Some random L4D modding community comments

Hyper WD · 06-17-2009, 01:45 PM

Is porting the new maps and making config files to emulate the Director 2.0 a viable substitute for those not planning to buy L4D2?

After asking some friends that do mods for the majority of Valve games about the L4D/L4D2 situation, some interesting ideas about what they plan to do were revealed.

They're not concerned about compatibility (and never really were) so they don't understand why such a big deal was made about them being reassured that the maps and mods they make would work for L4D2 in some articles about the new game. One specific comment:

"LOL... They're all the same framework and engine. If I can make a HL2 map work for L4D, I'm pretty sure I can make an L4D map work in L4D2 and vice versa"

That's where it got interesting. Further discussion led to an interesting point. Other than the new Director, there's no reason that the new L4D2 maps couldn't be ported to L4D. To simulate the new AI, some basic config files could be written to act in place of it, which is already being done on some L4D modded servers to increase the frequency of the hordes and SI as well as randomize their placement, and extend the finales.

The only things that they couldn't port (as far as they can tell) would be the new SI and melee weapons because those are entities specifc to the new game.

As for the new weapons and ammo, those can likely be replicated by setting up new weapon profiles in the game and changing their properties with cvars.

So, as asked previously: Is porting the new maps and making config files to emulate the Director 2.0 a viable substitute for those not planning to buy L4D2?

(Edited - I got rid of the 'I want to know what people think about this' line because apparently it's an invitation for trolls to come in and spout off about things they have no knowledge about)

slake_moth · 06-17-2009, 01:53 PM

thus the delay in the SDK.

Can't release that if the community makes a product as good or better than the full retail sequel.

Hyper WD · 06-17-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slake_moth

thus the delay in the SDK.

Can't release that if the community makes a product as good or better than the full retail sequel.

Right now they're making maps with the beta SDK and aren't having too much difficulty.

The real holdup is the new matchmaking system so the game will allow players to connect to servers with custom maps. Right now it's a bit of messing around to do it.

Current modded map play: Get 4 players, all 4 players download and install same map, install the map on your server then manually connect to your server.

Problem: If players quit, you'll see people joining and then getting kicked because they don't have the map installed.

If they fix the matchmaking, there wouldn't be much of an issue.

Frugal · 06-17-2009, 02:03 PM

I'm pretty sure that the game automatically implants zombies and special infected. The mapper would mostly just need to be concerned with item spawn locations, safe houses, and (if wanted) cresendo/finale triggers.

So, yeah. There should be no issue with moving a map from l4d1 to l4d2 unless for some reason the L4D team changed the names of the item spawns or saferoom resources.

Hyper WD · 06-17-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frugal

I'm pretty sure that the game automatically implants zombies and special infected. The mapper would mostly just need to be concerned with item spawn locations, safe houses, and (if wanted) cresendo/finale triggers.

So, yeah. There should be no issue with moving a map from l4d1 to l4d2 unless for some reason the L4D team changed the names of the item spawns or saferoom resources.

They also feel that it's possible to do the reverse: L4D2 maps ported to L4D.

However, that's where the problem with the new SI and melee weapons come into play. For people not planning on buying L4D2 they wouldn't have those particular entities/props in their game files and L4D wouldn't have any way to spawn them (that they know of).

Personally I think L4D with just the new maps ported to L4D would suit me fine. The rest of the changes and additions, while interesting and/or amusing don't really matter that much to me.

GoDMiN · 06-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyper WD

I'm wondering what people think about this. Is this a viable substitute for those not planning to buy L4D2?

Yep, I've said that since Valve said they were going to have the SDK out soon "and hoped they were not lying this time". Theres NO reason why the maps cant be ported over by modders.

Akane Tendo · 06-17-2009, 02:23 PM

So I wouldn't be forced to listen to the new music or survivors? Sounds good to me.

darktemplar31 · 06-17-2009, 02:38 PM

this method might even be better than l4d2 lol.

zipnar · 06-17-2009, 03:00 PM

with a real sdk, we could have l4d2 *EXACTLY* copied running on L4D1. what do you think valve is designing l4d2 with...answer: the SDK thats being held back.

GoDMiN · 06-17-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipnar

with a real sdk, we could have l4d2 *EXACTLY* copied running on L4D1. what do you think valve is designing l4d2 with...answer: the SDK thats being held back.

Not only that but all this crap no one really wants *cough music cough* could be changed back, sadly this also means there will also be a "I'm on a boat!" server side mod at the end of Death Toll

Hyper WD · 06-17-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zipnar

with a real sdk, we could have l4d2 *EXACTLY* copied running on L4D1. what do you think valve is designing l4d2 with...answer: the SDK thats being held back.

I agree, but it becomes sort of a 'which came first? the chicken or the egg?' discussion then.

I'm guessing the SDK is being pushed back because it been modified to work with L4D2 and it's being tested by Valve to make sure it works since the beta SDK seems to already have the majority of features required to work with L4D.

It comes down to what people actually want. Valve seems to think we want all of the new 'bells, whistles and a fresh coat of paint' for L4D2. All I want are some new maps that are universally playable for L4D. The new characters, 'stuff' and SI don't do anything for me. It's just window dressing to try and make the game seem 'new'.

TheForsaken · 06-17-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoDMiN

Not only that but all this crap no one really wants *cough music cough* could be changed back, sadly this also means there will also be a "I'm on a boat!" server side mod at the end of Death Toll

hahaha I was JUST thinking about adding that to my server.

Akane Tendo · 06-17-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyper WD

It comes down to what people actually want. Valve seems to think we want all of the new 'bells, whistles and a fresh coat of paint' for L4D2. All I want are some new maps that are universally playable for L4D. The new characters, 'stuff' and SI don't do anything for me. It's just window dressing to try and make the game seem 'new'.

Exactly. The new gimmicky crap in the game doesn't appeal to me either.

Some new maps (custom or ported from L4D2) would probably increase sales for the original game too if people didn't have to buy the new game to get them.

I'll be first in line for that.

Uber Kitty · 06-17-2009, 05:53 PM

The fact that there are thoughts of remaking the game in an SDK proves that this game doesn't warrant a sequel/full price.

MattN · 06-17-2009, 06:34 PM

You porting the game to L4D without their consent is illegal.

06-17-2009, 01:45 PM	#1
Hyper WD Join Date: Jun 2009 Reputation: 17 Posts: 106	Some random L4D modding community comments Is porting the new maps and making config files to emulate the Director 2.0 a viable substitute for those not planning to buy L4D2? After asking some friends that do mods for the majority of Valve games about the L4D/L4D2 situation, some interesting ideas about what they plan to do were revealed. They're not concerned about compatibility (and never really were) so they don't understand why such a big deal was made about them being reassured that the maps and mods they make would work for L4D2 in some articles about the new game. One specific comment: "LOL... They're all the same framework and engine. If I can make a HL2 map work for L4D, I'm pretty sure I can make an L4D map work in L4D2 and vice versa" That's where it got interesting. Further discussion led to an interesting point. Other than the new Director, there's no reason that the new L4D2 maps couldn't be ported to L4D. To simulate the new AI, some basic config files could be written to act in place of it, which is already being done on some L4D modded servers to increase the frequency of the hordes and SI as well as randomize their placement, and extend the finales. The only things that they couldn't port (as far as they can tell) would be the new SI and melee weapons because those are entities specifc to the new game. As for the new weapons and ammo, those can likely be replicated by setting up new weapon profiles in the game and changing their properties with cvars. So, as asked previously: Is porting the new maps and making config files to emulate the Director 2.0 a viable substitute for those not planning to buy L4D2? (Edited - I got rid of the 'I want to know what people think about this' line because apparently it's an invitation for trolls to come in and spout off about things they have no knowledge about) Last edited by Hyper WD : 06-18-2009 at 01:56 AM.

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06-17-2009, 01:53 PM	#2
slake_moth Join Date: May 2008 Reputation: 6 Posts: 192	thus the delay in the SDK. Can't release that if the community makes a product as good or better than the full retail sequel.

06-17-2009, 02:03 PM	#4
Frugal Join Date: Jun 2008 Reputation: 17 Posts: 1,760	I'm pretty sure that the game automatically implants zombies and special infected. The mapper would mostly just need to be concerned with item spawn locations, safe houses, and (if wanted) cresendo/finale triggers. So, yeah. There should be no issue with moving a map from l4d1 to l4d2 unless for some reason the L4D team changed the names of the item spawns or saferoom resources.

06-17-2009, 02:23 PM	#7
Akane Tendo Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Reputation: 7 Posts: 76	So I wouldn't be forced to listen to the new music or survivors? Sounds good to me.

06-17-2009, 02:38 PM	#8
darktemplar31 Join Date: Nov 2008 Reputation: 0 Posts: 47	this method might even be better than l4d2 lol.

06-17-2009, 03:00 PM	#9
zipnar Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 5 Posts: 77	with a real sdk, we could have l4d2 EXACTLY copied running on L4D1. what do you think valve is designing l4d2 with...answer: the SDK thats being held back.

06-17-2009, 05:53 PM	#14
Uber Kitty Join Date: Mar 2008 Reputation: 26 Posts: 881	The fact that there are thoughts of remaking the game in an SDK proves that this game doesn't warrant a sequel/full price.

06-17-2009, 06:34 PM	#15
MattN Join Date: Jun 2009 Reputation: 0 Posts: 61	You porting the game to L4D without their consent is illegal.