CSS SCI FI: Difference between revisions

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(CSS SCI FI 3: Hardwired has been released.)
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{{ModStatus|status=released|size=big|engine=Source|download=http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi_download/}}
{{ModStatus|status=released|size=small|engine=Source|download=http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi/index.htm#download}}
__NOEDITSECTION__<!-- This is because the images mess up the edit links. -->
[[Image:Mod_header_css_sci_fi.jpg|left]]{{clr}}  
[[Image:Css_sci_fi_hub2.jpg|thumb|360px|right|Mission hub - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:Cs_xmas.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CS_XMAS by Stormseeker - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_forest.jpg|thumb|360px|right|DE_FOREST by Robert Briscoe - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_stratocorp2.jpg|thumb|360px|right|DE_STRATOCORP2 by Heyo - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_kenigforest.jpg|thumb|360px|right|DE_KENIGFOREST by Demalition - click to enlarge]]


<center>[[Image:Css_sci_fi_5.jpg]]</center>
== Introduction ==


__NOEDITSECTION__<!-- This is because the images mess up the edit links. -->
CSS SCI FI 3: Hardwired is a single-player modification for Half-Life 2. Waking up to find himself an augmented clone of Gordon Freeman, the player must fight time-travelling Combine forces and other enemies across 42 unique and replayable missions.  
[[Image:Cs_harvest0062.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CSS SCI FI: Harvest - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_nightfever0071.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CSS SCI FI: Nightfever - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_monach0146.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CSS SCI FI: Monach - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:De_bluecorridor0032.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CSS SCI FI: Blue Corridor - click to enlarge]]
[[Image:Css_sci_fi_cs_assault0002.jpg|thumb|360px|right|CSS SCI FI: Assault - click to enlarge]]


== Overview ==
== Overview ==


CSS SCI FI is a mod that allows 27 different [[Counter-Strike: Source]] maps to be played in single-player [[Half-Life 2]]. The mod uses [[SMOD| SMOD 39D2]] to do this, which is installed as part of the download. All custom maps are unmodified and installed to the cstrike/maps folder, including bot navs and author documentation. With one installation each map can be played in either Counter Strike: Source against humans or bots, or in SMOD against HL2 AI.
Missions in CSS SCI FI are set in 18 retail and 24 custom Counter-Strike: Source maps, which are installed intact to the player's CS:S game folder. The mod edits the entity data for each map as it is loaded, adding and modifying entities to create a seamless single-player experience. The maps remain unchanged and are fully playable in Counter-Strike: Source. Maps have been contributed by established designers, including Bluestrike, Schuzak and d00ds.com. Combat locations range from a snow-covered country church to a dense pine forest to a sun-baked tropical island.


Within each map the player spawns with a randomly selected and armed team of fellow [[Npc_citizen| citizens]], who are optionally assisted by [[Alyx]], [[Barney]] and a further randomly selected ally. These forces are pitted against a fixed number of [[Npc_combine_s| Combine]], whose type and armament is also randomly determined. Between the two forces is a random assortment of zombies and autonomous Combine weapons. The goal of the player is to eliminate all of the Combine forces, or to rescue at least one hostage alive, depending on the type of map. The player may also be given additional tasks, such as to find a particular weapon, eliminate a specific NPC, or protect an NPC from death.
Players enter each map through the mission hub and can choose to play each one at a time or all in 3 linked campaigns. Each mission features a series of goals, such as to rescue hostages or destroy targets, which must be completed to move on to the next map or return to the hub. There are multiple approaches to each goal, and in each map the behaviour and armament of enemies and the distribution of resources are randomly determined within defined parameters. Thus, no two plays are the same, making CSS SCI FI a truly replayable single-player experience.


