Situation Outbreak is an Orange Box mod about the impending zombie apocalypse. Armed with nothing but a 9mm and a pair of brass knuckles, you must do whatever it takes to survive against the thousands of zombies that used to be your friends and neighbors. The cost of failure is nothing less than your free will. There are no heroes. No single person can save the world and there are not enough bullets to go around. The only thing left to do is to kill the damned, hoping that you don’t end up like them.

Report RSS Monthly Development Blog: December '09

All about Situation Outbreak's new up-and-coming gamemode Extermination, as well as Situation Outbreak: SP and a whole lot more. Check it out!

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I just thought I'd let everyone know what we've been focused on since the release of v1.52 of Situation Outbreak. The progress we've made has been amazing, from the completion of the layout of our single-player variant of the modification to making the finishing touches on our new gamemode, Extermination. There's a lot to talk about, so without further ado, I'll get right into it!

Extermination
By far our biggest project we've been working on is Extermination. In this gamemode, players go head-to-head as either a member of the Survivors or enlist in the Military to take down the opposing team. But beware! Creepers, reapers and seekers continue to lurk around every corner, and they certainly aren't loyal to any side.

This time around, we've really tried to incorporate ideas and map layouts that have already proven to be successful in other Source games, like Counter-Strike: Source and Day of Defeat: Source. The mentality behind this is that we want players to enjoy their experiences on an Extermination map right away without having to wait for bug fixes and adjustments. While the map itself is on the smaller side, it is still totally immersive and really gets players thinking strategically as far as what route to take, where to take cover and when to hide. This is what we're trying to bring out most in Extermination maps.

Situation Outbreak: SP
The next big thing the team has been doing, especially Harrison, is SO's single-player modification. The layout of the map is complete, so now it's just the matter of detailing and working on scripted sequences. We've also enlisted LoudCore to do most of our voice acting and ambient sounds, so things are really starting to come along. We hope to have everything done on this front before the end of January, ideally late December around the holidays or early January, but there is no clear date for completion at this time. Stay tuned throughout this week and next week for media regarding this project.

Misc. Features
Situation Outbreak is maturing, and as the community and the team begin to wind down on ideas, we've still got plenty of miscellaneous features completed and in the works to talk about and show you guys.

-> Benelli Semi-Automatic Shotgun
Just when you thought there were enough weapons in the mod, here comes the Benelli! A special thanks to Robin and his team at Base 2 Base for allowing us to use this model in SO. Of course, we made the animations and necessary adjustments.

-> Military Soldier NPCs
With the introduction of the Extermination gamemode in the next release of Situation Outbreak, we've prepared a new NPC for use in any gamemode: the military soldier. This beast will attack most anything that moves, including any survivors or zombies. This really opens up some new doors for mappers, so we hope that once this is available to the public, folks will take advantage of this excellent NPC and use it in their own SO maps. A special thanks goes out to Kaffi of Facepunch and others who let us use this excellent model.


-> FMOD Sound System & Dynamic Ambient Sounds
We're proud to announce that we've implemented FMOD, a powerful sound system, for all of our ambient sounds. This free-to-use product has allowed our coding team to create a truly unique ambient sound system that determines how dangerous a player's surroundings are based on enemies around them and adjusts the pace and intensity of a map's ambiance accordingly. Think of it as the L4D series' director on steroids! Samples of each sound tier - there are currently four - will be released in the coming weeks.

-> Zombait!
Of course, if you haven't heard the news already, the next release of SO will include a new weapon called Zombait! which distracts zombie NPCs for just enough time for players to get the hell out of a potentially dangerous and life-threatening situation. Have a look:


Much more is on the way, including zombie classes, at least three additional maps and a whole bunch of other stuff we simply cannot tell you guys about yet, so stay tuned!

Post comment Comments
GlitchedSystem Creator
GlitchedSystem - - 111 comments

Saving the first comment cause it's bound to happen.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

No one can see this yet but you, me, and the rest of the guys on the team, so I think we're safe for a bit. =D

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izzysinz
izzysinz - - 316 comments

Very impressive to see you guys coming so far. My personal opinion though is that you should try to make your own custom content more often rather than borrowing from other places. This is only my opinion and im not having a dig at the team at all. I like what your doing but i just believe its more gratifying if its all your own work. If they are placeholders then my mistake.

Keep up the good work and i look forward to the singleplayer version.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

I understand your concern, but all of the other weapons except for the semi-automatic shotgun and the frag grenade are 100% in-house, so it's really not a big deal if we're getting permission to use content here and there in my opinion. Eventually we do hope to have made SO a total conversion, but considering our resources at this time, it simply isn't possible right now.

