Hello everyone,
March's update includes a look at the final art work for E2M6 - Lazarus Labs and a small look in to Episode 3's world.
E2M6
The remaining work on E2M6 included the central elevator area, which seems to be blocked by a large mass of growth that the player needs to figure out how to remove, and the highly restricted Aamon Labs(optional secret area), where the TEC kept a lot of specimens from the excavation site(E2M7).
Episode 3
Episode 3 takes place in a completely different part of the universe in another galaxy on a planet called Morsgoroth, an ancient primitive race who don't hold humans in very high regard.
When designing Episode 3 it was important to maintain the design philosophies from the previous episodes while changing things up to feel familiar but different. For example PDA Backup machines don't exist, instead you save inside of Shrine Rooms, there are no medic stations, instead there are rejuvenation pools, and the layouts aren't governed by human needs, such as repair bays, offices, etc so layouts and design are a bit more abstract, but the over all design philosophies still exist for level layouts and connectivity.
The levels themselves are themed in 3 major themes: Fire, Blood, and Earth, and in each of these themes players will encounter various hazards, enemies and art styles.
As you explore the environments you'll come across paintings of various types that tell minor stories. You can use your PDA to translate and learn about their history and how they have a connection to the Abyssals.
Fire: E3M1(block out phase)
Blood: E3M3 - Blood Pits(almost art complete)
Earth: E3M6(block out phase)
In March Episode 3 props were the focus, and all the existing prop and world textures were also updated to make them pop a bit more.
Various props belonging to different rooms, such as bathing rooms, food prep rooms (Morsgorothians are mainly meat eaters), storage and teleporters.
A Brutoroth taking it easy in the bathing room after a hard day of stomping humans.
Thanks for reading.
-FBS Team