The Battle Of Thermopylae

[L0d3x]

Hello Modacity,

Today I am proud to announce the Battle Of Thermopylae, a single player map in which you, the player, must help defend a Firebase which was deployed in order to investigate an unknown forerunner construct.

In order to improve accessibility, the humans had built a bridge towards the artifact. However, this site has recently fallen under siege by a Covenant strike force. They have taken out the bridge in a preceeding Seraph bombing run, to delay human access to the forerunner structure, as the strike force prepares its troops for the final assault.

Undoubtebly the human defence faces a tough nut to crack, and only time will tell exactly what kind of nuts shall be served. In the mean time, enjoy some renders:

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render1base.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render2base.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render4forerunner.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render5bridge.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render6topgameplay-1.jpg

The people working on this project are:
L0d3x- AI encounters
Joshflighter/Fear1337- Structure Modeler
Newbkilla-Ingame/UVunwrapper
GameGodLazy- Terrain modeler

For those of you interested in the origins of the name of the map, here's the short version:


Both ancient and modern writers have used the Battle of Thermopylae as an example of the power of a patriotic army of freemen defending native soil. The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is also used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain as force multipliers and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.


Feel free to leave any kind of constructive feedback or suggestions.

[Joshflighter]

The guardian thing is currently a concept. Its going to work itself in there though...

[MetKiller Joe]

Looks great. Can't wait to see progress on this.

[Limited]

Loving how you've adapted Halo Wars idea :)

Cant wait to see more.

[UnevenElefant5]

Looking really great. Looking forward to more renders and release.

[Mythril]

Looks excellent, interesting name as well.

[jcap]

This is beautiful.

[Ki11a_FTW]

i shall be spectating in this thread

[Rob Oplawar]

yay for SP

[azjesse]

Nice, but i think the broken bridge should have some more cracks.

[n00b1n8R]

Why can't they just fly across the gap?

Last time I checked, this was in the future.

[Newbkilla]

I thought you wanted me to create an epic forerunner entrance:l Either way, unwrapping this whole thing is gonna be a pain in the ass..

E/ noob- You don't have any flying vehicles.

[L0d3x]

Why can't they just fly across the gap?

Last time I checked, this was in the future.

Good question.

The bridge was actually easily constructed out of some kind of "bridge deployment kit", very similar to what the firebase uses. So as far as time constraints go, the amount of time spent "building" the bridge, is rather irrelevant.

Now the purpose of this bridge is in fact more of an "equipment (as in: UNSC research equipment, some of which could be very heavy) transportation" function, and also, if deemed necesarry after investigation, an "artifact(s) extraction function". Try fitting some large artifact on a pelican, when the pelican can't even come in close enough to get it.

Short version: considering the short deployment time of the bridge, it's just much more convenient for the UNSC.

[Warsaw]

Why can't they just fly across the gap?

Last time I checked, this was in the future.

Srs AA may be another explanation...

[Inferno]

L0dex if I don't get to beta this Ill eat our babies.

[Advancebo]

I thought you wanted me to create an epic forerunner entrance:l Either way, unwrapping this whole thing is gonna be a pain in the ass..

E/ noob- You don't have any flying vehicles.

What, you dont have to unwrap. Theres something called UVW Map.

[Corndogman]

Are you unwrapping it to make a UV template, or just mapping the parts to to pre-existing textures?

[L0d3x]

L0dex if I don't get to beta this Ill eat our babies.

Don't ever have kids people, nothing but trouble.

[Joshflighter]

Are you unwrapping it to make a UV template, or just mapping the parts to to pre-existing textures?

Ok, so I forgot to tell Lodex to post this with the first post.


If there is someone that can either UV-unwrap or Texture stuff for this and are good at what they do, please PM me. We need someone badly after the models are completely completed.

So to answer your question corny, yea we unwrapping to make a template.


Now to some other news, we were going to get the Cobra in-game and do it for this SP, but now we might have 2 parts due to Snaf giving us some models that are pure win. So right now, I dont know if I should get the top part of the cobra done and have advance put it in-game, because we need a texture guy and unwrapper. :p

[flibitijibibo]

With the right soundtrack, this could make a badass SP map.

[StankBacon]

looks good so far.

[Higuy]

Whys there a human broken down corroding highway right that goes up to a forerunner artifact?

[Disaster]

Whys there a human broken down corroding highway right that goes up to a forerunner artifact?
^

[Limited]

Whys there a human broken down corroding highway right that goes up to a forerunner artifact?
UNSC was building base there (hence the firebase) they were excavating the place, located this structure. Then the covenant came back and wiped them all out.

I'm sure assuming of course, but that would make sense to me.

[L0d3x]

And here's the detailed reason, which was posted at only page 2 of the thread.



The bridge was actually easily constructed out of some kind of "bridge deployment kit", very similar to what the firebase uses. So as far as time constraints go, the amount of time spent "building" the bridge, is rather irrelevant.

