Ruins
Anders "Pampers" Schei has been hard at work on Duel_Ruins, one of the first maps specifically made for multi-arena dueling. Therefore it is a much larger map than the others we have showcased, and will be the first multiduel map shown while the others undergo modification.
Tester Videos
We have a couple of videos that some of the closed beta testers have recorded that give you and unedited, uncut look at playtesting Berimbau.
First up, we have a short video by Magnus Mastah showcasing two quick duels:
Secondly, we have a very long video (over 9 minutes!) from Razgriz with a full server of testers:
Beta Testing
We're going to be pulling more testers into the fold as we tune the mod more and more towards being as user friendly and accessible as possible. Therefore, we've opened up our Steam Community and are asking anyone interested in playtesting Berimbau to join up. We'll be inviting players directly from the Steam Community to test the game.
Addendum - We've reached around 50 testers now and are interested in doubling that number, so if you want to try out Berimbau early and give us your feedback to help shape the game, join the Steam Community!
Mod of the Year
We were lucky enough to make it to the Top 100 Unreleased Mods of 2008. We thank everyone for their support and it's fantastic to know you guys are watching our mod so closely. We now ask for your vote one more time as we enter Phase Two of voting, where the Top 100 are narrowed down to 5.
Hi guys!
The mod is looking great, even for work in progress...! It surpasses many of the released mods out there, truly amazing...
However I do have some suggestions on improvements that could be made:
I noticed after watching Magnus Mastah's showcasing, that either you're using the footstep sounds from Half-Life 2 or you're using something else, but either way; the sounds are way too loud and are not in sync with movements. If you're still using the footstep sounds, maybe you should make them more subtle and more frequent so it sounds accurate with the player's movements? And oh, one last thing; if you're using the HL2-dying sound you better get rid of it. The best way to make Berimbau feel like something of it's own, not even closely compared to half-life 2, then that's the way to go IMO...
Hope you're not offended, just a few friendly words of advice. :) I'm fully aware that it's work in progress, but I thought I'd give you a heads-up since noone else has. I LOVE what you've done with the mod, keep up the good work! ;) I'll be voting on this for MOTY2009...
I was just about to say I'd like to have a play of this, then I read about the beta, so I joined up :)
Good points there KakistoZ. I too noticed the sounds, but mostly just the custom sounds. It'd be nice to hear more varied and higher quality sounds. I noticed that the voice sounds don't suit the characters very well, but of course it's a beta :).
Still looks fun to play. I like the pace and also hiding and ambushing intrigues me...
Yea, the sounds needs a overhaul..
Map looks awesome, reminds me of cs_aztec or whatever and I'm not even a counter-strike fan! The community will love this mod when it comes out.
The more I see this mod, the more amazing it is. Forget Zeno Clash, sword duals = awesome.
Ever discuss the idea of single player? Could make a fantastic story that would blend well with the gameplay. :)
Thanks Will! Once you see it you can't unsee it.
HEY THAT'S ME, I'M ON TV!! :D The mod is fantastic guys, and I wish I could beta test some more, but my PC is back in the shop, KIA. :(
Either way, its fantastic, keep up the great work.
*Whoops, this was meant to be a reply to the first poster. :/
*WOW okay, I'm done trying to post a direct reply, since its obviously not working today. >_<
Anyway, this is directed at the FIRST poster:
I totally agree with you as regards to the sound, but I just assumed that since its still pretty early in development, they were just using HL2 sound assets until they had their own sounds up and running.
I would have to say that I'm more looking forward to seeing an improvement in the animation, such as the movement animation, and the transitions between attacks and stances.
As regards to game balance, everything seemed to be almost spot-on during my *short* playtime.
Don't worry, direct reply wasn't working for me either :|
i wana be a tester grab me
Lookin' pretty sweet! Is it always just one on one action? It would be crazy to have team duels or melee battles. Also, maybe more varied maps with different terrains?
I'm down to test too.
looking nice guys. Been dying to try something different.
I think you need victory poses :P, and a less sudden and/or obtrusive post-duel scoreboard. Also, I think the voiced sounds (exertion, death, taunt) need more work - more variation maybe? Personally I'm very fond of the Nova's victory laugh from One Must Fall 2097 (DOS fighting game), for anyone that knows that game - and I'd like to see something similar in this :P (so long as it suits, of course).
Just read the other comments, and agree regarding the sounds. But also understand it's a work in progress. Then again, *since* it's a work in progress, you want our feedback, right? :P
Too late to edit :/
What I mean is that the deaths are too abrupt; I think they should be more... dramatic (victory poses/taunts for example), maybe add some of that slow-motion magic to the deaths. Maybe the scoreboard could fade in. And/or maybe the scoreboard would appear to the bottom right corner so that it doesn't obstruct the view of the fighters.
Couldn't agree more! And to top it to be even better than that:
COOP CAMPAIGN...!
Oooh... I think I just came... ^^
Hm... I meant my previous "reply" for Midnitte's post at number 5 from above. I was expecting it would end up next to his post... Oh well...
well, the dueling type gameplay lends itself better to single-player I think. but i agree.
Again, great work. This has a lot of potential.
This mod was talked about on this weeks edition of Podcast17: Podcast17.com