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PG-M2 Mars Needs Women

A Marathon to Marathon 2 Network Map Conversion.

Note: This release fixes the problem with the skull not appearing in Kill The Man With The Ball network games.

This version of Mars Needs Women is an altered version of the converted map by Winston Hendrickson (winston_hendrickson@quickmail.apple.com). I tried to convert the map myself, but no matter what I did, it always crashed. So, I decided to use someone else's conversion as a starting point for mine. The only problem was, when I saw Winston's map, I thought the texture selections and ambient sounds were nearly perfect. I did feel, however, that the conversion had strayed too far from what the original Mars Needs Women was. Here are some of the corrections and additions that I made:

1.  Higher contrast in lighting effects. Before, the map seemed a bit bland.
2.  Increased volume in ambient sounds. There just wasn't enough atmosphere for me.
3.  Additional ambient sounds. I added a few sounds to provide more variation and ambiance.
4.  Lighting more true to the original M1 map. Winston had changed a number of lighting conditions, which I
     thought changed the gameplay dramatically. Namely, making "The Coffin" light at the end didn't provide a spot to hide
     or to surprise someone coming down the hallway. The upper level (reached by going up the stairs near "The Coffin")
     was totally devoid of the stark shadows and light sources of the original Mars Needs Women (I brought them back).
     The lighting in the area where all the elevators are was very monotone in my opinion (I made it closer to the original
     M1 map).
5.  More realistic lighting effects. I added some split-wall lighting effects (where a light shines halfway up a wall)
     in "The Skylight" and on the upper level.
6.  More accurate alien placement. I don't know if it was on purpose or a result of the way the maps converted, but
     the aliens were completely changed around (I know this happens in any conversion). I just corrected the object
     placement data.
7.  Altered weapon placement. I guess I didn't agree with Winston's placement of the rocket launcher, so I moved it
     back to its original spot. I also added spots for the alien weapon and shotgun.
8.  Altered object placement. I also didn't agree with the placement of health recharger packs, since I think they kind 
     of ruin the fun of network games (just like the wall-rechargers do), so I took them out.
9.  Some minor texture changes. I changed some of the textures in some spots to break up some of the monotony.
     This was nothing major since, as I stated before, I thought Winston's texture selections were near perfect
10.Removal of media. I thought the addition of lava in the hallway between the shafts slowed gameplay a bit, and
     added a bit of health draining that made the map less fun.
11.Addition of "Kill The Man With The Ball" gameplay. The skull is located in the main, central room.

I guess I just feel that the original Mars Needs Women was perfect the way it was as far as gameplay is concerned. I love the aesthetic changes Winston made, but the gameplay just wasn't there for me. I've included the original map and readme for those who are interested in the differences, or for those who like Winston's original version more than my altered version. As always, questions and comments are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

Patrick Gray
peg1485@rit.edu