Source Engine Level Design - HL2 Mod - Double Action
Hello Steemians, I used to be a level designer as a hobby for over 15 years, I was never the best, but I did make a lot of fun maps that people around the world enjoyed. I always wanted to be a professional level designer growing up. I did nearly all my work on Valve's Source Engine using Hammer Editor. On average one of my maps would take me 5 months to make, I only made a few maps a year as I preferred to work slowly. My focus was always on the fun as the priority, so the level design was where I focused my time. I would describe myself as a level designer first, environment artists second.
May I introduce to you my map called Nightcall!
This map was designed for over-the-top stunt-action Hollywood-esque shootouts. It was meant to be a luxurious bachelor pad that doubled as an art gallery. All the art in the map is from oil paintings that my friend made in real life!
The map was nearly finished, however, the support of this game disappeared; with that so did my effort. This is only a memory now, with many lessons learned!
The interior had to be designed to be open and without clutter, for the game had people doing flips and dives everywhere while shooting. I made the map fun to traverse, and you could do wall jumps to get to additional floors, and dive through skylights while shooting. The map had a nice flow, where you never felt cornered and could always keep moving and fighting. Yes, you could go on the roof!
This is where I ask for Steemians help.
I had to quit this hobby for it never earned me a penny. I strived to earn a profit on Valve's Workshop, but I never was skilled enough to make it. Many people in my life ridiculed me for being a hobbyist level designer, and after working months to complete something to be ready to show it off, nobody in my life really cared enough to even look at it. To them what I was making wasn't art, it was lost in translation; it was a waste of time to them.
In 2015 I retired my desktop computer and stopped doing all level design. Ever since I've been waiting around for details about Source Engine 2, while drooling over everything made in Unreal Engine 4. Lately I've been thinking about level design more because of Steemit. I feel like I could create maps and tutorials for level design that many Steemians would love. I feel Steemit could enable me to generate income for the hard work I'd put in, making it very rewarding for me.
For me to start doing level design in Unreal Engine 4, I'd need new hardware to say the least. I'm interested in making a map for Squad as a long term goal on UE4. I plan to hone my skills by making small art projects that have short deadlines and many restrictions. I'd really like to create tutorials as well for the Steemit community on D.tube for example, because I think level design is an amazing art anyone can learn who wants to.
Glimpse into my previous work.
Basilrun - Natural-Seletion 2
Battle for Aachen - Day of Infamy
Planet Namek - CryEngine 3
Helio Corp. - Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
De_Vandal - Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
De_Fresco - Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Winterlude - Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Thanks for checking out my blog! I have invested all of my personal money into Steemit I can spare, I am all in on Steemit! If i can raise enough funds on Steemit, I will definitely jump back into level design on Unreal Engine 4! Until then I will continue to post the highest quality content I can!
I will make detailed blog posts for each map in the future! Make sure to Follow and support me if you enjoy my work :D
Peace & Love Steemians.
You have got some serious skills. There seems no reason why would someone ridicule you for your hobby and especially when you are a kick-ass designer.
I hope we put you into some use in the future.
Wow... amazing work. You could definitely offer your services to an Architect and do very well. Have you done any modelling with AutoCAD or Revit ? Upvoted and Resteemed
Hye thank you so much! No I've never used AutoCAD or Revit. I definitely need to up my general understanding of architecture! But in some ways I feel I already have an eye for good design!
You sure do have an eye for good design.... do you create floor plans for all these buildings ? That is a ton of work
Really impressive, are you using something like "blender" software?
Yeah I would use Blender to make the objects in the map, and Hammer editor for everything else. I would also use Photoshop for making textures.
Wow.... incredible work. Upvoted and followed. I would like to learn how to make these.
Very cool, much talent. This is great stuff.
Big video game fan here so I can appreciate level design like this. Myself, I do not have much artistic talent in me...other than some music...but I always loved the idea of designing and creating. Perhaps that is why I have been having fun here, creating posts on Steemit.
Supporting you with an upvote, thanks for sharing.
Welcome to Steemit @zastels. You got skills man. Find a way to share it with the community. I believe you will have a great time here.
Based on the images you've posted, I believe that you are really talented with this craft. I wish you success on the Steemit platform! Upvoted.
