#portal 2 custom levels

[ngeruma]

"Triple Horse Phase" | Perpetual Testing | Portal 2 Community Maps & Mods

By Allison Ghost ⸻⸻⸻⸺⸺…

Buttercup needs to chill!

Full Video

More Test Chambers

#ngeruma #portal #youtube #puzzle games #youtube gaming #let's play #portal2 #gaming #puzzles #aperture science #portal 2 #portal 2 community test chambers #portal 2 community maps #portal mods #portal 2 mods #perpetual testing #allison ghost #portal 2 custom maps #portal 2 custom levels #the cake is a lie #thinking with portals #weird #bizarre #cave johnson #wheatley #glados #chell #companion cube #Youtube

[ethosaur]

I used to make Portal 2 maps before, been a while now.  This was for a canceled mod called “Portal 2: Lunar”

#portal 2 #modding #maps #level design #custom #lunar

[ajizunp]

"Solve n' Relax" #1 - Portal 2 Map

Click the link to go download it!

Teased this before on my page, was a map I was working on, it's done now, please go check it out.

It's a two chamber map, the puzzles are fairly easy, and there are basically no way to die, except toxic goo of course, but that's easy to avoid.

#portal 2 #portal #portal mapping #level design #portal 2 custom map #ajizu

[gamer2002]

I have purchased Portal 2 during a last promotion, so I made a level in it.

#portal #portal 2 #test chamber #steam workshop #steam games #steam #game mod #custom level

[thothxv]

myhouse.wad-adjacent facts and blatant shilling for the musicians who soundtracked it

As has been largely disseminated, new mappers making levels based on their own houses are a common trope in the doom community, and they are often referred to generically as "myhouse.wad". The earliest myhouse maps are actually some of the oldest Doom maps in existence, predating Doom 2 (also at least one Doom 2 map was based on Sandy Peterson's house...)

A lot of people are impressed with myhouse.wad's room over room. I'm more impressed that in the first house myhouse used a boom-style silent teleporter to implement room-over-room sloppily so that the illusion very easily breaks (just step back up the stairs while one of the basement doors is open: it will snap shut because you are being teleported back into the version of the house with an upstairs, and thus there can't be an open door there), just like an inexperienced mapper might in 1999, before using modern GZDoom portals to do it more convincingly in the second house.

There's been a lot of theorizing about myhouse's author, probably because veddge is a very very competent mapper and also because everyone who does know who the author is has stonewalled inquiries at the author's request, implying that the author has a meaningful identity in the Doom community. Or maybe they're just shy. However, DavidXNewton noted in his analysis series on myhouse that it does a lot of things in a ways that are unnecessary using modern UDMF and ZScript but would be familiar to someone coming from a less advanced mapping format like Boom or Old ZDoom. This is indicative of Veddge being more along the lines of what he says he is: either someone truly returning after a long absence, or at the very least someone who isn't terribly familiar with modern GZDoom mapping. Either that, or the entire map was mapped in character. I genuinely don't know which I'd find more impressive.

"doomcute" is a term used to refer to maps that recreate real-world items or environments in doom (usually because the immediate reaction from players is "oh that's adorable!"). Myhouse maps are invariably trying for doomcute, but another early doomcute map was Shamus Young's Doom City from 1995 (yes, Shamus Young of DM of the Rings fame. I discovered while researching that he actually died last year. Rest in peace). Doom City recreated a couple of real-world looking buildings, but the thing everyone seems to remember about Doom City is its recreation of... a gas station. Food for thought.

Hilariously, myhouse almost got lost in the shuffle on Doomworld, because most people weren't looking for a myhouse.wad to play. Several of Veddge's collaborators posted in the thread to keep this from happening.

I believe Veddge's confirmed collaborators on myhouse are Kevansevans, esselfortium, and Jimmy. I don't know much about Kevansevans, but I believe he helped with the scripting and some of his scripting work from other sources made it into the wad because he's officially credited (as is everyone whose work was used in the map: it's all inside the PK3). Essel and Jimmy are credited only in anagram form because they are responsible for the music, which is actually wholly original (also Jimmy gave no indication he was involved until it was revealed by players unscrambling the anagram, which was very very funny).