Now the purpose of this bridge is in fact more of an "equipment (as in: UNSC research equipment, some of which could be very heavy) transportation" function, and also, if deemed necesarry after investigation, an "artifact(s) extraction function". Try fitting some large artifact on a pelican, when the pelican can't even come in close enough to get it.

Short version: considering the short deployment time of the bridge, it's just much more convenient for the UNSC.

[Joshflighter]

-Message deleted-

[sevlag]

I like the use of Halo wars style structures...I'd ask for beta testin privileges, but that answer would probably be a no...anyways this looks promising

now as for enemies, what type of forces are we expecting, will the first line be easier to push through and then get progressivley tougher...what sort of covenant armor will be encountered? I'd like to see use of the AA wraiths as some sort of extreme obstacle for the player to have to overcome...

what will the biped be the player plays as? I know a SPARTAN would normally be used, but I think a challenging thing would have to be playing as a marine as the lack of shielding system makes it more intense and makes the player actually think instead of mindlessly running into combat

one last thing, omit any "super weapon" such as an overpowered covenant/human weapons...I don't want to go up against elites who just all have plasma swords, I'd like to encounter..oh say a sqaud of grunts commanded by two elites, some grunts armed with plasma pistols, a few with needelers while the elites wield their signature plasma rifles...the thought of taking cover and strategictly returning fire would make for a memorable experience....

good luck and cant wait for the end product

[Joshflighter]

I am sorry for bumping this.. but I have some good and bad news.

First is.. I need someone to unwrap the models or this wont go nowhere.

Second is, I'm rendering a render of the finished model tomorrow. Only problem is... I need someone to unwrap (ik I stated this before) but I disaster and a few other people are to busy to unwrap. Thanks.

(PM me if you have enough time to unwrap the BSP) Ty again. :)

[rossmum]

Holy shit, nice. I missed this thread earlier :F

[Disaster]

I'll do terrain textures for you guys if you wish.

[Heathen]

Holy shit, nice. I missed this thread earlier :F
as did I. Awesome.

[Joshflighter]

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/update1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/update2.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/update3.jpg

[Advancebo]

nice :D

[Newbkilla]

It's Human, not Forerunner. It first looked like forerunner, but it's not.

[n00b1n8R]

It actually looks like a bastardisation of both styles >__>

[UnevenElefant5]

Looked kinda Forerunner in the beginning, then I scrolled down.

[bobsam]

Nice!!:D

[BobtheGreatII]

It actually looks like a bastardisation of both styles >__>

Looks like the same structure that's in Halo 3. Lol.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/Buttonbasher/TheStorm.jpg?t=1244858991

[Joshflighter]

Looks like the same structure that's in Halo 3. Lol.


It is.

[Heathen]

was about to say.

[n00b1n8R]

That's the only H3 level I've played lol.
once.
5 months ago.

vOv

[BobtheGreatII]

It is.

Lol, I was stating a fact, not asking a question. :p

[Advancebo]

Except more like the beginning part.

[Joshflighter]

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/here.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/here2.jpg

[Roostervier]

Looks really unnatural right there. :\

[Joshflighter]

How so?

I plan on mirroring all 4 ways...

[MetKiller Joe]

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/here.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/here2.jpg

Please tell me you're going to put some detail maps on that? It looks like a superb base diffuse. Such a great scene, and it really does look like something out of Halo Wars.

[Roostervier]

The geometry just seems too fake and unnatural looking. You're much better off making it all by hand rather than heightmap.

[Joshflighter]

Eh its fine. Were not going to use this terrain model anyways anymore. :)

[Malloy]

lol wtf, looks so out of place, Sposed to be in Tsavo/Urban surrounding right?

[Joshflighter]

No?

[Malloy]

Source of opinion = the reference that was shown previously in the thread.

[jngrow]

In Halo 3, the angle that you approach that structure from makes it not as forerunner looking, even though it still looks extremely Forerunner, even when I saw it in-game. I think you should change the top holding half. From far away, a protrusion from the cliffs like that screams Forerunner, not human.

[Cortexian]

Have you guys actually filled out a BSP for all these base models yet...?

[Joshflighter]

Have you guys actually filled out a BSP for all these base models yet...?


What do you mean? Like planned one out? Yes, its on the front page. Have we made the terrain for the bsp yet, no, because Disaster ain't around much and I have exams all this week. :(

If not, I'll just ask lodex to make the terrain, since he is pretty good at it. :p

[Joshflighter]

READ ONLY IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS SP!.


