Alpine Level Design: Difference between revisions

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{{Under construction}}
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This page lists all major differences between level design and capabilities in Alpine Faction when compared to other versions of the game (Red Faction, Pure Faction, Dash Faction, etc.)
This page lists all major differences between normal Red Faction level design and level design for Alpine Levels, as featured in Alpine Faction.


'''IMPORTANT:''' Alpine Faction can load both levels made specifically for Alpine Faction ''and'' levels made for other versions of the game (RF/PF/DF/etc.). However, please note that due to features available only in Alpine Faction, '''levels made for Alpine Faction can only be loaded when using Alpine Faction'''.
==Compatibility==
'''Alpine Levels are playable only using Alpine Faction.'''
 
Due to features unavailable in those clients, Alpine Levels are '''not''' playable while using older client versions such as any version of Red Faction (official builds), Pure Faction, or Dash Faction.


==Lighting==
==Lighting==
===Lightmaps===
===Lightmaps===
In Alpine Faction levels, the game does not apply lightmap clamping. This means that the full range of available colors is available - including fully unlit (black) areas. Put another way, the way your lightmaps look when you calculate them in Alpine's level editor is how they will look in game.  
In Alpine Levels, the game does not apply lightmap clamping. This means that the full range of available colors is available - including fully unlit (black) areas. Put another way, the way your lightmaps look when you calculate them in the level editor is how they will look in game.  
===Dynamic Lights===
===Dynamic Lights===
Alpine Faction levels can utilize dynamic lights - configured via the "Dynamic" checkbox in light properties. Using the ''Anchor_Marker'' event (described below), you can also move dynamic lights using moving groups.  
Alpine Levels can utilize dynamic lights - configured via the "Dynamic" checkbox in light properties. Using the ''Anchor_Marker'' event (described below), you can also move dynamic lights using moving groups.  


Note: Dynamic lights are far more taxing on game performance than normal (static) lights. You should keep this in mind when designing, and use dynamic lights only where necessary to achieve your desired effect.
Note: Dynamic lights are far more taxing on game performance than normal (static) lights. You should keep this in mind when designing, and use dynamic lights only where necessary to achieve your desired effect.
==Skyboxes==
In Alpine Levels, while you can still make static skyboxes as you always could before if you wish, through the ''Set_Skybox'' event (described below) you can enhance your skyboxes. The key differences are listed below.
Note: When making an enhanced skybox, while you still do need to place a ''Room Effect'' in the room that is to be your sky room, you should '''not''' select the "Sky Room" type on the ''Room Effect'' - instead, leave "type" set to "None", or set it to "Liquid Room" if you wish to have a liquid surface in your sky room. The UID of the ''Room Effect'' is the skybox room UID you will specify in the properties of the ''Set_Skybox'' event.
===Eye Anchor===
When setting an enhanced skybox via the ''Set_Skybox'' event, you can specify an "eye anchor" UID. This must be the UID of an ''Anchor_Marker'' event that is inside the skybox room you are using. If you specify a valid "eye anchor" UID, this will be the position from which the sky room will be visible when projected as your skybox. You can also place the ''Anchor_Marker'' in a moving group and move it with keyframes if you wish.
Caution: Moving the "eye anchor" with keyframes can be very disorienting and take away from your level if you are not careful. In general, you should avoid quick movements.
===Relative Position===
When setting an enhanced skybox via the ''Set_Skybox'' event, you can turn on "use relative position" and specify a "relative position scale". If you do, players can move around "inside the sky room" as they play your map. The position of your camera in relation to the world origin (position 0,0,0) is mapped to the "eye" position in the skybox, relative to the "eye anchor" position in the sky room. The position is scaled using the scale.
* A "relative position scale" of 1.0 maps camera position relative to world origin to eye position relative to eye anchor position at a ratio of 1:1 - every 1m moved in the world is 1m moved in the skybox.
* A "relative position scale" of 0.25 however, means every 1m moved in the world is 0.25m moved in the skybox. Using this, you can make your skybox much smaller than your actual level.
Note: Relative position '''requires''' you specify a scale and an eye anchor (and of course a skyboox room UID). If you do not specify each of these, ticking the "use relative position" option will have no effect.


