The Community Episode. (New Start)

[ShadeJackrabbit]

Not really the worst, I'd say it was definately too short. The level I liked the least was Zapper's - not only it looks bad and rushed, but also lacks testing. AFAIK, there's no way for Jazz (not even mentioning Lori) to get out of the bottom area without cheating. He can't get to the exit area from the right side too, so the whole unlinearity of this level seems more of level design lazyness than anything. Lastly, it breaks the local canon of calling the player just "You" and instead uses "Jazz" which I won't even bother to prove badly chosen (also it should be noted that even level 4 uses the classic "You"). I did, however, like level 2 a lot - even though it has quite a lot of elements ripped off EvilMike's Deserto Orbital Base, it's at least a good source to borrow from and works just fine. The level design is also enjoyable and deals a good pack of entertainment with many basic tricks (bypassing closed gates with unobvious means is a good example). I think that this project goes in a good direction, just goes a bit slow and the story has become somewhat awkward (why the hell we need those chips anyway, we're now working for the bad guys or what?)
I see someone overlooked my post.:rolleyes:

[Sacrush]

Alright, calm down everybody. We have to work together and not against each other. Anyway, before the episode gets released I will make sure everything will be more the same in terms of texts and other stuff, so don't worry. Also anyone who still needs levels, please say it in your post with your email address. Also I would like to note that I feel like making a level too. :-)

Edit: Maybe we should do a new rule, like if many people dislike a level that they may change some things a little bit to make it better. It is a community episode so I don't see why not. What do you guys think?

[ThunderPX]

I swore I'd already suggested that but I'm too lazy to find the post. =P

Mail the levels here: thunderpx@gmail.com

[Odin]

n00b gave me permission to make the level after him. I'm waiting on him to send me some sketches he made to give the next guy an idea on what the next level should be.

[Valco]

DoubleGJ:
Oh yeah, that one really sucks. Wouldn't be so bad if there was a way to not get hurt when passing this part, though.

There is! I've tested the level eight times and got hurt on those events for only half of the trips.
Maybe I'm too good at that single level. :\

[Odin]

There is! I've tested the level eight times and got hurt on those events for only half of the trips.
Maybe I'm too good at that single level. :\

Protip: You are the best gamer ever on your own levels. The levels are easy for you because you designed them. Get other people to test them for you.

[Sacrush]

Nice, i´m glad everything goes pretty smoothly now. Also It's nice to give us some updates about your progress from time to time.

Also I have updated my first post, maybe a little late but better late then never, right? Anyway, If someone is willing to do a level please say so, gonna put that on the first post too.

[Xobim]

Holiday's here, I've got some time free now. So I'll be willing to create the level that isn't claimed yet. :)
Forgot to ask n00b, stupid me...

[Valco]

Sacrush, could you send me Olsen's level?

[Valco]

Please? :confused:

[n00b]

Hey guys, just a quick update. My internet is down, and could stay that way for a while. I am hard at work with the level which will have a tileset designed specifically for it (which is why this has been taking a while).

The level is part water based, and partly on land. The water based section appears first and is light on gameplay, more fixiated on setting and a bit of story-telling. The land based portion has more gameplay and deals a bit more with the green plants from the first level.

In order to not hype up the level too much in case my plans come crumbling down and I have to do something much simpler, thats all I feel comfortable with saying for now.

EDIT- and the chips are completely ignored in the level's plot. Consider them the Vice-versa-reverser device of the Community ep.

[Valco]

Why does no one care about Orbitz anymore?

[Sacrush]

Sounds neat.:-)

[TripleJ]

Is this episode still in progress??

[ShadeJackrabbit]

It's dead to me... mainly because we strayed so far from any actual storyline.

[n00b]

Quick update! My main computer is down due to a busted processor for the foreseeable future. Considering that I have very little time to use on a second computer in the house I'm going to have to decline level making.

I know, this is quite simply the worst bit of time wasting I've ever done. I apologize.

[DoubleGJ]

If you can take out the HDD from the first PC and connect it to the second one, please try to send me whatever you finished of the level so far.

[Sacrush]

Ugh! Well I don't blame you n00b it's not really your fault. Also I would suggest a new rule when people are making the level they have to keep us updated at least once a week. Also who wants to do the next level?

[Xobim]

*Raises hand*
I'd like to do the next level, if that's possible. :)
I don't know if I can comply with the rule Sacrush posted above. I cannot guarantee that I'll be working every week on that level...

[Sacrush]

*Raises hand*
I'd like to do the next level, if that's possible. :)
I don't know if I can comply with the rule Sacrush posted above. I cannot guarantee that I'll be working every week on that level...

Sure you may. Also what I mean with keep us updated is that at least tell us if anything is happening or not, then we at least know something. So you don't have to work every week on the level although that would be nice. :-)

[Xobim]

OK.
If n00b agrees, please let me know.
And I'll make more time free to work on my level. I don't have much homework right now... :P

All I need is the story line at the end of n00bs level.
EDIT: preferably the whole storyline until thus far.

[n00b]

I kind of already given the next level thing to Odin, although your level can take the place of mine since I really have no idea when I'll be working again

[Xobim]

>.>
If you're sure you want to give up the level you've been working on the past few months (?), then I'll replace your level with my crappy map.
NP, as long as Odin hasn't allready started his level and continues the plot...

[n00b]

I don't mind having to tweak the level so it fits in later on, and it's best if we didn't have a level gap for god knows how long

[Xobim]

I agree with that.
Tomorrow I'll begin with the follow-up of Gerards level. I've allready got some plans... >:)

[Xobim]

Allright. Please replace "tomorrow" with monday. I've just started building the map, but I need someone to PM me and give the whole storyline with all of it's details thus far. I fear my idea is incompatible with the plot...

[n00b]

I'll do it, I spent a good day cherrypicking which elements of the plot I want to emphasize and which to downplay or ignore completely

[Xobim]

Thanks. But don't worry too much about it. I know what a good storyline needs. (i guess)

[cooba]

So after a year of working on this, you guys managed to create a whopping four levels, and to distort the first and second levels' plot promise?

you make me proud :salute:

[DoubleGJ]

gimme sum mo yo

[Sacrush]

If this isn't going to change soon I have to do some drastic measures, I might even make the fifth level if I have to.

