Blogs - jurema_

Everyone in the modding community, and when i say everyone i mean pretty much everyone, tries to learn how to program for their mod or just for programmings sake. A lot of people, in my opinion, are going about learning it wrong. I see people do the same thing in higher level math courses, they try to learn the steps to solving the problem rather than comprehending the problem. Instead of coming up with their own steps to write a program, they just use a template.

This means that they are memorizing something that wont bleed into other aspects of programming, and essentially making it way harder than it should be. So next time you try and tackle C++ don't look up a series of "Hello World" tutorials, but rather a book that gives you exercises. I know this doesn't really anything to do with half life 2 coding, because i really don't know much half life 2 coding, but i have taught myself a lot of C++ fundamentals, without any outside help other than a book.

PS that book was C++ a beginners guide by herb schiltd its a good book that I'm about half way through. <!--Session data-->

So ive been kind of down lately, family stuff, you know. My mapping has slowed but my programming skills are getting better, im still learning the most fundamental stuff of core programming but I'm sure at this rate I can apply it to the source engine in a few months.

Morning faith is still being worked on, no worries, I haven't been pulling my fair share (Im a jerk), but I'm still doing some things. <!--Session data-->

Play it.

RD is one of the best HL2 mods out there. I played it today and couldn't stop, from start to finish i was hooked. This is how a mod should be, he didn't create it in 2 months and he didn't take 6 years either (NMRiH, im looking at you! joking of course). These puzzles absolutely destroy Valves attempts in the Half Life series, and even Portal.

Yes, its that good.

Gangland may or may not be dead. I don't know. Nobody knows really, but either way I've decided to go my separate ways with Avantis for now. Not saying that I wont work with them in the future, Matt is definitely a great guy but things just stuck right now.

So with that being said I'm looking for some modwork to occupy me during the summer. If it helps any i have like no friends, and I'm absolutely never going to get a job ever. Ever. Unless its unpaid modwork.

:>

mky

I now have my first position in game and level design! I'm working for Avantis studios first game, Gangland: 1920's. I'm pretty excited about the game, we've already gotten quite a bit of the GDD done and we now have 2d artists working on concept art!

Wish me luck as I dive into the world of indie mod development! I'll be posting screens and WIPs sporadically as i create them, not that anyone will be extremely impressed or anything... but some critisism would be nice.

Also I'd like to rant about the two mods im absolutely stoked about. The first, on a serious note is the Half Life 2 mod Raindrop. They must have a dream team over there, the writing is absoultely brilliant, the concept art is jaw dropping and the level design/enviromental art seems to be even better than some of valves work. You should definately keep your eyes on that one.

The second mod, however, is a bit silly. I'm talking about Kill@-Cows "cookie mod" The curious case of Clive and his Chrysanthemum. Although it might not be as realistic as some of these mods out here it definately strikes a chord of creativity.

As you probably know by now, im terrible at making up shit as i go... i just wanted to put a blog out there to seem a bit friendlier. Thanks for reading my crap! ~Mikey 'mky' McGinn