Thank you so much! :D
You are welcome. I've pinged the founder of IAH Games if he is interested in an e-intro to you. I've shared your post with him. No promises. Will connect you guys if he is interested.
This is pretty amazing. Minecraft for professional designers. I loved building in Minecraft.
I used to do sales and sometimes when my designers were busy I would play with Canvas, a 3D rendering tool for the office furniture industry. It was fun as hell, almost too much fun.
What games could you use these maps in? Counterstrike?
You can make maps for any Source Engine game, like Counter-Strike or Day of Defeat. Any Valve game pretty much.
Welcome to steemit! Nice work, you are talented!
Just saw your post and you work is pretty amazing.
It's a pity that you didn't find any approval from your family for your work and that you couldn't earn money with it so far. I think on SteemIt some of you will appreciate and appreciate your work.
I wish you every success on SteemIt!
Thank you! Your blog seems very interesting btw, so you have a new follower :D
Thank you. If you want to succeed with your work at steemit then you have to work hard, be persistent and put much effort into your work and I guarantee you, that you will get the success you are looking for. Improve every day!
I love a minimalist aesthetic, so that first house looks like a place I'd like to live. I'm married though, so I'm not sure I'm allowed to get excited over a "bachelor pad."
I didn't realize support for Half Life 2 was dropped. That was one of my all-time favorite games.
I have the HTC Vive and was going to try the Unity engine. I simply do not have time. I really enjoy the few hours a month I get to use the thing and drawing in tiltbrush is so relaxing. Was thinking of hosting a virtual steem meet but there are so few people with headsets on here. I have found more people into #freemasonry than I have VR players!
Such a cool and interesting hobby. My hubby would love this too. He loves his games. He might even have played some of those countrstrike maps. I hope steemit can help you to pick it up again and who know make a living out of it! Good luck ;)
Wellcome to steemit .. Kamu hebat sekali.. :) dan gambar yang bagus
outstanding news. i like it.
Wow I love your 3D designs! Keep on! I will definetly support you :)
Good luck! I'm a Sci-Fi author trying to grow my reader base here on Steemit, so I feel you! Hope it works out for you.
Really great to welcome you @zastels. Can't wait to see what else you create in the future :)
We have all been where you are now. Hope you enjoy :)
I don't really know much around this space @zastels, but your work looks friggin amazing. Best of luck on this venture.
Welcome @zastels your talent won't go unnoticed on Steemit, great job and looking forward to more.
Very good 3d & art work all the post well degained
Amazing modelling... Keep rocking dude...
WOW - cool stuff.
Welcome to steemit! If you like beer, check the steemit #Beersaturday Challenge for fun and some SBD
Love your stuff man!
First of all welcome to steemit, you are a person with great talent. 👍 Hopefully you will find your place on the steemit platform.
welcome, you will be successful
into chiropractics? I make orthotics :) WELCOME TO STEEMIT
This post has received a 0.54 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @zastels.
resteem and upvote.
Wow great work here man! Too bad it never made you any money.
I think with steemit you have the opportunity to at least make a little while you put your name and work out there. I'm sure someone will come along that's willing to pay for quality content.
Resteem.
Excelent! how much time do you need to create a complete scenario?
For small maps like 2 months, for competitive 5v5 CSGO maps, 8+ months.
Incredible! The details level is amaizing! Good job bro!
Awesome post! I invite you to visit our blog and vote us back! And of course to enjoy our content :)
Wow....Nice meeting you
Lovely artwork
Steemit gonna make you financially free if you're not already.
Follow @slothicorn
Good luck here on Steemit, @zastels. I don't know anything about this type of design but it looks totally professional to me. The best of luck to you!
welome bro
Welcome!
I wish you all the best.
Feel free to check out my blog @maxdigi. This way we can support each other.
Cheers
maxidigi
You Made a Good Share
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Thank You
Great job here. Good luck with your investment!!
You have talent no doubt. I almost downloaded every engine there is but I after I start the program I give up after a few hours ^^. All the menus and english words I never heard before.
Welcome
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You are also welcome to follow me. I am an architecture student and a part time graphic designer. I do design on world famous landscape and buildings.