Please give me some updates! :(

[n00b]

So after a year of working on this, you guys managed to create a whopping four levels, and to distort the first and second levels' plot promise?

you make me proud :salute:

Its funny because if I recall correctly IC couldn't even finish a level for their flashback pack and those were apparently going to be nothing more than overblown example levels anyways.

[Xobim]

If this isn't going to change soon I have to do some drastic measures, I might even make the fifth level if I have to.

Please give me some updates! :(
Don't worry, I'm busy with that level. I knew I should've given an update, but I never really motivated myself enough. Sorry about that...

So at this moment I'm making the fith level, adding something important to the storyline and giving the player a goal.
The level itself already has basic layout and background/foreground which all work without any problem. All I need to do now is to "fill up" layer 4. Due to the size of the map, this might take some time.
I've encountered a problem with the tileset I'm using, and I'll post a thread about it soon.

Most of my winter holiday time will be focussed on this level.

[Xobim]

I'm now at one third of the level. Everything is coming along nicely, and the tree problem has been solved too, though the solution itself isn't 100% glitchproof.
I've still got some trouble with the foreground and background layers, but that'll have to wait for now.
Everything is tested and Lori is able to get about too. I'm quite content with the looks. I can upload a few screens, as long as somebody is interested. :)

[Sacrush]

Very good to hear, I didn't knew the tree trouble level was for this. Anyway, keep up the good work.

[n00b]

Quite interested with those screens, my good man.

[Xobim]

I've uploaded a few images to imageshack. I'll just post the links to the pics so the forum won't get clogged.
If you find any bugs or oddities, tell me so I can fix them (there should be enough if you look at the trees real closely :P)

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4570/ss9jg6.png
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3331/ss1ga2.png
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/907/ss2lp8.png
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3134/ss3yc2.png
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/755/ss4wr7.png
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9097/ss5it7.png
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8425/ss6lh9.png
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/283/ss7qm0.png
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/682/ss8uz7.png

Hope the quality was worth the wait...

[Valco]

Hey guys, back from vacation in Mexico!

How's the level following mine going?
I'm more refreshed now after the months, so I'll try to co-operate more rather than argue. And I'll use yellow text like this to cover up things I only want N00b to see. Don't make me break my promise N00b. I'm trying to be nice. :cool:

[Odin]

Hey guys, back from vacation in Mexico!

How's the level following mine going?
I'm more refreshed now after the months, so I'll try to co-operate more rather than argue. And I'll use hidden text like this to cover up things I don't want N00b to see. Don't make me break my promise N00b. I'm trying to be nice. :cool:

http://i30.tinypic.com/5k4q3b.png

So after a year of working on this, you guys managed to create a whopping four levels, and to distort the first and second levels' plot promise?

you make me proud :salute:

I don't know what's funnier, that this statement is coming from the ex-leader of the most under-delivering level design team ever in JJ2 history, or that this level pack has seen more progress than any LMAT project.

[n00b]

Don't make me break my promise N00b. I'm trying to be nice. :cool:

I... I what? You must forgive me, aside from Shade and Shadow I don't recall extensively arguing with anyone here. A few one-offs here and there, sure, but nothing that should be getting me this specific attention.

Also, whats the point of making hidden text that I can't see if the message is for me? I'm very, very confused.

[Valco]

I like it when your confused. HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Just jokin' with ya buddy, we're in this together after all.

[Valco]

So I can see we aren't getting that far? I'm going back to mexico :o

Let's see... Xobim's in on it instead of N00b, I still don't have Olsen's level, and it's been a year since this project began? Yikes.

[FireSworD]

Hope the quality was worth the wait...

"why would I want to play this?" is what I ask myself.

[cooba]

I don't know what's funnier, that this statement is coming from the ex-leader of the most under-delivering level design team ever in JJ2 history, or that this level pack has seen more progress than any LMAT project.I don't know what's funnier, that you've been involved in both and didn't do (-), or that you sound really butthurt for someone who frequently circlejrks at /v/

[Stijn]

Well notwithstanding who of you is the greatest comedian shall we stop this and go back on-topic?

[Sacrush]

Now this is a total mess. Anyway, back on topic, almost done with your level Xobim?

[Xobim]

"why would I want to play this?" is what I ask myself.You mean the level is dull? I don't know what can actually make it more interesting, when looking at the screens. Sure I can add more green and thingies, but that'll only make the level look very unclear. Give me something more to work with than just one sentence, please! D=
Now this is a total mess. Anyway, back on topic, almost done with your level Xobim?Not near completion at all. I had a busy month with school and other things. I told myself each day that I should do something with the level, but I only got a few little things done. The storyline can be passed to the next levelmaker, though. I'm not going to edit it anymore.
Best if we do that? Just to make sure that the project keeps moving?

[n00b]

I think he might mean is to assess the level yourself so instead of "hoping" it was worth the wait, you "know" it was worth the wait.

[Violet CLM]

You mean the level is dull? I don't know what can actually make it more interesting, when looking at the screens. Sure I can add more green and thingies, but that'll only make the level look very unclear. Give me something more to work with than just one sentence, please! D=
"play this" has little to do with "more green." FS is, I'm pretty sure, looking for signs of gameplay, which aside from the crate/seeker puzzle are all-but-absent in your screenshots. Screenshots should generally have at least one of the following: a new tileset, new and inventive eyecandy, or definite signs of gameplay.

[Valco]

By the way Xobim, try your hardest to end the chip catching thing. Maybe orbitz appears, or the chips are burnt? We need to return to level 1 and 2s plot.

[Raven aka StL]

Hahaha, "Orbitz" :)
One might want to refrain from talking about unknown subjects.

[DoubleGJ]

I wish I could make one more level

[Puffie40]

*Sigh* The more I read this, the more I'm glad I decided to continue being independant... :(

Guys, I think this requires better communication, less impatience, and a "Behind-the-scences plot summery"

[Xobim]

"play this" has little to do with "more green." FS is, I'm pretty sure, looking for signs of gameplay, which aside from the crate/seeker puzzle are all-but-absent in your screenshots. Screenshots should generally have at least one of the following: a new tileset, new and inventive eyecandy, or definite signs of gameplay.
There is no new tileset, nor is there any interesting eyecandy. When it comes to gameplay I'm not entirely sure how I can show that to you, except for uploading it on J2O or mailing the level so you can try it out.
By the way Xobim, try your hardest to end the chip catching thing. Maybe orbitz appears, or the chips are burnt? We need to return to level 1 and 2s plot.I already fixed that, and some other loose plot ends. All it needs is a small, yet not too small, cutscene.
I think he might mean is to assess the level yourself so instead of "hoping" it was worth the wait, you "know" it was worth the wait.I don't understand what you're saying. :/
I wish I could make one more level
Why? It is obvious that with these kind of projects, people will alter the storyline. The only way to control that, is by doing what Puffie40 said.
If that's not what you're after, then just tell it...

