There has been some discussion on the forum about “the rise of puzzle mods”. Personally I don’t see that they are becoming more popular or being released more often.

Considering how long physics has been in the HL games, it’s almost strange that we haven’t had more pure puzzle mods. Ideally, I think 95% of players prefer a balance between action, exploring and puzzles, but the operative word is “balance” and for some 30% of each is too much.

I need to clarify this question, because “limitations” sounds such a negative word.

When you look at how HL2 works in regard to movement and weapons etc it can seem quite limiting. For example, a lot of games have headbob, and changes of view while sprinting, bullet time etc.

This is something that occurred to me while walking yesterday and watching a couple of cats stalk a bird. It’s probably been done in games before but I can’t remember seeing it – that’s one of the problems of not playing other games.

The idea is that when you press the backwards key somewhere on the screen a small window appears that shows the view behind you. The size, placement and transparency of the view would be controlled by the player in an options window, same as other in-game options.

Imagine this: A warehouse over flowing with crates, but not just ordinary crates, oh no! Crates that have different attributes, floating, burning, exploding etc.

The question is do you have the necessary patience and skill to destroy all the crates. Oh, did I mention there is over 1000 crates. Good luck!

Start in a lobby and explore the Black Mesa Research Facility.

Of course, you will find plenty of enemies and obstacles in your way, so move carefully and pay attention to the signs.

Only the smart and fearless will succeed!

I was lucky, I waited until HL, OP and BS were released, so I could play them straight after each other, thereby living through each story in the right order.

These minor details are very important to me. As many readers may know I HATE spoilers, even the smallest detail is a spoiler to me. However, I do recognize that many people don’t really care that much.

There doesn’t seem to be a story but the objective is fairly clear. Get the HEV suit, find more batteries and use the elevator.

There are two puzzles and plenty of action, which should leave you wanting more.

Reach the vortigaunt for a mini-speech and the map ends.

Starting in a prison cell, you need to make you way to the surface.

Once there, things get a little more interesting, in fact, your whole world is about to change.

Combine Mountain Complex is a fun and challenging first release.

I know a lot of players get bored with the standard assets of the games, but I am not one of them. As long as the modder knows how to use them wisely, them I am a happy headcrab.

Given the choice I much prefer a mod team spend the time on making more maps and therefore more gameplay for me. Of course, the usual It Depends rings loudly in the air, but these polls are just for a little fun and we must assume that the quality of the new content is the same as the new maps

Starting in a dead end of a square, you need to follow the path to some rebels being held captive.

Of course, there are lots of Combine trying to stop you, so relax, the day is just starting.

The level features non-standard HL2 weapons but no new enemies.

Full disclosure: I am not a level designer. I have started the slow path to becoming one, but this article is based on my knowledge and experience in a non-gaming environment. Secondly, I am publishing this earlier than I planned because Kyouryuu mentioned this exact same thing in his comment yesterday and I didn’t want to seem as I was stealing his point.

Yesterday I wrote about six things I wanted to see in mods in 2010, today I write about 6 more.

Some of the things I wrote about yesterday could be quite hard to implement properly, but that’s the point. If the things were too easy then we would probably have already seen them.

What I really want to see is something that is challenging for the modder and something that is new and exciting for the player.

There must be hundreds of possible ideas and these are just a few of mine.

Starting in an underground prison cell, you need to fight your way to the surface.

Once there, you will find a train station and hopefully a train will lead you to your next encounter.

The final challenge is a Combine chopper, that won’t be easy to destroy.

At this time of year I normally write some sort of wish list for the following year (2007, 2009 (not sure what happened to 2008!)), but this year I decided to be much more specific. This year I am going to talk about what I would like to see in mods.

I have decided to split it into two articles, so that we can discuss each point in greater detail. So, without further ado, here are the first six.

Firstly, sorry for being a few days late with this poll – I was in bed ill for most of the weekend and I have to admit I kinda enjoyed the rest!

I was talking to William and Emanuel from Podcast 17 a few weeks ago, just before we started recording and we could hear Emanuel playign a mod. he said he was windowed and William said he also plays windowed.

Starting in a small room, you need to work your way to the extraction point on the roof.

You will encounter plenty of Combine soldiers, and a few dropdown turrets, a hidden panel and one zombie.

Don’t worry about the screaming girl; you can’t reach her – or can you?

You are Frank Harrison, a rebel, who lives near City 17.

You wake up and find that the Citadel looks like it is about to explode and those scientists are urging you to flee the city.

No need to tell you twice! Off you go and good luck – you’ll need it.

I was lucky enough to get the Gear team online and chatted with them.

We talk about the City 17 Episode 1, its evolution, Maxsi Distribution System and a whole lot more.

City 17 Episode 1 is a mod that is slowly evolving into something that will amaze and surprise you.

I only cover a few In Development mods and am pleased that Gear, the team behind the mod, have agreed to work closely with me.

I have some media and an audio interview for you, so read on and enjoy!

Theories abound about the Gman and every man and his dog think they know who he is, but will we ever learn the truth about Gman?

I doubt that Valve will completely tell us everything, that aura of mystery is very important and always leaves the door open for other adventures in various forms of media.

You start in a pit with two crawling zombies and a Stalker. Can you find the way out? If you can then more zombies await you.

Does the pit hold the secret to your escape or will the generator lead to freedom?

Find the answers to these and other questions in this very short map

You start in an empty reception area. Explore the rooms carefully, you never know what you might find.

As you progress you become a little disorientated, but don’t worry, it will pass.

The question is would you prefer to stay that way when you find out what awaits you?

Putting aside the question of whether mods should even be releasing demos, once they do, do you think that they should remove them once they get old?

The problem, as I see it, is that unless it’s taken down potential players might still download it and base their opinion of the mod on it. If it’s the best a mod team can do, fine, but if, like most mods they get better as time goes on, then wouldn’t it be better to simply remove it?

Starting out with the Jalopy and Alyx, you progress through the mountain terrain, be careful, the road is not exactly smooth.

Unfortunately, your way is block (did you expect otherwise?) and you must open the gate.

Don’t relax too soon as the Combine and its friends appear to do their best to stop you.