Anyone know how Valve puts characters in their maps?

JMRboosties

L2: Junior Member
Jun 3, 2009
98
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On pl_thundermountain, there are blue guys in blue's spawn looking at a map, and on the last point there is a red sniper out in the distance. Have we figured out how this is done?
 

A Boojum Snark

Toraipoddodezain Mazahabado
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Nov 2, 2007
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It has been possible since the very beginning. It's just a prop_dynamic set to the player model. (and I still think Dario was silly for doing it :| )
 

Bad Vlad

L2: Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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Is that the 'twist'? I thought it was the sunshine, given the weather conditions. He should've made it red for added effect.
 

Icarus

aa
Sep 10, 2008
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The 'twist' was waiting for the bridge to come up before being able to push the payload again.
 

Penguin

Clinically Diagnosed with Small Mapper's Syndrome
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May 21, 2009
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It's bad practice. Don't do it.
 

lana

Currently On: ?????
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Sep 28, 2009
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It's an awful idea. Player models are complex and are usually what we try to hide with optimization. Adding more of them is just stupid.
 

Dr Forrester

L2: Junior Member
Aug 15, 2008
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Not to mention that if they are in gameplay areas, you can easily confuse them for actual players. Not fun to find out that the guy you've been shooting at is just a map effect.
 

JMRboosties

L2: Junior Member
Jun 3, 2009
98
2
well if i were to include one he wouldnt be like on the point or anything. having them in the spawn area or something like the ones on thunder mountain is pretty acceptable i think, optimization aside
 

Firest0rm

L4: Comfortable Member
Sep 27, 2009
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i don't think the models are bad. They're not in playable areas, and once you get far enough away the windows turn black, obscuring them. And also a lot of people think that they're awesome
 

Ninjilla

L420: High Member
Sep 13, 2008
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I too think they are tacky, and just... useless looking. Atfirst I thought it was a fight club, which would have been cool :p
 
Jan 20, 2010
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I guess I'm in the minority that I rather liked them and thought they were funny. When all 5 of the characters looking at the map do the Thriller taunt I thoroughly lulz'd.