==Triggers==
==Triggers==
In multiplayer, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, triggers in Alpine Faction levels can activate events directly. This includes stock game events and Alpine Events (described below).
In multiplayer, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, triggers in Alpine Levels can activate events directly. This includes stock game events and Alpine Events (described below).


The following events are not supported in multiplayer and will not function if triggered:
The following events are not supported in multiplayer and will not function if triggered:
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==Items==
==Items==
In single player, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, Alpine Faction levels allow the player to pick up the ''Multi Super Health'' and ''Multi Super Armor'' items.
In single player, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, Alpine Levels allow the player to pick up the ''Multi Super Health'' and ''Multi Super Armor'' items.


==Events==
==Events==
In Alpine Faction, some stock game events have been improved in various ways:
In Alpine Levels, some stock game events have been improved in various ways:
* '''Headlamp_State''' - If not linked to any specific entities, applies to the player. Can be used to toggle the player flashlight.
* '''Headlamp_State''' - If not linked to any specific entities, applies to the player. Can be used to toggle the player flashlight.
* '''Holster_Weapon''' - Could always be turned on to holster the weapon of linked entities. In Alpine Faction, can also be turned off to force those entities to unholster their weapons.
* '''Holster_Weapon''' - Could always be turned on to holster the weapon of linked entities. In Alpine Levels, can also be turned off to force those entities to unholster their weapons.
* '''Holster_Player_Weapon''' - Could always be turned on to holster the player's weapon. In Alpine Faction, can also be turned off to unholster the player's weapon.
* '''Holster_Player_Weapon''' - Could always be turned on to holster the player's weapon. In Alpine Levels, can also be turned off to unholster the player's weapon.




In addition, the following new events are only available for use in Alpine Faction levels:
In addition, the following new events are only available for use in Alpine Levels:
===AF_Catalysts===
===AF_Catalysts===
<div class="column">
<div class="column">
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|on            = Set difficulty to the specified value.
|on            = Set difficulty to the specified value.
|params        = * '''difficulty:''' (int, "Life") Set the difficulty to test against. 0 = easy, 1 = medium, 2 = hard, 3 = impossible
|params        = * '''difficulty:''' (int, "Life") Set the difficulty to test against. 0 = easy, 1 = medium, 2 = hard, 3 = impossible
}}
{{Infobox RF1Event
|eventname      = Set_Skybox
|category      = AF_General
|description    = Set the room to project as skybox.
|on            = Set skybox information as configured.
|params        = * '''Skybox room UID:''' (int1) Specify the room UID (by ''Room Effect'') to set as the sky room.
* '''Eye anchor UID:''' (int2) Specify the ''Anchor_Marker'' event to use as the eye position inside the sky room.
* '''Use relative position:''' (bool1) If true, apply relative position mapping camera position in world space to eye position in the sky room.
* '''Relative position scale:''' (float1) Scale/ratio to apply to relative position camera mapping.
}}
}}
</div><div class="column>
</div><div class="column>

Revision as of 20:56, 15 December 2024



    • This page lists all major differences between normal Red Faction level design and level design for Alpine Levels, as featured in Alpine Faction.

    Compatibility

    Alpine Levels are playable only using Alpine Faction.

    Due to features unavailable in those clients, Alpine Levels are not playable while using older client versions such as any version of Red Faction (official builds), Pure Faction, or Dash Faction.

    Lighting

    Lightmaps

    In Alpine Levels, the game does not apply lightmap clamping. This means that the full range of available colors is available - including fully unlit (black) areas. Put another way, the way your lightmaps look when you calculate them in the level editor is how they will look in game.

    Dynamic Lights

    Alpine Levels can utilize dynamic lights - configured via the "Dynamic" checkbox in light properties. Using the Anchor_Marker event (described below), you can also move dynamic lights using moving groups.

    Note: Dynamic lights are far more taxing on game performance than normal (static) lights. You should keep this in mind when designing, and use dynamic lights only where necessary to achieve your desired effect.

    Skyboxes

    In Alpine Levels, while you can still make static skyboxes as you always could before if you wish, through the Set_Skybox event (described below) you can enhance your skyboxes. The key differences are listed below.