I'm actually going to talk about Essel and Jimmy in detail over the next few bullet points, because I feel like it. And they're both really neat.

Sarah "esselfortium" Mancuso is responsible for memory=entryrrrr/////, the piece the plays in the burned house and various other places throughout the wad. She's composed professionally for video games and has several albums, but in the Doom community she's probably best known for creating and managing the Back to Saturn X project, a trilogy of megawads (only two of which are presently released) being developed by a massive team of modders, with custom assets, a custom palette, a complete original OST, and some very impressive maps... all intended to be playable with a vanilla doom2.exe. Which is insane: Vanilla Doom is brutal to map for, on account of harsh limitations that it's hard to be confident your map or project falls within. Back to Saturn X was so ambitious that it found previously undiscovered ways that Doom can crash. Of course, in addition to running the project, Essel also mapped for it, made textures for it, and composed a significant portion of the soundtrack. And because that was not impressive enough apparently, Essel also (with some help from a few others) created Knee-Deep in Knee-Deep in ZDoom, a joke wad that takes the (in)famous Knee-Deep in ZDoom, a mapset designed to show off the features of ZDoom, and recreates as many of its tricks as it can entirely in vanilla. A feat I can only describe as black magic of the highest order. She also went out of her way to say Trans Rights during her bethesda interview, so that's cool too.

James "Jimmy" Paddock is responsible for the increasingly glitchy and messed-up version of D_RUNNIN that plays in the second house. Which figures, because Jimmy's music is everywhere. He takes commissions for music, he's contributed free music to the community, and his music is very very popular. Notable wads he's contributed tracks to include Plutonia 2, Speed of Doom, Reverie, Back to Saturn X Episodes 1 and 2, Eviternity, and Doom 2 In Spain Only, and the MIDI soundtrack to John Romero's SIGIL, which some consider to be even better than the Buckethead soundtrack. He also is the project lead and mind behind The Adventures of Square, a standalone, free game made in GZDoom, he's done texture work, he's made several award-winning doom mods (cacowards, that is), mapped for numerous other projects, and had just done a whole ton of stuff. The doom community gave him an award for lifetime achievement. Oh, and he did an alternative MIDI OST for Prodeus? Genuinely didn't know about that.

While researching this I learned that Jimmy is going to be evicted in a month, so now's a great time to check out his music online and see if you're into it. I'm not a super fan of his vocal delivery, but I really like some of his instrumentals and MP3 versions of his MIDIs.

#doom #myhouse #myhouse.wad #myhouse.pk3

[hiwelcometothemonstersancturary]

What are the gangs favorite type of video games to play? Weather it’s Mario, Pokémon, sports, rhythm games, horror games, etc etc.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. YOU ACTIVATED MY TRAP CARD!!!! Now...

Poppy prefers tabletop games more, but she can be often caught playing or seeing someone else playing The Sims. She LOVES that game - Angel has The Sims 2 installed on their computer, and when they all move to a bigger house Poppy gets her own PC so she can play TS2 as much as she wants.

Kissy doesn't play much on her own, but she really loves 3D platformers and adventure games. Her favorites are the og Spyro the Dragon trilogy! I think she loves watching others play pokémon as well.

Huggy loves racing games. Get anything with a car and he's instantly in love with it.

I can Mommy Long Legs making super over-the-top stories on The Sims 2 as well, so she and Poppy often share news of what their sims are doing. They are both active in forums and are trying to make their own custom content for the game!

Bunzo is a pokémon guy.

PJ Pug-a-Pillar doesn't like playing games in general but he LOVES watching others play, esp if there's lots of cutscenes. It's like watching a movie!

Miss Delight falls in love with Portal 2 when it's released, but I think she's really picky with her puzzle games. She likes being a bit creative on her solutions! She's also really into RPGs. I think the Fallout franchise is her comfort game.

Catnap and Craftycorn are walking Silent Hill encyclopedias, but they LOOOOVE survival horror. Catnap's fav is the original SH1, while Craftycorn loves Haunting Ground (PS2) and SH3.

Bobby on the other hand prefers Resident Evil and Clock Tower 3, but when it's not horror it's definitely a more experimental game. She cries everytime she plays Shadow of the Colossus but she loves it.