30 MIN SP
Prologue:
On a planet, like earth, the UNSC discovered a strong source of energy. The captain of the UNSC kendy flag ship, brought a crew and a few researches with scientists to uncover what it might be. Of course, this was with the premonition that it might change the tide of the war going on, with the Covenant and the humans. A base and settlements were built after some time and a head quarters was installed over the source of energy.
Bases and other structures visible in the game:
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/update1.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/render2base.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/done-2.jpg
(laboratory not all included yet. It is still being modeled)
- http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/stasispodtrry.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/backstatasis.jpg
CONCEPT so far.
Scene 1:
-Description-
You are a beta ODST of a new suit that is being used and may be deployed depending on how it performs in battle. You and a complementary squad of 12 are assigned to the UNSC ship kendy.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn229/1chains1/Untitled-1copy-5.png
(Concept by chains)
Start of battle 1:
(Using the voice of a woman in the mid-20's, the following dialogue will occur.)
-While this dialogue occurs, you are in first person but your weapon can not fire or move, only look around. In front of you is a recon armoured woman (which is going to give the dialogue). For the first part of the game, you have to follow here, she will explain the prologue and the current situation.-

Dialogue:
Recon: "I'm glad they decided to bring re-enforcements. I'm worried that the covenant will find out about this place."
You: "There are a bunch of anomalies and power sources in space and other planets, why would they come here?"
Recon: "They haven't told you? I guess not. What we have here, its bigger then the forerunner, its bigger then us, and the covenant put together. We barely scratched the surface so far, but some of our scientists have discovered something that is very very worrying."
You: "Heh, me and my squad can take the covenant on and the flood if that's what you mean."
Recon:" You'll understand when I show you. Come with me"
-At this point she start walking toward the fire base but go to a dug out trench that leads to a laboratory of sorts.-
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/layout-1.jpg
Recon: "That"
(You see a new kind of specie you never saw before. It looks like a robot of sorts.)
Recon: "That thing, can take more rounds then any Chief or ODST can. The armour material used to make it, is of such a high grade, we don't know who could have made it. All we know is, if the covenant get this in there hands, we wont stand a chance. We think this is why the forerunner hid these things. "
You: " Why did they only send us then? "
Recon: "So we don't attract the covenant or anyone else for that matter."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Voice (sounds like someone talking over the radio)
Voice of unknown person: "EVERYONE TO BATTLE STATIONS!"
You: "I guess they already did."
(Game starts near in front of the base and then)
This is where you fight various forms of covenant waves.

[L0d3x]

Oh god I want your chickens!

[klange]

This campaign needs an oversized drop ship, if you catch my drift.

[PopeAK49]

If you need terrain, you can message me.

[[gx]Shadow]

Wow, looks great! Keep it up.

[Joshflighter]

http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/watchtower.jpg

[Nero]

http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Maniac1000/3screenshot00copy.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Maniac1000/2screenshot00copy.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Maniac1000/1screenshot00copy.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t151/Maniac1000/0screenshot00copy.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/side2.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/side3.jpg
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn159/Joshflighter/side4.jpg

I would like to thank Maniac and others such as Higuy who have helped get the base in-game yet again.
These are 2 bases that are going to be in the SP for-sure. Anything else that has been posted earlier in this thread is now lost. This is why I don't have to much progress, I had to start over. (Apart of the first base).
I have some more content, including one vehicle, but I do not wish to show it until i feel the time is right.
I hope you like the pics above. Please remember that progress has been slow and will be slow, because I am basically a one man team and I also have school. :)
Enjoy.

[Dwood]

Holy shot tags batman.

[Hotrod]

Man, that stuff looks gorgeous! I really hope this gets finished so keep it up!

[Donut]

damn i was wondering what happened to this stuff. awesome job so far.

[Nero]

Thanks guys. :downs:

[Higuy]

Keep up the good work, want to see something done here.

[jcap]

Script a Halo Wars FPS~

That stuff looks awesome. I forgot about this.

[Cortexian]

Bases are looking good as ever! Hope to see this start forming up eventually, sounded like a great concept!

[Bastinka]

Looks very nice, could use a cooler name though.

[Nero]

Cooler name? Hmm. The name was chosen by lodex (not that this is a bad thing). On halo maps the SP is called "30 min SP". So as of now I'm not sure what name will actually stick to the SP.
Although, if you have something in mind, I may think about using it, as I do not know of any "Cool" names. :)

Also thanks again for the comments. Hopefully I will be able to present a vehicle I have been working on for this SP. :)
I dont think it has been created for any Halo game or in any mod as of yet. *It was a concept designed for halowars*

[TeeKup]

The Siege of Daedalus Arterium.

Daedalus as we all know in greek mythology was a master craftsman and artisan, as such the UNSC name a well constructed and fortified base after him. Arterium is an offshoot of Arterial or Artery, a major part of a human circulatory system, meaning the base is of great importance or value to the UNSC.

Something unique, it might be too flashy though. Depends on your taste Nero.

[t3h m00kz]

Looks very nice, could use a cooler name though.

How about...

"Aggrivation"

Since, you know, -tion names haven't been done to hell and back or anything.