Quake Map Magazine - Letters

Hello,
The Secret Installation, by Likka Keranen has got to be one of *the* most amazing levels I've ever seen. The architecture, textures, layout and gameplay are all beyond anything I've ever seen by an "amateur" level creator. Id Software might want to look into hiring this guy for their Quake 2 addons... wow. In fact, come to think of it, the map looks like it was inspired by the Quake2 test in several areas - the room with trashed beams, etc. all over the floor and the open "courtyard" areas.. all that's missing is the colored lighting. Everything was very purposely planned - I never got the impression that he was going through the creation process like this, "Hmm.. I'll put a soldier here, here, here.... and here... what the hell... I'll put one here, too" I'm an aspiring level-designer, myself (my problem is a lack of attention-span enough to finish a level I've started) - and playing through a level like this, then running back through it with "notarget" activated so I can check out the architecture (hands-down, my favorite part of a Quake level), is just about all the inspiration I need to get going on a level of my own...
Has this guy made any other levels that you're aware of? I'd certainly like to see them..
Okay.. I'm done raving for now.. Thanks for reading.. :)
Take care, Mike

Hi Mike,
Yep, The Secret Installation by Iikka Keranen is pretty amazing. Iikka himself admits that The Secret Installation is based on the Quake Test Demo. As far as being hired, he was recently snapped up by Ion Storm.
Other levels? Some very fine high quality levels. They include:
Ikstart -A start map
Ikspq1-Before Nightfall
Ikspq2-Temple of the Thousand-Faced Moon
Ikspq3-Halls of the Shambler God
Ikspq4-Homecoming
You can follow this link to go directly to Iikka's website and download them from there.
Iikka is also working on a project called Airquake. Much like air combat in the world of Quake. To check it out follow this link.
Hope this helps,
Sincerely,
Igor.

Here's a rant i have about maps.

The trouble with mappers today. The real problem is imagination. People are so wrapped up in designing their own map, they forget to make the map 'new'. Starships I and II were 'new'. SOF was 'new'. And Penumbra of Domination was too. I'm speaking as a mapper here, and i try to put some neat stuff in my maps. They're all small enough to download betweeen meals, and they've all got gimmicks. And if you see an idea of some1 elses... by all means nick it :-)

##### Patchboy

Write Your Own Letter Now!!