Bubba, much like Miss Delight, is SUPER into RPGs and puzzle games, but pokémon and Ace Attorney have conquered his heart. He LOOOVES gushing about it!

Picky's favorite is Animal Crossing! It makes her feel safe and she loves just walking around her town. She made a really impressive one and everyone wants updates from her villagers, Picky loves giving them.

Kickin can't get enough of any FPS or action-adventure game, and he can and WILL ragequit if he's playing online and his teammates start being rude to him or each other. Thankfully he learned really quick how to deal with the more toxic players so now he can truly relax. Unfortunately doomed to become a League of Legends player when it comes out.

Hoppy also loves FPS, but 3D platformers and open-world games are her favorites. Anything that gives her plenty of freedom to move around or just be silly immediately catches her attention! I think she becomes a Team Fortress 2 player.

Dogday prefers to watch rather than play and he gets SO invested. I think Miss Delight likes playing puzzle games with him because they figure out solutions together, but if Dogday were to chose a game for himself to play it would probably be a rythimn game. It gives him the zoomies.

The other smaller toys all have their own individual preferences, so talking about them is more complicated!

Everyone becomes obsessed with Minecraft when it's released. Catch Catnap pranking everyone on their shared beta server by pretending to be Herobrine.

When Angel gets them an Xbox 360 they have many game nights where they play on the Kinect.

Speaking of which, Angel is down to play literally everything, but all the toys know they aren't very keen on anything horror-related. Not because it's scary, it's just that Angel finds them boring after surviving Playtime Co. They probably have an encyclopedia-level knowledge of pokémon, tho.

Prototype doesn't play videogames, but enjoyes watching the others play. Just don't put ANY war games in front of him and we're all good, otherwise he stops watching.

#thanks for the ask! #poppy playtime #poppy worldwide #save everyone au #smiling critters #i'm not tagging everyone rip i'm lazy - sorry! #ask tag

[pixiecaps]

richas confirmed the dungeon is purposeful and not a coincidence so in order to explore it cellbit called for etoiles to help with the dungeon. leaving pomme in bads care.

while doing this dungeon with etoiles cellbit found a level 2 keycard in one of the crates!

also as my own observation knowing this is a custom dungeon the use of obsidian does intrigue me. its all over the dungeon whether its on the walls or pillars theres obsidian scattered everywhere. however right in the center of the second level there seems to be two gigantic broken nether portals. not entirely sure what that could mean.

a fake richarlyson appeared as well. leading me to question what is the codes strategy at this point in time and what is their connection with the federation. as time goes by it seems a lot less black and white. pun intended.

along the way cellbit found a level 1 & 3 keycard. he also found a keycard door. he used the level 3 keycard to open said door. when inside the narrow room had lava placed all over the ground. after clearing some of the lava the floor appeared to be purple concrete however nothing else seemed to be inside. at least not that we saw.

cellbit also found a level 5 keycard!! and was downed right as the server decided to crash so! things are going great❣️

#i was gonna post this as a long recap after they finished the dungeon but all the crashes is making it take too long LOL #liveblogging #qsmp

[sarcasticgaypotato]

thoughts on Caroline?

What to say about Caroline?

She's a massively important character to the franchise, but she barely speaks. She's constantly present in the story, but she's only acknowledged a handful of times. She's everywhere and nowhere, she's everything and nothing at all.

She's GLaDOS, but she isn't, or is she?

Depending on your perspective of Caroline, we either know a lot about her personality or next to nothing.

I think my initial impression of Caroline as a character was much more negative because it was shaped by fanon interpretation.

It's probably not a huge secret that I don't enjoy c/aveline, and that WAS the majority of Caroline content for a long time. I honestly kind of resented that ship, partially because it practically became a given that where there's Old Aperture, there's this ship. These two who barely interacted were EVERYWHERE, and I always got the feeling that the only reason they were popular as a couple was because it's a m/f ship, and the Portal fandom was practically beside itself with excitement to focus on any male character.

I'm not here to ship-bash, if that's your cup of tea, good for you. But personally? Not for me, and it negatively colored my perception of her for a while. It felt a bit like she was a character defined by fanon more than anything else, just there to be in a relationship with Cave (healthy or otherwise) just so it can end in tragedy when he puts her into the robot. I understand why people might enjoy that, but I've always felt like it cheapens GLaDOS's (and by extension, Caroline's) story to make it all amount to just 'being the girlfriend of a mad scientist and tragically paying the price.'

