A single-player game with mod tools?

[jeth]

Hi all, I recently became interested in improving my single-player level design ability (after having seen that this is a common job posting) but have had trouble finding recent games that support single-player level mods with narrative content.

Is anyone aware of any titles between 2014 and 2018 that include mod tools that support custom single-player levels?  If I have to I can go back further and do some work in Source or perhaps a Bethesda game but I'm avoiding those two for now.

I've also thought about using the Farcry 5 map tools but I think it's too restrictive for what I want.

My overall intent is to add single-player stuff to my portfolio. Thanks!

 

Edited September 7, 2018 by jeth

[Radu]

Starcraft 2 has some decent mod support. Last I was playing it a few years ago I remember some interesting player maps that were basically their own game. There was some rpg thing I really liked. Though, if you're looking to create something with proper narrative structure and that is in first person perspective, Source is the way to go. I don't think you'll find anything better. Companies no longer support modding.

[blackdog]

Sad but true, I would have really liked to try my hand at newer stuff but it seems you either make a mod for an old game or have to make a whole game yourself… which is daunting.

I think you can create quite easily some clone using marketplace assets from Unity and UE4, then plugin and scripts, and guess you can manage showing a company your design skills, but won’t be the same as working in a given framework, which I think is very important.

Building a whole game would show your game design and narrative skills, guess that’s great. I just think to myself that if you manage building a game and it has decent following, you might don’t even need to be employed anymore

Ps: actually something you could do is join one of the teams working on HL/HL2 remake/sequels! In their trailers Project Borealis and others are advertising they’re looking for mappers all the time.

[WD]

Amnesia & Soma has some decent mod tools I think. Judging from the workshop page people have achieved to make some nice stuff with it.

[Radu]

Yeah, but those are pretty limiting if you want to create something other than a survival horror with stealth mechanics. Great for narrative since you have the journal system. Just remembered, might be worth looking at Serious Sam HD if you want something a tad more retro with okay-ish looking graphics.

[will2k]

On 9/7/2018 at 11:07 AM, jeth said:

Is anyone aware of any titles between 2014 and 2018 that include mod tools that support custom single-player levels? 

[Radu]

Oh yeah, that thing.. completely forgot about Dying Light. Hey, @will2k since you've gotten on all fours and dirty with that game, how's it like? what are the limitations?

[jeth]

Dying light! I like that suggestion.  Plus I already own it so that's a plus.  I wasn't aware it even had a level editor so I'll look into it.  Thanks everyone for the suggestions!  Still open to others if anyone has one.

incidently I just discovered Steam search has a catagory for "includes level editor."  And you can sort by release date.  There's a LOT of stuff in there though so finding something can be difficult.

[Klems]

If you fancy making maps for Source you can get Black Mesa. The workshop doesn't have enough good custom maps!

[will2k]

On 9/9/2018 at 1:46 AM, jeth said:

Dying light! I like that suggestion.  Plus I already own it so that's a plus.  I wasn't aware it even had a level editor so I'll look into it. 

Very powerful set of developer tools; just go to your steam library and download them under "tools" section if you already own the game.

On 9/8/2018 at 5:48 PM, Radu said:

Oh yeah, that thing.. completely forgot about Dying Light. Hey, @will2k since you've gotten on all fours and dirty with that game, how's it like? what are the limitations?

limitation is one's own creativity and a slightly tough learning curve.

It takes a bit of time to get into the tools but once you do, sky's the limit.

I'm having a blast working with the tools and discovering new things every time I work on new sections of my campaign. It would be rather difficult going back to certain cough...old...cough convoluted, non-streamlined engines once I finish with my campaign; the good news though is that Dying Light 2 is around the corner with a brand new powerful C-Engine that hopefully will come with new, even more powerful dev tools to play with for the next gen games/maps. (last resort, Unity and UE4 are always one call away)

[blackdog]

Hey @will2k do you know if you can use custom content like textures and new models, if one is skilled and can make those?

PS: @jeth Doom 2016 came with Snapmap… I tried it and the building is very limited due to the use of only pre-made components, but the scripting seems incredibly powerful, considering is all done visually.

[will2k]

On 9/10/2018 at 9:41 PM, blackdog said:

Hey @will2k do you know if you can use custom content like textures and new models, if one is skilled and can make those?

You can create and import your own custom materials/textures, models/meshes, dialogs, sounds, music, scripts, heightmaps, terrain brushes, foliage system, particles, etc...

You can also customize stock NPCs to your liking (AI, looks...) among many, many other things you can perform. Extremely versatile engine, no limits