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After large amounts of detail, texture tweaking and several different light directions I finally finished my industrial scene. The Bridge Crane is my detour into the world of industrial environments while I think about my next medieval setting. This concept was inspired by some photo's of a Russian Aluminum Processing Plant which I saw posted by a friend. The place had an awesome communist scale, where everything felt larger than life and over-sized elements were favoured over small and fragile mechanics.

The bridge crane idea came from watching a documentary about CERN and how they transported parts of the large hadron collider down a mine shaft. I looked at various photo's of bridge cranes and eventually mashed all of them together in my head and produced this rough concept. Once the crane shape felt right, I built the rest of the room and started adding flavour and life to the rest of the space.

I have been busy the last couple of weeks with a new scene and it is going in a different direction to my previous stuff. I get the impression (based on feedback) that people love tech / industrial themes more than old world medieval settings and this is a test to see what happens. The scene below has no real detail at the moment and some temporary flat lighting, but it is a good starting point at least. The scene is a bridge crane above a mining shaft with a scissor lift in the background for loading stuff on or off the crane. Should have a better image once I get started on the details, more rusty pipes and cables!

After a long holiday in Italy I finally have the right photo source images to create a new texture set. Based on tons of marble and stone, the textures are bright which makes any scene feel more alive. Using intricate Florentine patterns on curved high vaulted ceilings with highly decorative floor tiles the new palace theme just feels magical.

There is still more work to be done with more texture variety to add, but this is a good starting point. The colour palette is vivid and strong and coupled with contrasting light makes for an enchanting scene.

Final Screenshot

Here is the final release of a map that some of you may have seen over the last 8 months and wondered 'what is going on here!'. It has been a very long journey for me with countless builds and months of building but thanks to all my friends it has been an amazing experience. :)

As always, constructive comments are welcome and if you have the chance to record any demo's please let me know because I would love to see how you played the map. I do understand that this will not be everyone's cup of tea because it has a very strong puzzle element but take your time and try to resist the urge to noclip around the place. The website does contain some help on how to find things if you are really stuck!

The design

This is a single player experience ONLY and there are no plans for adding bots or multiplayer support to this map. The environment is designed with countless visual clues of what to do next and will require the player(YOU) to look up to find them! There is no time limit pressure and the level can be played at any pace.

The main puzzles are made up of two state objects (on or off) which are linked together to create more interesting problems. All of the puzzles are setup with custom sounds and visual effects so that it should be easier to see and hear what is going on.

The solution for every puzzle is always linked to something that is blocking your path, this could be a door, a floor opening or a new route forward. Two of the puzzles are randomly setup each time you load or re-start the map, so if you play the map several times it should be a slightly different experience everytime.

The Story

Far across the Dead Sea, beyond the shores of white sand are The Dragon's Teeth--heartless mountains consumed by cold howling winds and separated by valleys of icy fog. Nestled deep within is a small rocky pinnacle upon which rests the palace of The Guardian, the architect of the Vault of Knowledge.

For centuries people have visited the Guardian hoping for blessings and the chance to take the Trial of Knowledge but few have been granted the wish. After many wars and natural disasters the location of The Guardian eventually slipped from people's memories and was lost forever from maps. Only legends remain telling of the trial and the strange machines that seem to crackle with the power of the skies.

For years you have dreamt of finding the Vault and gaining the treasure of the ancients but the mountain paths have just led you round in circles. One day, while searching the northwest mountain peaks, you discovered a hidden trail marked with small piles of stones covered in unusual symbols. Something looks familiar and you suspect you have seen these symbols before in ancient books, but your memory is fading and you are not sure anymore.

After days of walking past countless marker stones, the trail eventually descended from the higher peaks towards a misty valley. Far off in the distance you could see a small hill with what seemed to be a manmade structure on the top but you will need to get closer to find out.

The trail leads down into a dense forest shrouded in a thick miasma that chills you to the bone. The boughs creak and groan but there is no wind, just the fog blocking out the light above. Several days pass and eventually the winding trail leads upwards again, out of the mist. You stand before a small ornate building with glass on all sides.

You enter the main door...

I can't believe it! the weather outside is cold, global summer seems to be taking a holiday this year. The good old days of winter chills and snow on the ground for weeks on end is back. Even kids are outside loitering on street corners with snowballs in hands instead of screaming profanity on xbox live, what is the world coming too!

After weeks and months I think I can finally see the end in sight, the map that has taken forever to complete is nearly finished. The last bit of detail has been added and now all that remains is to give it a final bake in the beta oven and then voila!