Chamber One mod for Portal 2

9 comments by Kizzycocoa on May 21st, 2012

I am seeing a lot of hostility to the Perpetual Testing Initiative, ever since relaunching this project.

I personally see it as a huge shame that some people still hold near-elitist views to mapping. I experienced that on Thinking With Portals, where their only advice was "quit mapping".

the PTi is less advanced, yes. but can you really say it is bad? because of it, we have a way to download community maps, to create our own easier, to allow others to dip their toes into level design, and it's all rated so you can find the cream of the crop.

Yet, the PTI is bad? this is a mind-boggling situation.

I want to make it clear, I will be using Hammer eventually for Chamber One.

The key word here is, "eventually". I plan to continue editing/creating in the PTI, and then, once fully released, refine it in Hammer.

There is a way to use the PTI, while still retaining the use of Hammer. While the move is purely one-way, it is there non-the-less, so puzzles MUST be near-perfect for a smooth transferral.

To do so, simply type "puzzlemaker_export map_name", where "map_name" is the name of the exported map's file. It will export the last edited file.

So, even the whole "PTI maps are bad" cannot hold water, as PTI maps could create the basic framework of a Hammer map, without needing to tirelessly edit in Hammer. PTI can provide a solid base for puzzles. a way to easily test maps, before exporting them into another application. It even takes care of all the complex stuff, like aerial faith plate configuration.

So, don't judge the PTI by it's "mainstream-ness". see it as a potential to RAPIDLY speed up your own mapping, for editing later on. It does not have to be this kiddie-map editor that everyone hates because it creates diversity and more creative/intricate maps that, for many users, would have been much harder in Hammer.

Chamber One is being developed through the PTI. But it will be edited in Hammer, once all maps are complete to their barest. which is a pretty high standard for me.

--Kizzycocoa