Cave's a creep! He, in my opinion, probably thought his relationship with Caroline was much more friendly than it was. She responds to him like a secretary who knows how to please her boss— "Yes sir Mr. Johnson!"— but nothing personal. She was probably nice and polite because she was a secretary, and look at the era she lived in. If she wasn't all sweet and cheery, Cave probably would've told her to smile more.

So does that mean I think she's the opposite of what we hear? Is she sadistic and cruel like GLaDOS is? No, I'm not saying that either. I'll get into who and what I think Caroline is in a second, but above all else I wanted to point out my frustration with how she's portrayed in connection to Cave. Making her Cave's love interest is boring and bland to me, basing their connection off of the same level of friendliness from her that I've shown to people working in customer service. It's just part of the job.

For Caroline herself? I'm also not a fan of 'evil Caroline' takes. I mean I love a girlboss, but it sort of misses the point here. If Caroline was always evil, sadistic, and scheming, it waters down GLaDOS and her development. If Caroline is too similar to GLaDOS, it takes away from the weight of who and what GLaDOS is. If they’re too dissimilar, it’s difficult to imagine the connection between them.

The fandom was so obsessed with the incorrect— and stupid— idea that Caroline is Chell’s mother that it missed the much more obvious metaphor under their noses. Caroline is GLaDOS’s mother.

Cut from the same cloth, GLaDOS is born of her, but she isn’t her. Without Caroline, GLaDOS would never exist, but it would be absurd to say that GLaDOS is the same person that Caroline is. GLaDOS grew, changed, and became who we saw at the end of Portal 2 much in the same way that anyone grows into being their own person, not a copy of their parents.

Here I go talking about GLaDOS in this ask about Caroline— it’s impossible not to.

If you want my personal take on Caroline?

I think she was a smart woman, keeping up with the actions of a madman and holding her head above the flood of insanity. I think she was able to look the other way when she had to, anyone who worked at Aperture needed that dubious morality. That being said, I think she had a heart. We can all debate until we die whether or not GLaDOS was remotely truthful at the end of Portal 2 about deleting her, but I think there’s a reason she attributed her act of compassion to Caroline— it wasn’t Caroline forcing her hand (claw?) via possession, but rather, she is the only framework GLaDOS has to reference that feeling. That scene is definitely GLaDOS projecting her own emotions onto someone else to avoid confronting them, but I don’t think she would make that comparison for no reason, Caroline might have been how she learned that emotion, even if the feeling is all her own.

Ultimately, Caroline is a character we will only really ever understand through the lens of other characters. We can only try to extrapolate who she is from what we see and hear, but she will likely always be a bit of a mystery. She’s the ghost haunting this franchise, and I kind of love her for it.

#portal #portal 2 #caroline #GLaDOS #I'm not going to call out specific fics or headcanons #but there are definitely takes on caroline that grind my gears #especially when I see them everywhere #I could rant plenty more about all this but I tried to contain myself #tl;dr we can have an interesting character that isn't just 'GLaDOS lite' or 'Cave's girlfriend' you guys #I know shocking concept #but it's true

[feraligatrfangs]

since it is my birthday

all my pokemon get presents too!!!

chomper: this absolutely massive rawhide chew set that's entirely edible! it's gonna take him till like next year to get through all of these!

mr. pecky: new coat! it's very sleek and nice (and not shredded to bits) so he can go out in the cold!

vicky: an oddish plushie! she's been into playing house lately.

brainblast: portal and portal 2 for the switch! (I will build the finest custom levels the world has ever seen!) he likes it.

jet: fireproof blankies! they have little hearts and dog pokemon all over them, how cute is that!?

magneto: fancy magnets! magneto likes to collect magnets containing elements it is not made of! this set is made of a neodymium alloy!

shelly: a fresh selection of berries and a home brewing guide (That I have to read to it)! i think it's gonna try to make sangria.

arachne: a spindle! she wants to sew with her own thread!

