Surreality 2: A Sojourn and the Case of the Missing Sunglasses

[HardSync]

First off, thanks to everyone for their kind words about the level. Morgana and kappa, I wish I knew me in real life too.

Right, I know the level is too dark for some TVs, so this morning I've taken a page from kappa's book and published a locked version of the level that's not nearly so dark. The key for this is the dark level, as you approach the talking heads. Unfortunately, it doesn't look quite as good (to me) and you can now see all of my dark matter nails, bolts, and strategically placed bits of dissolve material, etc. But I hope it solves the issues with it being too dark. That said, you can adjust the gamma in LBP from the Start menu, choose Display settings, and crank it up. This avoids dilemmas such as needing to retrieve remote controls and what have you. But you'll need to remember to change it back. I will NOT be updating the brighter version.

I do like my levels dark, though.

Hey, Morgana, I played your Tron level this morning. It looks great. I did manage to fall all the way to the very bottom of the level in one place, but apart from that little snag, it's a great level and really nicely done. I'll have to check out your other levels soon -- but I chose the Tron one because it was one of my favourite video games growing up. The movie was all right, too, but it was the game that hooked me -- one summer I must've spent about $100 in quarters playing Tron in our local pizza shop.

Zwollie -- yeah, I use whatever content I feel does the job. (By the way, what bugs are in the first one?) There's probably a bit of snobbery and elitism out there with people saying you should make ALL your own stuff from scratch. I disagree. That's not the point of LBP, to me anyway. Besides, I really struggle with making cool stuff like those ants. I've tried. And failed again and again. I'm glad there are people who can do it, and who share these with us. That said, I created my own custom AND switches and all the other custom switches that control events and things in the level.

ALL but one of my levels use items that I got from someone else's level as part tribute and part "these are really cool things to have in my level". I use a lot of Kappa's stuff because I like the way she makes things look -- especially her shade specters. Those appear in two of my levels. I also used some other bits from her levels as well. You give them away, and if I like 'em, I'll use them and give you credit for it in my levels.

The first Surreality does use some of Mm's stuff, but if you look closely they aren't exactly the same. The bridge is the same, except I spent 10 minutes un-stickering the thing. It's a silhouette level, so almost nothing in the level has stickers on it because you couldn't see them anyway. The small houses are actually modified so that they slant a bit. I think I made the cows from scratch. But anyway, I used someone's stuff for the little enemies dotted about -- can't remember whose. But I liked 'em because you don't even have to jump to kill them -- just walk over them -- so I put 'em in.

When I do use other people's stuff, I tend to modify it a little. The cart in the newest level is actually someone else's. I removed the stickers, changed the material to glass, and added a cushion. Same deal with the ants -- as kappa put it, their butts are on fire. But the original cart and original ant appears at the end of the level. Yeah, I could've made my own, but someone already did it better than I could.

OK enough about stuff. I'm really glad you guys like the level. Thanks for sharing your comments and for playing it!!!

[v0rtex•]

HardSync,

Just played both Surreality levels (not the lightened one, because I really like your dark silhouettes as they are). And I too wish I knew you in real life, cuz I like witty people. And that gets me to the first point about your levels... very funny. I have played a number of levels that were recommended as really funny and they all had their moments, but you kept me laughing (alone in my living room).

And as for your boss in Surreality 2, my house mates:

were not amused. (boy, if looks could kill)

I really enjoyed playing both levels. The visuals were very cool (as I said, I like the silhouettes), and the flow of play was quite enjoyable. I also love secrets and hidden areas (found the sunglasses - very nice).

I also found no major flaws or bugs (and I was looking for them). So nice job.

All-in-all a very nice level (both of them), and a job well done. I look forward to seeing and playing more of your work. I do participate in F4F, so feel free to take a look at Midnight Gold Run (link in my sig), although I am currently working on a revamped version of it, so I guess I'd prefer you wait for that. But I'd actually prefer any feedback on my newest level, which is in the final stages of beta testing now. So keep an eye out for it in the level showcase.

[graygoose]

i see so its cow glitch? sounds cool, but it dosent make any sense lol!

[xkappax•]

v0rtex2002, I LOVE YOUR HOUSEMATES! My housemate was also not amused. He can be seen sleeping in my avatar. :P

And I love levels with humor. I try to inject as much humor into my levels as possible. Hardsync definitely does too! :P

[GruntosUK]

Pleased this level is getting is getting the plays and comments it deserves. Probably the best "boss" in LBP, and definetiy the funniest.

[v0rtex•]

Probably the best "boss" in LBP, and definetiy the funniest.

Agreed.

*pets attention demanding kitty*

[v0rtex•]

v0rtex2002, I LOVE YOUR HOUSEMATES! My housemate was also not amused. He can be seen sleeping in my avatar. :P

He's adorable!

[HardSync]

Thanks, Vortex.

We've got three cats, or maybe they've got us. I dunno. I'll post pics up of them in my gallery.

editing to include pics here:

[xkappax•]

That black cat looks exactly like my elderly 18 year old cat, Otis. Only with more fur and with less grossness. My friends call him "Zombie Cat" and "Old Man" ...

I originally wanted to do an entire level about cats, but I doubt I will ever do it. Unless they give me my "image import tool" :P

[Vanemiera]

I have to admit these were two realy funny levels. Really liked them. After "Ramp" it was a real satisfaction how you picked up all the 08/15 level passages

I don't think that i can add something that my predecessors haven't said already. Good job!

Cats FTW!

[HardSync]

After "Ramp" it was a real satisfaction how you picked up all the 08/15 level passages

Vanemiera, I'm not sure what you mean by 08/15 level passages...? Can you tell me what that means?

But thanks for your comments nevertheless!

[Morgana25]

I played your Tron level this morning. It looks great. I did manage to fall all the way to the very bottom of the level in one place, but apart from that little snag, it's a great level and really nicely done.

Thanks - may I ask where you fell through - I'd like to fix it.

[v0rtex•]

Thanks, Vortex.

We've got three cats, or maybe they've got us. I dunno.

LOL - I'm right there with ya.

I live alone (well... kids every other w/e) and when I'm home the big guy (Cubby - the b&w, Holstien cow colored one) cannot bear to be in any room that I am not.

[HardSync]

Thanks - may I ask where you fell through - I'd like to fix it.

It's at the part where you need to jump on the right shoulder of the recognizer (I think that is what they're called - sorry it's 70am and I just awoke). If you jump off early, before it reaches its apex, you can land a little way below the platform and carry on right until you fall off.

[Morgana25]

cool - I'm on it. Thanks for the heads up.