Index - Welcome to WiederWeb

Well, while I try to make the transition from the CCWF server to the Computer Science server for my web page, I am going to perform a minor overhaul of the content here. More than likely, a page concerning my gaming stuff (levels, programs) will be here. Along with a bit of other stuff. Later, Charlie Wiederhold.

Here is just a couple of pages I needed to get up as soon as possible. They are pretty basic, and nothing fantastic going on there. They provide the needed information. Thanks!

    Page dedicated to my software/levels - Software
    TEN level review description page - TEN Reviews 

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Software by Charlie Wiederhold - Quick Page:

This is just a quick page for people to access and download my software/levels. Eventually I will finally get the time to make complete pages, etc. But for now this will have to do. Thank you for you interest in my software, etc.

    DOSRTS Maker version 1.0 (dosrts10.zip)
    EditCON version 2.0 for Duke3D ver 1.3d (ec20full.zip)
    Episoder version 2.2 for Duke3D ver 1.3d (epsdr22.zip)
    The official RTS FAQ version 1.2 (rtsfaq12.zip)

I would suggest downloading the most current versions of my levels. But, I provide the older ones for you to look at if interested. All of my levels are Dukematch only, for a reason. DM is the only way I truly enjoy playing Duke, and the way I think when designing a level. Even if I try to design a single player level, I wind up thinking about how to make it good in DM more... go figure!

    Paint Ball (pntball.zip) - My first level ever, and a classic now. Pretty much any place that has levels has reviewed it, and given it extremely high ratings. Not bad for a first try, eh!
    Paint Ball II - The Return! (pntball2.zip) - A cleaned up version of pntball.zip. It was what I submitted into the TEN level design contest, and it made the semifinals. Some new tricks added in this one, and I improved the framerate greatly.
    Rodeo Shootout Level (rodeo1.zip) - Designed for the Duke Nukem 3D Rodeo Shootout(http://cyberrodeo.com/duke/). Made for 8 player network play, but fun for anywhere from 4 to 8.
    Rodeo Shootout Level II (rodeo2.zip) - Improvement upon the original. You just need to play it networked, and you will have fun... trust me.
    Hook'Em (hookem.zip) - My newest insane incarnation. This entire level was basically an experiment. My best architechture design and most professional quality level. You just have to play it in DM to know how much fun it is. This is a definate needed download... get it now! Oh yeah, don't ask me why I named it Hook'Em... but you can find out if you look close enough. 

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TEN Duke Nukem 3D Level Reviews by Charlie Wiederhold

This quick page provides a basic summary of what I am looking for when I review a level, and will hopefully allow you to see why certain levels are rated the way they were. Let me begin by saying that I do tend to review levels much harsher than most people. This is because if crap is accepted as being "good" then that is all the levels that will ever be made. But, if people expect more from the people designing levels, the quality tends to get better.

General things I consider "good":

    Good framerate - This is probably my biggest pet peeve. If the level doesn't have a decent framerate on my P60, I declare it poor design. Too many sprites, too many double sided walls, too large of areas, etc all contribute to this. Glass is great, except when it causes the game to slow down. Don't overuse these things. Again, examine the 3D Realms levels to see how to manage your level to increase framerate.
    Creativity - I am always looking for a new concept or basic theme. City areas are way overdone, and hard to impress me. Space always leaves itself open to great new areas, but tend to be more difficult to do well. If you have seen something before, don't try to do it again. Try to come up with something new that outdoes what you liked.
    Clean Design - I hate misaligned textures, mainly because they are so easy to fix. Plus, shading adds a whole new dimension to a level. If there is no shading you obviously didn't spend enough time on your level. Plus, make sure the textures make sense. Don't try to be "cool" and use crazy wild colors unless your level is designed to be wild crazy, and not make much sense.
    Good framerate - Just thought I would mention this again.
    Good build technique - Oversized sprites, doors, etc really makes your level look bad. Make sure to examine the 3D Realms levels and try to imitate them. Although it is kinda interesting... walking up to a girl and having your face right at crotch level is not my idea of realistic.
    A point - This is one of the hardest things for some people to understand. Don't put a room in your level just because it looks cool. Make sure it has a purpose. Very very few of the areas in the actual 3D Realms levels were not necessary for you to finish the levels. If you didn't need to visit an area, it was usually a secret place. Make sure your level goes somewhere, even in a Dukematch level. Trust me, it is possible.
    Good framerate - Have I already mentioned this? 

This is a list of things to avoid if you want to impress me. They should be rather self explanitory so I will just list them.

Water errors, HOM (Hall of Mirrors effect), lethal sectors, lethal doors, poorly done mirrors, crossed lines (in build), misaligned textures, cliches, empty rooms, low framerate (just cause it is good on a P166 doesn't mean anything), unbreakable glass, ugly texture/sprite palette, non working buttons, no shading, etc etc.

If you focus hard enough and work to make your level attractive as well as playable, I promise you will impress me. Add in some creativity, and you have a quality level on your hands.

Here is a list of levels I have reviewed. If you think I rated a level wrong, this lets you see how it compares to the rest of my reviews.

    FANTASY.ZIP by Chris Mason - Three stars
    GMBUNK2.ZIP by George Murray - Three and a half stars
    HOLDIEIN.ZIP by Allen Freeman - Three and a half stars
    HOMICIDE.ZIP by Chris Headrick - Two stars
    HOTTUB.ZIP by Jay Graham - One and a half stars
    KILLCITY.ZIP by unknown - Three and a half stars
    KILLRUOI.ZIP by T.J Arite - Four stars
    KILO16.ZIP by Kilowatt - Two stars
    KILZONE.ZIP by Roadkilz - Two and a half stars
    LADYNITE.ZIP by Daniel Ruhl - One star
    MANGDLUX.ZIP by MTK - Three and a half stars
    PRIMETIM.ZIP by Michael Conrad - Four stars
    XAN.ZIP - by Graham Bonnington - One and a half stars 

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