In addition to allies and enemies, maps contain a randomly determined number of weapons and resources held in [[Item_item_crate| crates]], which the player will need to survive and win the game. A few special crates in each map may include incendiary grenades, motion sensor bombs, hopwires or even food. Randomly generated props appropriate to the theme of the map are also seeded throughout each map.
== Key features at a glance ==


Players will also face enemies including [[Npc_helicopter| helicopters]], [[Npc_combinegunship| gunships]], [[Prop_vehicle_apc| apcs]] and other challenges, whose behaviour is controlled through scripting in order to produce a challenging yet realistic gameplay experience.
* Single-player.
* Requires only Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source.
* Retains look and feel of Half-Life 2 while adding new weapons, enemies and abilities.
* Includes a custom mission hub, weapon test range and full configuration utility.
* Includes 24 custom maps for Counter-Strike: Source.
* Features 42 replayable non-linear missions, each with multiple goals and hidden secret weapons.


== Features ==
== Requirements ==


* SMOD Configuration Utility. CSS SCI FI includes a configuration utility which allows players to set all game options using a dialogue based program. This program is a customised [http://nsis.sourceforge.net/Main_Page NSIS installer] which outputs configuration files based on the user's choices. There are 14 pages of options which include, Difficulty, Weapon inventory, Crosshair, Health Regeneration and HUD, Bullet time, Performance, Screen effects, Gore, Ragdoll behaviour, Bloom, Game enhancements, Gameplay (choose allies and enemies) and Game options (chapter menu display). A complete description of the program can be found [http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi_config/ here].
* Half-Life 2
* Counter-Strike: Source
* ~1024mb free hard disk space


* Random Scripting. Some features, including weapons, allies, events and enemies are scripted and others are randomly generated. Random entities and events are used to enhance the replayability of maps by ensuring that the resources available and threats encountered are never the same twice.
== Configuration ==


CSS SCI FI uses two methods to add entities to maps and control their behaviour: mapadds and lua scripting. Mapadds edit the entity table of a map as it is loaded but do not alter the map itself, which remains intact. SMOD also contains an implementation of the [http://www.lua.org Lua engine] and this is used for more complex routines, such as choosing and arming the combine which will be present in each map and determining when victory conditions have been satisfied. Commands and values are passed between the mapadd and lua system throughout the game. The resulting entity behaviour is indistinguishable to the player from that which can be made in Hammer, and even contains some improvements such as the continuous random goal searching behaviour of combine soldiers. More details about the editing process, including the system which copies the [[Navigation_Meshes| CS:S nav file]] into an SMOD node list, can be found [http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi_development/ here].
The CSS SCI FI Configuration Utility is included in the mod installation. This program allows users to select and install 48 different game options, each of which may affect the difficulty, graphics, enhancements or gameplay of CSS SCI FI. These options are independent of Half-Life 2's standard in-game graphics and difficulty settings, and can be selected in any desired combination. After the Configuration Utility has been run, players do not need to run it again until they want to change a setting.


* Campaign mode. The 27 scripted maps can be played as two single player campaigns. As the maps progress player weapons improve and enemies become more challenging.
The Configuration Utility can be run at any time that the game itself is not running, and can be accessed using the launcher from the desktop or from the mod directory located at SourceMods/CSS SCI FI. For more about the CSS SCI FI Configuration Utility, please see the [http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi_config/ CSS SCI FI Configuration Reference Manual].  


* Includes [[SMOD| SMOD 39D2]].
== Media ==


== Localised versions ==
[[Image:Mod_smCapsule_css_sci_fi.jpg|frame|none|alt=small capsule|small capsule, see top of page for header]]


No localised versions are currently available. However, bilingual fans are encouraged to get in touch with the mod developer if they can assist in the translation of the SMOD Configuration Utility and in-game text.
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/fitzroy_doll/sets/72157622441523028/ View screenshots on Flickr]


== Maps included ==
[http://picasaweb.google.com/antiscope/CSSSCIFI3Hardwired# View screenshots on Picassa]


The following maps are supported by CSS SCI FI. All custom maps are included in the installation package. A complete list, including mission descriptions and screenshots, is available [http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi_missions/ here].
== Download ==


Custom maps: CS_Beirut_HDR, CS_Harvest, CS_Xcom, DE_Atown_v1, DE_Battleship_HDR, DE_Biolabo_v1_2, DE_Bluecorridor, DE_Monach1, DE_Lochs2, DE_Nightfever, DE_Toxin_50, DE_Venice
[http://www.gameupdates.org/details.php?id=3801 Gameupdates torrent]


