Architecture

Is there a way to create normal maps within UE4, or will I need to be creating those in something like Mudbox and importing them into the engine? Also, is there an easy way to add vertices to basic brushes? I'm trying to build sort of a generic spaceship corridor by building a block and then using a subtractive brush to hollow it out, but it results in me having to click and delete about 50 vertices so that it's a semicircular prism (i don't want the full cylinder). And as far as using my own textures, is there a good reference point to start on something like that? I'm adept at Photoshop and would like to create some bespoke content ( ). Thanks for holding my hand through this crazy stuff, it's a lot to immerse myself in all at once. Did you go to school for this stuff or just start learning on your own and keep at it?

Okay, I went back to the well and gave UDK another go. I managed to get something resembling a level put together, it was fun. Anyway, I've decided to download 3DS Max because I can get it for three years as a student trial version. So I guess my question is this: what's the best way to go about building a level? Should I be roughing things out with BSP, exporting them over to 3DSM, converting to meshes and then re-importing into UDK? Or do I want to build LEGO-like bits in 3DSM and then bring them in as static meshes for UDK to work with? I was watching some tutorials from a lad named Hourences (he was recommended to me by one of Gearbox's technical artists), and it seems like he does the latter. Also, why the hell does 3DSM cost so damn much?

I finally unlocked the second island, so I'll probably give up sometime after finishing up the radio towers and guard posts. The way the story missions funnel you through some heinously-designed corridors with absurdly tight failure states makes me want to write Ubisoft a strongly-worded letter.

Far Cry 3 is so stupid, I want to just delete it off my SSD. Is there a reason to see this through to the end? I just went through the laughable sex scene/dumb "boss encounter"/cowboy shootout/"goodbye" sequence. I am just appalled at the stupidity of this game.

This is similar to the origin myth of the potato chip. Apparently Cornelius Vanderbilt sent back his plate because he thought the potatoes were too soggy so the spurned chef sliced the potatoes as thinly as possible and fried them to a crisp. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato_chip#History

Cara Ellison's Top 10 was featured prominently on GB's sidebar for weeks, so I kept hoping that meant she was the top candidate. I miss regular Caravella-laden content so much, it hurts. His painful playthrough of Far Cry 4 had me dying this week.

I know it's being discussed elsewhere on the forums, but I am certainly bummed about AOL's decision to gut its gaming division. So long, Joystiq. You were too beautiful for this ugly world.

Maybe Ludwig can get hired on at Polygon and I can have the Joystiq Podcast back. Probably not, however. Did Giant Bomb ever announce a replacement for Patrick Klepek?

The first menu in the GB Quick Look shows three separate save slots. Go get that squirrel.

To try and make Far Cry 3 a better game, I've decided to impose some restrictions: -Set the game to Hard -Turn off all visual assists other than the hit indicator -Turn off the music -Restrict crafting severely: --Rugged holster (3 weapons MAX, must also only carry one of each type of weapon) --Simple rucksack (32 items MAX) --Simple syringe kit (5 syringes MAX) --Simple ammo pouch --Simple fuel sling --Small rocket pack --NO grenade pouch upgrade --NO munitions pouch upgrade --Wallet & arrow quiver are unrestricted I'm also minimizing my use of the camera and not min/maxing the radio towers in an effort to make weapon purchases more difficult and meaningful. I wish I could turn off the minimap, goal indicators, mission briefings on the HUD and disable the camera's tagging feature, but I guess I'll have to settle for this.

Some of Jim Sterling's complaints speak to me (boilerplate White Savior storyline, ugh) while others actually pique my interest (weapon degradation, limited stamina, prioritizing movement over combat). It seems like it features some of the things that made Far Cry 2 as compelling as it is. I'll probably wait for it to hit half price, but I imagine that it's probably a reasonably fun game that has its share of flaws. I'll be interested to see where other outlets come down on the game.

That Forbes article is pretty misleading. In fact, the author had to update it because the press did in fact get digital copies prior to release. It sounds to me as if there's been some sort of manufacturing problem: http://www.polygon.com/2015/1/19/7852295/dying-light-physical-release-delayed-in-europe The initial impressions I've seen from a handful of outlets seem quite positive, actually. And from my very limited time with the game (seven minutes on the PAX show floor), I was surprised by its level of polish. I suppose it's possible WB wanted to suppress opinions on the game prior to release, but this smacks of mismanagement more than dubious business practices.

During its salad days, Joystiq was pretty much the only game site I visited. I miss the whole Christ Grant/Justin McElroy/Ludwig Kietzmann super-group podcast. In fact, it was Ludwig's adamant love of Far Cry 2 that piqued my interest in the game in the first place. If it turns out to be true, I hope the fine folks land as softly as possible--Joystiq's staff was comprised of some of the best writers in the biz.

This was in my Discovery Queue today, I think I added it to my news feed? I dunno, third-person shooting just isn't my scene.

Still fighting off the Christmas pounds, but I'm gettin' close. Got to get some new cleat bolts for my cycling shoes--I lost one while riding out to Lockhart (about 60 miles into a 95-mile ride).

The Alienware booth at PAX had this as a playable demo. It was actually pretty fun. The parkour stuff actually works and feels competent. GMG has a 25% off voucher valid until Friday: HYEHZ0-GNKD1A-GFNGMQ I'm tempted to pick this up.

Man, what awful news. I had the pleasure of meeting Ludwig Kietzman over the weekend. This really bums me out.

It's too sweet. And I say this as a fan of stouts. It's much sweeter than Young's Double Chocolate Stout.

http://www.giantbomb.com/videos/pax-south-2015-the-giant-bomb-panel/2300-9879/ 54 minutes in, check my sparkly hat.

My opinion of her predates the whole GG fiasco, by the way. I confess to not being well-versed in everything she's ever done, but my limited contact with her work just put me off.

Metroid Prime belongs on this list.

I wouldn't say she's usually drunk, but most of what I've read from her has been abrasive. I've been linked to her Twitter feed from time to time and just been confused by her aggressivity towards seemingly benign questions.

My main exposure to her was during one of Giant Bomb's E3 after shows wherein she was far too drunk and abrasive for my tastes.

Usually Leigh Alexander rubs me the wrong way, but good on her for that one.

So I guess I've come around on this game. Steam clock says 33 hours. The game is deeply flawed in some seriously fundamental ways--the AI shooting in your direction even when they are clearly facing another direction, repetitive mission structure, and outright buggy code, for one--but the underlying design and interactive systems are fantastic. The map, fire propagation, unreliable weapons and threat of malaria really add so much to what should be an average open-world shooter. I know some people feel let down by the ending, but considering how inconsequential the plot feels to the whole game, I didn't really feel short-changed. It is disappointing to discover that there is no difference in the ending cinema regardless of which option you choose. For anyone thinking about playing this game, I would suggest turning the music off. It makes for a far more enjoyable, immersive experience. Also, I found myself loading up old Thumbcasts so I could listen to the crew talk about the game while I was playing it.