500+ Trackers, Changes news

I want to start this news post by thanking all of you for your support and interest in this project. All of your advice, observations and ideas have been great assets to the progression of this project, and have led to what I have up to this point. I appreciate all of the suggestions and ideas that have pushed me to constantly improve things. I've listened closely and taken all of the feedback very seriously, and will continue to do so in the future. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Now, on to business.

Upcoming Changes:
Maps:

Labwork
I've decided to focus on one part of this story as opposed to trying to release 8-10 hours of gameplay all at once. The decision was lingering for months, even as I built new areas, though they were mainly conceptual work. Finally, an article on Planet Phillip tilted the scales in one direction.

While Im happy with all of the different areas constructed, they all just dont fit together in a seamless experience. The Tech Maps, with their deep greens and darker trim just dont dont fit with the Lab Maps. The Crew Quarters dont match either, and none of it really fits together in a seamless experience. Each style is distinctly different, which was the original intent. Unfortunately, they wound up being so different and distinct, they really just break the atmosphere of the Mod. Even if I changed the textures to match, the construction of each is so vastly different that I think it still wouldnt fit together.

And so, I am most likely not going to include the Tech Maps in this particular chapter of the NovaCor Story. I am most likey not going to include the Crew Quarters maps either. However, both locations will most definitely be used in future chapters of the NovaCor story.

This decision was very hard, as it essentially puts months of work on a backburner, but I really feel it is a good move for overall progression of this Mod.

The benefit of this decision is that I now get to focus all of my efforts on the Lab maps. Instead of trying to create hundreds of new models for each different area, I can focus efforts on making a specific set of models in a specific style. This decision will also extend the play time of the Labwork Chapter of the story.

Location:
I am also going to slightly change the location of the Mod, to not a Research Station orbiting planet R96b, but a Station on one of its moons. This will allow me to construct outdoor areas as well as retain the isolated, sometimes confined atmosphere I have created. The promised space battle will still take place, and the low gravity sequence will still be included, so nothing is lost in this change.

Related to the change in maps, the Labwork Chapter is to take place on a facility dedicated solely to several types of research, from genetics to weapons to other technology and biology. In doing so, the maps will still have a great variety of style, from confined, clausterphobic levels to open areas and levels with a heavy vertical element. The difference is, all will be constructed in the style of the previously constructed Labwok maps, with the support ribbing, color scheme and general construction techniques.

Textures:
Finally, Ive begun the process of adding bumpmapping and specular reflectivity to the textures in this chapter. Ive had a few comments over the months about how everything is flat. Ive reinforced all along that I will be adding these extra parameters, and now progress is coming along. Along with that come some revised textures for the doors and trim, as well as a whole new library of animated textures to bring life to the models and environment in general. Many of the computer screens are being replaced with updated skins, so keep your eyes open for updates on that.

Reflectivity

Updated door skins, specular masks (normalmap alpha channel)

Models and Props
Last but not least, we have a bit on models and props. I am once again reworking many of the models previously shown. All of the computer terminals and consoles are being redesigned, as well as their skins. The Infected NPCs are being reskinned to be a little less bloody and a lot more believeable, as are the uninfected Crewmembers.

Updated Terminals

As far as weapons go, pretty much nothing is set in stone yet. You may have noticed a wrench from HL2 in a few of the recent screens, just one of many melee weapons Ive been playing with. This particular one was purely experimental; and will NOT be included in the Mod. I have asked permission to use a few models from experienced Modellers, and have gained permission from at least one as of this posting. The modeller was vey kind in allowing me to use any weapons I should see fit for my Mod, which was very generous. (The creator of the laser P90 I am using for now) Ive also been granted permission by 8472to use his M16 from Dissolution, which, by the way, you should check out.

Aside from those two, I have a couple of prospects for the Pistol slot, the shotgun slot and the slot used by the Pulse Rifle and M16. Grenades I will model myself, as well as the melee weapon.