How advanced is the editor?

[RealmRPGer]

Alright. I really don't know much about the HL2 editor. Is it a simple level modding application, or a full set of tools allowing you to completely modify the thing?

For example, would I be able to rewrite (or edit) the engine to create, say, an RPG? Taking note that the particular one I have in mind isn't even doable in the RPG Maker series. However, I see that this forum has a "coding" thread, so I'm relatively confident that HL2 allows some deeper modification of the engine.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Dan]

I didn't know that there was a HL2 editor per say. There is the SDK, which contains most of the source code for editing the game. There's Hammer editor which is just a map editing program. I don't think the 3d engine itself is touchable though, other than creating custom shaders and the like.

 

[Ti133700N]

But technically, the answer to the question : "Can I make an RPG with the Source SDK?" is: yes. You don't have to modify the engine to get another kind of game (you can't edit the Source engine anyway).

You mentioned RPG maker... Are you aware that the source engine is far from a 2D tile engine? You'll hame to make 3d models and righ res textures, no little sprites (well you could make decals but you won't make a game with that), it's alot of work.

 

[RealmRPGer]

I'm not new to this kind of thing. In fact, it's now become my career. So you don't have to worry about explaining the difficulties to me.

It's simply that sometimes I wish to just make a simple game, without having to worry much about the coding.

 

[Ti133700N]

Ok well I understand what you mean, you want to make a game but you prefer the art part rather than the coding. If you plan on making an entire game alone, then I don't see how you could make a good game that would bring something innovative in term of gameplay or features because you'd have to use an engine that does everything for you (I mean the code, so if you can't really change the code the gameplay is the same for every game that uses that engine). What I mean is, with an engine that does all the coding for you, it doesn't give you the flexibility to build a game that is different than the others.

Source is probably one of the most flexible engine at the moment. You can make every type of game with it. But of course you'll have to change alot of code if you want to make an rpg (with all the rpg elements) because the basic code that comes with the SDK is HL2 (FPS).

The best thing you could do, imo, is to join a team that makes an RPG and tell them what you'd like to see in that MOD and do the arts and give some ideas (you could even try to create your own MOD).

What do you do for a living? What do you mean by : "it's now become my career".

 

[Dario D.]

The *Editor* is only, only, only good for making maps. No, you can't make an RPG or even edit one in the editor.

You have to program that stuff, which I'm not familar with. :monkee:

Edit: Oh, I thought you meant a RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade)

 

[Pesmerga]

Yeah, Hammer is strictly mapping. But that does involve scripting, which, to a degree, COULD simulate some RPG elements (SvenCoop does it)