Cube 2: Sauerbraten - Expansion Maps

Background

I've always thought it would be fun to write a first-person shooter game, and even tried to on two occasions. Unfortunately, I either attempted too much (ie: writing the actual programming) or the game platform became obsolete before I finished creating the level (ie: Duke Nukem for Mac). Fortunately, I discovered the open-source "Cube" game environment, currently in its' second iteration as "Cube 2 - Sauerbraten": It has a simple yet robust authoring environment, along with a devoted following of users and programmers. And, the game includes a large number of excellent user-created levels covering a variety of themes, with many more available at forum sites like Quadropolis.

NOTE: Sauerbraten's primary focus is multiplayer play: For those preferring a game engine geared towards role-playing games (RPGs), consider Platinum Arts' "Sandbox Free 3D Game Maker", a port of the Cube 2 engine. Those who like single-player environments might consider "Risen3D", a port of the popular "Doom" game engine. Finally, check out "Minecraft", a multiplayer online environment based on the Cube engine.

Here are a couple of modest levels I've written for the game. Most of the Cube levels I've seen appear intentionally designed with large, open, sparsely-decorated rooms and passageways perfectly suited for lots of players running around as quickly as possible and shooting everything in sight while jumping, firing rockets and laying down grenades. It makes for frenetic, fast-paced, exciting action, and there are lot of excellently-designed levels out there. Conversely, my maps are designed with typical-sized rooms and hallways, and (in single-player versions) a lack of rockets and grenades to increase the suspense and encourage close-in combat (and, apparently, require faster video cards and processors).

"The Legend of the Lost Pharaohs"

Backstory & Screenshots

Land of the Lost Pharaohs: Splash ScreenSomewhere between Egypt's Upper and Lower Kingdoms archeologists have discovered an underground burial site to rival the Valley of the Kings. While the Pharaohs are long gone, their remains and treasure are jealously guarded by a legion of undead. Your job is to eliminate them all, allowing the archeologists to protect the site from vandals and thieves.
Click here to view a gallery of screenshots.

System Requirements

This level plays very nicely on a computer with at least a 2.0Ghz processor, 4Gb memory and a 512Mb video card. Faster hardware should provide better performance.

Versions Available as of 03/15/12 (click for screenshots)
Version
Size
Download
Revised
Single Player (SP)
15.7 MB
Download 03/15/12
Death Match, Single Player (DMSP)
14 MB
Download
08/07/11
Mutiplayer (MP)
0 MB


Multiplayer "Capture the Flag" (CTF)
0 MB



Notes and Modifications:
03-15-12 -- Particle effects in the SP level are now compatible with the 2010 version of Sauerbraten (aka: "Justice"). This update completely replaces all previous SP versions.
08-07-11 -- The DMSP level now includes wider hallways in the main building and improved landscaping around the building to make the it easier for monsters to pursue you and speed up gameplay.
07-07-11 --
These levels were designed and tested using the 2007 version of Sauerbraten (aka: "Assassin"): Some effects, such as particles, may not work properly on newer versions. Gameplay, however, appears unaffected.
Some details about the Single Player (SP) level:
  • It's first game level I've ever created (and maybe the last, unless someone wants to pay me to create them ;-)
  • The level was constructed using Sauerbraten version 2007-12-22 (aka: "Assassin")
  • Constructing the level took roughly 200 hours over 3 months
  • There are approximately 349 monsters throughout the level
  • Played carefully, gameplay should last about an hour (If an hour is too long, try playing the much shorter and more intensive Deathmatch Single Player (DMSP) level.)

"Actiontown!"

Backstory & Screenshots

Image: Downtown ActiontownA town somewhere in the United States is small enough to have a touch of rugged Midwest individualism but large enough to have it's own fancy computer store, popular fast food joint, power plant, subway, and even the state's capital! Under a full moon on a warm summer evening the downtown appears too quiet: With the clock approaching midnight, it might be a good idea to take a "well-armed" look around just to make sure everything's a-ok.
Click here to view a gallery of screenshots.

