This is the Read category

A collection of text posts, including Poll Questions, Text Interviews with moddersand Phillip’s Blog. All posts are written to encourage friendly debate and discussion.

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Other Games We Play

As part of the Reader to Reader series of posts, I thought we could talk about the “other” games we play.

I’m not talking FPS, because we did that in the Your Favourite Underrated FPS Games post, I’m talking about everything else.

For this post, let’s stick to video games and we’ll do other types of games in another post.

If you have any images you want added to the post, either link to them or send them to me and I will size them and embed them in the post.

I’ll start the ball rolling with myself.

7th June 2015 23 Comments

The Community Hub, The Workshop and The Dilemma

The community hub for each game on Steam is an absolutely brilliant concept. It gives users a single place to find and share stuff.

I have to admit that until Black Mesa was released, I never really used a hub before. Yes, I’d seen it for Ep2 etc, but I had no interest in using it. My interests don’t really include 99.99% of the content shared on the hub, that was until Black Mesa came along.

With the release of single player maps via the workshop, I have had to start to use it.

Which brings us onto the Workshop.

6th June 2015 9 Comments

One Per Day – Have Your Say

Today in this month’s General Chat post, Jim, he of Critical Jim fame, said “Does anyone else feel that the one map per day initiative is cluttering this site with awful maps?” and it’s certainly a valid question.

I understand that some regular users, Jason Gimba included, don’t like it and I will stop if that’s the general consensus.

I would like to explain why I’m doing and then I’ll open it up to debate. I won’t make a poll though because the numbers involved are less important that your opinions.

3rd June 2015 23 Comments

June 2015 General Chat

Yesterday was the first time I had added a map for a new game in over 7 years! It was for Black Mesa. Let’s hope it was the start of a flood of great maps.

Elsewhere, the site continues to get a new or updated map or mod on the frontpage everyday. I’m at 68 days in a row.

What’s new with you?

1st June 2015 22 Comments

Black Mesa Workshop

Today saw the posting of the first single player map for Black Mesa retail game.

I’m posting this short article to pre-answer some expected questions.

31st May 2015 15 Comments

Announcing CombineBaseVille Mapping Challenge

For this mapping challenge, I would like you to create a map that is set in a Combine base. The map can start anywhere you like, either just outside a hidden base or just after you enter.
It’s your decision.

Once inside the base, you can have the player do anything you want – destroy or disable certain machinery, rescue a high-ranking Resistance leader or even just escape alive.

As much as I would love high or deep vertical areas, the base doesn’t have to be that way.

I am looking to be impressed by the base as much as I want to have a lot of fun fighting within it.

Ideally, there would be a WOW moment in the map somewhere.

27th May 2015 37 Comments

Poll Question 314 – Have you or will you play the Black Mesa mod AND purchase it from Steam?

As you probably know, I haven’t played the Black Mesa mod and I haven’t yet purchased the retail version either.

I wanted to wait until it was finished before I played it, but with the probable release of SP maps for the retail version, my hope of waiting for a Steam Sale seems futile.

So that got me wondering how many people have or will play both versions. Of course, I know that some have, but I am curious about RTSL readers.

In fact, putting aside the issue of SP maps for the retail version, would you say the retail version is worth it?

26th May 2015 13 Comments

Mini-Recommendation Images for Mapping Challenges

I am very pleased to announce that the site has a new feature. From today, it is possible to add mini-recommendation images to each entry in the Mapping Challenge releases.

The images can ONLY be used for the mapping challenges, and the section that allows you to simply click an image and add it is ONLY available if the release is a Mapping Challenge.

24th May 2015 4 Comments

Mod Appreciation Week

Today, those clever chaps over on ModDB have launched what they call Mod Appreciation Week and I feel the gaming community should support it.

Currently can’t easily give donations to modders but we can show them how much we appreciate their work.

All the mods on their site will have a Lovebar. A place where you can tweet, Facebook or Reddit your appreciation.

It’s a bit more complicated than that, but it’s still easy to do, so instead of repeating all the details, just visit the page above you’ll understand.

Oh, I forgot to mention that by participating in the event, you’ll get a chance to win one of hundreds of Steam keys for some amazing games.

You don’t need to be a Headcrab to jump at that!

18th May 2015 1 Comment