    Note: When making an enhanced skybox, while you still do need to place a Room Effect in the room that is to be your sky room, you should not select the "Sky Room" type on the Room Effect - instead, leave "type" set to "None", or set it to "Liquid Room" if you wish to have a liquid surface in your sky room. The UID of the Room Effect is the skybox room UID you will specify in the properties of the Set_Skybox event.

    Eye Anchor

    When setting an enhanced skybox via the Set_Skybox event, you can specify an "eye anchor" UID. This must be the UID of an Anchor_Marker event that is inside the skybox room you are using. If you specify a valid "eye anchor" UID, this will be the position from which the sky room will be visible when projected as your skybox. You can also place the Anchor_Marker in a moving group and move it with keyframes if you wish.

    Caution: Moving the "eye anchor" with keyframes can be very disorienting and take away from your level if you are not careful. In general, you should avoid quick movements.

    Relative Position

    When setting an enhanced skybox via the Set_Skybox event, you can turn on "use relative position" and specify a "relative position scale". If you do, players can move around "inside the sky room" as they play your map. The position of your camera in relation to the world origin (position 0,0,0) is mapped to the "eye" position in the skybox, relative to the "eye anchor" position in the sky room. The position is scaled using the scale.

    • A "relative position scale" of 1.0 maps camera position relative to world origin to eye position relative to eye anchor position at a ratio of 1:1 - every 1m moved in the world is 1m moved in the skybox.
    • A "relative position scale" of 0.25 however, means every 1m moved in the world is 0.25m moved in the skybox. Using this, you can make your skybox much smaller than your actual level.

    Note: Relative position requires you specify a scale and an eye anchor (and of course a skyboox room UID). If you do not specify each of these, ticking the "use relative position" option will have no effect.

    Triggers

    In multiplayer, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, triggers in Alpine Levels can activate events directly. This includes stock game events and Alpine Events (described below).

    The following events are not supported in multiplayer and will not function if triggered:

    • Load_Level
    • Endgame
    • Defuse_Nuke
    • Drop_Point_Marker
    • Go_Undercover
    • Win_PS2_Demo
    • Play_Video
    • When_Picked_Up

    Items

    In single player, unlike levels made for other versions of the game, Alpine Levels allow the player to pick up the Multi Super Health and Multi Super Armor items.

    Events

    In Alpine Levels, some stock game events have been improved in various ways:

    • Headlamp_State - If not linked to any specific entities, applies to the player. Can be used to toggle the player flashlight.
    • Holster_Weapon - Could always be turned on to holster the weapon of linked entities. In Alpine Levels, can also be turned off to force those entities to unholster their weapons.
    • Holster_Player_Weapon - Could always be turned on to holster the player's weapon. In Alpine Levels, can also be turned off to unholster the player's weapon.


    In addition, the following new events are only available for use in Alpine Levels:

    AF_Catalysts

    Icon Event E.png

    AF_When_Dead

    Upgraded version of the stock "When_Dead" event. Does not require a slot in the savegame file, so there is no limit on the number of "AF_When_Dead" events that you can use in a single map. Also supports repeated activations unlike the stock version.
    On Response
    None
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • any_dead: (boolean, "Activate When Any Dead") If true, this event sends an on message each time a linked entity or clutter dies. If false, this event only sends a single on message at the time that all linked entities/clutter are dead.
    Icon Event E.png

    When_Picked_Up

    Fires a message to all linked triggers, movers, and events whenever a linked item is picked up by the player. Works in single player only.
    On Response
    None
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.

    AF_Flow

    Icon Event E.png

    Sequence

    Each activation of this event routes the message to the next link in sequential order. After the last link, the cycle resets and the first link is called. Note the order of links is determined by the order in which you add them.
    On Response
    Send an on signal to the next link in the sequence.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • last_link_index: (int, hidden) Stores the last activated link index. When processing a received on signal, the next index in the links array after this is used.
    Icon Event E.png

    Difficulty_Gate

    Tests if the game is set to the specified difficulty and forwards messages only if true.
    On Response
    Forward on signal to all links, if the game is set to the specified difficulty.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • difficulty: (int, "Life") Set the difficulty to test against. 0 = easy, 1 = medium, 2 = hard, 3 = impossible
    Icon Event E.png

