[[JUNE] 
<09/07/99>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
My new site - Extra-Life is under development.
    
Extra-Life is (yet another) Half-Life site which also focuses on my progress of 'Unfinished Business'. UFB is a map pack for Half-Life which lands the player back in the abandoned Black Mesa research center to finish off the rest of the Xen aliens. The planned maps and their completion are shown below:

        MAP NAME                      % COMPLETE

On Familiar Grounds                            90
Road To Nowhere                                10
The Scrap yard                                      
Deeper Underground                             

Please note that this is a part-time hobby project and therefore may take quite a while to complete (but hopefully not too long)

<10/07/99>                                                                                                                                   

I have joined forces with Ming (the project leader) to produce 'Mindless Violence' - A TC (Total Conversion) for Half-Life. This project is at the early stages - new models, maps and code are being produced. Take a look at the Mindless Violence Site for more info. If you are interested, we need more mappers, modellers, testers etc. If you think you fit the bill, please e-mail me or Ming


 <11/7/99>                                                                                                                                     

I've done some work on Mindless Violence. The first intro level has just taken shape. If you want some screen-shots or info on MV or UFB, see the 'Development' section.

As already said yesterday, the team could do with some more members, and an extra mapper would be useful :-)

I've also added a hit counter to the site (on the left). Lets hope it can cope with the demands (hehehe!)
You may notice that the Java hover-buttons on the side have gone as they were causing some machines to crash (oops!). If you find any other problems like this, please let me know so I can correct them. The banner now features a Lambda animation to give the site a more Half-Lifeish feel (is there such a word?)

<12/07/99>                                                                                                                                   

I have done some work on the 'Links' page where you'll find links to other Half-Life related sites. I have also given these sites a rating based on content, design and performance (if you feel I have given the wrong rating, please tell me). The 'Stuff' page is now running - take a look and tell me what you think

I've added a Java resolution detector to the top of the page to tell users that are not running in 1024x768 to change their res if they can, which will make the site look better (everything still fits in at 800x600 though). Also added is a Java clock on the side bar...hey, it might come in handy!

Below you will see a new feature - Wordy Says

Wordy Says is a general comment from me, expressing my views on a particular subject - usually gaming. This feature is in the trial stage, so I would appreciate your comments (what you think of it, ideas etc.)

<13/07/99>                                                                                                                                    

You may have noticed that 'Wordy Says' has now been replaced by 'Snark Says' because I think that the little critters need their say. Anyway, great minds think alike (but don't compare me to a Snark)

The site is going through a cosmetic change, so in a day or two, expect things to look different (and better!) - Just decided, that banner HAS TO GO!!

Ming has sent me an updated picture of the axe - check it out in 'Development'

<14/07/99>                                                                                                                                   

Aaahh...much better - after a bit of tweaking here and there, the site is beginning to look better. I'll put a voting system up soon, so you, the viewer can decide how the site looks (bribery can be considered)

What a joyous day I've had - cleaning keyboards. 'Why do I work for a computer company?' I ask myself. Anyway, enough moaning, at least I've got my 17" back (cheers Mark - I hate having to work in 800x600!)

Oops..got a bit carried away there - I'll turn by attention to the site. You may notice I'm going for a 'no frills' approach to the design (buttons etc.) which, I think, can be quite effective. If there's any features you think are missing or if you have an idea for the site, please e-mail me with any suggestions.

I've updated the 'Links' page, so have a look for some more Half-Life related sites. Yep, overall - I'm pretty happy with the site

<15/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

I've finally got some Mindless Violence screens shots up (only a couple though) - take a look at them in 'Development'

The voting system is now up and running. I would appreciate it if you voted after viewing this site so I know what people think about the it. Oh, and my monitor's arsed up again (damn! - its back to 15" again then)

Ming has updated the site and the Team list with me as Lead Mapper (ta Ed). More updates on Mindless Violence to follow shortly.

<16/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

Well, nothing (really) happening today - did a bit more on one of the maps for Mindless Violence. Oh, and I've asked Planet Half-Life to put up a link to my site (I hope ShadowGod is a kind person!)

I'm in the process of making some more pages for the site - about Half-Life (Weapons, Monsters etc.) and other relevant pages.

