In this article, I am going to describe MY 7 stages to perfect gaming.

Please bear with me while I explain how I got there!

I carry my new netbook with me everywhere. I bought it for my work but because I always have stuff to do on the site, it’s useful for me to be able to whip it out and do a bit of admin or even writing if there’s no Net connection.

This is an ALT mod and as such you don’t have weapons or enemies to fight.

You are along for the ride in a story about love and loss.

It’s in Russian but there are English subtitles.

Please base your reviews on what the mod actually is NOt or what you wanted it to be.

You play an engineer, surprise, surprise, who is going about his job when suddenly….

Upon Waking up, you need to escape and of course, being an engineer you are highly trained in crawling through air vents etc.

Follow the scientists instructions and good luck.

This is an unfinished project that Richman has decided to release.

There is no combat and I had to load a couple of maps manually.

The final 4 images were taken with cheats on.

Starting in a courtyard area, you must work your way through certain parts of the hospital.

It almost seems alive and aware of your presence.

Can you reach the main exit or will you succumb to the horrors that await you.

Only time will tell.

I love reading more than any other entertainment activity. I couldn’t imagine not reading.

I have my favourite authors, like everybody, and very occasionally if funds allow I like to buy a hardback book.

The NewBlackMesaVille theme was pretty simple: Create a map with the feel of Black Mesa but try to make it seem new with new textures or just interesting layout.

This map was the only entry into the NewBlackMesaVille mapping competition. A few others promised to send entries, but circumstance got in the way. They all promised to release their work at some point in the future.

I have included more screenshots than I would normally for a map this size, because I took a good look around and wanted to record all the intersting points.

Be warned, there is no “actual” combat.

You play an elite soldier, who is sent in to perform a number of tasks on an abandoned research facility.

Your commander is in contact with you via screen text.

He gives you clear instructions for each section.

Can you make it out alive?

As a level designer I often take a keen interest in the puzzles that others include in their maps. Half Life 2 offers a huge wealth of puzzle possibilities due to the physics engine and the gravity gun. If you ask a player what their favourite puzzle in a game was they could probably tell you immediately (I’d like to know yours by the way) but they may not be able to tell you why.

Equally they may struggle to explain why a bad puzzle doesn’t work, but in reality there are rules to a good game based puzzle and if you follow them, as a mapper you can’t go wrong.

Here’s my rules that I’ve learnt through creating maps and playtesting on how to create a good puzzle.