    Valid_Gate

    Tests if the specified UID is a valid object and forwards messages only if true. In the case of objects that have life values (ie. clutter and entities), "valid" means alive.
    On Response
    Forward on signal to all links, if the specified object is valid.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • check_uid: (int, "Life") Object UID to be checked.
    Icon Event E.png

    Inside_Gate

    Tests if an object (default: the player who activated the event) is in a specified area of the map. Forwards messages if true.
    On Response
    Forward on signal to all links if test passes.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • check_uid: (int, "Life") Region to be checked. Can be a trigger UID or a room UID (Room Effect).
    • test_uid: (int, hidden) Object to be checked. Defaults to the player who activated the event.
    Icon Event E.png

    Gametype_Gate

    Performs a test on the gametype of the game. Forwards message to links only if test passes. Works only in multiplayer (test will always fail in single player)
    On Response
    Perform test and forward message if passed.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • gametype: (string, "Goal To Set") Specify the test to run. Must be one of the below, specified exactly.
      • dm
      • tdm
      • ctf
    Icon Event E.png

    Switch_Random

    Randomly select one of this event's links and send an on signal to it.
    On Response
    Send an on signal to a randomly selected link.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Fixed_Delay

    Identical to the normal Delay event, but cannot be retriggered. Will forward a message to all links after the specified delay. Messages sent to this event while a message is queued are ignored.
    On Response
    Queue a message to be forwarded after the configured delay.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Goal_Gate

    Performs a test on a specified goal (integer variable). Forwards message to links only if test passes.
    On Response
    Perform test and forward message if passed.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • value: (int, first "Texture Num") Specify the value to use for the test.
    • goal: (string, first "Filename") Specify the goal name to test.
    • value2: (int, second "Texture Num") Specify the second value to use for the test, if a second value is needed (currently only applies to between).
    • test_type: (string, second "Filename") Specify the test to run. Must be one of the below, specified exactly.
      • equal - Goal count equals value.
      • nequal - Goal count does not equal value.
      • gt - Goal count is greater than value.
      • lt - Goal count is less than value.
      • geq - Goal count is greater than or equal to value.
      • leq - Goal count is less than or equal to value.
      • between - Goal count is between value and value2 (inclusive).
      • odd - Goal count is an odd number.
      • even - Goal count is an even number.
      • divisible - Goal count is divisible by value.
      • ltinit - Goal count is less than its initial value.
      • gtinit - Goal count is greater than its initial value.
      • leinit - Goal count is less than or equal to its initial value.
      • geinit - Goal count is greater than or equal to its initial value.
      • eqinit - Goal count is equal to its initial value.
    Icon Event E.png

    Environment_Gate

    Performs a test on the environment of the game. Forwards message to links only if test passes.
    On Response
    Perform test and forward message if passed.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • environment: (string, "Goal To Set") Specify the test to run. Must be one of the below, specified exactly.
      • multi - Event is running in multiplayer.
      • single - Event is running in single player.
      • server - Event is running on a server (listen or dedicated).
      • dedicated - Event is running on a dedicated server.
      • client - Event is running on a client.

    AF_General

    Icon Event E.png

    Clone_Entity

    Creates a clone of the linked entity with the same properties and settings as its source.
    On Response
    Create a clone at the event's position.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Set_Player_World_Collide

    Control whether the player collides with level geometry.
    On Response
    Collision = true (default)
    Off Response
    Collision = false
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Set_Level_Hardness

    Set the hardness for the loaded level (size of geo craters).
    On Response
    Set hardness to the specified value.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • hardness: (int, "Life") The hardness value to set.
    Icon Event E.png

    Set_Difficulty

    Set the difficulty level of the game.
    On Response
    Set difficulty to the specified value.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • difficulty: (int, "Life") Set the difficulty to test against. 0 = easy, 1 = medium, 2 = hard, 3 = impossible
    Icon Event E.png

    Set_Skybox

    Set the room to project as skybox.
    On Response
    Set skybox information as configured.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • Skybox room UID: (int1) Specify the room UID (by Room Effect) to set as the sky room.
    • Eye anchor UID: (int2) Specify the Anchor_Marker event to use as the eye position inside the sky room.
    • Use relative position: (bool1) If true, apply relative position mapping camera position in world space to eye position in the sky room.
    • Relative position scale: (float1) Scale/ratio to apply to relative position camera mapping.
    Icon Event E.png

