============================================================================================================================================================================== * I M P O R T A N T N O T I C E * [THIS LEVEL IS NEITHER MADE BY NOR SUPPORTED BY 3D REALMS.] [THIS LEVEL IS PRIMARILY DESIGNED TO BE PLAYED IN 8-BIT CLASSIC MODE] [HIGH-RESOLUTION PACKS AND OTHER NOVELTIES MIGHT NOT BE SUPPORTED] ============================================================================================================================================================================== Title : Poison Heart Date Finished : February 26th, 2019 - started on December 5th, 2018 Filename : poisonheart.map poisonheart.mid poisonheart.txt Author : Aymeric Nocus (ck3D / MRCK) Released maps by me : Latest: The End of the World part 1, Bummed Out! Anarchy City X, Siebenpolis; Others: Metropolitan Mayhem (episode, main mapper / project leader); contributions to Duke Hard (episode), Surburban Hive 1 & 2...; Happy Hangover / Anorak City / Bottles to the Ground trilogy; Wide Awake! Older: Roch Island, AMC Pleaser, Rural Nightmare, Filler, Overtime, the old Anarchy City trilogy and a lot more. Just lurk msdn.duke4.net. Description : Duke is a busy postman working his rounds on Christmas eve, delivering batches of last-minute presents to anonymous foreigners but really just dying to catch a break. "How did I end up working this gig even", he mutters as just about to deliver the final parcel of the night. "Oh right - Lani. Way to thank somebody for saving your buttcheeks from those Protozoid slimers' appetites - eventually you just took everything I had. Maybe I should blacklist Vegas the next time I feel like treating myself for saving the world; it's not like the last time didn't earn me to be a bum living in an abandoned warehouse for a while, too, hmm..." It isn't just the realization of how such concerns really were for weaklings that snapped him back into reality, nor the sudden reminiscence of a soft female's body but also - and most notably - the brutal sight of his own work truck blowing up in front of his very eyes. "Damn, I had been yearning from some youthful action", he grinned as a couple of fast shadows agressively zoomed past every wall on the block. "Those alien bastards are gonna pay for shooting up my ride. Those things are money and I'm starting to strongly resent this being a regular occurrence - won't anybody think about the insurers?". [MAY CONTAIN STORYLINE SPOILERS] The underlying theme of the map is electricity. The abuse of power consumption by the city and its inhabitants around Xmas resulted in the emission of energy so strong it caught the attention of aliens as they were just crossing the galaxy. Drawn to the power station first thing, they've successfully set camp there there and, intrigued by the local planetary resources, started experimenting with some funny mutations. As a jaded, broke and single postman, it's clearly your duty to clean things up before midnight, especially if you want to catch some zzz's as you're also working early tomorrow. Additional Credits to : Merlijn van Oostrum (beta-testing; found some serious progression-breaking bugs). Anyone online who ever gave me feedback, or Mapster32 help. Anyone hosting DN3D websites and / or still making maps and mods for the game in 2019. ============================================================================================================================================================================== * Play Information * Episode and Level # : User Map (E1L8). Just unzip the contents of this archive into your Duke folder and launch poisonheart.map from eDuke32's User Map menu. Single Player : Yes. Cooperative 2-8 Player : Implemented, not tested. DukeMatch 2-8 Player : Implemented, not tested. Difficulty Settings : Yes, but only subtle changes; intended for Let's Rock. New Sounds : None. New Music : Yes, a midi rendition of "Poison Heart" by the Ramones, originally written by Dee Dee Ramone. The Ramones were on heavy (and loud) rotation throughout the entire creation of this map. New Graphics : None. New/changed CONs : None. Demos Replaced : None. ============================================================================================================================================================================== * Construction * Base : New level from scratch. Build Time : Dec. 5th - Feb. 26th. Originally intended to complete it in twenty days for an actual Xmas release but halfway through the process, I thought I would disregard a fictional deadline in order to focus on quality as I would always keep getting new ideas to make it more and more ambitious. And now that it's done, I'm *not* waiting for Christmas 2019 to publish it - please just have fun (hopefully) with the map as it is. Editor(s) used : Mapster32. Known Bugs / Problems : None besides some minor sprite clipping here and there on a few constructions when viewed from certain obscure angles, the basic Duke limitations really - and nothing that affects the gameplay. May Not Run With... : This level is supposed to be played in Classic 8-Bit Mode but should look fine in most renderers. The HRP (untested) might make this map look off due to the abundance of colored palettes. This map breaks the ancient Build sector, wall and sprite limits, thus you will need Eduke32 in order to play it: http://eduke32.com ============================================================================================================================================================================== * Copyright / Permissions * This map is my creation, feel free to share it on websites and send it to whoever you like as long as you include the entirety of its original .rar archive (poisonheart.map, poisonheart.txt, poisonheart.mid). Please do not modify anything in the .map file or use anything from the level unless it is for personal use, or at least not without asking me first. (I can easily be found on the duke4.net forums) ============================================================================================================================================================================== * Where to get this MAP file * The duke4.net forums; Then probably from one of those great websites, soon: msdn.duke4.net / scent-88.com / www.dukemaps.net / taw.duke4.net (DN-R R.I.P.) ============================================================================================================================================================================== * Important Information * - The aliens have gotten slightly smarter in 20+ years of getting their asses kicked in user maps from all over the planet so they might have thought up some new strategies to try and overpower Duke for good this time. If stuck in certain situations, then you might have to use your brain (and environment) just a little to get to fight back. Nothing unfair to the player, just enough to try and make sure to keep them on their toes! [SPOILER] - This map comes with a variation on the Protector Drone / Newbeast called the Grinch Newbeast (to fit the Xmas theme) - those will keep you on your toes for sure and force you to use alternative, non bullet-based weapons against them - the most efficient of which should be obvious as you're profusely supplied with it as soon as the start of the map. - Weaponry and health are everywhere, just explore off the beaten path if you're ever running short of anything somehow. Exploration is key and you might even end up finding some of those damn secret places... - Getting to fill in an authoring template feels like the cherry at the top of the cake after months of working on a level, always has. Not important information by any means, just putting that out there while I can. Please never hesitate to join the Duke4 forums to give mappers feedback and keep the community alive, any interaction is welcome to keep fueling the people's love for this old game. Maybe make a map too? - Just enjoy! ============================================================================================================================================================================== [Aymeric Nocus 2019] [EoF]