#pkmn irl #sweet 16 event #chomper #mr. pecky #vicky #brainblast #brain blasting #jet #magneto #shelly #arachne #this also counts as their birthday presents too

[ngeruma]

"Hot Potato" | Perpetual Testing | Portal 2 Community Maps & Mods

Original puzzle “Hot Potato” by Demon Arisen Hammerisation by evelyncarnate

I think Chell’s little science project may be starting to infect some of the panels.

Full Video

More Test Chambers

#ngeruma #gaming #portal #youtube #puzzle games #puzzles #aperture science #youtube gaming #let's play #portal2 #portal 2 #portal 2 community maps #portal 2 community test chambers #demon arisen #evelyncarnate #hot potato #potato #potatoe #portal 2 maps #portal 2 custom maps #portal 2 custom levels #portal 2 mods #portal mods #test chamber #hammer editor #the cake is a lie #thinking with portals #chell #glados #wheatley

[icatconowo]

the new portal 2 vr mod is about to get me full force obsessed with portal 2 again, especially considering how custom workshop levels just straight up work

#vr #virtual reality #flatscreen to vr #portal #portal 2 #source engine #valve #portal 2 vr #vr mod

[skyseoroundtable]

Set the Standard: Atlas NYC Unveils the Best Property Management Companies in NYC

Set the Standard: Atlas NYC Unveils the Best Property Management Companies in NYC

The success of your investment depends on selecting the correct property management partner in the dynamic and quick-paced world of New York City real estate. Of all the options, Atlas NYC stands out as a model of quality, establishing the benchmark for property management in the city that never sleeps. In this piece, we examine the essential characteristics that set Atlas NYC apart as one of the best property management companies in NYC, providing a smooth fusion of experience, creativity, and unmatched customer care.

Unrivaled Local Knowledge

A thorough awareness of the local environment is necessary to successfully navigate the complexity of the New York City real estate market. The team at Atlas NYC has unmatched experience since they have developed a thorough understanding of the various neighborhoods, laws, and market trends that make up the city. Atlas NYC’s ability to adjust its property management techniques to the specific needs and problems of each property under its care is made possible by its local understanding.

All-inclusive Property Management Solutions

To maximize the performance and value of your investment, Atlas NYC provides a full range of property management services. Every area of property ownership is managed with accuracy and care according to the company’s holistic strategy, which includes tenant relations, maintenance, financial administration, and strategic planning.

Important Services Consist of:

1. Tenant Relations and Screening:

· Strict screening procedures to find qualified tenants.

· Tenant relations should be proactive and responsive to promote happy living situations.

2. Upkeep and Fixtures:

· Proactive maintenance plans to deal with problems before they get worse.

· Effective management of maintenance, guaranteeing the durability and allure of every asset.

3. Accounting for Finances:

· Efficient and open financial administration.

· Rent collecting, planning, and reporting done on time to maximize profits.

4. Adherence to the Law:

· Observance of regional laws and compliance standards.

· Reduction of the legal hazards related to property administration.

5. Planning Strategically:

· Customized plans to optimize value and return on investment for every property.

· Proactive preparation to keep up with changes and developments in the industry.

Inventive Integration of Technology

Efficiency is critical in a city renowned for its fast-paced way of living. Atlas NYC uses state-of-the-art technology to make property management processes more efficient. Technology is smoothly incorporated to improve the customer experience, from online portals that give property owners real-time insights to automated processes that improve communication and productivity.

Client-Centered Methodology

Atlas NYC’s steadfast dedication to customer satisfaction distinguishes it as one of the top property management firms in NYC. The organization places a high value on candid communication, openness, and a customized strategy to meet the particular requirements of every property owner. Throughout the management process, Atlas NYC makes sure that you feel informed and confident, regardless of your level of experience as an investor.

Increase Your Capital with Atlas NYC

Selecting the best property management company in NYC is an investment in the longevity and profitability of your real estate endeavors, not just a choice. At the forefront, Atlas NYC exemplifies the characteristics that characterize the best in property management. Visit atlasnyc.com to learn more about Atlas NYC’s extensive services and track record, and discover a new level of property management in the center of the never-sleeping metropolis.

