AlexMax
01-28-2004, 01:11 AM
OK, so it isn't the first CTF variant for Doom. I think there was a DOS DOOM CTF variant (though i can't find it ATM), and the multiplayer DOOM client/server program Skulltag has a Capture the Flag game mode.
This time, it's ZDaemon's turn. ZDaemon is yet another Doom Client and Server program. ZDaemon has more players at a time than Skulltag, even though it has fewer gametypes.
Recently, ZDaemon has tried to expand its horizions. First, Team Deathmatch was implimented, which was a basic hack where up to four teams of four players can go at it. It was a moderate sucess, but soon most players went back to regular Deathmatch.
However, a chilian ZDaemoner (there are a lot of them, surprisingly), started work on a Capture the Flag game mode. Since ZDaemon has a lot more accessable code than Skulltag, this was a relatively easy feat
Fast forward to today. We are up to CTF beta 5.3, and it is almost prefectly playable. There are a few problems, the flag does not return on its own after a while, which means if the flag gets stuck somewhere, it's stuck for good until the map changes. Plus, the client crashes when you quit, which means if you had any settings that you changed from startup, they're gone for good. Also, we are trying to get individual frag counts to be like Threewave CTF's, but it's not quite done yet.
So, what makes our CTF different from Skulltag's? Simple. Skulltag's CTF is very script heavy, and a knowldege of ZDoom ACS scripting is needed to make a map. ZDaemon CTF is much simpler. All you need to do is place red and blue keys for the red and blue flags, and place red and blue particle fountains where you want people to spawn. Add two DM spots so spectators can spawn, a Player 1 start for looking around in single player, and you're done. All you need to add to an otherwise normal DOOM map are a few things.
But maps.....maps.....Duke4ever...the creator of ZDaemon CTF....had no maps to go with the gametype. Actually, he had a map or two in development, but....they were taking second teir to the coding. It's not like Team DM where you can use DM maps for CTF, you need special maps.
So guess who jumps at the chance to make maps? Me...of couse. Taking my mapping skills that have been steadily been evolving since my first DM map about a year ago, I start cranking out maps...
MAP01: Refineries
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/CTF_PLAY.gif
MAP02: Something Epic
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/1ctfm1.png
MAP03: The Excavation
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/thirdmap.png
MAP04: Frozen
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/MAP042.png
So yeah, this is what I've been doing recently. We use these maps when we beta test, and almost everyone has a blast when we play, especially now that the CTF beta is almost perfectly playable.
I'm not the only one making maps, of course. I've just gotten a map submission by ATG_Death and it looks absolutely fabulous. Others are also making maps as well, and we'll hopefully have quite a few maps by the time the final version is out.
So do you wanna join in on the fun? You'll need DOOM2 that is updated to version v1.9 (most are v1.666). Unfortuniatly, past that, the betas and the maps change almost every time we play (though Beta 5.3 has had the most playtime of any beta). The best way to get in on the action is to IRD on to irc.freenode.net channel #Zdaemon and ask _Raider_ or myself to start up a CTF server. Chances are, if you see a combination of myself, _Raider_, AceOfSpades, duke4ever, Bonzo, Ranful, Anarkware or Ralphis, you can get a nice 2on2 or 3on3 going. See you online, and if you know what's good for you, you'll think twice before heading into my base. :)
This time, it's ZDaemon's turn. ZDaemon is yet another Doom Client and Server program. ZDaemon has more players at a time than Skulltag, even though it has fewer gametypes.
Recently, ZDaemon has tried to expand its horizions. First, Team Deathmatch was implimented, which was a basic hack where up to four teams of four players can go at it. It was a moderate sucess, but soon most players went back to regular Deathmatch.
However, a chilian ZDaemoner (there are a lot of them, surprisingly), started work on a Capture the Flag game mode. Since ZDaemon has a lot more accessable code than Skulltag, this was a relatively easy feat
Fast forward to today. We are up to CTF beta 5.3, and it is almost prefectly playable. There are a few problems, the flag does not return on its own after a while, which means if the flag gets stuck somewhere, it's stuck for good until the map changes. Plus, the client crashes when you quit, which means if you had any settings that you changed from startup, they're gone for good. Also, we are trying to get individual frag counts to be like Threewave CTF's, but it's not quite done yet.
So, what makes our CTF different from Skulltag's? Simple. Skulltag's CTF is very script heavy, and a knowldege of ZDoom ACS scripting is needed to make a map. ZDaemon CTF is much simpler. All you need to do is place red and blue keys for the red and blue flags, and place red and blue particle fountains where you want people to spawn. Add two DM spots so spectators can spawn, a Player 1 start for looking around in single player, and you're done. All you need to add to an otherwise normal DOOM map are a few things.
But maps.....maps.....Duke4ever...the creator of ZDaemon CTF....had no maps to go with the gametype. Actually, he had a map or two in development, but....they were taking second teir to the coding. It's not like Team DM where you can use DM maps for CTF, you need special maps.
So guess who jumps at the chance to make maps? Me...of couse. Taking my mapping skills that have been steadily been evolving since my first DM map about a year ago, I start cranking out maps...
MAP01: Refineries
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/CTF_PLAY.gif
MAP02: Something Epic
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/1ctfm1.png
MAP03: The Excavation
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/thirdmap.png
MAP04: Frozen
http://alexmax2742.homestead.com/files/MAP042.png
So yeah, this is what I've been doing recently. We use these maps when we beta test, and almost everyone has a blast when we play, especially now that the CTF beta is almost perfectly playable.
I'm not the only one making maps, of course. I've just gotten a map submission by ATG_Death and it looks absolutely fabulous. Others are also making maps as well, and we'll hopefully have quite a few maps by the time the final version is out.
So do you wanna join in on the fun? You'll need DOOM2 that is updated to version v1.9 (most are v1.666). Unfortuniatly, past that, the betas and the maps change almost every time we play (though Beta 5.3 has had the most playtime of any beta). The best way to get in on the action is to IRD on to irc.freenode.net channel #Zdaemon and ask _Raider_ or myself to start up a CTF server. Chances are, if you see a combination of myself, _Raider_, AceOfSpades, duke4ever, Bonzo, Ranful, Anarkware or Ralphis, you can get a nice 2on2 or 3on3 going. See you online, and if you know what's good for you, you'll think twice before heading into my base. :)