Metroid: Search for Samus

[UPDATED]
Just thought I'd update this first post. I'm hosted at wc3modforge, so here's a link to there. Everything you want to know about the project should be there, specifially in the sticky threads. Screenshots are in the screenshots and skins threads, although many of them are outdated.

http://wc3modforge.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=392

And here's the original post, if you want to read about the project near it's beginnings:




Hi, I'm making a multiplayer team Metroid map called "Metroid: Search for Samus" (MSfS). I'm already done quite a bit, and have planned basically all of it so far, except it's not really hosted anywhere, so I started this thread. Mainly, what I need is feedback (not ideas), and I can also answer any questions you have about the map. Also, I will eventually NEED a modeller, and *maybe* a skinner or cinematics person later.
I've known about the Metroid mod hosted here for awihle, but I found out about it after I had started making the map (and had planned a lot of it too). However, this map will be completely different, it is not a campaign, and it is meant to be played over and over (with a semi-randomized map each time), with a game length of 30-90 minutes. I'm hoping it will be a bigger success than the last map I finished, Pyramid Escape. So, if you're interested, read ahead

Gameplay info:
- 1-6 players
- 3 skill levels (the easiest one will still be very challenging)
- You can respawn as much as you want until a timer runs out, which is determined by the number of players
- All item locations will be randomized (but sorted into categories, ie. teir 1 items are closer to the start)
- Miniboss locations are random
- There is no sequence to follow, you only NEED a few items, but it will be virtually impossible to survive without more, and your path may be very limited
- You start in the center, and can split up and go in any direction at the start
- Interesting puzzles, that present different challenges each time you solve them, depeding on your current abilites
- There will be 3 endings, each with a unique final area and boss
- 6 different "heroes", just to keep it a little more different each time you play
- [Update] Very customizable camera options that follow where you click, making it far easier to control than most maps. Also has enemy targetting for the camera (like in metroid prime)
- You can jump, which basically makes you a flying unit temporarily
- You can crouch or use morph ball to dodge air enemies
- Fun random-ish enemy AI, especially for minibosses and bosses, and some enemies will change height to make dodging more challenging
- fighting enemies is NOT LIKE KILLING CREEPS, you will be forced to dodge and attack at the same time, or you will probably die
-Big variety of enemies, presenting different challenges depending on what powerups you have
- Ammo system (of course) for missiles, super missiles, and power bombs
- Has most abilities from previous games (excluding spider ball, spring ball, grapling beam, wide beam, ice/diffusion missiles, and game-specific storyline abilities)
- I've tried to make it as easy to learn as possible, with quests used ONLY for reference, and event-triggered hints to use as a tutorial (hints can be tunred on/off for each player)
- Custom metroid music (remixed by me) and sounds (WC3 music can be also be played, with songs corrosponding to the default metroid songs)

That will probably answer any questions you may have had =]
If you still have any, please note I won't be telling any storyline related information, other than what is already presented in the newest beta.




Progress:
Ability triggers: 100%
Enemy triggers: 100%
Miniboss and boss triggers: 30%
Other gameplay triggers: 100%
Storyline related triggers: 40%
Terrain: 0% (I'm not starting that until the demo is done, but a plan is complete)
Unit editing: 90%
Music and sounds: 100%
Skins: 80%
Models: 90%
Custom buttons: 100%


'Prelude' map Progress:
Ability triggers: 100%
Enemy triggers: 100%
Miniboss and boss triggers: 90%
Other gameplay triggers: 100%
Storyline related triggers: 80%
Terrain: 95%
Unit editing: 99%
Music and sounds: 100%
Skins: 100%
Models: 90%
Custom buttons: 100%



- NEWEST DOWNLOAD - (this one's obsolete and full of memory leaks, within the week I should be releasing a much better one)

Standard I'd say, probably too big to take on your hands, even though the features are not too hard to make. Point remains that I don't know you well Warlord.

The features sounds good, interesting as well. But the fact remains that I'm not fond at the point that it is based on a different game - I hate projects that are based on different games, premade stories (WCIII as example), movies, anime, books, etc. - or so. But still, I wish you luck though, especially since you already finished a lot of stuff.
Check your triggers though, this new patch *could* have messed some things up. I'm not sure if it did, but enough patches did that to people.

-Fladian

This version is from after the patch, and there were many bugs I had to fix, hopefully I got them all.

