Zombie Stress 2 Manual - Recently Updated Pages

Press Release #4

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:45:02 CDT

It's been a while since the last time we had a press release but this one is a major big one. It comes with the announcement of 3 new confirmed maps, some extra little functions and some images of the 3 maps plus 2 more.
The 3 maps
City Block
The city block map by the king is the first map i've confirmed. It is a map for just plain fragging, work your way through a small city block and destroy any zombie that comes at you with the fine degree of weapons provided for you.

Prison Block
This map is the first map to use Antlions as the players assitance to whipe out the zombie hordes. The map is made by Dogge-cat and is very well made, it has a few bugs but they will be sorted out soon.

Mind your headcrab
A small reference to Team Fortress 2 there but this map by the newest member to the Zombie Stress 2 team: Soul Grafitti. Is the ultimate zombie sniper map with the player standing at the top of the map taking out zombies with ease and accuracy.
Go to the images area for more screenshots
Coding
Other new things are the fact that our coder Midlet_guy has almost finished making the extra mod functions including gun sight and a toggle button on the rpg launcher for the laser guided sight. I am awaiting the code packages before we can start testing them.
Tunnel and the Ship
I recently started to redesign to the tunnel map due to it not doing what i wanted of it. So the second version of the tunnel map has been a complete change from the original and is now almost complete. With a few changes to some of the bugs and extra things it will actually be complete. I had a lot of help with the redesign from Soul Grafitti who also helped me with the new ship design. The new maps are a great improvement and the new map is a lot closer to what i wanted from it.

Slogan Competition
There has been a couple of people posting suggestions for the slogan competition but its not very many, though the suggestions have been very good. I will announce the closing date for the slogan competition later this month and then we shall see who wins then. So get posting some slogans here.
Mod Port
Zombie Stress 2 will not only be a half life 2 single player mod, it will also be later ported to Synergy and Half Life 2 Deathmatch as co-op game modes for players to work together to destress things. Though at the minute it is just in the thought processes and we want to get the maps out for just Half Life 2 for now but it might be a later development project for Zombie Stress 2.

Help Wanted
As with any mod there is a lot of help needed with the modification. Though we are always welcome to have some extra mappers it would be nice to get some things customised a bit more in the way of weaponry. We have 2 new weapons for the mod at the moment but we also want to get some more weapons as well as some of the current ones skinned. Each of the default HL2 weapons has seen a large change in the way of its damage output and total ammo carrying but what we really want is get them skinned as well. If you want to help out please check out the forums of Zombie stress, sign up and send me a Private Message.
Steam Group
The Zombie Stress 2 steam groups is starting to grow slowly, if you want to have a chat with some of the staff and want some news sent you to whilst your online then join the group here.
Well that will do for now, next time we hope to get some more maps confirmed and finished as well as some extra content. There is talk of a game player video / game trailer. So stay tuned for that.

Zombie Stress 2 Manual Home

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:12:57 CDT

Welcome to the Zombie Stress 2 Manual. These pages will describe and give you a run down of all Zombie Stress 2 information including Production Blogs, News, Help and much more.

Mod Completition Details:
Maps...
zs2_tunnel = 90%
zs2_courtyard = 50%
zs2_battlefield = 0%
zs2_vehicle = 0%
zs2_city = 80%
zs2_prison_block = 80%
zs2_mindyourheadcrab = 10%
Total: 44%

Mod Specific Details: 70%

Map Backgrounds: 0%

Total Completition Percentage: 40%

Please join the Zombie Stress Steam Community Group

This manual is constantly being updated and changed so please bare in mind that pages may change rapidly, we will try to keep you up to date with major changes but if you click the "Whats new" button above you will be able to see whats been changed recently.

Press Releases

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:08:53 CDT

This section deals with all of the previous Press Releases for Zombie Stress 2.

Press Release #1
Date: 10/03/2008
Out Now

Press Release #2
Date: 07/04/2008
Out Now

Press Release #3
Date: 28/05/2008
Out Now

Press Release #4
Date: 01/09/2008
Out Now!!

Tunnel

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:07:35 CDT

zs2_tunnel
Map by: St Nicky and Soul Grafitti
Confirmed Map

Current Completion Level: 90%

Concept
This goes under the simple idea of funneling the zombies so that blasting them can be continuous, so that the player can enjoy sending a fury of rockets at them or even setting up some turrets and watch them dish out the damage.

Creators Comments:
This map was really one of those basic first maps that i wanted to do in order to get into the swing of creating maps again. I wanted something simple and straight to the point, something that could be done quickly so that i had the urge and the drive to carry on and create more maps for Zombie Stress 2.

Assistance:
The players assistance is not aided by NPC characters, flipping a switch will cause all zombies on the map to burst into flame.

Development:
01/09/2008 - Press Release #4 - Some screenshots of the final version of the map prior to some little tweaks to the code.

05/05/2008: I did some radical restructuring to the map today. I made a blog post about it.

28/05/2008: I have realised that i need to add in a skybox and raise the lightning levels of the map as well. There is still a texture that isn't working but i should be able to get that going soon.

27/05/2008: This map has undergone some major changes, at the moment some extra physics traps are being added to the map in order to allow extra fun to be had by the player. It is yet to be fully optimised for game play and is far from completion. Though previously listed at 99% completion, recent changes have lowered this figure in order to allow for further changes with the map.

The Team

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:06:46 CDT

Zombie Stress 2 is far from the team that worked on ZS1. In the main fact that there is more then 1 person working on it.

Project Leader/Director:
St Nicky

Mappers:
St Nicky
Chrez
The King
Midley Guy
Dogge Cat
Soul Grafitti

Coders:
Midlet Guy

Webmaster:
St Nicky

The Maps

stnicky — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 13:02:16 CDT

This section will describe information about confirmed and possible maps for the Zombie Stress 2 mod. Each map is carefully looked over to make sure that it fits the criteria of the mapping guidelines. When a map fulfills these guidelines they will become a confirmed map.

Confirmed Maps:
The Tunnel -zs2_tunnel - St Nicky and Soul Grafitti
The Courtyard -zs2_courtyard - St Nicky
Battlefield -zs2_battlefield - St Nicky
Vehicle Playground - zs2_vehicle -St Nicky
Mind your headcrab - zs2_mindyourheadcrab - Soul Grafitti
City - zs2_city - The King
Prison Block 5 - zs2_prison_block - Dogge Cat

Unconfirmed Maps:
Assault - zs2_assault - Midley_guy
Slime - zs2_slime - Chrezz

The idea behind all of the maps is that in every map there is a part of the map that theplayer can retreat to, in which they can heal, restock on ammo, call for help, turn on help, pick up turrets, and in some maps use some doors to teleport to other parts of the map. This area is currently described as the ship. The screenshot > is what it looks like at the moment, it faces changes over the coming months and adaptions for each map.

Help Needed

stnicky — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:37:44 CDT

Zombie Stress 2 is made by the community and thus we need the more help we get with the mod the better. See below for more information on specific jobs that need doing:

Mapper
The main area of ZS2 is the maps that are played. Each one needs to have its own concept or just be generally stress relieving. Each map will need to be vetted by the Project Director before it makes it into the final mod.

Skinner
We need people to help change the skins of the weapons and perhaps add in other versions of the zombie skins.

Weapon Maker
This is one of the must have's for the modification where people can make any weapon for ZS2. As wild or as wacky or even as deadly as they want it to be.

If you wish to apply for a job then please contact St Nicky via theForums.

Features

stnicky — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:26:53 CDT

Zombie Stress 2 will be containing certain features that were not found in ZS1. These features are there to enhance game play.

Toggle God Mode:With the intention to managing the stress levels of the player. The player will be able to turn on or off god mode so that they can play the game how they want with the way of damage feedback towards themselves.
Adapted Weapons: The weapons from Half Life 2 were good but we have improved them slightly to make them more efficient. We have improved the damage output of some of the weapons or even the total ammo for the weapon.
Call For Assistance:With a lot of people wanting to have some help taking on Zombies, ZS2 will allow the player to hit a button and have friendly NPC's rush onto the battlefield and help them with the fight. The assitance can range from Antlions to Striders, Rebels to Combine. The player will be able to set up turrets on all maps.
Downloadable Additions:The hopeful intention of ZS2 is that people will be able to send in new maps or weapons to the game which will be released as seperate map or update packs which can then be reviewed and installed as the user wishes.
Co-operative Play:One of the final hopes for ZS2 is that friends will be able to team up and fight zombies alongside one another in the same game. Score boards may also be introduced, thanks to theFollow Freemanmodification.

Cityblock

theking1191 — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:06:07 CDT

This is a template page

Concept:

In this map headcrabcanisters is dropped in the streets. Zombies roaming the streets will try to kill you whenever you get to close, some even scripted to follow you wherever you go.

Creators Comments:

My first map for a mod. I started building this before I was in the mod, being sure I would fit as a worthy member. I felt like doing a city because I consider myself good enough to handle it. Many thanks to Barkey who lend me his houseprefabs. (http://www.mapping-junkie.co.uk/) and Dogge that helped me with scripts.

Assitance:
Civilians may include later when im sure how to add them.

Development:
Im not sure what to add more in the map. The safe Haven will problebly added by nicky if he is fine with it. In my opinion the map is almost finished.

Zs_assault

theking1191 — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:28:52 CDT

Zs_ssault is created by midlet_guy. He states that this is his first map based on the Source engine. And we must agree it's quite good. This map is about killing zombies in a small park area and it contains some destructive enviroments, and other interesting effects.
RECOMENDED WEAPONS:
The Shotgun
Crowbar
Smg

Press Release #3

stnicky — Wed, 28 May 2008 07:11:11 CDT

Hey everyone, the new Press release is here for your enjoyment. And do we have a lot of things for you today. Let's take a look into todays goody bag.

1. New Screenshots
Though the maps are still in a working progress i have been going back to the tunnel map and making some changes. You will notice that the map completition percentage has dropped but there is still a bit more to go to that map. Head over to the media section to check them out.

2. Survey Writeup
I have done a quick write up of the Zombie Stress 2 survey which gives information about the results of the survey and how i have interpreted them. Head over to here to read it.

Also, if you haven't already head over to here to answer the survey.

3. Zombie Stress 2 Manual
With the information from the Zombie Stress 2 survey i have decided to start work on the Zombie Stress 2 manual. It's still a working progress but there is a lot of information up there at the moment and a link can be found to it on the website. So head over to here to view the ZS2 manual.

4. Slogan Competition
This is the big news that i have been saving for last for this press release. But i recently realised that we have no slogan for Zombie Stress 2. And i thought it'd be a nice idea, as well as a good way of getting the community going, to have a competition about it. The winner gets ZS2 ahead of its release date (by how many days im not sure yet, and when ZS2 is release that is also an unknown date! :D). The winners of the competition will be announced with the next press release. So head over to here to get involved.

That lot should be keeping you busy for a while :)

Courtyard

stnicky — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:29:04 CDT

zs2_courtyard
Map by: St Nicky
Confirmed Map

Current Completion Level: 50%

Concept:
This map goes by the theory of a raised platform and the player can use mounted guns, and the guns that are provided for them to inflict damage on the swarms of Zombies around them. The player can also grab their crowbar and go charging into the masses as well as enter some of the buildings around it to use other mounted weapons and even teleport to other parts of the map.

Creators Comments:
This was the first map i designed for Zombie Stress 2, it just kinda hit me one day and after some doodling of some ideas i went on to consider creating ZS2. This was probably what i originally wanted the first map of ZS1 to be like but now i have the capability to create the map i have done so. This is going to be a big map.

