Perhaps the most prolific author editing for Quake today Neil consistently turns out great quality level add-ons. We finally drag Neil away from his editor for a full length interview as well as exclusive insights on his latest "Saving Pvt. Monkey." |
I
live with my wife and four cats! We all live in Kamloops, B.C., Canada.
I
don't have any levels I consider my best work nor do I ever expect to.
There are aspects to all my maps that I like and conversely much I dislike.
SLAUGHTERSHIP BY NEIL MANKE I really have no specific source of inspiration other than plain old silly ideas and I have lots of those:] In the rare event I run out of silly ideas I know certain people [I won't mention your name Paul T.] who have lots. I don't try to formulate complex ideas, plans or plots for levels. Besides, a complex plot in Q2 is shutting down 3 generators and a simple one is shutting down 1, and even an idiot like myself doesn't need to plan stuff that basic. I like to have a starting idea that intrigues me which can usually be summed up in a few words and then I do a few textures and try to create a starting look in a map. Then the start map and it's feel give me ideas and I just go from there with little deep thought. Sometimes I will think of cool scenarios beforehand and note them down but I don't expect that or force it. For me there is no surer way to kill creativity than to think about something too much, inspiration and creativity simply do not lend themselves to planning... that is logical/rational/objective thinking, bankers think that way:] Of course there is a necessity for all that in mapping, but I do not believe it is the part that makes for the essence of the better stuff. I have played less than a handfull of Q2 add-ons....so it would be rather unfair of me to answer this question. I had wanted and planned on playing a selection just to see what the other guys are doing but I doubt now that I will have the time, or the will. I really liked Q1 & Q2 and have no complaints of any consequence about either, obviously they are both exceptional games. I don't continue playing them, or add-ons that are done in the traditional id style, simply because I am not that type of gamer. I like to play [or rather I used to] several different types of games, strategy and adventure along with action games being my favorites. I used to play a game for short while and then move on. Only my keen interest in editing has held me in one game for so long. I was saddened by the news id was going strictly multiplayer for Q3 [I'm sorry but anyone who thinks DM with bots is SP doesn't understand what SP is about!]. I believe it is a supremely smart move on id's part and bodes well for MP gamers, but it is no good from my minuscule perspective. So I must be saying goodbye to Quake*..it's a cruel world...sniff:[
I've played the SIN demo and thought it was very well done except a few things about it bothered me a wee bit. Some aspects felt too contrived, like every time I entered a room with skylights was exactly when the skylights broke and the bad guys entered. I think they overdid a very cool thing... and the doors looked too damn friggin small! I bumped my head every time LOL. But those are nitpics, all else was super cool except one level just didn't give me any sense of the real scope of the game, I would need that to fork over cash on it. I'll watch the reviews and ....maybe?
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Banging head on wall and pulling hair out! I also like to beg on the corner once in awhile so I can get enough money for a good bottle of after shave... mmm:] When doing levels I will search the net for any information I may need. Other than that I frequently check out many of the old SP review sites and there are several cool new ones too. And, for some reason, I've started watching the Quake news sites? I also like going to the general game sites like Gamespot and Adrenaline Vault, etc. and on occasion I will visit assorted game companies' sites to see what they are up to. I have just sent Coconut Monkey 3 to PC Gamer . No doubt it will be out by the time this interview is. And I have just started a simple, single map tentatively called "Bear Hunter" for SOF, ... and that will most likely be my last Q2 map. After that?... I don't know for sure but I have been discussing a 1/2 Life add-on with Bill Harms at PC Gamer. I won't say what it is but it is 'not' a Coconut Monkey adventure... something a bit scarier we hope:] I
have been editing Quake1 & 2 almost 2 years now and I must say near
all the people I dealt with over that time have been a real pleasure to
know. And without many of them my mapping would be near impossible. So
I'd like to thank all the guys who have directly helped me with the levels,
all who tested levels for me, all the guys who selflessly run the review
sites and editing sites [not a trivial feat], the guys who do the programs
and mods that make editing so much easier and give us mappers the means
for enriching our levels, the gamers who are always writing in with words
of encouragement, and perhaps most of all, Rysher Entertainment and PC
Gamer who by giving me some interesting work have at least given me the
means to survive and continue editing.
~Neil Manke - November 7, 1998 |
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