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Atlas NYC Property Management, LLC

77 14th Street Brooklyn, NY 11215

718-768-8888

[email protected]

#best property management companies nyc #property management Manhattan #Real Estate Management Companies Brooklyn #building management companies Manhattan

[callcentermasters]

Streamlining Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction: Call Center Setup and Management Solutions

In today's fast-paced business landscape, establishing an effective call center is crucial for organizations aiming to provide exceptional customer service. A well-designed call center setup, supported by robust management solutions, can significantly enhance operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and boost overall business success. This article delves into the key components of a successful call center setup and explores innovative management solutions that can optimize performance and ensure customer-centric operations.

1. Strategic Planning and Infrastructure:

A successful call center setup begins with meticulous strategic planning. Understanding the organization's objectives, target audience, and service requirements is essential for designing an efficient infrastructure. Considerations such as call volume projections, necessary hardware and software, telephony systems, and network infrastructure must be carefully assessed. Advanced technologies like cloud-based solutions can offer scalability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, allowing businesses to adapt to changing demands.

2. Workforce Management:

A well-managed workforce is the backbone of any call center. Efficiently scheduling agents, forecasting call volumes, and accurately estimating staffing needs are crucial for maintaining service levels and minimizing wait times. Workforce management solutions leverage sophisticated algorithms to optimize scheduling, taking into account historical data, employee skills, and service level agreements. These tools enable organizations to strike a balance between customer demand and agent availability, enhancing productivity and reducing costs.

3. Quality Monitoring and Training:

To ensure consistent service quality, call centers must invest in robust quality monitoring and training programs. Implementing call recording and evaluation systems enables supervisors to assess agent performance, identify areas for improvement, and deliver targeted coaching and training. Real-time monitoring tools provide immediate feedback, allowing supervisors to intervene and guide agents during customer interactions. Continuous training programs enhance agent knowledge, soft skills, and product expertise, ultimately leading to enhanced customer satisfaction.

4. Omnichannel Integration:

Modern call centers must embrace omnichannel communication to cater to customers' evolving preferences. Integrating multiple channels, such as voice, email, chat, social media, and self-service portals, enables seamless interactions across platforms. A unified agent desktop interface and intelligent routing systems direct inquiries to the most suitable agents, ensuring consistent service delivery regardless of the channel. Omnichannel integration improves customer convenience, reduces resolution times, and fosters a personalized and consistent customer experience.

5. Analytics and Performance Metrics:

Data-driven insights play a pivotal role in optimizing call center operations. Advanced analytics tools can track key performance metrics, such as average handling time, first call resolution, customer satisfaction scores, and agent productivity. Analyzing this data helps identify operational bottlenecks, gauge customer sentiment, and make informed decisions. Predictive analytics can even anticipate customer needs, allowing agents to proactively address concerns and improve overall service levels.

6. Continuous Improvement and Feedback Loops:

A culture of continuous improvement is vital for the long-term success of any call center. Regularly seeking feedback from customers and agents alike helps identify pain points and areas of improvement. Employee engagement programs, feedback mechanisms, and recognition initiatives create a positive work environment and motivate agents to deliver exceptional service. By fostering a feedback loop, call centers can adapt to changing customer expectations, refine processes, and innovate to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Conclusion:

Setting up and managing a call center involves a multifaceted approach that blends strategic planning, technology implementation, and effective management solutions. By prioritizing infrastructure, workforce management, quality monitoring, omnichannel integration, analytics, and continuous improvement, businesses can establish customer-centric call centers that drive operational efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. Embracing innovative solutions and staying attuned to evolving industry trends will position organizations for success in an increasingly competitive business landscape.

Click here to check my service on Fiverr

Source:

#CallCenterSetup #CallCenterManagement #CustomerService #ContactCenter #CustomerExperience #Outsourcing #BusinessSolutions #CustomerSupport #ServiceManagement #InboundCallCenter #OutboundCallCenter #VirtualCallCenter #OmnichannelSupport #CRMIntegration #AgentTraining #EfficiencyImprovement #QualityAssurance #PerformanceMetrics #CostOptimization #TechnologyIntegration #WorkforceManagement #Analytics #ProcessImprovement #CustomerSatisfaction #ServiceLevelAgreement

[soundofseclusion]

3. Portal: Revolution

Release: 2024, PC Beaten: January 8th, PC (Steam) Playtime: 6h 18m (Main Story), 7h 36m (100%)

Portal mods are usually pretty ambitious, to varying levels of success. I'd say this is one of the more successful mods. My opinion is that the voice direction is mostly okay, with a few questionable line reads, and that the story itself is pretty solid and goes in an interesting direction, although I felt it didn't explore some avenues it seemed to want to. I guess that leaving me wanting more isn't a particularly heinous thing for a story to do, but I felt like the level of unanswered questions and unexplored emotional beats left me somewhat dissatisfied by the end.

I found the character writing to be a bit strange at times; it seemed like there were story beats that were cut or underexplained. At one point, a character says something to the effect of "I must seem like a sociopath," whereas my perspective was that to that point they had been pretty ordinary, and I don't know if I missed something or if there was supposed to be more that got lost in the dev process. This issue cropped up at multiple points in different ways and it bothered me, though in the scheme of things it's ultimately a pretty small gripe.

The gameplay is pretty solid, with puzzles that are usually designed tightly, though occasionally they felt a bit sloppy. I really don't have enough experience with Portal puzzle design outside of the core games (as in, I don't know how fangames or custom levels typically fare because my exposure is pretty limited), but I thought Revolution's puzzles were pretty good.

The novelty of exploring the behind-the-scenes of a crumbling Aperture Science might be trodden ground for some, but for me it never gets old. I love any new corner of this place I can comb through, and Revolution's map design is genuinely stunning. You get an entirely different sense of the sublime than the kind Portal 2 presents you with. Portal 2 plays to the fact that you're enraptured by how fucking massive and complicated the facility is. Revolution leans a lot more into the beauty of overgrowth and the intersection between nature and technology. There are a ton of really picturesque moments in this game.

Overall, I would strongly recommend Revolution, going into it with the understanding that you might question some of the developers' choices. The fact that they pushed out something this polished for free is reason enough to give it a go, and at times I genuinely did feel like I was experiencing a canon Portal sequel. Going into any fan creation with the expectation that it lives up to the caliber of some of the greatest games ever made by a triple A studio is unreasonable, but I think most people will come out of Revolution feeling like they've experienced something truly special, a product of love and passion made by people who genuinely understand this series.

#games writing #MT24 January #media thread #media thread 2024 #2024 games

[ask-the-cosmic-duo]

Hey Stella, do you mind if you could share about your PDA thing that you & Sol used the last time? I remember it can open portals and store a lot of stuff.

1. Is it expensive or highly exclusive? How does one get such a device? How do you charge it? Mana? Electricity?

2. What happens if you lose the device? How do you retrieve all your stuff then? What if the device is damaged/destroyed/stolen?

3. How do you transport to a specific location? Or are the portals random?

4. Are there limits to how much you can store or go anywhere?

Many thanks!

-Aurora

"Oh, yes! I put a lotta effort into those! Prepare for a lot of talking!"

"I tried to make them as cheap as I could, which is pretty darn cheap! I mean, I already have tons of income from being a Council Agent, which I funnel into my projects, R&D, my company, so on and so forth. I don't really need to make money from the sales of my PDAs, y'know?"

"You can get them from any multiversal network, such as my very own StarNet, which should be pretty easy to access in most awakened universes. In your case, you might be able to access it through Tumblr, though I don't know how reliable that is yet."

"They're powered by a dual-battery system that can hold both mana and electricity. The mana battery is charged via drawing in atmospheric mana, and it also comes with a charger cable for its electric battery. Both last a very long time, even without charging."

"Mana is the preferred power source, but in the event that you end up in a universe with no magic, you can use the backup electric battery. A few of the features it has will be less efficient without magic though, such as storing physical objects."

"In the event that you lose one, all your belongings are uploaded to the network the moment the device realizes it's been stolen from you. Alternatively, if it's broken, it has a built-in failsafe that will also upload everything. That's pretty unlikely these days though, now that I have access to Elysian metals."

"Its ability to open portals is heavily reliant on magic, though it can create a few using electricity as well. So long as you have access to the StarNet, you can use its database to open a portal to any universe you so desire, with such precision that you can decide the exact square meter you want it to open at! There's usually 'default spawns' so to speak, so that's usually not necessary, but it's an option, I guess."