Assitance:
I am unsure about this. I have made areas for Rebels to walk onto roof tops and shoot from above but i am playing with other ideas and one of the main ones is a helicopter but i am yet unsure on what to use.

Development:
At the moment this map has come to a halt due to me playing around with The Tunnel map, but i intend to get right back onto it soon. There is a lot to add to it yet including physics traps, things to throw at zombies, assistance etc.

About Zombie Stress

stnicky — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:17:38 CDT

Zombie Stress 2 is a follow-on from the modification that was created under the need for a game where there are no story lines, no puzzles, just plain shooting of the enemy without any trouble. Pure 100% stress relief and fun.

Zombie Stress 2 is going to expand on concepts and ideas that the first one missed. It will utilise more maps, an ability to add maps onto it to expand the stress relief. It is intend for it to come with a community where competitions, reviews and everything can come together and enjoy the Half Life 2 Single Player Modification.

The idea for Zombie stresscame from me just wanting a map with zombies and loads of guns. With a bit of mapping practice under my belt at the time i created a map named play_zombiekiller. It was basic but it spawned Zombie Stress 1.

Weapons

stnicky — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:14:11 CDT

Zombie Stress uses all of the weapons from Half Life 2 but also has some extra weapons. Information about such weapons can be found below. All of the weapons have had a change in damage or even total clip size. Most of the images are currently temporary as the weapons may be skinned.

The Crowbar

The crowbar is probably the most famous weapon for Half Life 2, we do not leave it out in Zombie Stress 2 though. No infact due to the brutality of it all we have decided to stick it in and bump up the power of the weapon. Utilise this weapon to cut through the ranks of the Zombie hordes with great ease, watch them fly across the map as your swing this blade into their head-crabs.

Original Damage Output: 10
Zombie Stress 2 Damage Output: 200

USP Match "The Spud Gun"
The first firearm that you get in Half Life 2 has been given an update in its damage output to make it a more formiddable weapon to use. The perfect weapon to use on barrels, headcrabs, sniping or even if your up to it: Mid battle confrontation. Though it's more commonly used when other ammo is out.

Original Damage Output: 5
Zombie Stress 2 Damage Output: 20
Clip Size: 18
Total Ammo: 150 (+18)

Magnum "The Dirty Harry"
This debate finaliser of a weapon is something that will do significant damage to anyone who is one the other end of the barrel. The makers of Zombie Stress love this weapon for its brute force and thus decided that as well as improving its damage output that its clip size would also be improved.

Original Damage Output: 40
Zombie Stress 2 Damage Output: 60
Clip Size: 6
Original Total Ammo Size: 12 (+6)
Zombie Stress 2 Ammo Size: 60 (+6)

The Colt
This weapon is donated to the mod byDynamic Customs Inc
This weapon is the more automated form of the Magnum, it deals out some serious damage. It has a good reload time and a decent damage output.

MORE INFO COMING SOON

Submachine Gun "SMG"
This is more of the cliche weapon for most of Half Life 2, we have left it in due to the fact that its relativly effective at dispursing Zombies at close to medium range and that the grenades it comes with are very deadly, we have upped the damage output of this weapon to make it a bit more effective.

Original Damage Output: 40
Zombie Stress 2 Damage Output: 100
Clip Size: 45
Original Total Ammo: 255 (+45)
Zombie Stress 2 Total Ammo: 450 (+45)

Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifle "The Bigger Machine Gun"
Without a doubt probably the best rapid fire weapon in Half Life 2. It's more accurate and deadlier then the SMG, so we had to keep it in. A slight increase to its damage and a larger total ammo make this weapon a must have for any zombie blaster.

Original Damage Output: 100
Zombie Stress Damage Output: 150
Clip Size: 30
Original Total Ammo: 60 (+30)
Zombie Stress 2 Total Ammo: 180 (+30)

Shotgun "Little Friend"
It is the THE anti-zombie weapon, due to its blunt blast that does massive damage to any part of the zombie no matter where you hit it. The shotgun will do the damage that other weapons won't, its a more personal tool in combating hordes of the undead and thus we have done nothing to change its original style other then increase the total ammoy size.