Some more screen shots of Mindless Violence should become available soon (look in the 'Development' section if you haven't already). I just want to say again that the team could do with some more members (esp. Modelers), so if you're interested, contact Ming or myself

<17/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

Erm...there's a few more screen shots, I'm still working on other pages (they'll be up in the next few days - promise!)

Other than that, we've had some more interests for sound engineering and mapping - but if you can MODEL or CODE then give us a mail (see above) or check out the Mindless Violence site

<18/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

Wahey! Extra-Life is into its second week, and with a new Snark Says, Caption Competition (which no one has managed to win yet!) and Map Hotseat, once you visit, you won't want to leave!

Thanks to everyone who has visited over the past week, and remember to vote once you have browsed through the site so that I know what you think....and I promise I'll put up some new pages soon!

Oh, and don't forget to watch '2001: a Space Odyssey' today at 2:15 (If you like that sort of thing)

<19/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

Phew...the first map (now entitled 'Escape') is finished, and I'd like to welcome our new mapper Aardvark to the team. He's also brought along some cool ideas...we'll keep you posted

Work on the second map has begun. Some more shots and artwork should be available to view soon in 'Development'

If there's any talented modelers out there, WE NEED YOU. See above for information on applying

<20/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

The team name 'Summit Development' has been chosen (Summit as in 'At the top, peak, best' etc.)

You can check out the logo in the 'Development' section

Aardvark is working on the 'Drughouse' map, shots of which should be available soon

<21/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

I have created a sub-site for Mindless Violence which will have more in-depth information. 

Because of the on-going development of Mindless Violence, Unfinished Business has been put on hold until my other work has been finished (not too long I hope)

There's a new er...screenshot in the 'Development' section (hehehe). Soon, all of the shots etc. will be moved to the Mindless Violence sub-site

AgentJedi64 has just finished the new model for the Colt - shots soon

Check out Development for new concept art and screenshots of the new console!

<22/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

For screenshots of the latest Mindless Violence map, see 'Development'

For your information, the team name is now being re-discussed to enable everyone to have their opinion. The new name will be announced shortly

Ming is on holiday, so please contact me or DrPig if you need to speak to anyone.

<23/07/99>                                                                                                                                 

Woohoo! The team is almost complete - we would all like to welcome our new members. Here is the current team listing:

                                                        ------ THE MINDLESS VIOLENCE TEAM ------

Team Leader/Coder: Edward Sparkes (Ming)

Coder: <STILL REQUIRED>

Skin Artist: Crazy Chris

Lead Mapper: Adam Wordsworth (Wordy)

Mapper: Drew Bowers (Aardvark)

Modeler: Taylor Smith

Lead Modeler: AgentJedi64

Sound Engineer: ADR

Odd Jobs Guy: Dafydd Griffiths (DrPig)
I'd just like to give a big thanks to everyone who has joined the team or contributed in any way - with all this talent, I know the finished product will be a real success. A special 'cheerz' to Ming for getting everything rolling.


Other news: Mainly to do with recruitment - if you're a PROGRAMMER/CODER, a MODELER or a TEXTURE ARTIST and would like to be part of this team of outstanding individuals, please contact Ming

<24/07/99>                                                                                                                             

Today has been a restful day - only did a bit of work on the second map - there'll be a new screenshot up soon.

 I've had a look at the early version of Aardvark's new 'Ganghouse' map, which looks very promising.

I've also heard news that quite a few sites are interested in our TC - more news to come!

<25/07/99>                                                                                                                             

Firstly, I'd like to say that I'm very happy - I finally got my Vespa '50 Special' scooter.

Apart from that, a bit more map work, research and development of the new weapons. I'll put up some pictures of the new weapons when they are finished.

I've also decided to focus this site on Mindless Violence, so there will be a few changes here and there. You may also notice that 'Site focus', 'Caption competition' and 'Map Hotseat' have been put on hold for the moment.

<29/07/99>                                                                                                                             

AAAGGHHH! Yes - you may have noticed that I've missed quite a few days out. I haven't been near a computer for at least two days and therefore have not been able to do anything to the site. That scooter project of mine is really eating my time away - I've been working on it all of the time. But it'll be worth it in the end. Instead of updating the news every day I'll only put stuff up that really needs doing (e.g. Important stuff). As well as all this, I've got another site project, a HL mod, a job and a scooter to contend with too, so please excuse me.

Oh yeah, there's also a few more screenshots on the Development page - check 'em out!

 

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