I’m torn. Torn between incredible admiration for such amazing work and frustration & disappointment with the outcome.

I started to write an article about how I felt G-String was bad for the community but then I realised that only presenting the negative aspects was unfair.

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I think we would all agree that as games have progressed, so has the amount of interaction between the player and the game.

In Half-Life 1, you could push creates around, shoot shit, press buttons, open doors and had interaction with the environment.

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I love Steam. Really, even from the beginning and Valve are always updating and improving it but I just wish I could sit down with the guy/gal or team behind the user experience and chat with them.

I am sure they know how much more it could be and they have a planned improvement programme but I just want to have a few things now.

So, here are 7 Things I wish Steam would allow me to do.

Don’t forget to add your own in the comments.

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Okay, I’ll be honest here, I’m not exactly sure I know what I am trying to say with this article, so I’ll just write what I think I mean and see what happens.

A little while ago, I watched a TV show and somebody said something like… “Studies have shown that the more sexual partners you have, the less happy you are with your final partner”.

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Update: MapTap has been replaced by Gauge.

I am pleased to announce that the next version of MapTap is now available.

It has the following new features:

• A built in browser, allowing you find files and use them directly within the app.
• Support of most Half-Life 1 maps. Some may not work, but most should
• A “favourite” feature, to allow you to favourite maps, making them easier to find
• An “Open the folder” feature, making it easy to view any ReadMe or screenshots

There’s a few other little things, but those are the ones that count.

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I am pleased to announce the 6×10 Mapping Competitions Event.

This is a mapping Competition Event that will run through the Summer and in Autumn.

Here are the highlights:

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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.

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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.

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Late last year a pp reader posted a review about a map which went against the general consensus. Everybody has a right to their own opinion and if somebody doesn’t like a mod that most people do then that’s fine.

Well, most of the time it’s fine.

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My first thought after I heard “Dear Esther” had recouped its investment in the initial 6 hours after release was “so what? Bully for them”.

Not that I don’t wish the authors success – I do. I’m certainly not a fan of mods that turn retail mid development but that doesn’t mean I want them to fail. If there are enough potential buyers then that’s great.

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