[DoubleGJ]

It's just that I enjoyed contributing to this project a lot and I have some neat ideas that would put a good twist to the storyline even from any point it's left at. Plus, I'd make sure the level is fun like hell.

Actually, I think I'm lost. What's the current order of level authors? What much is done, aside from the 4 first levels I have?

[Valco]

Originally Posted by Xobim All it needs is a small, yet not too small, cutscene.I can make a cutscene for you if you'd need it. I'm handy with these kinds of things. Tell me what you need.

[Valco]

Sacrush, gimme Olsen's level now or n00b gets it. }>
I bet your not reading this n00b. If you are, your gonna get it!!! }>

[Violet CLM]

...oh, I just realized that that random, bright, glaringly-contrasting-with-the-background text is supposed to be hidden. Umm, there are so many more ways to do that that actually work...

[Raven aka StL]

Indeed, a lot can be found out about something simply by observing that something.

[Valco]

I did that assuming that he has some form of yellow background. Besides, I don't really care if he reads it, it's one of my bad jokes. It's contrasting with my backgruond as well. (Orange by link)

[Sacrush]

It's just that I enjoyed contributing to this project a lot and I have some neat ideas that would put a good twist to the storyline even from any point it's left at. Plus, I'd make sure the level is fun like hell.

Actually, I think I'm lost. What's the current order of level authors? What much is done, aside from the 4 first levels I have?

I'll update the list for you. Also, maybe you can make another level, but we have to wait until we know what's going to happen.

Sacrush, gimme Olsen's level now or n00b gets it. }>
I bet your not reading this n00b. If you are, your gonna get it!!! }>

What's your email?

[Valco]

gmilmore@shaw.ca
:-)

[Valco]

By the way St. Louis, are you just here to correct us when we do something wrong? I don't see you contributing. :mad:

[Valco]

The Rules:
The creator can choose the person who needs to make the next level, if the creator is unable to choose somebody or can't get anyone who wants, everybody who signed in to create a level can volunteer. Also if you are creating a level it has to fit the storyline. The level needs
to be of decent quality, if it's below quality you have to agree that I or somebody else edit or even disapprove the level. You can always suggest other rules or if you disagree, let me know.



To be completely honest, I have to say Zapper's level wasn't of decent quality. You know... The impossibility thing... And it looks rushed. Very sorry if I'm offending you Zapper, but it's the truth. You need to make it better in my opinion, or I think we should replace it.
Yes, this isn't on-topic with the above posts.

[Odin]

To be completely honest, I have to say Zapper's level wasn't of decent quality. You know... The impossibility thing... And it looks rushed. Very sorry if I'm offending you Zapper, but it's the truth. You need to make it better in my opinion, or I think we should replace it.
Yes, this isn't on-topic with the above posts.

By the way St. Louis, are you just here to correct us when we do something wrong? I don't see you contributing. :mad:

gmilmore@shaw.ca
:-)

http://www.jazz2online.com/jcf/images/buttons/edit.gif

[Valco]

Oops. :rolleyes:

[n00b]

Zapper's level does need finetuning, and while we're at it I think we should remove the mass hurt events in Gerard's level (I think it was at the airlock area? Not sure.)

[Valco]

To be completely honest, I think n00b's right. May I edit my level at it's current state so I can make the hurt events in my level respawn more slowly?

[Sacrush]

Of course you can edit your own level. Also about Zapper's level, I have to agree, if you read this Zapper please respond so we can find a good solution.

Also, Olsen's level isn't totally completed yet so I dunno if Olsen have some time for it?

Edit: Level is sended Gerard123456789.

Also I updated the rules list a bit, not anything spectacular.

[Xobim]

I can make a cutscene for you if you'd need it. I'm handy with these kinds of things. Tell me what you need.I'll PM you for that. As long as Sacrush agrees, though.

As for my level: I'll try to set as much time aside to work on it this week.

[Sacrush]

I agree. Also any volunteers for upgrading the EC of Olsen's level? he is lacking time for it.

[Valco]

Edit: Level is sended Gerard123456789.


It's gerard244390, and thanks!

That level sure is good. I don't see too many flaws in eyecandy. :-)

[Birdie]

Why did you append random numbers to the end of your name?

[Valco]

No idea. But now my name's Valco!

[Birdie]

It's gerard244390
<!--OH SNAP-->

[Nonomu198]

No idea. But now my name's Valco!
OH SNAP

oH sNaP

[Sacrush]

Stay on topic guys or I'll have to give you a warning.

[Valco]

Almost done that cutscene for Xobim. It's possible it could use some fixing up though, so I'll do that first. It must all be perfect!

[Raven aka StL]

Then you might want to have Sacrush do that.

[Sacrush]

I'm sure Valco can handle it. If not I can always fix things up.

[Birdie]

Well, I'd still like a chance to work on this somehow, so I wouldn't mind doing the next level if the position isn't already taken. <!--Why did you append those numbers?-->

[Sacrush]

Well, I'd still like a chance to work on this somehow, so I wouldn't mind doing the next level if the position isn't already taken.

I don't think it's taken. But wait for Xobim's answer to know for sure.

[Valco]

Hey guys, cutscene's done! I managed to do it in as much free time as I could, so it should be pretty decent. Since the download's not ready yet, I'll just describe the basic stuff in it. It's a minute long.

You are aboard the ship when you hear a flapping sound. You check outside the ship and assume it's just a minor malthfunction. When you return inside, the sound's gone. You can see carrotus up ahead, which definately means you were taken to another planet beforehand. Before you say that though, the ship's alarm systems mysteriously start, and the ship catches a red flame. It is only revealed that Jazz had survived in the next level.

Hopefully Xobim will be able to make some changes to the beginning of his level according to that. I tried to make it easy to continue from. Once Xobim sees the cutscene, I'll ask Sacrush if it's acceptable and if it can be improved.

