21st December 2003, 10:10 PM
(This post was last modified: 23rd December 2003, 10:17 AM by demon.)
Well, Epic Games is trying to you a head start if you buy Unreal Tournament 2004 Special Edition. (Retail $59.99 plus $10.00 mail in rebate if you own Unreal Tournament 2003 and mail them in the cover or something.) They are doing this by including 70 HOURS of mod making training with the game! Read about it at: http://www.ataricommunity.com/forums/sho...did=338772 And to answer some questions that I know will come up.
Q: But I'm not interested in making a FPS, why should this interest me?
A: The Unreal engine is fully customizable in mods. In fact, you can even change the camera view! There are some very cool unreal mods that don't use first person perspectives. Such as a Marble Madness mod. I believe that one is called Marble Mania 2003. (You can google it.) Also, Splinter Cell, was made using the Unreal Engine! Just to give you some idea of its power.
You might want to keep an eye on the make something unreal contest especially the phase 1 winners. There is some crazy cool unreal stuff being put out for that. Deathball and Jupiter Effects being ones that I think look particularly interesting. :)
Also, a lot of the training provided in UT2K4 SE (almost looks like a Capcom game name, doesn't it?) will be useful in ANY gaming environment. Especially the Maya stuff.
Q: What is Maya?
A: Maya is a program made by Alias. It is used for 3d modeling, animating, etc. While 3DS Max might be better known in the gaming industry, Maya is its equivalent in the film industry. Both programs are very capable, and it is pure preference which one you use. (Think Pepsi or Coke.) However, a person learning edition of Maya (it has watermarks) is included with Unreal Tournament 2003, and will be included with Unreal Tournament 2004. (You can also download it from alias.com) The PLE version allows you to practice with Maya, without paying $2000 to purchase the software. If memory serves Maya was used in the making of many hit videogames as well. Perhaps you've heard of a one of them, it was called Wind Waker I believe. ;)
Q: But I'm not interested in making a FPS, why should this interest me?
A: The Unreal engine is fully customizable in mods. In fact, you can even change the camera view! There are some very cool unreal mods that don't use first person perspectives. Such as a Marble Madness mod. I believe that one is called Marble Mania 2003. (You can google it.) Also, Splinter Cell, was made using the Unreal Engine! Just to give you some idea of its power.
You might want to keep an eye on the make something unreal contest especially the phase 1 winners. There is some crazy cool unreal stuff being put out for that. Deathball and Jupiter Effects being ones that I think look particularly interesting. :)
Also, a lot of the training provided in UT2K4 SE (almost looks like a Capcom game name, doesn't it?) will be useful in ANY gaming environment. Especially the Maya stuff.
Q: What is Maya?
A: Maya is a program made by Alias. It is used for 3d modeling, animating, etc. While 3DS Max might be better known in the gaming industry, Maya is its equivalent in the film industry. Both programs are very capable, and it is pure preference which one you use. (Think Pepsi or Coke.) However, a person learning edition of Maya (it has watermarks) is included with Unreal Tournament 2003, and will be included with Unreal Tournament 2004. (You can also download it from alias.com) The PLE version allows you to practice with Maya, without paying $2000 to purchase the software. If memory serves Maya was used in the making of many hit videogames as well. Perhaps you've heard of a one of them, it was called Wind Waker I believe. ;)