"Inevitably, there's limits, though the ones for transport are entirely dependent on authorization from the Council. Don't worry, you don't have to ask them every time you wanna open a portal, as you're given an ID of sorts that has your level of authorization. Everypony has access to most awakened universes by default, but some are off-limits for one reason or another. Not sure what the deal is with ones connected to Tumblr yet... Pretty sure that's also off-limits right now, at least for most."

"Storage, on the other hoof, is much easier to explain. It can hold lots and lots of stuff, big or small. Generally, the bigger it is, the more storage space it'll consume. Same with the amount of power it holds at the time of you storing it away. More energy means bigger file size, though it's more efficient when that energy is magic."

"I guess I should tell you guys the price, huh? Well, the base model is about forty bits. Yes, that's all it takes. They're the standard across the multiverse, so the price's gotta reflect that, y'know? And this is for the newest base model, not an older one. Like I said, I don't really need the money."

"Fully customized, it only goes up to one-hundred-twenty bits. Great, right? All the best gear, plus whatever frame or design you want! The account is free, and there's no subscription model!"

She giggled. "Only the best! Spirit Technologies, SpiriTech for short!"

#EquestriaCross #EqX-AuroraVerse-2 #Ask #The-Starry-Traveller #StellarSpirit #Lore #SpiriTech #Wall of Text (sorry)

[orderofthecube]

Package

2nd-level conjuration (ritual), galactic (Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Ranger, Warlock, Wizard)

Casting Time: 1 minute Range: The same galaxy Components: V, S, M (a white feather, a length of twine, and a stamp) Duration: Instantaneous

You inscribe the address of a location in the same galaxy and on the same plane of existence on a package with a volume no greater than 4 cubic feet. If the address is invalid or insufficient for delivery, the spell fails and you do not expend a spell slot. The address may include the name of the recipient.

At the end of the casting time, the package flies to its destination at a speed of 1,000 miles per hour. If the shortest route is obstructed or clearly unsafe, the package takes the safest alternate route. If caught or waylaid, the package resumes its course once freed. The package is vacuum-safe and immune to damage routine to galactic mail, such as fire and force damage caused by entering an atmosphere.

When the package reaches its destination, it presents itself to its named recipient. If there is no named recipient, or if the recipient does not appear at the address within 24 hours of the package’s arrival, the package delivers itself to any package reception area or person.

If the package cannot find or reach the listed address (for instance, if the location is hidden from divination magic or disguised by illusion magic), the package returns to you.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, choose from among the following effects for each slot level above 2nd. All effects compound except those relating to speed.

Custom Navigation. When you cast this spell, you specify the exact route the package should travel to reach the address. (1 spell level)

Express Delivery. While in open space, the speed of the package is increased to that specified in warpdrive. (2 spell levels)

Fallback Recipients. You can include up to two additional recipients for the package at the same or alternate addresses. The package spends 3 days at each address attempting to locate the recipient before moving to the next-priority recipient. (1 spell level)

Next-day Delivery. While in open space, the speed of the package is increased to that specified in hyperdrive. (3 spell levels)

Oversized. The maximum volume of the package is increased to 25 cubic feet. (1 spell level)

Priority Mail. While in open space, the speed of the package increases to that described in warp.

(1 spell level)

Seek Person. You incorporate an object that belonged to the recipient in the casting process, allowing you to supply the recipient’s name without an address. If the package learns of the recipient’s death while seeking them, it returns to you. (2 spell levels)

Tamperproof. If the package is opened by anyone other than the named recipient, you receive an instantaneous telepathic notification. During the casting of the spell, you can additionally specify that an instance of tampering triggers a small magical effect as described in prestidigitation, such as coating the contents of the package in colorful powder or creating the sound of alarm bells. You choose whether the package is marked as tamperproof. (1 spell level)

Tracking. Until the package is delivered, you know its general whereabouts and direction of travel. You are telepathically notified when the package has been delivered and the identity of the creature, if any, it was delivered to. (1 spell level)

Universal Delivery. The package accepts addresses in any galaxy and on any plane of existence, provided it can find a suitable portal. (2 spell levels)

Get the book for free/PWYW on DM’s Guild.

#spell #2nd level #conjuration #galactic period #art