Blockout – Map Labs Test Tube #5

for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

This Test Tube (short competition) challenged authors to create a blockout rather than a full map. Rough geometry, developer textures, the works – the idea being that by prototyping, testing, and refining the gameplay rather than the visuals, overall development of a level can be smoother and require less reworking. And maps in development can still be a blast!

Enjoy the 13 submissions and 3 bonus maps!

As always, if you’re interested in learning more about Map Labs and maybe even participate in their upcoming challenges, visit the Map Labs Discord.

Total Downloads: 2209th August 2023
2 Comments

Half-Shell

for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

Gordon Freeman is tasked to clear out a Combine-controlled oil rig in the middle of the sea. Freeman is offered a lowly, leaking rowboat as a means of transport. It’s just enough to get him to the rig undetected, which is fortunate; rebel reports say there is an armored helicopter stationed on the rig. Undoubtedly, Freeman will have to encounter it sooner or later…

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Total Downloads: 3115th August 2023
9 Comments and 7 recommendations, most say "Play It Now!"

Eye Candy 2 – Map Labs #19

for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

The long-awaited sequel to the original Eye Candy (which was only a Test Tube)! This one was a full-blown Map Labs challenge at last.

Mappers were charged with making a map featuring unique and beautiful visuals. That’s it, gameplay optional.

Enjoy the 9 entries!

As always, if you’re interested in learning more about Map Labs and maybe even participate in their upcoming challenges, visit the Map Labs Discord.

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Total Downloads: 1,6935th March 2023
8 Comments and 3 recommendations, most really enjoyed it!

Random Stream Vote!

Ahoy! Clearly I’ve been slacking on the Classic of the Month streams. But I will get back to them at some point, and I feel like streaming something else this weekend. Something VERY Half-Life.

So, you get to pick in the vote! Choose one for me to start streaming at the usual time (12 noon Saturday eastern US time / 5pm in the UK / 6pm Central Europe).

As usual, the stream will be on the RunThinkShootLive Twitch Channel.

Check the Time & Date.Com website for your local time. See you there!

2nd March 2023 1 Comment

2023 General Chat

Another year is upon us already! Here’s a new General Chat! Best wishes from me to you for a great 2023!

This year, I’m still hoping that mods I mentioned a year ago see the light of day, like The Core, Dark Matter, Signal Lost, and THWL Tower Source.

I also plan to catch up with mods and games I’ve been wanting to play, like an Alyx replay as well as FMPONE’s Levitation which was released in November.

What are your 2023 resolutions? Or better yet, goals?

1st January 2023 62 Comments

Classic of the Month Stream – Big Lolly – December 2022

2022 has come and (nearly) gone. But before the New Year comes (for most of us) it’s time for the final 2022 Classic of the Month!

I’ll be playing Cayle George’s colorful Big Lolly.

The stream will be this weekend on Saturday December 31st, about 12pm (noon) Eastern US Time (5pm in the UK, 6pm Central Europe).

As usual, the stream will be on the RunThinkShootLive Twitch Channel, and the recording will later be uploaded to the Classic of the Month playlist on the RTSL YouTube channel.

Check the Time & Date.Com website for your local time. See you there!

28th December 2022 1 Comment

Classic of the Month Stream – Half-Life: The Infected – November 2022

As usual, time flies by. It seems like I was just streaming Cry of Fear a week ago! But here we are in late November, time for a different Classic of the Month!

I’ll be playing Half-Life: The Infected from a couple years back by Neclipse.

The stream will be this weekend on Saturday November 26th, about 12pm (noon) Eastern US Time (5pm in the UK, 6pm Central Europe).

As usual, the stream will be on the RunThinkShootLive Twitch Channel, and the recording will later be uploaded to the Classic of the Month playlist on the RTSL YouTube channel.

23rd November 2022 1 Comment

Companion Piece 3: To the Grave – Map Labs Presents

for Half-Life 2: Episode Two

Forgoing their usual Halloween Horror challenge this year, the Map Labs folks put a new twist on their Companion Piece theme for this October. In this challenge, mappers were required to use an NPC companion that actually helps you rather than hinders you, for a hopefully fun escort mission instead of the usual frustration. Horror themes were encouraged to make this a true crossover.

Here are the 4 maps entered in Companion Piece 3: To the Grave!

As always, if you’re interested in learning more about Map Labs and maybe even participate in their upcoming challenges, visit the Map Labs Discord.

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Total Downloads: 68812th November 2022
6 Comments and 3 recommendations, most say "Play It Later"

The Hammer Cup 2022 Wrap-up

The Hammer Cup 2022 Overview

This year, the Map Labs folks had a great idea – bring back the Hammer Cup, but in mini format! So this Cup was another great partnership with Map Labs that consisted of three mapping challenges, each with a different theme.

Entrants received points for each challenge they entered. At the end of the event, the best 2 points totals from the challenges they entered were added together for each entrant. These totals decided who won the Grand Prizes.

This means that entrants did not have to enter every challenge to win the grand prize but they needed to have entered at least 2 to have a chance of winning the prizes.

29th October 2022 1 Comment