    HUD_Message

    Display a green HUD message in the bottom middle of the screen (like the helper text when you pick up items).
    On Response
    Display the HUD message for the configured duration.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • message: (string, "Goal To Set") The message to display.
    • duration: (int, hidden) Duration (in ms) the message will be displayed. If not specified, defaults to 5000 (5 seconds).
    Icon Event E.png

    Play_Video

    Play a .bik format video.
    On Response
    Play the video specified.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • filename: (string, "Goal To Set") The filename of the video to play.
    Icon Event E.png

    Force_Unhide

    Force unhide/hide an object with no conditions. Virtually identical to the stock "Unhide" event, except this one will do it regardless of player line of sight or any other factors.
    On Response
    Unhide linked objects.
    Off Response
    Hide linked objects.
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Set_Fog_Far_Clip

    Sets the far clip plane used for distance fog.
    On Response
    Set far clip plane to specified value (in metres).
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • far_clip: (int, "Life") Far clip plane distance.

    AF_Utility

    Icon Event E.png

    SetVar

    Reconfigure a variable on linked events. Only supports new Alpine Faction events. Supports "delay" (float) as a variable name to set event delay. Other variable names are as indicated on this page. Specify the name of the variable to be set in the script name for SetVar using this scripe name format: "SetVar_VARNAME" where "VARNAME" is the variable name.
    On Response
    Set var_name to var_value on all linked events.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • var_name: (string, set via script name) The name of the variable to be set.
    • var_value: (string, "Goal To Set") The value to set var_name to. You must ensure you are providing a valid value for the type of the variable you are setting. If not specified, defaults to a blank string.
    Icon Event E.png

    Remove_Link

    Used to remove links. If "remove_all" is turned off (default), removes links between objects this event is linked to. If "remove_all" is turned on, remove all links between every object this event is linked to and any other objects.
    On Response
    Remove links.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • remove_all: (boolean, "Run") Turn on "remove_all".
    Icon Event E.png

    Goal_Math

    Used to perform math operations on goals (integer variables). Applies the operation to any level (non-persistent) goals, as well as any persistent goals that are loaded.
    On Response
    Apply the operation.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    • value: (int, first "Texture Num") Specify the value to use for the operation.
    • goal: (string, first "Filename") Specify the goal name to which the operation will apply.
    • value2: (int, second "Texture Num") Specify the second value to use for the operation, if a second value is needed (currently only applies to clamp).
    • operation: (string, second "Filename") Specify the operation to apply. Must be one of the below, specified exactly.
      • add - Add value to goal count.
      • sub - Subtract value from goal count.
      • mul - Multiply goal count by value.
      • div - Divide goal count by value.
      • rdiv - Divide value by goal count.
      • set - Set goal count explicitly to value.
      • mod - Return modulus of goal count divided by value.
      • pow - Raise goal count to the power of value.
      • neg - Set goal count negative.
      • abs - Set goal count positive (absolute value).
      • clamp - Clamp goal count between value and value2.
      • max - Set goal count to the highest between goal count and value.
      • min - Set goal count to the lowest between goal count and value.
      • reset - Set goal count to its initial value.
    Icon Event E.png

    Clear_Queued

    Clears queued message (if any) on all linked events. Queued messages are messages that are queued per a configured delay value on that event.
    On Response
    Clear queued messages.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Add_Link

    Adds links from the first link in the link array to each other link in the array. Link array is ordered based on the order in which you linked this event to other objects.
    On Response
    Add links.
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
    Icon Event E.png

    Anchor_Marker

    Used to "drag along" some object types that can't normally be added to moving groups. Simply add the Anchor Marker to the moving group, then link the Anchor_Marker to the objects you want to bring. That object/those objects will have their position locked to the position of the Anchor_Marker event as it travels with the mover. Supports Lights (Dynamic only), Particle Emitters, and Push Regions
    On Response
    None
    Off Response
    None
    Parameters
    No additional parameters.
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