course, I never stopped visiting Func, especially when I needed help! But the trouble is that I go so long between mapping sessions that I usually have forgotten what I was doing or even how I was doing it.

This map (will you please welcome, from Norway, Mr and Mrs Tevvamap and their errant son Lars) has come out of a large map I had been playing with about four+ years ago where I was into big maps and wanted to create something that took up the whole 4096 x 4096 area (not cube). Obviously, it ended up breaking lots of limits and I eventually admitted defeat, cut it in half and released a finished map called FMB-BDG. But of course, I then continued to play around with the remaining half because I �couldn't let it lie�.

Unfortunately, this other 'half' also became too big for a single map and I have split it again. So, we now have a sort of FMB-BDG The Sequel, comprising of three maps; the original and two follow-ups. But you need to remember that they really were once upon a time all one interconnected map, and on top of that, the third map still breaks limits. Also, it's worth pointing out that when this was one large map, I found weapon-spacing quite difficult to manage - you have to tone down the monsters in line with the available weapons but then end up spending too much time with lowly monsters, creating somewhat imbalanced gameplay. To compensate, I have introduced a new trigger_bastard whereby... well, you'll find out if you play the map.

Anyway, also unfortunately, properly finishing it has become a bit of a chore (or maybe an albatross) and I have just run out of steam. It is too much work to throw away; it is too much work to properly complete. It is very definitely playable as it is and I think most will enjoy it. It still has music, which I remember was 50/50 liked/loathed, it still breaks limits but plays just fine in FitzQ, and the ending is weak. I've tweaked things in qc (amateurishly) that purists will moan about, and introduced nothing particularly new - it's just more same old FMB stuff. Oh, but I fixed the couple of problems that existed in FMB-BDG part one. If you play it with an open mind, I think it will provide 45-60 minutes of fun unless you find and use all the short-cuts. Oh, and some short cuts may lead to a dead-end - just like in real life - as I have not accounted for speed runners, trick jumpers or plain old thickos. I haven't got a clue whether or not this will play in other engines (I know fog will likely be an issue), so my advice is to use Fitzquake085. The map will be in News soon.

Regardless, it's been great fun over the years, some sixteen of them now. I have been coming here since day one, as well as the forum that preceded this one (can't remember the name). Thanks to everyone who has offered help and guidance during my visits. There are some great characters that frequent this site and they always make it interesting, although I still cannot comprehend why there is such vitriol at times. But I have just grown out of Quake. I am a big boy now and have other toys to play with (strains of Puff the Magic Dragon are playing in the background as tears roll down the cheeks). Hope someone gets some fun out of this last, albeit not quite finished effort. Also, hopefully, someone will be kind enough to put the file up on one of the Quake sites.

Who knows, perhaps one day we'll all meet again outside that final Gold Key Door in the sky. Cheers, it's time for me to go. 

It's a sad day when you have to permanently admit that further creations from someone whose creations you are interested in, are no longer going to appear.

But on the other hand, I understand why it makes sense to do different things; I've talked to others about pressures on keeping this interesting and or just use of free time after all these years.

I am a big fan of the idea of shared imaginative space, as... imaginative... as it utlimately is. I'll raise a glass at the celestial skull arch, where the scrolling blue sky meets the purple.

And I'll definitely look forward to playing this final piece. I've been interested since the first screenshot. 

In BsAs with Simon, until 3pm, when I catch a bus down to Patagonia. :)

If you do, bring decent cold weather hiking stuff, even in summer. I haven't, and a lot of really neat trails are closed to me because I'm a terrible planner. 

Sounds great to me! Thank you, Sir Woodham, for all that you have brought to the Quake table. I can't wait to savor your last repast and wish you nothing but good times in your future. Cheers! 

Mike rocks, his maps rocked, a great longstanding contribution to the scene :) 

ugh, i'm rusty. great stuff :D 

Thank you for all your maps and good luck for what's to come. Don't be a stranger. 

It always feels odd to me whenever someone says goodbye on a forum. Not mapping or visiting a forum again after so many years of hanging out seems a shame to me. If you love mapping that much (16 years) there is a good chance it is something you really enjoy.

I remember when you posted pictures of your latest map on func a couple of years ago, I thought they looked amazing. I took a copy of them and stuck them in my Q1 inspiration folder. When I was developing my MOD I often use to check my inspiration folder for ideas on shapes, style and form.

As I learnt recently, mapping at a slower speed is never a bad thing, especially when you produce quality projects. 

and maybe you just have to go cold turkey on it sometime. 

thanks for all the maps, enjoyed the heck out of them. 

very jealous.

And sock, are you living in BA or just visiting? 

@Nitin, yeah I live in BA, been here a while. I spoke to Lun a while ago and offered a place to stay, he seems to have itchy feet and wants to travel! Hopefully he will meet up with Ijed in Chile! :) 

for showing examples of floppy bursting levels,
and the heartache to get them back in again. 

Didn't know that sock - might drop you a line the next time I'm over there.

The mapping world is a small place indeed.

We'll miss you mike, thanks for the great maps. Now off to download your swansong.

And hope for a comeback tour. 

I always thought it was great as well. Rougher around the edges maybe, but full of iconic levels that stick in the mind.

Elder God Shrine
Palace of Hate
Azure Agony
Nameless City
Pain Maze

And I vaguely remember parts of the amphitheater level and the base level. 

The only thing that I really didn't care for was the way to the secret level. It was just a bit too clever.

And fuck Tar babies. They can be used but not in a really wide open place, they need to be in a level where they can be funneled a bit. They just move too quickly and randomly otherwise. 

Are great. 

Quake's melee weapon is an Axe?


http://planetromero.com/2010/01/gametales-axe-attack

http://24.media.tumblr.com/c596692cadbdace5cc8cc5a0b685dda5/tumblr_mk37rnjBN21r1ea7xo1_500.jpg 

Carmack always strikes me as some quiet introvert and then there's stuff like this...