Eastern Europe: Difference between revisions

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{{note|This page is currently being rewritten to a more truthful form. Content subject to change.}}
==Introduction==
==Introduction==


Eastern Europe is generally defined as any country located between Germany and Russia. This includes countries such as Poland, Yugoslavia, and the Czech Republic. Many of these nations were once part of the [[Wikipedia:Eastern_bloc|Eastern Bloc]] of countries allied with the Soviet Union. This region's architecture is the main inspiration for [[City 17]].
Eastern Europe is often defined as countries east of Poland and Hungary. However, in the sense important for the [[Half-Life 2|Half-Life series]], it consists of nations formerly allied with the USSR, forming the [[Wikipedia:Eastern_bloc|Eastern Bloc]]. The (ideologically) Eastern Europe consisted of all countries east of (including): East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Architectural styles common in the area were a major source of inspiration for [[City 17]].


==Architecture==
==Architecture==


Since these cities tend to be old, streets are often made of cobblestone. They are narrower than asphalt streets common in the Americas. However, many larger cities have modernized their roads, widening them and paving them with asphalt. Choosing which type of street to use is therefore the level designer's personal choice.
===Roads===
Although older roads, mainly in the central parts of towns or cities, are commonly made of cobblestone, almost all roads were modernised with asphalt many decades before the writing of this article. The width of a road often changes dramatically where it leads into an older part of the city. In the centre (e.g. of Prague), streets are often just wide enough for one car to pass through, with passers-by having to squeeze against walls to make space. Since Prague's central streets are near-always crowded with tourists, such a scene is very unlikely at least. Going back towards the edge of a city, roads tend to widen, however scenes like those of Berlin or Moscow with their seven-lane driveways are very rare. The most common are two-lane roads, but bear in mind that the more important the route is (connecting the capital and a large city compared to connecting the capital with smaller towns), the wider it will be.


{{note|Any paragraphs below this note have not been edited to a higher standard of quality yet.}}
===Buildings===
Buildings are largely stone or brick. Older or larger buildings tend to have ornamental additions, including gargoyles in some cases (although those tend to be associated with Western Europe in most cases). Roofs are almost always slanted in some way. Spires and domes are fairly common, although the shape of the dome can vary.
Buildings are largely stone or brick. Older or larger buildings tend to have ornamental additions, including gargoyles in some cases (although those tend to be associated with Western Europe in most cases). Roofs are almost always slanted in some way. Spires and domes are fairly common, although the shape of the dome can vary.



Revision as of 09:37, 12 January 2018

Note.pngNote:This page is currently being rewritten to a more truthful form. Content subject to change.

Introduction

Eastern Europe is often defined as countries east of Poland and Hungary. However, in the sense important for the Half-Life series, it consists of nations formerly allied with the USSR, forming the Eastern Bloc. The (ideologically) Eastern Europe consisted of all countries east of (including): East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Architectural styles common in the area were a major source of inspiration for City 17.

Architecture

Roads

Although older roads, mainly in the central parts of towns or cities, are commonly made of cobblestone, almost all roads were modernised with asphalt many decades before the writing of this article. The width of a road often changes dramatically where it leads into an older part of the city. In the centre (e.g. of Prague), streets are often just wide enough for one car to pass through, with passers-by having to squeeze against walls to make space. Since Prague's central streets are near-always crowded with tourists, such a scene is very unlikely at least. Going back towards the edge of a city, roads tend to widen, however scenes like those of Berlin or Moscow with their seven-lane driveways are very rare. The most common are two-lane roads, but bear in mind that the more important the route is (connecting the capital and a large city compared to connecting the capital with smaller towns), the wider it will be.

Note.pngNote:Any paragraphs below this note have not been edited to a higher standard of quality yet.

Buildings

Buildings are largely stone or brick. Older or larger buildings tend to have ornamental additions, including gargoyles in some cases (although those tend to be associated with Western Europe in most cases). Roofs are almost always slanted in some way. Spires and domes are fairly common, although the shape of the dome can vary.

Despite the amount of older architecture in Eastern Europe, there are plenty of more modern buildings, such as office buildings and skyscrapers. Depending on the area of the city involved, they can range from non-existent to ubiquitous.

Environment

Eastern Europe is largely flat, with few mountain ranges. In fact, nations far from the coasts are almost entirely plains. Rolling hills do exist in this region, so they can be legitimately added. The region is generally lush, so forests and plains are more fitting than deserts and mud flats.

Towns tend to feel crowded, simply because streets are relatively thin and buildings relatively tall.

NPCs

Since this is a real-world location, no official NPC references can be provided. Consider City 17's NPC options when designing a level of this region.

Reference

Skyline of Brussels, Belgium. Click to enlarge.
Buildings in Prague, Czech Republic. Click to enlarge.
Skyline of Prague, Czech Republic. Click to enlarge.
Busy street in Prague, Czech Republic. Click to enlarge.