Portfolio snaps

    Well I can't, I'm only familiar with hammer. I don't see learning tech as an issue though. The major issue with learning a new package is time to sit down and go through the tutorials etc, and the money to buy said package. Anyone can learn how to map or model, the question is do they have the creative flair and artistic talent to create something worthwhile.

    I assure you that if someone brought me a modelling package and freed my schedule up from college, exam, leading an active NS team (scrimming 3 hours a day) and my other commitments then i could learn any package needed.

    The comments about DarkTruths have been noted, I only added them because my portfolio was somewhat lacking content. I guess that's what happens when you work soley on one project and the same 4 rmfs for a year.

    I think the dark truths shots look fine personally, and as you said there isn't really enough content there without them. The second DT shot in particular is pretty nice (quite a nice busy scene, with lots of visual interest and good lighting), but the first is still up to snuff if you ask me. The last forsaken shot is the one I'd say is the weakest of the bunch - all it really shows is some triangle terrain, and you've demonstrated that you are more than capable at doing that in the other ones.

    As klein said, it would really be in your favour to at the very least get a bit of work done in another editor or another discipline. You've said you its not something that is going to be particularly challenging for you, but SAYING you can adapt and learn other packages isn't going to do you much good in interviews if you can't PROVE it. Spend a week learning a new editor, or doing a bit of modelling. Your HL1 mapping skills don't need any more honing.

    Quote

    I assure you that if someone brought me a modelling package and freed my schedule up from college, exam, leading an active NS team (scrimming 3 hours a day) and my other commitments then i could learn any package needed.

    It's all a matter of priorities

    I agree with the others, your HL stuff looks superb, but it would help a lot in applications if you showed at least the will to learn editors for more recent engines or 3d packages,

    So will some basic models be a plus for your portfolio even if its not on par with the mapping stuff? I am wondering if it is worth the time to learn some other editors. I dunno, so you industry guys please answer:)

    Good to have you back where you belong, lad.

    Especially look forward to your future HL2 work.

    Sidenote: I noticed the URL 'nude-soiree'; since there's a distinct history behind that title which I was a part of, I take it Anderval is part of your NS clan? I used to play with him and a bloke called Confidence/Flint Paper/Twoflow years ago.

    P.S. You broke Bast.

    Nah RD. I'd basically been working on NW for a year and concentrating on working on my chapter. The shots NW shots in there are the most impressive scenes i could capture from the 3 bsps. Anything more would just become repititive. Before NW i'd only worked on DarkTruths. The only standalone project I ever attempted was ns_forsaken, so there's a distinct lack of content, but I guess the experienced gained from working on NW with guys like KFS, Ken, badmofo more than makes up for it. Or it should?!

    As for new games, I actually don't own any. My gaming needs have been satisified by NS for the past 6+ months. It's free and I happen to be the leader of an exceptionally good clan. As much as I'd love to play the games, I've always had more than enough gaming fun with NS and my mapping time was always filled up with NW anyway. I take playing NS quite seriously, if i didn't i'd of not played for teamUK or competed in NS's equilivant of CAL-I. Hopefully the leadership and dedication shown by leading an active NS team from zero to hero, over the past 8 months should help counter balance the lack of experience with new tech. :/

    I don't plan on applying anywhere for a while though, and hopefully I'll have a summer job lined up soon so I can get some hardware upgrades and purchase some new games like HL2 and get mapping with umm! Till then I think i'll consider doing a short single player experience, just to give my portfolio a bit more content.

    Considering that the quality of the NW work and the fact that it consists of 3 bsps, then I think that it more than evens it out. I don't think that there is a such distinct lack of content in your portfolio. Working on NW and with guys like those should more than make up for it:)

    I am however not sure of if it matters that you have lead a gaming clan.

    Maybe not matters, but it takes certain qualities to take 10 random NS players and turn them into a team. Leadership, charisma, ambition, a determination to see that ambition through, organisational skills, people skills, the list goes on. It all sounds easier because it's for a game, you just play, but believe me it's no walk in the park.

    Being in the top clan is irrelevant, it's about the personal attributes that I display through my NS "career." If nothing more just the ability to form a working coherent team from a group of strangers. Add that to the experience you get from working on NW and I think you get a good idea of the sort of guy I am and what I'm capable of. It might not be directly related to gaming or MODs, but in my opinion, leading a succesful clan requires the same characteristics as leading a succesful mod; and leading a succesful mod is always a useful thing to have on your resume.

    Quote from kleinluka

    Nice work.But you really need some models in your portfolio to show you can handle other 3D packages than Hammer.

    Wouldn't hurt, but I think he could do just fine with what he has, too. With that foundation and an environment as rich in talent as a decent studio, you can pick things up incredibly quickly. The hammer experience is still hugely applicable to use in CSG editors or model-based design.

    I've seen MrBen's progress within a tightly-knit group before (I think it's safe to call the older NW staff such, at least in reference to that time) and the jumps made in a short time were absolutely astounding. He'd have no problem picking up anything with the right people guiding him, I feel.

    Though I would recommend taking the time to finish some stuff.

    Benjamin, I guess it is time to leave an area where you "own" and risk to try something new. You obviously have an understanding of the HL1 engine and how to bring it to its peak, but mapping for today's games requires far more IMHO. You are good at NS/ leading <3 but if you really want to work in the industry, as you state, you will need to show the dedication to design and creation you are showing to PCWs etc.

    You seem to have ambitions but you don't want to leave the areas you have mastered, because you would have to establish yourself again.

    Modelling, 2D Art and understanding the underlying technology are no longer a plus, but seem to be a necessity for a decent map/level.

    While I am not an experienced level designer (yet), my experience stems from the field of literature/academic studying, so don't take my comments the wrong way.

    I respect what you achieved, but I am sure kleinluka and others are right, when they say you need AND can show a lot more.

    BTW: I really like those nightwatch shots and the creative ideas about your NS map (light sources, mix of natural and human made surroundings).

    well, what a thing to write such a post as the first one

    mfg

    Lance

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