[Sacrush]

If you can send to masterblasterdisaster6@hotmail.com I would be very :-) .

[Xobim]

Well, I'd still like a chance to work on this somehow, so I wouldn't mind doing the next level if the position isn't already taken. <!--Why did you append those numbers?-->If I recall correctly, n00b gave up making his level. I took his place when his processor broke down (Never overclock the CPU of the only PC you posess!). So, n00bs level is next, and then Odins map. I'm not going to put you in between me and noob, because I made my level in such a way that n00b can connect his half-done level more easily. You can ask Odin if he wants to move his level one space ahead so yours can slip in. <!-- Because only stupid people do that! :P-- >

I don't have any school tomorrow at all (test week), so I'll devote as much time on my level as possible.

[Valco]

If you can send to masterblasterdisaster6@hotmail.com I would be very :-) .

Cool email. I just gotta zip it up and you got the level.

EDIT:

I sent you the cutscene. Enjoy.

[Xobim]

Say, can I view that cutscene too? I need to know if it connects correctly to my level...

[Sacrush]

the Cut scene is pretty good, but maybe a moving background would be nice, since the space ship got lotsa fire coming out of it.

Edit: you might wanna change the fire as well, its so squared off.

[Valco]

I tried that as well as I could, but the flicker in the background just makes it worse. Overall, is it good though? I'll try and put in a moving background before I give it to Xobim.

[Valco]

Say, can I view that cutscene too? I need to know if it connects correctly to my level...

Sure, what's your email I already have it zipped up, this version has moving background. (I actually managed to do that in five or so minutes, I'll send Sacrush the better version as well.)

[Xobim]

yorimchristiaanse|AT|gmail|DOT|com
Kinda obvious name, actually. ;)

[Valco]

Sent it. :-)

[Raven aka StL]

May I take part in this so called project?

[Valco]

So called project?

You shouldn't be allowed in it for saying that. :p

[Sacrush]

May I take part in this awesome project, can I please?

Well, I dunno... Well, okay then.

[Raven aka StL]

Great. :D

(st.louis_26[at]hotmail[dot]com)

Also, I'm not a workaholic, so you might want to talk with me about whatever I could do to be of assistance. (Preferably whoever has the most authority about this...)

[Xobim]

Sent it. :-)
Got it.
Lessee, the looks are nice, no complaints about that, except that the view sometimes shudders. The storyline in the cutscene is too short, and the main character is not Jazz, nor is he from Carottus.<!...In fact, the whole intergalactic rabbit race and their empire has nothing to do with this episode.> A bigger problem is the crash, which is isn't shown at all. The spaceship just dissapears in a white light...

<!... First one to pick on me for my poor level quality gets a cookie. Maybe it wasn't so smart of me to place this small task in somebody else's hands...>

[Valco]

It was supposed to crash?

You can't expect me to know everything about what the diologue in your level displays. Can you send the unfinished version to me? I just need to see the beginning of the level, and I'll adjust my cutscene as such.

[Xobim]

You didn't read my PM well enough. I stated that the character crashes with his spaceship...
I'm not going to send you my level. You should take some more time to create that cutscene. It doesn't need to be finished in an hour! :)

[Valco]

THE MAIN CHARACTER ISN'T JAZZ?! NOR IS HE FROM CARROTUS?!

Explain.

[DoubleGJ]

Congratulations on following the story you contributed to already.

The reality here is somewhere in the middle of fourth wall, with the main characters being players in their virtual avatar forms (as in, how they appear in JJ2). This means the main character is the player, anyone who is playing the levelpack. Simply put, they're humans playing the game (Orbitz, ThaSpaz).

[n00b]

I myself refer to the character as Lincoln when writing the plot just to keep things simple.

[Valco]

Okay guys, working on the crashing part. Changing all the 'Jazz's' with 'you's' and all the other blab Xobim's talking about.

I now know what n00b was feeling when I gave him specifics on how he should do his level.

[Xobim]

Okay, nice to have that problem solved.

New problem:
How the hell do you use waittime in suckertubes? The long dialogue in my level will take up a huge amount of suckertube unless I use the waittime parameter. However, each time Jazz enters one of those suckertubes, he simply is held in place...

[Violet CLM]

Three rules of waittime:
1. If the sucker tube has a speed and a waittime, that many seconds will pass upon entering the tube tile before leaving the tube tile.
2. Rule 1 is true UNLESS the sucker tube event with the waittime is the last sucker tube tile you used (no matter how long it's been), in which case the waittime will be ignored. The use of any other sucker tube anywhere in the level, waittimed or not, will cancel this.
3. If you land on a suckertube with waittime while in the falling-from-a-warp-target mode, prior to entering any other sucker tube, and there is no ground tile underneath the waittimed sucker tube, you will get stuck. This is probably your issue?

[Valco]

Never heard about rule 3. Don't recall it being a problem for me though.

[Puffie40]

I encountered it making cutscenes. A good note to remember!

[Valco]

Maybe it's because I always use floors below tubes with text. Who knows what idiot could manage to screw something up by buttstomping. I make my cutscenes foolproof.

[Nonomu198]

Who knows what idiot could manage to screw something up by buttstomping.
Take that back.
Seriously.

[Valco]

Security, we have a cutscene screwer-upper on our hands! Back away from the cutscenes, sir.

UPDATE:

The cutscene's done. Xobim and Sacrush can check their emails for the newer copy. I gave the storyline of it a complete overhaul, and added a bit of gameplay to the end of the cutscene.

[Valco]

Though this is a message to Sacrush and I should probably be using the Private Messaging system, I wanted to be able to discuss this idea with some people.

I believe that for this episode to work we should put new rules in place:

Levels must be do-able with both Jazz & Spaz
Levels must have decent eyecandy by Sacrush's standards

If these new rules are in place, the levelpack will be much smoother. Tell me if you have any arguements on this. I would also like to remind Sacrush and Xobim that I have sent them the cutscene.
And before you bother to mention it, yes, I double posted.

[n00b]

I dislike rule 3, specifically because you don't need to constantly develop plot. Lets take Half Life 2, early on it is rather plot heavy to get you on your way but then after that you're tossed in a makeshift boat for a long stretch of time without any real plot advancement. This happens later on with a dune buggy as well. Despite those long stretches without plot, HL2 is still one of the finest game stories I've experienced.

