Portfolio and Technology Blog: 20 Years of Tinkering

Back in the day, Polycount was the place Modelers gathered to discuss and share models.  As a result is was a treasure trove of models for Q3 mappers to utilize.  Sometime in 2006 the site changed and eventually the q3 community-driven content has seemed to all but vanish.  However, I stumbled across the IOQuake3 site again.  And much to my pleasant suprise I found a dump of the old Polycount Q3 character models!

And here's an archived page detailing how to create models for Quake 3 Arena.

Yep, ioquake3 is awesome. I was able to load up some old Q3 custom maps and run around. This basically means that down the line I will be able to create a simple ioquake3 based mod that focuses primarily on my mapping.  More on that in a bit however…

Using kwaak3 on my Droid 2 (which is essentially ioquake3 under the hood) I can run the same custom maps and connect to other ioquake3 servers!!!!  Yes, even in servers where other users might be playing from their PCs!

There is no word yet on how reliable kwaak is in running 3rd party ioquake3 mods – such as the one I will eventually be making – but I assume basic ioquake modifications *should* work without issue.

Now, I know that playing FPS games on mobile devices is really not there yet, and frankly kwaak is far from polished… nevertheless, I see some awesome potential here.  Once one realizes that an ioquake3 mod *should* probably be designed in such a way so as to be enjoyable on both mobile and PC platforms – the sky is the limit.

I also noticed that on the homepage of ioquake3 there is mention of ioRTCW and ioET (down the line). If and when that happens – HAPPY DAYS!!! I can picture standing up 2 game servers (running ioQ3 and ioRTCW), and being able to connect to them from pretty much ANY type of computer…

Wait… ANY?  Wouldn't any new machine require Quake3 or RTCW to be installed (i.e. purchased) even before the custom mod could be installed and played?  Technically, no.

The terms of the Q3 source code release basically stipulate that you can use their engine as a base for any new game, and distribute it for FREE online (i.e. no separate q3 purchase required by any end users of your game), so long as all original quake3 media is stripped out of the game.  It must be a total conversion.  If you later wish to sell it, id software will of course then require a licensing fee.

On a final note, a quick Google search indicates that in all likelihood an ioquake3/iortcw port may even be possible to run on an iPhone.  Just, awesome…

To summarize,

• Create two Total Conversion mods based on ioquake3 and iortcw, respectively.
• Mods will feature all original maps, models, weapons, sounds, music and styles of game-play.
• Mods will be Portable/Playable from most any type of computer or mobile/smart phone.
• Mods will be easy to Install and FREE TO PLAY on any supported platform.

Let the brainstorming begin!

Yep, I am regressing… or am I?

Going through my library the other day, I came across a book I had never even cracked open.
…And it turns out its pretty good!

Within short order I was able to correlate the instructions given for the environment setup (which are now 10 years dated) and make my first code changes to the source.
* Homing Rockets!
* Up next? Cluster Grenades, Locational Damage, Jetpacks, Chain Lightning, etc. Fun!

Nothing crazy yet, but a great start (for not knowing a bit of C programming), nonetheless.
Also, as the web resources provided in the book are long since offline, I may document portions of the book to help others (if anyone has issue with this, contact me).

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In VERY related news, I came across this awesome project: ioquake3.
In a nutshell, it is the original Q3A Engine + a whole lot of improvements, security patches, and misc updates.
One of their most attractive features is the massive portability overhaul (their homepage is littered with folks showing ioquake3 running on mobile devices).

Needless to say, this is all very exciting and is yes, VERY appealing to me.

The plan then:
– Create a Q3A mod using the ioquake3 platform.
– Create all new maps, character models, weapons, music, etc (i.e. total conversion mod).
– Host the new Mod 24×7.
– Play the mod on my smart phone.
– I Win.

..And with the updated ioquake3 HD texture packs, q3map2 level rendering enhancements (note: Is ioquake3 compatible with q3map2?), and the insane 7.1 surround sound also provided through ioquake3??!!! – No, I am not regressing in thinking I should do this.

Given the simplicity of Mapping/Modeling/Modding in the Q3A engine, which now includes updated graphics and sound – this may yet just be a stroke of Brilliance!
🙂

Added many new screenies in the RTCW and Q3 map sections..
be sure to check them out. As well this site will be moving to www.murderx.com soon.. so keep posted on that. and updated links. enjoy!.

After months of waiting it seems, dm_arena is complete….

Grab yours here.