Retail maps: CS_Assault, CS_Militia, CS_Office, DE_Aztec, DE_Cbble, DE_Chateau, DE_Dust, DE_Dust2, DE_Inferno, DE_Nuke, DE_Piranesi, DE_Port, DE_Prodigy, DE_Tides, DE_Train
[http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/css-sci-fi-3-hardwired-half-life-2/#ppds PlanetPhillip direct downloads]


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
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[http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi/ Home page]
[http://www.amphibian.myzen.co.uk/css_sci_fi/ Home page]


[http://mods.moddb.com/8666/css-sci-fi/ Moddb profile]
[http://www.moddb.com/mods/css-sci-fi Moddb profile]
 
[http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/css-sci-fi-3-hardwired-half-life-2/ PlanetPhillip Review and User Comments]
 


[http://www.planetphillip.com/posts/css-sci-fi-version-2-half-life-2/ PlanetPhillip Review and User Comments]


[[Category:Single Player Mods]]
[[Category:Single Player Mods]]

Revision as of 08:07, 9 October 2009

Icon-Released.png

This mod for Source has been released! Download it now.

File:Mod header css sci fi.jpg
Mission hub - click to enlarge
CS_XMAS by Stormseeker - click to enlarge
DE_FOREST by Robert Briscoe - click to enlarge
DE_STRATOCORP2 by Heyo - click to enlarge
DE_KENIGFOREST by Demalition - click to enlarge

Introduction

CSS SCI FI 3: Hardwired is a single-player modification for Half-Life 2. Waking up to find himself an augmented clone of Gordon Freeman, the player must fight time-travelling Combine forces and other enemies across 42 unique and replayable missions.

Overview

Missions in CSS SCI FI are set in 18 retail and 24 custom Counter-Strike: Source maps, which are installed intact to the player's CS:S game folder. The mod edits the entity data for each map as it is loaded, adding and modifying entities to create a seamless single-player experience. The maps remain unchanged and are fully playable in Counter-Strike: Source. Maps have been contributed by established designers, including Bluestrike, Schuzak and d00ds.com. Combat locations range from a snow-covered country church to a dense pine forest to a sun-baked tropical island.

Players enter each map through the mission hub and can choose to play each one at a time or all in 3 linked campaigns. Each mission features a series of goals, such as to rescue hostages or destroy targets, which must be completed to move on to the next map or return to the hub. There are multiple approaches to each goal, and in each map the behaviour and armament of enemies and the distribution of resources are randomly determined within defined parameters. Thus, no two plays are the same, making CSS SCI FI a truly replayable single-player experience.

Key features at a glance

  • Single-player.
  • Requires only Half-Life 2 and Counter-Strike: Source.
  • Retains look and feel of Half-Life 2 while adding new weapons, enemies and abilities.
  • Includes a custom mission hub, weapon test range and full configuration utility.
  • Includes 24 custom maps for Counter-Strike: Source.
  • Features 42 replayable non-linear missions, each with multiple goals and hidden secret weapons.

Requirements

  • Half-Life 2
  • Counter-Strike: Source
  • ~1024mb free hard disk space

Configuration

The CSS SCI FI Configuration Utility is included in the mod installation. This program allows users to select and install 48 different game options, each of which may affect the difficulty, graphics, enhancements or gameplay of CSS SCI FI. These options are independent of Half-Life 2's standard in-game graphics and difficulty settings, and can be selected in any desired combination. After the Configuration Utility has been run, players do not need to run it again until they want to change a setting.

The Configuration Utility can be run at any time that the game itself is not running, and can be accessed using the launcher from the desktop or from the mod directory located at SourceMods/CSS SCI FI. For more about the CSS SCI FI Configuration Utility, please see the CSS SCI FI Configuration Reference Manual.

Media

small capsule
small capsule, see top of page for header

View screenshots on Flickr

View screenshots on Picassa

Download

Gameupdates torrent

PlanetPhillip direct downloads

External Links

Home page

Moddb profile

PlanetPhillip Review and User Comments

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