ns_freefall Beta 14 (November 24, 2003)
Designed and Created by Nick "HoundDawg" Slevkoff
http://www.wwgaming.com


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OVERVIEW

This map is strictly a "fun" style map, which was inspired by playing ns_missilecommand (an old map from NS v1.0).  There were just a few design issues I had with that map, which really favored the marines.  Then, I got crazy and really spruced things up. =)


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INSTALLATION

Unzip the archive to your "\Half-Life\ns" folder and be sure to have "Use Folder Names" so the files go in the proper locations.  If you have problems, here is a list of files and where they should go:

\maps\ns_freefall_b14.bsp
\maps\ns_freefall_b14.res
\maps\ns_freefall_b14.txt
\sprites\minimaps\ns_freefall_b14.spr


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CHANGE LOG

Beta 14
- Fixed to run in NS v2.x
- Removed 1 Resource Node from Aliens
- Added a few half-spike ledges below alien area.

Beta 13
- Raised the Command Chair out of the ground.
- Added spawn points to each hive chamber.
- Made external hive chamber walls easier for skulks to climb up on.
- Increased the brightness of the lights for each hive.
- Inverted the lower mid-level so they tilt upward rather than downward.
- Increased the transparency of the marine bunker tops for commander.
- Added transparency to the water in the ready room.
- Fixed the backside of the command bunker to avoid getting stuck there.

Beta 12
- Removed ladders and glass ladder tubes.
- Re-created the marine bunkers from scratch.  They are now improved and better on the poly counts with less chances of leaks.
- Simplified the marine base floor, by removing the curved sand paths.
- Re-designed the marine layout and added different terrain effects.
- Re-designed and re-created the entire alien hive area.  Improved construction and layout.
- Color-coded hives for easier identification for both aliens and marines.
- Changed both mid-level platforms, which now block more of the map, increasing FPS.
- Removed ramps that linked hives to the center.  This should help slow aliens down a little from immediately gaining all 3 hives before marines are prepared.

Beta 11
- Removed animated textures in the pool to increase FPS in Marine base area.
- Moved Marine back corner resource nozzle closer to command bunker in order to fix the resource nozzle overlap with aliens.
- Fixed some texturing in alien areas.
- Reduced hive spawn radius to avoid being spawned in another hive location.
- Changed pulsing lighting to normal ligting to help increase FPS and reduce file size.
- Removed unused textures from ns_freefall.wad making it smaller again.

Beta 10
- Totally re-designed the entire alien hive and resource areas.  FPS is now a little higher up there at the top. Warning, the bigger the spike, the bigger the hurt area and more damage you'll take near the tip.
- Moved the Command Chair a little.

Beta 9
- Removed the H & D in middle of the map.  They were replaced by two larger wall layers.
- Fixed the pool water shape from Square to a circle.  From far above, the pool would appear square.
- Join team drops in the readyroom go faster as you no longer fall down the full length of the drop.
- Adjusted some of the lighting throughout.
- Main alien crystals are no longer breakable.  Hive area was too dark when they were broken.

Beta 8
- Removed the alien veil around the resource ring.
- Re-designed the water pool from scratch.
- Reduced the number of textures used in the water cycling textures.
- Moved the large alien crystal from roof back to resource ring.
- Added small alien crystals near the tops of both ladders.
- Added a few huge spikes to alien roof.
- Added more texture terrain to marine base.
- Changed the texture used on command bunker window.
- Moved one of the marine resource nodes closer in from back corner.

Beta 7
- Now has it's own .WAD file, which is a little bigger to accomodate some of the new textures used.
- Added some alien camaflouge hangings (veils) around hives and resource ring.
- Fixed the several alien spawn points which were below the hive locations, which caused aliens to spawn falling.
- Raised Hives a tad so JP Marines can't camp on top of them.
- Added more alien spawn points at each hive, which should bring it to standards.
- Changed the water textures.
- Made modifications to the water pit.
- Changed the bunker textures.
- Changed the command bunker window, allowing it to act more like a tinted window where those inside can see out really good while those on the outside can't see in as well.
- Modified the lighting a little above both the H and the D.
- Added terrain to the corners of the marine drop zone area.
- Removed a few resource nodes from both aliens and marines.
- Added water ambient sounds.
- Reduced the health on ladder glass tubes from 1000 to 500 and increased the transparency.
- Fixed ready room halls so you don't have to jump up out of water.
- Added a few other ambient sounds.

Beta 6
- Middle part of H now disappears as aliens fall through it.  This allows aliens to drop down to pool easier.  No effect for marines.
- Middle part of the alien resource circle is now a hole, allowing easy drops down.
- All hives were raised a little closer to the roof.
- Various ready room enhancements, including a teleport for players that can't join a team due to auto team balance.  Players get teleported back to ready room.
- Added a RES file for server.

Beta 5
- Changed the wall textures to a rocky outdoor type of theme.
- Totally re-designed the alien hive locations and resource nodes.
- Spaced out the marine resource nodes to not conflict with the aliens nodes.
- Swapped one of the marine bunkers with one of the mounds.
- Added an H between the D and the alien hives. While falling, you'll pass by H and D, which are my initials for HoundDawg. =)

Beta 4
- Removed the fog sprites.  They caused unnecessary lower FPS for some players.
- Moved the far middle marine resource node so that it could be built without conflicting with the alien resource node above.
- Added 2 ladders going up to the hive area with breakable glass sections.
- Added a ladder behind the command bunker to get on roof.
- Added a breakable glass window to the front of the command bunker.

Beta 3
- Added marine command bunker and 2 marine combat bunkers.  This should help marines with a little protection from aliens that like to just bombard from above.
- Added 2 fog layers.
- Re-arranged a few marine resource nodes to accomodate the bunkers.

Beta 2
- Re-designed the alien hives.  Spacing them out and adding a little tiered layer to it.
- Added hills to the marine floor.  Adjusted the water height so it's easier to climb out.
- Spread the marine resources out a little more so that they didn't conflict with the alien resource nodes above.

Beta 1
- Initial Public Release


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Copyright (c) 2003 by Nick "HoundDawg" Slevkoff