EDIT- Also I think proposed rule 2 is already covered by the actual rule 2.

[Valco]

Okay, you have a point on both counts. I'll remove the storyline development rule idea, the other two shall stay.

[DoubleGJ]

Levels must be do-able with both Jazz & Spaz
Respect Lori with LEVELS :mad:

[Xobim]

I agree with 2·GJ. Each level should be playable with Lori.

On the story thing the following:
We've still got numerous submissions left. There's enough room for some plot deviation. We can control that quite easily. A bigger problem is the end of the plot. We must be very careful not to let the plot end suddenly in the final level. Every contributor wants to keep the plot line alive, so that their successor has enough room to expand the story. If this remains till the end of our list of contributors, the story will end very abruptly in the last (two) level(s). I think it is best that the group of contributors that are going to work on the end should discuss how they are going to end the episode. Just to make sure the storyline ends in a normal fashion.

[Sacrush]

Yes I agree with Xobim about the ending stuff.

making the levels playable for Jazz and spaz is kinda obvious and Lori is a good idea too. Also about the EC, it's not my episode it's our episode, so if many people dislike a level or anything someone can always edit it with permission.

[Nonomu198]

[SIZE="3"]
The Rules:

-The creator can choose the person who needs to make the next level, if the creator is unable to choose somebody or can't get anyone who wants, everybody who signed in to create a level can volunteer.

-If you are creating a level it has to fit the storyline. The level needs
to be of decent quality, if it's below quality you have to agree that I or somebody else edit or even disapprove the level. The level needs to be playable by all characters including Lori.


Or is it new? Anyway you should make this rule into 3 rules, storyline fit, quality thing, and the playble with all characters rule.

Talking about the rules, who choose the the next creator if the last one can't choose and there are two or more colunteers (wich is the only case, if there is only one volunteer he will be the next creator... right?...)
Respect Lori with LEVELS :mad:

++

Did you know that it (the thread [my thread]) was supposed to be serious? :rolleyes:

[Sacrush]

If there are more volunteers then one we can choose the one who wants it the most and the one with the most time.

And yes, I just added that Lori rule 20 minutes ago.

[Nonomu198]

Who are "we"?

[Sacrush]

People who are in:
- DoubleGJ [Finished his level]
- Olsen [Finished his level]
- Zapper [Finished his level]
- gerard244390 [Finished his level]
- Xobim [Creating his level]
- Sacrush [Willing to make level]
- ThunderPX [Willing to make level]
- Odin [Waiting]
- n00b [Waiting]
- Newspaz [Waiting]
- Birdie [Waiting]
- Dx [Waiting]
- General Hare [Waiting]
- Superjwren329 [Waiting]
- Innocent [Waiting]
- Jam [Waiting]
- Technopauluz [Waiting]
- Snooze [Waiting]
- WerBack3>> [Waiting]
- Marijn [Waiting]
- Kax [Waiting]
- ThunderbirD [Waiting]
- St. Louis [Waiting]


We are.

[Xobim]

The first one to ask for making the next level should be chosen. A person should only ask if he/she has enough free time on his/her hands.

Small update:
I put some rock formations in the background, which gives the level more deth. I've got a small holiday next week, and this level will be priority #1 on my todo-list for that time.

[Valco]

What do you guys think of the cutscene now? I still await your feedback.

By the way, is anyone going to do something about Shade's level? It's not possible with any characters, let alone Lori. If we can agree to edit it, I'll be the first one to volunteer if I may. I'll help this project in any way I can.

I still oughta check my level so that it's Lori friendly, I'll resend it to you if I find any bugs.

EDIT:

The first one to ask for making the next level should be chosen. A person should only ask if he/she has enough free time on his/her hands.

I'm not sure if I'm agreeing with him or anything, but I don't think the waiting list is necassery. You should only post here if you can do the level relatively soon, and a lot of the people on the list haven't posted since this project started.

[Raven aka StL]

Consider me nothing but a beta-tester, after all.

[Sacrush]

Whatever.:-)

Also, I'm not really gonna change the rules much more, I think there pretty solid.

About the cut scene, I like it but I don't think there should be cursing even if it's censored. I still dislike the fire coming outta the ship, and I know there is a better solution. Also make him fall on something solid at the ending so it will skip to the next level faster.

[Valco]

Okay, I'm fed up with this. Once I fix the flame, no more changes will be made, and you're fixing them yourself! You and Xobim are extremely picky!

[Sacrush]

Levels must have decent eyecandy by Sacrush's standards.

But you said the levels has to be by my standards.:confused: :confused: :confused:

[Xobim]

Okay, I'm fed up with this. Once I fix the flame, no more changes will be made, and you're fixing them yourself! You and Xobim are extremely picky!But I need to be picky. The cutscene has to introduce my level well in terms of storyline.

Maybe it was better to do it by myself after all...

[Sacrush]

But I need to be picky. The cutscene has to introduce my level well in terms of storyline.

Maybe it was better to do it by myself after all...

Maybe you can edit the text a little, the rest is pretty good in my opinion.

[Valco]

Sorry I got worked up. When I think about it, the pickier you guys are the more experience I get from this to make future cutscenes. Just give me a list of everything you want in the cutscene, Sacrush and Xobim. I won't accept you guys adding anything after that, so think carefully and don't miss anything you were planning on the cutscene having.

By the way, I'm not editing the text unless you tell me exactly what's wrong with it. 'Cause if I make my own descision the answer will always be 'That's not what I asked for' apparently.

Then again, maybe I could change the text a little. 1337 $P3@K comes to mind. Knowig everything about cutscenes however, I'm sure you can translate.

[Valco]

Okay, here's my progress on the cutscene.

- Flames: Complete
- Storyline: Complete
- Crash: In progress
- Possible Glitches: None Present

And here's a breakdown of me 'Lori-broking' my level.

- Possible with Jazz: Yes
- Possible with Spaz: Yes
- Possible with Lori: Barely (I did what I could)
- Possible without taking any damage: Yes
- New easter egg: In progress (Fixing masks)

I'll be editing this post once you have more expectations for me. Once I fix the easter egg in my level I'll send it to you guys.

[Sacrush]

I think Xobim knows what he want's, so Ill let him handle it from here.

