New Here - Working on a Dungeon

[FlynnArrowstarr]

Hi, everyone.

I'm FlynnArrowstarr (or just Flynn). I'm a long-time gamer that loves to tinker with games that have level editors or designers. Thanks to SpiderFIghter for encouraging me to join the forums over here from the GOG.com forums. I'm new to Grimrock, and especially new to the Dungeon Editor application. I have some experience in scripting and programming, but zero experience in LUA script (learning pretty quickly though). I checked out Komag's and SpiderFighter's tutorials and started working on a dungeon.

My dungeon is based on a number of maps from Might and Magic III, beginning with the Ancient Temple of Moo (love that name). The basic premis is the party is investigating rumors of dark deeds happening at the Temple of Moo. As they move in to investigate, they are captured and stripped of their equipment. Having managed to escape, they find themselves trapped in the Temple. Now they have to gather new equipment and discover the secrets of the Moo cult and find a way out through the caverns beneath. So far, I've mapped out two levels and am looking through the MM3 cluebook for more maps to consider drawing. I'm hoping to have between 6 and 10 levels total (as long as the levels make some sense, heh).

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions along the way, and I hear the group here is pretty supportive. I am pretty bad at 3D modelling, so I may have some monster requests later on. Right now, I'm learning how to modify existing monsters to create new monsters. The Asset Pack on the site here has been a big help with that.

If things go well with this module, I hope to adapt some maps from MM4 and MM5 into later modules (depending on if I can figure a good story idea for gluing a bunch of unrelated maps together, heh). Looking at some of the mods here makes me think it will be a daunting task, but then I plan to keep it as simple as possible. As soon as I have a couple of completed floors, I'll package it up and let you guys see what you think.

Flynn

[Neikun]

Welcome to the community, Flynn. I'm sure you'll fit in nicely. Chances are most of forum time will be spent in the modding subforum.
Happy modding! =D

[FlynnArrowstarr]

Thanks, Neikun. I'm hoping people will like what I've done. The premise is a bit barebones, but it works for now.

Flynn

[Ryeath_Greystalk]

Welcome to the forums.

Looking forward to your levels.

[SpiderFighter]

Found ya! I'm glad you decided to come over, and I can't wait to see what you come up with! M&M 3 is easily my favorite of the series. Don't worry about "barebones" - sometimes, simple is better, and there are people here who enjoy all kinds of game play. I (and some extremely patient beta testers) spent probably a week on one teleporter maze that just wasn't working (as a puzzle; it functioned fine, but was far too complex to be intuitive) and I ended up having to cut it altogether. It's always more fun to add things than to take away, and testers will let you know if your pacing is off.

These guys are, hands down, some of the nicest, most gracious, selfless people I've ever met - in world or online- so don't be afraid to ask anything. And don't forget to put a call out for testers. Welcome aboard! It's a slippery slope from here, my friend!

[FlynnArrowstarr]

Found ya! I'm glad you decided to come over, and I can't wait to see what you come up with! M&M 3 is easily my favorite of the series. Don't worry about "barebones" - sometimes, simple is better, and there are people here who enjoy all kinds of game play. I (and some extremely patient beta testers) spent probably a week on one teleporter maze that just wasn't working (as a puzzle; it functioned fine, but was far too complex to be intuitive) and I ended up having to cut it altogether. It's always more fun to add things than to take away, and testers will let you know if your pacing is off.

These guys are, hands down, some of the nicest, most gracious, selfless people I've ever met - in world or online- so don't be afraid to ask anything. And don't forget to put a call out for testers. Welcome aboard! It's a slippery slope from here, my friend!

Well, if you remember your MM3, you must remember The Maze From Hell. I will definitely be working that one into the mix, heh. I have been mostly working on maps for now, and will start tying them together once I get the maps in place. Because these are one level dungeons, there are no connecting stairs, so I'll either use stairs and hidden teleported, or just use teleported.

Welcome to the forums.

Looking forward to your levels.

Thanks, Ryeath. From what I've seen so far, it's a great group.

Flynn

[SpiderFighter]

Well, if you remember your MM3, you must remember The Maze From Hell. I will definitely be working that one into the mix, heh. I have been mostly working on maps for now, and will start tying them together once I get the maps in place. Because these are one level dungeons, there are no connecting stairs, so I'll either use stairs and hidden teleported, or just use teleported.

I do, indeed! Is the editor big enough for it? I seem to remember having to tape two pieces of graph paper together as I was mapping it (I actually have a similar maze in my own mod, as an optional area...get ready to go cross-eyed placing all those walls and pillars! lol).

[FlynnArrowstarr]

Well, if you remember your MM3, you must remember The Maze From Hell. I will definitely be working that one into the mix, heh. I have been mostly working on maps for now, and will start tying them together once I get the maps in place. Because these are one level dungeons, there are no connecting stairs, so I'll either use stairs and hidden teleported, or just use teleported.

I do, indeed! Is the editor big enough for it? I seem to remember having to tape two pieces of graph paper together as I was mapping it (I actually have a similar maze in my own mod, as an optional area...get ready to go cross-eyed placing all those walls and pillars! lol).

It just fits. I was a little worried that the maze would be wraparound, but the editor doesn't do that. Maybe something else for the next version of the editor; a wraparound toggle to make the dungeons seem larger.

Aside from that, I'm looking at a few more maps to add, such as the Arachnid Cavern, Cursed Cold Cavern and the Halls of Insanity. Maybe the Cyclops Cavern as well.

Flynn

[Sol_HSA]

It just fits. I was a little worried that the maze would be wraparound, but the editor doesn't do that. Maybe something else for the next version of the editor; a wraparound toggle to make the dungeons seem larger.

You could kinda fake that by teleporting the player to a similar corridor on the other side of the map.. this will be obvious if the player drops items, though (and the random wall texturing will also play a part)..

[SpiderFighter]

It just fits. I was a little worried that the maze would be wraparound, but the editor doesn't do that. Maybe something else for the next version of the editor; a wraparound toggle to make the dungeons seem larger.

You could kinda fake that by teleporting the player to a similar corridor on the other side of the map.. this will be obvious if the player drops items, though (and the random wall texturing will also play a part)..

I was thinking the same thing. Could be really interesting, from a player's "Oh...s**t...I'm all the way over HERE NOW??" viewpoint.
*cue maniacal laughter*