November/December Content Update-Cloned Cube

http://www.moddb.com/mods/cloned-cube/news/novemberdecember-content-update

How long has it been since we last saw each other? Too long. But have no fear, Cloned Cube is back and ready to mod. Even though I have had an onset of delays with Source Filmmaker, school, and traveling, I’m hard at work for the mod. So enjoy this November/December update and remember to keep following the mod.

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Mod of the Year 2012 + Saxxy’s 2012

Just in case you didn’t know, Mod of the Year on ModDB has started. This annual celebration awards mods released in 2012 and those who are hopefully coming in 2013.

So show your support! Vote for Cloned Cube and I will be working exclusively on the mod through December! Your support is needed so vote above on the top of the title.

Thanks, and there’s more Cloned Cube coming your way!

Saxxy’s

Also, the Saxxy winners will be announced soon. Thanks for everyone who voted up my videos on Steam.

July Update

Here is an incoming news article for Cloned Cube’s ModDB page:

Yes, Cloned Cube’s ModDB page has been pretty quiet since these news articles take a really long time to write and I want to make sure to fit everything in instead of small updates. However, if you want up to the date, frequent, posts, videos, pictures and all sorts of other stuff about Cloned Cube, check out our Tumblr and Twitter. Thanks!

Training Center

I’ve kind of been showing off the Training Center a little bit so far but not extensively. Basically it is an area where clones are trained. Let me explain the cloning process through a picture:

So now that you hopefully understand my process of thought. The Training Center actually takes place in the 1990’s so before GLaDOS and decades before Chell’s clone woke up. That pretty much explains why the tiles and materials look newer than they do later in Cloned Cube.

The Announcer

Some of you have been wondering about the Announcer. Who is this mysterious robot? Is it CUBiS? Well, the Announcer is a lot like the Announcer in Portal 2. He is an experimental AI who was implemented before GLaDOS to take control of some of the smaller functions of the test chambers in Aperture Science however he does have complete control over the facility. Designed to oversee testing, he is very experimental, sometimes buggy, and he even has a bit of an attitude as you can see in the videos above.

Menu Backgrounds

As all of you probably know, the Source Filmmaker was released in an open beta by Valve. Since Cloned Cube is a Source Engine mod, I am able to use it’s assets like maps, models, and materials in the Source Filmmaker. So, I revamped the menu background images from those oily backgrounds to these new ones.

I apologize for Chell looking like a man, as one commenter said, but I can’t actually change her facial expressions. I think that it’s a big improvement over the old backgrounds and it looks nice in-game.

Chapters 

I’ve been developing Cloned Cube sort of like how George Lucas created Star Wars. I started with cc_1 first which was initially intended to be the first map in Cloned Cube. After a while though, I realized I should create a place where new or returning Portal players can freshen up their skills before jumping into CUBiS’s tests. So I created the Training Center. It was initially intended to be sort of an optional item on the menu, but the maps were developing a story of their own so it would be a missed opportunity if players could skip the maps. Now, you play the Training Center first and cc_1 second when starting a new game. Here’s an example of with the “New Game” chapters selection.
 

Jobs

As you know, our other member of the Cloned Cube team is Hyphellux. He is in charge of music. Right now he’s on a bit of a vacation. Well, soon enough, I’ll be looking for a new member of the Cloned Cube team for voiceovers. I’m not going to be specific yet, but Cloned Cube will need a new voice soon and when more information comes available, we’ll post about it. The selection process will be the same as when we chose our music composer. It will consist of a job posting on ModDB, a form to fill out, and eventually sending out an email to the winning applicant.

Underground

Well, today I’m happy to officially introduce Underground, the 3rd map in the Training Center. This area is an abandoned shaft designed in the style of the Portal 2 underground maps. This is where new beta concepts for Aperture Science were originally tested like turrets, fizzlers, and plenty of other concepts. Down there, some old concepts remain that were never implemented in Portal so it is a very, very new experience for players.

.3 Version

Well, I had a lot to share and so expect the next version of Cloned Cube, .3 coming out later this summer. Speaking of which, Cloned Cube’s one year anniversary is coming in August! Woohoo! It is incredible to look how far I’ve come!
So, keep in touch on the social networks of Cloned Cube below! Also, I’ve been posting some videos from the Source Filmmaker on my YouTube page so make sure to check that out.
-cubis
 

.2 Coming Soon

Hey everyone, it’s been kind of quiet here so I’d like to report on some news about the mod.
First off,

New Composer

Remember that Music Contest I did a while back? Well, it turns out I had a lot of applicants. There was lots and lots of talented people with fancy degrees and experience. Really, the turnout was incredible. At the end of the day, I chose a guy named Hyphellux. I really enjoyed his music and now he is actively composing new tracks for Cloned Cube. We have 3 so far!


The songs are free to download and share as long as you give proper credit. So, they are ingame and sound great!

Alpha .2

I know that I have been very Valve-y with unfulfilled release dates such as the laughably ridiculous original finish time I put as Winter 2011 to my constant posts on my Tumblr about the mod coming out this week, maybe next week, O.K. I better delete that post before anyone gets their hopes up! Well, I can confidently say that cc_1 is very much finished and will be released soon.

What this Update Will Include

• cc_1

I know it sounds really stupid to just have cc_1 but here is some bigger news, I’m scrapping cc_2.Eventually I realized what a ridiculous mess that map was and am going to rebuild it to be more portal-y and more puzzling. Also in the next update includes the Aperture Science Cloning Training Center which teaches new players the basics and stops Cloned Cube from turning into Portal where half the game is teaching the player the mechanics.

Some Screenshots

So, watch out during this weekend and possibly the next week when I release Cloned Cube .2.

The Next Update

Cloned Cube Alpha .3 will most likely include:

• cc_1
• The Cloning Training Center
• And possibly cc_2

This Summer is the Summer of Cloned Cube and I’m at the helm!
-cubis
 

Also check out my Portal 2 Puzzle Editor Maps!

Music!

Update: Thanks for participating everyone. The contest is over.

Well, it certainly has been a while. For a time now, I’ve been getting occasional messages and comments asking me to let them work on the mod. I have kindly refused most requests because I am self sufficient for the mapping, texturing, modeling, voice acting and all those other jobs that I could just put as Head. The one thing I can’t do is music. Don’t get me wrong, I am a musician as I play the drum, but I just don’t have the money, time and patience to learn how to compose on the computer. 
So instead, I’m asking the community! I need a good music composer who knows his way around the assortment of composition programs out there and has played the Portals. Here is the full list of qualifications and stuff from this page. 

Sorry for all the “we” talk even though its just me. Force of habit. So, if you are interested, fill out this form. And I’ll get back to you!
Thanks!

cubis

P.S.: Some other media to keep you busy: