With 2018 just around the corner, I'm giving you a look at new screenshots from the Redux version of Black Mesa Uplink! Today I'm reviewing the new area surrounding the main objective: The Transmitter dome!
The Transmitter Dome
In the 2012 version of Uplink the transmitter dome was found right next to the stalkyard. In the original Uplink, the dome was behind a mountain pass beyond the stalkyard and so it will be again in the Redux version!
As you can see from the 2012 screenshot in the corner, the visuals have been improved greatly and there is more space to explore. Thusfar I've improved the new version by making things larger, but the dome is actually a little bit smaller now and will be less open on the inside for gameplay purposes. Exploring the area will grant you with goodies, but can also be potentionally dangerous, with new enemies spawning in.
The Great Gazib and The Amazing Oopah
Speaking of enemies: after a long absence, two iconic figures of Uplink return to the scene: the grunts trying to blow up the front door, which I've named Gazib and Oopah (kudo's to the first one to get the reference!). If approached carefully, Gazib and Oopah can again be blown up with their own explosives!
Lastly I'd like to recall that 5 years ago Black Mesa: Uplink was released! Back then I managed to create that entire experience within 3 months. The Redux version is already 2 years underway but ofcourse I had way more free time back then. If you're not in your 30's yet: you better enjoy it ;)
I hope to bring you more screenshots soon of the interior of the dome, which is already well underway. I wish you all a great 2018!
You have a great 2018 too!
The Dome is such a far more grander centerpiece now, astounding job!
Cool! Are you thinking about putting redux version (as it is ready) in BM Workshop in Steam?
The BM devs need to fix a few technical problems before that is fully possible, so I hope I'll be able to put it in the workshop in the future.
I know this sounds a bit impossible, but maybe you could contact Crowbar Collective to ask them if they could add this as an official chapter of Black Mesa once it's finished? Explaining to them that you changed some things to make it fit in the lore and could work as an unlockable secret extra chapter or something like that.
As far as I know they've done this before. I'm not sure if the mod was Surface Tension Uncut or On A Rail Uncut, but it was one of those two. I suggest you give it a try.
They added Surface Tension in the game and hired the guy who made it as far as I know. Honestly, I don't think they would add this one to the original game.
If BM took up this project within their ranks it would solve all my problems. Same goes for the guys over at the Hazard Course mod.
Yet, I doubt they would. Since BM is a commercial game they have to adhere to certain rules and regulations and it's not easy to just import something made by 'outsiders'. However, in it's early days, BM used to be a heavily community-driven project, so maybe one day they might return to their roots.
The best solutions of course would be fixing the problems with the Workshop but I can imagine thats a low priority goal for them or maybe it's not even on their list at all.
Exactly, sharing the same feelings.
By the way, I played your mod and your Redux will be a great excuse for me to play it again! Is there any chance you could work on a new Black Mesa mod someday? Maybe after the Redux is done?
Your mapping skill is pretty good actually. I'd love to play more of your future Black Mesa works :)
Thanks :) With the small bits of free time I have to dedicate to any project nowadays, I'd be happy to finish this project first one day. So I'm not sure if there will ever be another one.
I think at least you should give it a try.
Yeah :)
This looks awesome! I just hope I'll be able to play this with the retail version of Black Mesa someday.
Will you make this update work with the free version of BM too? Also for people asking about a direct integration of Uplink into the Half-Life storyline, a long time ago I made a mod for the original HL1 doing exactly this, see link below, and it should be possible to replicate it for BM:
Moddb.com
It won't be directly integrated into the HL storyline because I'm not going to alter the original BM maps. You'll be able to start Uplink from the game menu and start it that way. However, I'm adding something to the start to make it clear where it blends in with the HL storyline :)
As for the free (mod) version: I'm now aiming for the Steam version. If I can easily ship it for the MOD version too, I'll probably do that, but the MOD version might lack certain features and assets, so I'm not sure how easy it'll be.
Hm, I really would like to have it inside the main game. Would you allow me to make a patch to do this like I did with the original game? Once your update is out of course and probably for the free BM only as I don't have the other one. In case I could actually pull something like this off for BM with my Bloodlines knowledge ;).
Speaking of your update. The screenshots show that you are already working on integrating the most critical omission of your first version, the two marines that could be blown up ;). I have some other issues with your current version and just want to list them, you are probably aware of these already :):
- The dropping ceiling at the start is missing, but it nicely sets a feeling of urgency so it should be restored.
- Jumping on the moving crate is quite difficult and so is getting from it into the vent. Please make that easier!
- The whole section on top of the containers is missing, but I think I read here that you are already working on this.
- The stationary MG after the above section is missing, but it was so much fun to hew down the marines with it ;).
- Having marines keep dropping into the dome from above is a bad gameplay decision because while fighting them the player can't concentrate on the door being cut open which is a cool moment in the original! Also the marines actually blow a part of the dome there, so please try to restore it and make only two marines enter.
- The dying scientist in the sewers doesn't talk, and I fixed something there in my mod so this might have been an issue of the original already. You should fix this too!
- Nearby the hole to jump over the acid is missing and the two marines getting killed by the barnacles. I know you moved one being pulled up to happen later, but why not keep it there?
- The cool view of the marine being dragged by the zombie is missing when you climb up the ladder from the acid area too.
- While I love the additon of the dead guard stuck in the door, the foreshadowing of the Gargantua seeing it through a gap is missing. Please restore that!
- Again it's unnecessary difficult to enter the fallen down vent and the lighting inside it completely off! Why not make it like the original and have the player move on top?
- I don't know what to think about the ending. Having the scientist being burned against the door is great, but on the other hand when the Gargantua attacks he moves his arms through the walls. I wouldn't know how to merge the original way with having the scientist knock on the door though...
Thanks for all the suggestions. I've already adressed most of those concerns :)
As for the integration: I'll stick with my original plan but thanks for the offer to help out, anyways.