[Valco]

Then I give you no authority over this cutscene's expectations. Glad we've cleared that up. Xobim already sent me an acheingly long list of what I should do. No one will EVER mention this cutscene again until it's done, I've got a headache from working with you guys. By the way Sacrush, change my name on the level designer's list to Valco.

EDIT:

XOBIM JUST GIVE ME THE (-)ING LEVEL!

[Sacrush]

Rules:
-The level needs to be of decent quality, if it's below quality you have to agree that I or somebody else edit or even disapprove the level.

By participating with this episode you agreed that I or somebody else may edit it so don't play the boss here.

[Valco]

(-)...
You have a point, I've signed a contract. Don't expect much respect on Xobim's side though, he hasn't mentioned a thing I've done good in the cutscene, and essentially made me make two cutscenes for nothing! I did exactly what he told me to do! My patience slips. Why can't Xobim just edit his level instead of putting me through this abuse!

[Sacrush]

I already though it would be a bad idea if you don't know the next level. Now we got this crap, it will all work out I hope...

[Valco]

At least your keeping this away from yourself. I've been PERSONALLY asked by Xobim not to listen to anything you say about the cutscene.

I'm done the cutscene, I'll give it to Xobim next week. I do have a lot of free time, but I don't care. He likes to waste MY time.

[Xobim]

(-)...
You have a point, I've signed a contract. Don't expect much respect on Xobim's side though, he hasn't mentioned a thing I've done good in the cutscene, and essentially made me make two cutscenes for nothing! I did exactly what he told me to do! My patience slips. Why can't Xobim just edit his level instead of putting me through this abuse!
Because you asked for it. You wanted to make a cutscene for me.
You said that we have to give you a list with all the things that needed to be edited...

When you made the first cutscene you didn't do what I said. Your cutscene didn't connect to my level (and I explained how my level starts) and it was too short. Then it had the Jazz and carottus problem, but that isn't a real problem to me.
Your second cutscene copied my whole storyline, which wasn't the idea at all. I only gave away my part of the storyline just to let you know why all those things in the cutscene happen.
The level itself hasn't changed a great deal, except for the ship-crashing part. Which was just the player being warped to a ship turned downwards...

From the beginning I feared that this kind of situation would occur. Main problem is the communication if you ask me. I could've explained the situation better, so there would be less chance of things going wrong. If you would've read my PM more carefully, a lot of errors could've been prevented.

[Valco]

Oh, that makes sense. I'll get on it right away!

[Stijn]

Don't be so childish, please, Xobim explained himself well and his criticism was constructive enough and nothing personal.

[Valco]

What do you mean? How am I acting any more childish than you are?

[Stijn]

Not so far beyond me to see that in this context "Oh, so everthing you do is right and everthing I do is wrong? I get it." is a childish reply.

[Raven aka StL]

Make sure to separate beginners/inexperience from amateurs/experience.

<s>Two veterans and a rookie give bad line chemistry</s>.

[Valco]

What are you talking about? Are you posting this in the wrong thread or something?

[Stijn]

Dude, I know English and can read his post, which is what I'm reacting on. Is there some part of his post that only you can read? Right, there is not.

[Valco]

Okay guys, cutscene around the halfway point. Why are the people above me argueing?

[Stijn]

My name is pronounced with "ij" sounding somewhat similar to "i" in the English word "fine", mixed with "a" from "bane". IPA would be ɛɪ.

Have fun shouting my name in anger at your computer screen. Instead of replying to your post (which made little sense), I'd like to just ask all of you to discuss this a bit more maturely than "mimimi you say I'm always wrong and you're always right".

[Odin]

I really don't understand what's going on, all I see is a 14 year old trying to sound intelligent and an admin with a really screwed up name.

[Puffie40]

....(-)

This make my community hall meetings look like they are organization freaks.

Valco, Please be a little more humble. "You get a lot more with sugar than you do vinegar"

[Sacrush]

I don't see why you get all mad Valco, calm down please. Xobim, why can't you just send the level to Valco? I don't see the problem, it would just make things easier.

[Xobim]

At least your keeping this away from yourself. I've been PERSONALLY asked by Xobim not to listen to anything you say about the cutscene.
First of all: this is one hell of a lie. I asked you to ignore the hints sacrush would give about the storyline only. That's because I haven't told him about the continuation of the plot.
Don't be so childish, please, Xobim explained himself well and his criticism was constructive enough and nothing personal. Valco is partially right, though. Most of this conflict is based on the PM's we've sent. I repeat the source of the error once more: Main problem is the communication if you ask me. I could've explained the situation better, so there would be less chance of things going wrong. If you would've read my PM more carefully, a lot of errors could've been prevented. Another option is that I'm asking too much of Valco, but I doubt that...

I don't see why you get all mad Valco, calm down please. Xobim, why can't you just send the level to Valco? I don't see the problem, it would just make things easier.
The part of the stoyline isn't done yet (damn character limits!), and I get uncomfortable with the thought that somebody else would accidentaly or deliberatly tell the storyline or distribute my level.
Maybe that thought is exaggerated. And in that case I might as well send you the level too, so you can have a look at it.
What do you think, Sacrush?

[Valco]

There, a good to honest explanation, all I needed. I can get back to work on the cutscene with that in mind, but there are a couple of things I think your going overboard with, and I think it's my opinion if these should change:

The music: This has nothing to do with the continuation of the storyline, and I like it. This cutscene might have bad music, but I woud've changed a couple of things in Olsen's level if I were allowed. (Not the eyecandy) This is still MY cutscene, I get some freedom out of that.

EvilMike style: First of all, I'm against naming the layer 1 as zero type cutscene with EvilMike's name, but whatever. If I make a cutscene like this, it will look nothing like what it does now. If you really want me to do it however, I can try my best. There can still be a gameplay interruption at the end.


I think that's all I have to pick on at the moment, everything else is going fine. And that wasting time thing was actually a hoax so I could fix the crash scene...

The cutscene will be done in a week hopefully, and I'll send you two versions, one without spaceship scrolling (EvilMike style), the other with more details.

So Xobim, how's your level getting along?

[Xobim]

The music: This has nothing to do with the continuation of the storyline, and I like it. This cutscene might have bad music, but I woud've changed a couple of things in Olsen's level if I were allowed. (Not the eyecandy) This is still MY cutscene, I get some freedom out of that.Stop acting childish. If you want to deliver a quality cutscene, you have to add the right music. Access.xm doesn't fit the mood of someone in panic with a ship dropping from the sky...