Yeah, I'm not very active here, but I hope that can change now that I actually have a thread =)

And I forgot to post a link to my model request thread before, here it is:
http://www.wc3campaigns.com/showthread.php?t=62612


[edit]
I was in a hurry when I posted the thread, and I'm still wondering how and if I accidently started the thread in Team Gathering..... Could it be moved to Campaign/Team Discussion? Or is that only for hosted projects?

ill test it in a minute ok war

Probably not, you see, I am preparing to leave the forum ^^ Though 50 - 75% chance says I stay, still the other 50 - 25% says I leave. So, I actually hope we dn't get to know each other ;) - meaning that I have to leave.

Right, I'll be moving it.

REVIVED

Ok, the map is nearing completion, in about a week I will post a version with basically most of the building blocks of the map, a few randomish rooms to explore, all the items, finished controls, options, and abilites, and even some minibosses. Once again, if you want to make models or skins, don't hesitate to post in my model request thread

I was about to say "this thread is dead" until I saw your name Friendly. ;)

So, what you are releasing is more of a demo, right?
-Fladian

Yes. But with all the items in the first room, it's just the WIP map, not like a playable trailer. Maybe I should make a little teaser map instead though...

[edit]
You're allowed to put a non-WC3C-hosted map picture in your sig, right?

Only as an answer to your Editting, yes, as far as I know, you may do that. I might be mistaking, but as far as I know...

-Fladian

Ill help with cinematics warlord ok?


And I can geomerge and stuff for you but I only model for my halo mod.


I can make a webpage and forum also.

For cinematics, I actually don't need a whole lot. Mainly just stuff when you win. And unfortunately, they can't really be made until the terrain and certain units are done. But you can definately do the cinematics once I'm done the needed parts =]

A webpage and forum might not be neccessary, seeing how little attention this is getting here =[ Well, thanks for the offer, but there's little to work with right now for the cinematics.


I'll be releasing the "demo" in a few days now, assuming I can get everything to work. It won't be a scenario before the final map takes place, and the whole metroid mood isn't complete without the models, so it'll just be a kind of showcase/test map. It'll actually be pretty impressive, the enemies and minibosses are fun and challenging, and the abilities are a huge step up from regular warcraft stuff. But don't even think of playing it online, it's not at a stage where it's an actual "game", there's only a few rooms and most of the items are in the first one. Be back soon!


[UPDATE]
The demo will be completed by Monday. This version is a huge step up from the last one, so whether you saw it or not, you should check out the new one in a few days. With some help, I might even get the entire map completed by January. And now, I'm back to mapping ^_^

It's nice to see a Metroid map around, principally since I've been in a 'Metroid' mood lately (Beat Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion over the span of the last 2 weeks). I haven't played the maps you put up yet, but by the way you're writing of it in your posts, it must be great. Keep up the good work!

I'm going to spend a few days with my grandparents, probably until New Year. My grandfather's PC can't run WC3 but it CAN run Paint Shop Pro, so I was thinking of continuing to develop my skinning skills. If you want, I can help you with skinning (I could also sketch & color a loading screen or the minimap). I've been minimally busy lately, so I probably could help. Give me a thumbs up if you'd like :). One could probably say I live at my PC, so it shouldn't be hard to contact me ;).

I haven't seen this map in a long time, last time I saw it was probobly in July or August back on Wc3ModForge. Its good to see you are still working on this, this looked like a very interesting project and the models were exceptional. I hope you finish I can't wait to play it.

I should have the demo posted here later today. There was a crucial bug that I couldn't fix until now, so it's taken longer than planned.


There's not much to skin at the moment, since the models should probably be made first. But here's a list of skins:

Tileset skins:
- some sort of dark muted purple generic-metroid-ish stone floor (to replace the purple tiles in the Dalaran Ruins tileset)
- a wall skin to go with the floor

Chozo:
I made an ok skin but it could use improvement, I can post the skin. What format with layers does PSP use?

Space Pirate:
Probably will be based on an existing model (or an edit of one), so it can be skinned before model is finished. But, I haven't decided which model yet (any ideas?)

These need new models, so it would be better to leave the skins for now:
- Metroid
- Ship

There's also a few "secret" skins that would spoil stuff in the map, so I won't say what they are here

And that's probably it for the skins. The loading screen and everything else is all done


You must be refering to the models for Metroid:Prophecies =P

OK. I'll give a shot at the 'dark muted purple generic-metroid-ish stone floor' you need :P. How do you want the walll skins though? Should I make the walls look natural, or filled with wires and the like?
About the skin you made, just post it as a .blp/.jpg. I'll take it from there.