Damage Output: 84 - Varies with range. (Close + Head shot = Instant kill)
Clip Size: 6
Original Total Ammo: 30 (+6)
Zombie Stress 2 Total Ammo: 60

Crossbow "One-Hit-Killer"
Despite the sheer brutality (and awesomeness) the Crossbow is one of those weapons that you have to marvel for its sheer simplicity. This weapon will kill an enemy no matter how far or where you shoot them. The fun of it all is that you can bounce the projectile off of walls or floors (so long as you are at an angle). This with the fact that it will impale any enemy that is near a wall make this weapon very very cool. Expect increase in Total ammo hold!

Damage Output: 100
Clip Size: 1
Original Total Ammo: 10 (+1)
Zombie Stress Total Ammo: 20

Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher (RPG) "The Big One "
This weapon is something that a lot of gamers can't wait to get their hands on, a weapon made famous by the Quake and Doom games has not escaped Half Life 2 nor our mod. This weapon which originally followed a laser sight now has the option of having the laser guidance to be turned off so it flys free towards a target giving you time to look behind you to see if no ones coming up behind you.

Damage Output: 200
Clip Size: 1
Original Total Ammo: 3 + 1
Zombie Stress Total Ammo: 20

Fragmentation Grenades "Nade"
If there are two things you learn from grenades in half life 2: 1. Never underestimate their damage. 2. They clear hordes of zombies very well. So with these two factors in mind your are equipped with this horde removal devices in our mod as well but we allow you to carry more then normal.

Damage Output: 125
Original Total Ammo: 5
Zombie Stress Total Ammo: 20

Press Release #2

stnicky — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:04:08 CDT

With the new map coming along nicely i thought i'd get on and do another press release. This one comes packed with loads of new things.

Firstly, it comes with some screenshots of the second map of Zombie Stress 2, sz2_courtyard.

"This map essentially puts the player in the center of a courtyard on a raised platform. All around him are zombies which will continuously try to fill the map. The zombies cannot reach the player unless they disable the shields which exist around the map. The player can also run down into the map at street level and attack the zombies."

To view these screenshots head over to here.

Along with that we also have some fun little things for you to get involved in. One of them is a survey about Zombie Stress 2. This survey will help us at Supa Comix and the Zombie Stress 2 team gauge what you thought of Zombie Stress 1 and other things. So if you want to help us out please head over to our surveyhere.

I also have a bit of fun little reading for those who may be thinking of joining the team or those who are just seaking more information about the modificaiton. Head over to theZombie Stress 2 Mapping Theory article on Moddb.com.

Now that i have that lot out of the way i can introduce some more of the Zombie Stress 2 team. We have had 3 more people joining us since the last press release:
1. Midlet_guy
2. Chresser
3. dogge-cat.

They will be providing some content to the game.

Anywho thats all for now folks, though there is one hell of alot of things on its way. I intend to be updating some more information to the website shortly.

Also could you please join theZombie Stress 2 Steam Community Group. Thanks :)

So until next time, keep that stress down!

Press Release #1

stnicky — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:01:31 CDT

So the time has come for me to do the first press release of Zombie Stress 2. Featuring images from the now almost complete map of sz2_tunnel.

If your interested head over to the media page of the zombie stress 2 website to view them.

Overall although the speed of the map creation was fast at first and then the fixing of bugs was slow but it still is now done. Meaning that i can now move onto the next map sz2_courtyard.

I have had some messages from people about possible new weapons for the mod but nothing that i can confirm will be in the modification at this time. So we are still on the lookout for some funky weapons that some of you have made that you may want to see in the game. If you have some then please contact us.

We also have a Steam Community for Zombie Stress. So please join ithere

So please stay tuned for the upcoming releases and production blogs of Zombie Stress 2.