EvilMike style: First of all, I'm against naming the layer 1 as zero type cutscene with EvilMike's name, but whatever. If I make a cutscene like this, it will look nothing like what it does now. If you really want me to do it however, I can try my best. There can still be a gameplay interruption at the end.You haven't read my PM well enough. Only the crashing part is supposed to look like that, and that doesn't mean you have to copy his concept and execution of it. I used his level as an example.
Sure you can omit that idea, I don't mind it. In the PM I said I would be very pleased if you were able to insert it.

I think that's all I have to pick on at the moment, everything else is going fine. And that wasting time thing was actually a hoax so I could fix the crash scene...

The cutscene will be done in a week hopefully, and I'll send you two versions, one without spaceship scrolling (EvilMike style), the other with more details.

So Xobim, how's your level getting along?I never asked you to create a level in half an hour. You don't have to make up weird stories like "You like wasting my time? Then I'll waste yours by sending you that level a week later." just to make some more time free to work on it. In fact, I stated multiple times that you can take your time. I'm not waiting for you. The community is waiting for me, actually...

And my level is coming along nicely. I can send the part that's done by tonight, but only if Sacrush replies...

[cooba]

If anyone is causing trouble then I suggest that his "contribution" is ignored so everyone can move on rather than waste time on petty beef hurling.

[Valco]

Why do you need his feedback? Just wondering, if that sounded sarcastic, sorry. These forums should have sarcasm tags or something.

By the way, if the crashing part uses his affect, the whole level does. Sorry. I'll try anyway.

[FQuist]

Valco, let me warn you that at this moment you are not acting like a contribution to this forum and that you can start trying to be, or the admins could make you. Please treat people with more respect and less arrogance.

[Valco]

How are people quoting me on something I didn't say? Am I missing in on a prank? Stop it please!

[n00b]

How does n00b do it and not get people angry at him...

n00bs guidebook to being an arrogant sarcastic jerk on teh JCFs:

#1: Know when to quit.
#2: Best time to quit is when an admin intervenes. (which has happend six times in this instance. Thats five times too many. This should have stopped the second Stijn said "Stop being childish")

[Puffie40]

Valco, n00b's replies have a bit of intelligence behind them, unlike yours which seem to be made for the sake of saying them. You are wearing the moderators patience down, and I suggest you smarten up.

Shall I give you another quote? "it's better to keep your mouth closed and look like a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

If anyone is causing trouble then I suggest that his "contribution" is ignored so everyone can move on rather than waste time on petty beef hurling.

It's a shame that this rule has to be implemented, but if we have people on here acting like an (-), so be it.

[Sacrush]

Well... I Wouldn't mind seeing the level, but if you rather wait with it I don't mind.

[Valco]

Most of the level's done, but I just want to double check if I meet all of Xobim's standards. I was also hoping to get a one-frame scroll-free version in (EvilMike Style), and it could take a couple of days, seeing as I'm running out of free time. I'll send it to you and Xobim once it's finished. :-)

[Valco]

UPDATE:

The cutscene's almost done, just gotta fix up some ambient sound and lighting effects. This cutscene is radically different from the original, and it uses the layer-1 cover-up style.(EvilMike, whatever you want to call it) If your reading this, I've probably already sent Xobim and Sacrush the cutscene. I assure you Xobim. You'll like it. By the way, it uses Metal.mod, if you don't have it, you'll have to get it from somewhere.



Valco, n00b's replies have a bit of intelligence behind them, unlike yours which seem to be made for the sake of saying them. You are wearing the moderators patience down, and I suggest you smarten up.

Shall I give you another quote? "it's better to keep your mouth closed and look like a fool than to open it and remove all doubt."

'Quote Here'

It's a shame that this rule has to be implemented, but if we have people on here acting like an (-), so be it.

First of all, this arguement started when Stijn said I was childish. Was this a problem? No! But he starts to think he knows more about this episode than I do, and authority figures intervening when they have less information about the topic than I do is just one of my pet-peeves.

Smarten up, eh? Your the one who has no understanding of sarcasm. The n00b thing wasn't serious at all, just a joke. Notice the three periods...

And finally, don't listen to Cooba. He has no affiliation with us, let alone does he have the right to make any rules. Yes, I tried to make rules on the last page, but that was for the good of the community, and I believe everyone can benefit from that.

Smarten up Puffie40, go find a thread you belong in. Planning on argueing it out? Then your as childish as me.

[Stijn]

First of all, this arguement started when Stijn said I was childish. Was this a problem? No! But he starts to think he knows more about this episode than I do, and authority figures intervening when they have less information about the topic than I do is just one of my pet-peeves.
*sigh* for the last time, I said your way of replying was childish, which does not have anything to do with the episode.

[Valco]

That wasn't the problem! You said he explained himself well, and you got that information from a single post. I admit it, that was a very childish reply. But does EVERYONE have to pick on me because of it?

[Puffie40]

No. It's simply because you refuse to listen to what others say, and you think you know it all. You are the one who's attacking here, from what I see.

And finally, don't listen to Cooba. He has no affiliation with us, let alone does he have the right to make any rules.

Do you even know who the (-) cooba is in this community?

Edit: That's it. I'm not talking about this anymore. This is seriously derailing this topic. I suggest you do the same thing Valco :mad:

[Stijn]

Okay, stop it. If you have any more of this fascinating arguing about Who Is Being A Dick, please bore each other with it via PM's instead of annoying others with it.

If you have anything to say about the community episode itself, go ahead. If you have anything else to say, also go ahead, but not in this thread, or I'll go ahead too and give you warnings!

[Valco]

Huh? I don't understand the reason behind the above posts deletion. It wasn't offensive.
Where are you getting 'WHAT your idiot!' from?

Anyways, the cutscene's done. I'll send it to Xobim sometime tomorrow, I'm getting tired. :Z

[Odin]

This thread is in need of serious medical attentiion! SOMEONE POST BEFORE THIS THREAD FALLS INTO THE PIT OF DARKNESS! :eek:

Dude.

Shut up.

You are not funny.

You are annoying every single person in this thread with your childish acts.