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azultain1999
azultain1999 - - 1,445 comments

It is ever sunday?! <sunday caramal>

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

The next release of SO will probably come around the holidays towards the end of December if all goes well, but we're not making any promises quite yet. I'll post an exact date as soon as I have one.

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RockerFox
RockerFox - - 359 comments

wow, looks nice

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emetalce
emetalce - - 472 comments

This is a step in the right direction. I look forward to playing this when the new patch is out!

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treat
treat - - 118 comments

Extermination is exactly the kind of game mode more AI heavy multiplayer games desperately need. Coop is one thing, but any red versus blue game mode can benefit from AI hazards thrown in for complexity and bonus excitement. I really hope this pans out.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Very much in agreement with you on this one. Thanks for sharing that and I can assure you that this gamemode will be included in the next release. In fact, the gamemode itself is actually complete, we just need some more maps before we go ahead and include it in the mod.

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treat
treat - - 118 comments

I'm glad for that, although - while I haven't played this mod - I think it's important to note that porting one mode of play over to another requires some specific tweaking and I hope that it isn't overlooked. Having the same number of zombies spawn in versus play as would normally spawn in coop (unless spread across a much wider area) would detract too much from the team vs team aspect and people would, in turn, concern themselves with surviving the AI rather than surviving the opposing team. I feel like the AI should be a distraction and a hazard, not a focus. This is just something I've noticed of attempted implementation of this concept, which usually falls flat.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Indeed, I agree with this as well. That's why in the slums map there are only around six zombies present on the map at any given time. They also don't usually go out hunting players, but rather hide in darker areas and wait for players to pass by. I think this makes them more of a hazard rather than a whole new opponent to be concerned about. I'm sorry I didn't mention this in my initial reply.

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card176
card176 - - 81 comments

OOOO i can't wait for Extermination and the Benelli (..Boom Boom...) also is all that for 1.52? because it looks SWEET and the thing that would make this mod even more awesome is that if you implemented a system similar to the GOREgeous Gib system used in BrainBread. the soldier NPC is a GREAT idea because finally you get a AI enemy that can kill you from range just like in HL1

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

We're working on a more sophisticated gib system, but I'm not sure if it will be completed any time soon. There's more on the way for the next release than just what was mentioned here, but I'm glad to here you approve of our changes so far. =)

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AAAStudios
AAAStudios - - 136 comments

extermination mode looks interisting and yay zombie class

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Jesternz08
Jesternz08 - - 410 comments

Zombait gave me a good laugh thanks :) haha

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Highmist
Highmist - - 473 comments

Hmm, i like the update but....why does the solder attack survivors? wouldnt he want to help them? or are they semi-viral, but have common sense to kill whats trying to kill them? just wondering. But love the Benelli, and as much as i would love to see the zombait, my IC wont load it D: gl!

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Stubby
Stubby - - 207 comments

Well, After being abandoned by the government the rebels believe they deserve the land they held and survived on.

See "World War Z"

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Indeed, Stubby is right. In times of chaos, anything can happen, and when you have a virus going around when things are totally out of control, you'd be surprised what the government is willing to do to its own people. >=D

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Nebcake
Nebcake - - 443 comments

I will be looking forward till then

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Croco15
Croco15 - - 1,240 comments

Looks sweet.

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awesomepossum
awesomepossum - - 997 comments

Lol great video!

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death5421
death5421 - - 342 comments

nice stuff guys, keep it up!

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Heroman117
Heroman117 - - 57 comments

I have been a fan since back when this mod was called zombiemod and the new extermination mode concept is one i have always wanted implemented in a mod. Two opposing teams who have mare than each other to worry about. The SP part sounded a little odd for a multiplayer mod, will it be a tutorial map or just a quick mission? sounds cool though and i hope it works out. One other thing i hope you will add for the next update is another boss for the boss system. Because i like the cloud boss but it would add little more variety to there be another one. I'm not the most creative person ever but i think it would be really cool to have a really big zombie that would be completely transparent at a distance but become more opaque as it came closer. It could have not a lot of health so its not an instant game-ender or something like that but thats just a little idea i had. Good job guys and keep up the great work.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Glad to hear you like our changes so far and what we have planned for the future. This was a really thoughtful comment so I'd like to give you a nice thoughtful response.

SP will be released in episodes, each round 30 to 45 minutes long. It'll be classified as a horror-puzzle FPS and will feature one main character trapped in an asylum trying to make their way out against thousands of zombies and military personal. Details will follow in the coming weeks.

A new boss should be ready for the next release of the mod. We actually had a weak ghost-ish figure in mind who does a fair amount of damage, which seems to fit with your suggestion. Once we're done with this boss, we'll release all the information you'll ever need on it. In the meantime, stay tuned. =)

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Halfmoon
Halfmoon - - 113 comments

Mod is awesome, but hope you guys make a better UI. For everything.