System Requirements

Using the game's default settings, a 2.5Ghz Intel Xenon processor, 4Gb memory and a 512MB video card results in video frame rates below 40 frames-per-second in the most detailed areas of the map. A 1GB video card is suggested, and a bigger video card is recommended. Of course, faster hardware means better performance.

Versions Available as of 10/25/12 (click here for screenshots)
Version
Size
Download
Revised
Single Player (SP)
0 MB


Death Match, Single Player (DMSP)
0 MB


Mutiplayer (MP)
0 MB
Download
Multiplayer "Capture the Flag" (CTF)
0 MB



Notes and Modifications:
11/07/12 -- Initial release of the "Multiplayer" version, suitable for "instagib", "efficiency", and "insta arena" modes of play (modes 3 thru 9).
Some details about the Single Player (SP) level:
  • It's my 2nd game level (and the last, unless I can make money at it ;-)
  • The level was constructed using Sauerbraten version 2010-07-21 (aka: "Justice")
  • Creating the level took roughly 740 hours off-and-on over the course of a year.
  • The State Capital, while loosely based on Wisconsin's State Capital, actually contains elements from a number of government buildings.
  • The subway line is red, but not because of the Boston Transit System's Red Line.
  • The level contains all of the major elements I originally envisioned - and it started with "Toot 'n Taco", the fast food restaurant.
  • In hindsight, I should have selected a much larger map size: I didn't realize I selected a small map size until the level was well along in it's development.

Installing a Level

Go to Sauerbraten's download page and download and install the latest version according to their instructions. After installation, follow the directions below.
  1. Search where the application folder "Sauerbraten" was installed on the computer.
  2. Open the folder "Sauerbraten"
  3. Launch or Run the program "Sauerbraten"
  4. In Sauerbraten's Main Launcher window (image), under "Personal Files:", check the box if you want to keep your personal Sauerbraten files separate. Checking this box will create a new folder for your Sauerbraten files which will be preserved even if the Sauerbraten application folder is erased
  5. If you've checked the "Personal Files:" option in Step 4, determine where this new folder was created. (for example, on Apple computers a folder called "sauerbraten" will be created in the folder "Application Support" of the "Library" folder. The "Library" folder can exist under your user name or the Administrator's name)
Installing the files:

Files can be installed in either: (a) the Sauerbraten application folder or (b) the separate folder created by selecting the "Personal Files:" option.
  1. Decide whether the files will be installed in (a) the Sauerbraten application folder or (b) the separate folder created by selecting the "Personal Files:" option.
  2. If (b) was chosen: Open the new folder created by selecting the "Personal Files:" option, and if needed, create a new folder called "base". Open this new "base" folder and create a another new folder within it called "packages".
  3. Move or copy the following files into the folder "base":
    • <name>.cfg
    • <name>.ogz
    • <name>.jpg (optional, the game will work fine without it)
    • <name>.txt (optional, the game will work fine without it)
    • where: <name> is the name of the file you downloaded.
  4. If included, move or copy the following folders into the folder named "packages":
    • the folder containing the custom textures
    • the folder containing the custom music
  5. If included, move or copy the custom models folder into the folder named "models" in the folder "packages"
Playing the level in Single Player mode:
  1. Launch the application Sauerbraten
  2. On the main screen, click "Maps" and then click the name of the map you want to play (example: image). If it's not displayed, verify that the files were installed properly.
  3. When the game loads, type either:
    • /sp <name> and press <return>, or
    • /dmsp <name> and press <return>
    • where: <name> is the name of the file you downloaded.
  4. Play the game.
  5. To play in a multiplayer environment, please see the official Sauerbraten site.