Despite numerous requests (and commands) by admins you continue to persist your behavior and continue a pointless argument that you alone have started that has done nothing but piss people off, derail the discussion, and halt any development on the project at hand.

If I had any moderator power at all, your sorry (-)(-)(-) would have been permanently banned by now, for there is certainly grounds for it. Perhaps that's why I'm not an administrator around here. Stijn has far more patience than I have observed from most forum admins across the Internet, and yet you continue to abuse that patience.

Either stop right now or I am certain you WILL be banned.
<Note that my statement carries no weight since I have no connections to JCF staff. My statement is based off of pure speculation and observation of past events. Nonetheless, I highly recommend you cease your current actions.>

[Valco]

How is my post offending or annoying someone? If you're annoyed by everything I say, that's your problem. I agree, I've made a real mess in this thread, but I revived it so that the community episode could continue to be made, not so you could blab on about how much you hate me for my past actions. Besides, it's been over a month since the arguements started, and I'm over it.

[Stijn]

Hey Valco, this might be new for you (actually who am I kidding, it's not), but posts you make are supposed to make sense and contribute to the topic. The post above I deleted does neither. This isn't the first time you did this and not the first time I told you to stop it either. So, from now on, start posting replies that actually contribute something, or face warnings and disrespect and whatnot.

[Xobim]

The level is done!
I've finished my level a few minutes ago, and now I'm looking for people to betatest it. There are still a few things I'm not certain about and the level just needs to be generally tested by other people.
If you want to betatest it, post your emailadress or PM it to me. Just don't redistribute it when you get the file.

As for the next one in line:
I kind of already given the next level thing to Odin, although your level can take the place of mine since I really have no idea when I'll be working againEither Odin or n00b, depends if n00b is able to work on his level.

And Valco, can you send me your cutscene, please? :)

[n00b]

I've been extremely busy lately, and would much rather focus on my own up until now unannounced* SP pack right now instead

*Mostly because theres really nothing to show as of yet aside from one level, and I'd really rather start working the rigamarole that is the screenshot hype train much later on

[Odin]

I'm kinda sorta extremely disconnected from the community episode project, and now it turns out it's my turn. Couple of questions:

-What's the main plot of the story?
-What part of the plot will I cover in my level?
-Are there any restrictions to what my level has to be? (E.g. a lake, a reactor core, a pirate ship with a giant computer terminal in it)
-Who's after me?
-Who do I give the finished product to?

[Valco]

I'm kinda sorta extremely disconnected from the community episode project, and now it turns out it's my turn. Couple of questions:

-What's the main plot of the story?
-What part of the plot will I cover in my level?
-Are there any restrictions to what my level has to be? (E.g. a lake, a reactor core, a pirate ship with a giant computer terminal in it)
-Who's after me?
-Who do I give the finished product to?

All of these questions will be answered when betatesting is complete and Xobim gives you his level. All you need to do is continue from where his level ends.

EDIT: Xobim - Once I send you the cutscene, please reply to me with an attachment of your level. I'd like to betatest it, and I have a lot of free time on my hands.

[n00b]

Because advancing the plot has everything to do with the quality of a level's gameplay (you know, something this ep has in spades). Ok, that makes sense. I'm going to go back to not letting my brother use the Wii until he plugs in the PS3. Since that makes sense too.

[Odin]

All of these questions will be answered when betatesting is complete and Xobim gives you his level. All you need to do is continue from where his level ends.

Except I need the answers in order to have some semblance of where to start making this level.

[DoubleGJ]

I can give you all the previous levels so you can play through and get an idea what's going on in the story, if that satisfyes you. Other than that, I guess you're free to direct the story wherever you want to.

[Xobim]

I can send Odin the summary of the episode that n00b has sent me when I started making my level. It should clear things up a lot easier than having Odin to play through all the levels...

And does anybody else want to betatest? I've only got two testers at the moment, and one of them is too busy! D=

[TripleJ]

I would like to test it Xobim

[Valco]

Did you recieve my email yet Xobim? It's been well over a month, and you haven't replied :|

[Xobim]

Yes I did, but I've been quite busy, and the project has gone silent since my mail. Neither n00b, nor Sacrush, nor Odin have replied to this thread or to me by mail.

[Sacrush]

Yes, I still have your email. I played through the level a while ago. I will give you my thoughts very soon.

[n00b]

In the same boat as Sacrush.

[Xobim]

Very well then. I'll just pass your PM to me to Odin, so that he can begin/continue his level.

[TUDOR93]

Hey, uhhh I'm trying to make a level for single player ( Its not for the comunity episode, I'm just execising ) and I can figure out how to introduce a text in the game, i press E, I select the text event from the menu but I dont know where to write the text, any ideas ? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Erik]

Its not for the comunity episode, I'm just execising

Why do you post here then

[Violet CLM]

Level Properties. Find the number your text event displays, and write the text in there.

Other ways you could have gotten this information:

Searched around the JCS interface, for instance by loading other levels.
The JCS documentation (F1).
The JCSref article on "Text."
The search function on this forum, which will find a topic in General Jazz Talk about this very topic.

[Sacrush]

So yeah, I was kinda inactive lately, but now im back. I will test your level once again xobim and give you some feedback about it, but my question to you is, is my version of the level still relevant? If so I will test it ASAP! If not, can you send me the newest version? Thank you.

[Xobim]

The version you got is the most recent one. I need to do some heavy thinking on how to fix a problem n00b spotted...

[Ðx]

some pictures would be cool.

[Sacrush]

some pictures would be cool.

Actually, there are plenty, look at the main post.

[Olsen]

thread revival:

http://www.freewebs.com/mrolsen/new%20staff/CEproject02.j2l

yea, it's all done now

took long enough no?

[DoubleGJ]

OH MY GOD IT'S ALIVE

_o\ \o\ \o/ /o/ /o_

[Olsen]

lololololol, but now that I'm actually somewhat awake I see that my level is in dire needs of remejks, but no

[Xobim]

This thread is about to eat braaaaaaiiiiiins...

Nice level, though. Very amusing. :)

[Puffie40]

Nice level. Can't wait to see the rest!

[Olsen]

I doubt that's ever going to happen, but yea. ^^

[Sacrush]

Oh hello, I might restart the hole thing again. With new rules. Expect to hear something in a week or so.

[Olsen]

Woohoo! A good reasons to make level(s) is always awesum