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UkrainaGuy1111
UkrainaGuy1111 - - 492 comments

Could you guys also make more models that have a higher standard than the ones ingame? You cant even aim with some of them because of their models

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Our modeling and texturing team is busy with other projects, but they should be back soon in the coming months. In the meantime, we're probably not going to be able to improve our weapon lineup very much. I have reorigined each of the weapons though to give them a better feel and have repositioned their ironsights so that they are more accurate.

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cW#Ravenblood - - 6,703 comments

cool :3

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ThePeanutBaron
ThePeanutBaron - - 249 comments

Zombait = Boomer vial?

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Sort of, yeah, though the idea really came from the pipe bomb since zombies under the influence of Zombait! don't attack each other or anything, they just get distracted and run over to where you threw it. Nothing wrong with using successful ideas as long as they are uniquely executed, eh? =)

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Dr.Goupyl
Dr.Goupyl - - 2,269 comments

Looks cool but that's will really change my ideas of game... I'm really impatient to see more for make me an opinion. =)

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GViper12
GViper12 - - 14 comments

Hey....played the game..been in love with this game i think since v1.51 i think, or sooner...But i have finally made a comment..just became a member of moddb about 6 mins ago..just to comment you guys about your game, I LOVE IT!, finding a mod which has 6 game modes is unheard of..but then finding a mod which has a similar appearance of buying weapons, and ammount and quantity of weapons is unheard of also..But AgentRedProductions have seemed to jump the fence here..Which this game is very valuable..and could possibly actually make and sell this game in the future..But ive seen the posts of the future updates v1.53 and Extermination is one of those great things a game could have.. This is by far the best and most played mod i have right now..And i try to keep the gaming alive by playing the game even when no one is on it..So if someone decides to check the servers..hey theres one person, which leads to 2,3,4,5 and so on..I can keep talking about this game forever, but i must tell you that all my friends agree with me, this is the best zombie mod out there..And that my friends is all i can say.. AgentRedProductions have turned this zombie mod into a work of art..I have never played a mod like this..and am glad it is not dead. Ill try to be on the servers as much as possible..Thanks for everything AgentRedProductions.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Thank you very much for your comments. We really appreciate what you had to say and take it to heart. We will strive to continue to make Situation Outbreak the absolute best mod it can be and to get the word out about what it has to offer. =)

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mikaelqz
mikaelqz - - 322 comments

cool

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Kamikazi[Uk]
Kamikazi[Uk] - - 1,412 comments

Nice Advert but it's just another Zombie mod i'm really sick of seeing them now.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Have you even played the mod? It's different from all the others out there, though I'm sure you've heard that a lot by now. Give it a go and see what you think. =P

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StoneCrowUK
StoneCrowUK - - 308 comments

looking forward to the extermination gamemode, been wanting something like this for a long time

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dave_5430
dave_5430 - - 2,114 comments

Tried to play this solo, got swarmed with fast zombies even before I spawned.

Sorry man it's just too hectic as of yet, ya really gotta fix this stuff.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

It's sort of impossible for you to be killed by zombies before you spawn, but disregarding that, the mod is supposed to be fast-paced and arcade-like. If you don't like that than I understand as the mod isn't for everyone, but telling us to "fix" something that doesn't need fixing is just wrong. Are you aware there is more than one gamemode? Did you play more than one map or did you rage quit as soon as you died?

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PaperChops
PaperChops - - 176 comments

any chance you might modify the installer so that we can choose the place to install manually?

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Sorry, but if we were to do that I can almost guarantee you that we'd get complaints about how the installer doesn't work. In fact, I know so because we used to have it that way and folks complained about it. If you have a program like 7z, you should be able to right-click on the installer and extract the files, then manually move them to wherever you want them to go.

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ATIXIUM
ATIXIUM - - 68 comments

HELL YEAH Finally! I will be working more on the experiment vehicle map, thanks for the confirmation on extermination

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Glad to hear it. =)

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ChaoticNeutral
ChaoticNeutral - - 403 comments

"Very impressive to see you guys coming so far. My personal opinion though is that you should try to make your own custom content more often rather than borrowing from other places. This is only my opinion and im not having a dig at the team at all. I like what your doing but i just believe its more gratifying if its all your own work. If they are placeholders then my mistake.'

**** YOU! PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE MODS TAKE FOREVER TO BE RELEASED AND MAKE **** MODELS!

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

Bah, he's right in a general sense, it's just that 90% of the weapon models and player reskins are ours, so it really doesn't apply in this case in my opinion.

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ChaoticNeutral
ChaoticNeutral - - 403 comments

They aren't exactly the best. The best I remember was the mp7.

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jamespizzurro Author
jamespizzurro - - 1,678 comments

I didn't say the best, I said they were ours. Your point is entirely irrelevant to this conversation.

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