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ns2_metal

ns2_metal - A remake of classic natural selection map (ns_metal by quazilin).

"For those of us out there still out there playing this game"

***Summary***
This is my first 'released' map which started as a bsp to level import of the original ns_metal where i decided to play around with the level editor for NS2. Over the course of many hours using and learning the NS2 Editor the map has been modified and updated to suit the functional gameplay within NS2 using gameplay with the bots as a key initial driver.

The map has had a bunch of internal play testing (mostly from the Player vs bots perspective) using the Bishop Bot mod for which vent support has also been added.

***Background***
I did play with the NS2 leveling tools over 10 years ago, but back then rather than getting involved with the map creation scene i assumed that most classic maps would have been remade for this game and it was great to see that many did and some were made into 'offical' released maps.

Looking at the map scene currently there were a few classic maps (metal, agora, bast, lost, nancy, hera, altair, eon, machina, shiva, mineshaft) that were left either unfinished, never started, in the greybox stage/lacking complete detail or some that were so critically close to being finished that it hurts :P (altair).

So with the above in mind my aim was to try and bring this classic map (ns_metal) into NS2 to allow me to play rounds with my mates and the existing bot mods (bishop/bot maintenance) for nostagia purposes.

This was originally just going to be for private hosting however as noted above, during level development i've opted to release this out for others to experience and provide feedback rather than the map site on my harddrive for years.

***Original Author and Credits***
All credits go to the original map author Quazilin

Quote from the Original Author on the Steam Forums - "Hi, too long has metal been on my hdd unfinished and cos of lack of time it is still unfinished. Here is the file if you want to take a look of it or do a own version of it be free to do so" - Quazilin (June 2016)

I did find the work in progress upload of quazilin's ns2_metal on the NS2 forums, which did inspired some of the layout changes to the map i've upload.

As above all Credit goes to the original map author of ns_metal, quazilin and anyone else on the NS1 dev team. Quazilin, who was recreating his map for NS2 but later ceased development after 2016.

So quazilin if your still out there looking back as this old but great game, thanks for the original ns_metal map which i spent many countless hours in while playing natural selection 1 in my youth.

Feel free to reach out if you have any issues/suggestions with me posting this remake of ns2_metal up.

***Details***
As noted above, there have been some changes to the original ns_metal map layout (mainly new areas) which were made to support gameplay with bots and the fact that the original ns_metal map contained multiple elevators which are not present in natural selection 2.

I'm open to feedback if people would like to see a more classic version of ns2_metal released with those 2/3 areas removed.

New Areas Added
-Add 'Depot' Area between Heating Room and Fluid Processing
-Added 'Recieving' Area between with res node between Cooling Sys and Cooling Storage
-Added Alternate Path from the left of lower Storage D to the upper area.

Areas Changed/Updated
-Map now has 11 resources nodes (original map was 10)
-Added a res nodes to Fluid Processing and Recieving (new area)
-There is a a connecting hallway between Storage D and Heating Room. (no longer just a vent like it was in the original)
-Moved the Hive location in Cooling Processing
-Modified Vent between Cooling Sys and Supply Way with exit now near Sector F
-Added Vent between Cooling Sys and Recieving
-Layout of Storage D was modified and alternative path added

***Current Status of Map***
Please note this map is in a 'beta' stage, and with this being my first map there might be some bugs or things that i might have missed.

If reported i'll fix major issues or bugs and at some point i'll run through and do another 'full detail' pass of the whole map and also update detail in the vents which has been left very basic.

Gameplay wise the balance between aliens/marines on this map is probally wild (not sure which side it favours but i've had alot fun with bots (the Bishop mod) running around on it. Overall it's been great fun to revisit this old classic map within the gameplay of the NS2 engine.

***Future Project(s)***
I've had a few thoughts about creating another map based on a classic ns1 map that either hasn't been finished or updated in while such as lost/hera,eon or nancy but those maps have had at least some love.

I've ended up deciding that the next map that i would look at bringing to NS2 is a lesser known map (ns_agora) which was in one of the natural selection 3.0x beta releasess but later removed due to 'balance' issues.

I did realy enjoy playing that map back when it was around, as i liked it's theme and layout so i intend to bring that map to NS2 now that i've had a few hundred hours of experience using the Editor.

Additionally i might also have a look at doing a updated version of ns2_hera, but as i've found map creation is very time consuming so this will all be time dependant.

***This is delnaxsis signing off... for now***