Methods of Play

Multiplayer (MP): Sauerbraten's most popular method of play due to the many variations available. Players play individually or as a member of a team, with the goal of being the player with the most kills, the last person alive, the last team standing, or in possession of the level's bases or flags, depending on how the game is initially set up by the players before they begin. All players are human; there are no monsters.

Single Player (SP) level:
Kill all the monsters in the shortest amount of time using the least amount of the limited ammunition provided. If you're killed by the monsters you'll come back to life but lose some ammunition and health: Die often enough and the only weapon available when you respawn will be your pistol and a small amount of ammunition.

Deathmatch (DMSP) level: Same goal as SP, but there's an unlimited amount of ammunition and health, only thirty (30) monsters to kill, and if the monsters kill you the game is over. A very quick, very intense game designed to last about 5 minutes.


Playing Tips for Single Player (SP) Game Mode

  • The goal is simple: Kill all monsters as quickly as possible without getting killed.
  • Monsters are everywhere - take your time!
  • Dark areas are almost certainly hiding a monster.
  • Sometimes, the most direct way into an area is not the best way.
  • Try to select the best weapon for the type and proximity of the enemy (my favorites are the shotgun at close range and the rifle for picking off targets at long range).
  • My levels can include secret areas, hallways, and traps: Pay close attention to wall decorations, as they'll suggest where they are. Secret areas may contain monsters you'll need to kill to complete the level. Traps can be instantly fatal.
  • Getting monsters to line up or group together might cause them to shoot each other.
  • Monsters approached from behind won't attack you, as they can't see you.
  • Monsters may move back into areas you've already visited - revisit those areas if you're having trouble finding those last few monsters.

Credits

  • Thanks to the Cube 2 / Sauerbraten team for constructing a nice game and level design environment.
  • Thanks to Kevin MacLeod, at www.incompetech.com, for the approximately 20 minutes 32 seconds of  background music used in the level "The Legend of the Lost Pharaohs", consisting of these tracks:
  1. Clenched Teeth.mp3
  2. Exotic Battle.mp3
  3. Failing Defense.mp3
  4. Long Time Coming.mp3
  5. Movement Proposition.mp3
  6. Nerves.mp3
  7.  We Got Trouble.mp3
  • A very big "thank you" to W. Sitters of Sitters Electronics for many of the custom models used in the level "Actiontown". (His models are Copyright (C) 2004-2007 by W. Sitters and covered under The Creative Commons Pubic License and/or the GNU General Public License.)
  • Thanks to Patricia Abood of 3D-Diva.com for the custom wallpaper, wood paneling, carpet, and marble textures used in the level "Actiontown". She's expert at creating 3D renderings from architectural plans created in Chief Architect, and her extensive website contains hundreds of excellent, seamless textures offered absolutely free.

Legal Notice

These levels, while released to the public, are NOT in the Public Domain and are neither abandoned nor orphaned works: The Author retains all creative rights to this work product exclusive of any rights inherent in any third-party product(s) used to construct this work or contained within it (such as, but not limited to, textures, models, graphics, sounds, music, etc.)

You may distribute these levels provided that:
  1. you include all the associated files: ogz, cfg, jpg, readme.txt, and the models, music, and textures folders (if any)
  2. the files are not modified in any way,
  3. it is not used as all or part of a commercial (ie: purchased / shareware / donationware) product.
You may modify these levels for you own use (ie: a derivative work), provided that:
  1. you include language crediting the original work (for example: "Based on "The Land of the Lost Pharaohs", by MUSEman, June 2011")
  2. if any 3rd-party content is used, you include language crediting the source of that content (for example, see: incompetech.com for citation conditions and examples for using the custom music),
  3. it is not used as all or part of a commercial (ie: purchased / shareware / donationware) product.
Installing the level on your computer indicates acceptance of these terms.

Feedback

Have you played one of these levels? Do you have any comments, kudos, suggestions, or even criticism? I'd love to hear from you, and it's oh-so-easy: