I have made a video for this poll question.

If I decide to use this format, I will make sure the video is a little longer has has more details, examples and talking points in future.

“Barney has been abducted from a rebel surveillance post overlooking the infamous Precinct 17, a former police station repurposed by the Combine.

It’s up to Gordon Freeman to find out what happened to his friend.”

Well, this is unexpected, ay?

I got an email from somebody about mapping challenges and was a little brusque in my reply and then a couple of days ago somebody else asked about another HalloweenVille Mapping Challenge. I said “NO!”, but then I was thinking it’s not too hard to run a challenge.

I am sure you would have liked more notice, but I’ll understand if you are all busy.

I want modders to create a map that scares players. Simple jumpscares will not do. Atmosphere and build-up are what is needed, along with a suitable setting.

There MUST still be combat and/or puzzle solving. Simply making a scary scene is not acceptable for this challenge.

The deadline for submitting maps is:

Monday 31st October 10pm GMT

That’s 20 days, with 3 full weekends.

DO NOT GET TOO AMBITIOUS. If you can’t build it in 2 weekends then think smaller.

Something is bound to delay your progress. Leave time for testing, bug fixing and polishing!

Please get somebody to test the map before submitting.

I’m not sure yet if there will be prizes.

The winner will be chosen by a readers vote lasting 10 days after the release of the mod.

• Maximum two maps per mapper per entry.
• The map must be original and not have been released publicly before.
• The map must run in system with only Ep2 installed
• By entering the competition you grant PlanetPhillip.Com and RunThinkShootLive.Com the right to release the map as part of the HalloweenVille Three Mod.
• Maps must not appear on ANY other website before the release and for one month after the release of the mod.
• No assets from retail games other than HL2, HL2: Ep1 or HL2: Ep2 are allowed.
• Other assets are allowed with written permission from their original authors, which MUST be included in the entry.
• Phillip’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into about it.
• The map MUST have a proper name.
• The map MUST have a proper filename: MapName_hvt.bsp
• All entries must be sent to: [email protected] no later than the deadline.

Get the basic concept working before polishing the visuals. Being almost totally dark is not the only way to make things scary.

I will do my best to release the mod on the weekend after the Monday deadline.

“The city you’re currently in is under attack by Combine forces. They are controlled by a Sky Captain, a malicious being (possibly artificial intelligence) flying a helicopter and with a role in the Combine hierarchy similar of that of an Advisor.

However, the Sky Captain seeks direct confrontation with members of the resistance and can be very persistent and aggressive. Escape the city and try to avoid this Sky Captain.”

Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Gordon is forced to venture through a dilapidated, hostile environment in order to clear the tram line of an alien infestation.

Offering approximately 15-30 minutes of gameplay, Scylla takes the player through a winding environment full of deadly hazards and enemies. Your performance may alter parts of the level as you progress. Be sure to watch out for special NPCs; not all are obvious.

“THE SHADOW OF BLACK MESA, A SURVIVOR OF THE SEVEN HOUR WAR, MITCHELL HAS WAITED 20 YEARS FOR REVENGE. NOW HIS TIME HAS COME!”

“Mitchell was a marine tasked on a mission in Black Mesa. During the mission, his squad was wiped out by Gordon Freeman.

Mitchell, being the only survivor, later wakes up in a military hospital during the Seven Hour War.

He thought it was the end of it all, but it was only the beginning”

After the horrible events experienced in the mansion earlier and managing to escape, you rent a hotel room for the night to rest.

But there is not much resting to be had..

The horror has just begun!

Gordon finds himself in the questionable territories of the Biodome Complex, but his goal of escaping Black Mesa remain the same.

“The end of the war for City 24 is drawing near. Most of the streets are taken over by the Resistance but the heart of the city is impenetrable for the rebels, a massive Combine stronghold surrounded by tall steel walls.

If the siege isn’t quick enough, a large reinforcement will arrive to aid the besieged and can possibly even take back the city. Fortunately, a hidden Combine depot was found deep underground near the waterworks facility that is directly connected to the stronghold.

You are a part of the strike team tasked with capturing the vital depot. You were ambushed by the Combine forces, leaving you the sole survivor. Now it’s up to you, and only you, to finish the mission or perish in the uneven struggle.”