Modular Maps; Possible?

[MarxismIsOk]

Hey all,
I've had this idea for L4D for a bit of taking custom maps and adding multiple paths/endings to them. Let me explain; each map could have anything from a set of conditions(help stop contamination, use this comp, turn this valve, etc), to seperate checkpoints. Triggering(or not triggering) these conditions, or going that extra 50 yards to the other checkpoint could yield a different map then the opposite would give you. This would allow for episodic, dynamic storytelling to be going on at the same time.

Example:
Survivors find themselves on a campaign that starts them on a boat map. They must not only survive and get to checkpoint A, but also must go to the bridge and use the computer to plot a course, or you will crash. If the group DOES use the computer and survive, they go to..umm..lets say an oil rig (the closest thing to the survivors thats not mainland). If the group DOESNT use the computer, has to just bolt for the checkpoint, the boat say....crashes on the mainland,starting the survivors on a beach. I know you would need some sort of cutscene text in between maps to make this apparent, but I think that this could open up endless possiblities for the game.

Edit: I meant to emphasize, these maps would not be harder or easier on the survivors, just make the situation seem less and less in their control. There would be NO inherent disadvantage to any of the maps....the game sounds hard enough.

[Kanelgiffeln]

i dont know anything bout this,but it sounds really cool :) Good Idea.

[Safety_Man]

I like this Idea a lot and think its extremely creative.....but.... With a game like this I think that eventually people would find the easiest paths, no matter how much of a difficulty difference it is, and always take that path; or just take their favorite path. It kind of seems like a clever way to select a level and as we all know from games (De_Dust2, 2Fort, Blood Gulch? The Halo one) people have their favorite maps.

I really like this idea and the problem I brought up isn't really even that big of a deal, so I guess all that it comes down to is if Turtle Rock is up to making all these alternate paths for their maps.

[frogopus]

I don't see you being able to say oh this path is easier, because you never know where any mobs will be. So you may choose to run down one path and have no problems, whatsoever and next game that may be the point where you get slaughtered. Also, different bosses will have different map advantages, so that will be a factor as well.

[MarxismIsOk]

Yeah, there really wont/shouldnt be any difference in difficulty between the maps; just different sides of the same story campaign. With the drop and forget nature of the AI director, this type of map setup would be easy, you would just have to have triggers that would change the load order of the maps. right?

[Hona]

I think it is possible in to do as long as Turtle Rock provides with all stuff which is needed (triggers and so on). It seems atleast that we can turn of the Director (last fight in the hospital campaign atleast), lets hope that you can change more stuff to.

[Safety_Man]

What I mean when I say different levels of difficulty is different structures in the level.

For example, lets say that...

Choice A is on top of a well lit roof with only two means of getting on top of it.

Lets say Choice B is in a dark alley with two perpendicular alleys that leave you in a cross section with infected and bosses surrounding you.

These are blatantly obvious examples, but I hope you see what I mean. I was just saying that one choice might be easier than another in terms of layout.

[squerl]

That sounds like a real good idea. I guess it depends on how the checkpoints are handled in the game, hopefully it shouldn't be too hard to accomplish this.

[MarxismIsOk]

I know crap all about making custom contenet, maps or otherwise. I DO think I have a good idea here, but if any of you fancy pants modders wanna drop me a line to help me make this happen: MarxismIsOK@hotmail.com
Squerl and or Frog; I have ideas for a post release community site that concentrates on setting up 4vs4 ranking ladders, ala squadwars. This is NOT a clan action, but just more of an action to help bring individual squads of players to a competetive bracket. PLEASE drop me a line in regards to this. I have a few ideas I'm happy to pass along to someone who is actually capable of doing them.