I have been working on Bubble 25, a server side mod based on the original Bubblemod by Eggplant, which is currently running on the Outpost 42 server. In reality, it has become quite a bit more than Bubblemod. My original plan was that, once the Half-Life 25th Anniversary code was released, I would create something similar to the original Bubblemod but updated for the newer version of the game. I had previously been working on this using the 2013 bugfixed code, but I decided it made more sense to keep everything based on the official code. Hopefully that will also make any future updates a little easier to work with. The mod has not strayed too far from the spirit of the original, but there have been quite a few additions and changes along the way.
Backpack Rune
One of the newer additions is the Backpack Rune. While carrying it, your ammunition slowly regenerates over time. It also increases the maximum amount of primary ammunition you can carry for certain weapons, effectively doubling their normal capacity. There is a catch though. Every time the rune gives you ammunition it plays a sound. This means that while it can be a huge advantage, it can also give away your position to other players.
Health and Armour Runes
I have also changed the way the Health Rune and Armour Rune work. Previously, picking one up would simply give you twice the normal amount of health or armour. That worked well, but I have always liked the style used in Opposing Force, where health and armour gradually regenerate. The runes now slowly regenerate their respective values and can continue beyond the normal maximum of 100, up to 150. As with the Backpack Rune, regeneration makes a sound, so other players may be able to hear where you are.
Damage Rune
The Damage Rune is probably my favourite. It increases the damage caused by every weapon. It is not quite double damage, but the increase is significant enough to make every weapon considerably more dangerous. You may also notice considerably more players gibbing when this rune is in use!
Tripmines
Tripmines have had quite a substantial update. Using secondary fire now allows you to cycle through several different mine types. There is a mixture of ideas here from both Bubblemod and Severian’s Mod.
You can choose between:
- Standard Mine
- Flash Mine
- Mega Mine
- Snark Mine
357 Rune
There have not been any major changes to the 357 Rune, although kills made while using it can now cause the victim to gib.It was already powerful. It now feels even more ridiculous, which is exactly how it should be.
Snarks
Snarks now have an additional secondary fire ability inspired by Severian’s Mod. Using secondary fire allows you to teleport using a Snark. Previously, secondary fire was used to plant a Snark Mine. Since Snark Mines are now handled directly through the Tripmine system, this freed up secondary fire for the teleport ability.
Map Voting
The map voting system has also been reworked. Map voting, map nominations and RTV, or Rock the Vote, are now displayed through the HUD rather than through text messages. The idea is similar to the voting systems used by AMXX mods, which most players are already familiar with, but I have deliberately kept it simple. A lot of players do not have weapon slots 6 through 0 bound, so voting only uses five choices: 1 to 4 are map choices while 5 allows you to choose not to vote. I specifically wanted to keep the option not to vote. Sometimes the current next map is better than any of the alternatives being offered!
AFK Mode
One feature I was unable to recreate exactly was the old third person AFK mode when facing the wall.For whatever reason, enabling third person properly in multiplayer using the 25th Anniversary code has proved surprisingly difficult.You can still face the wall to enter AFK mode and become transparent, but there is one useful change: you can no longer take damage while in this state.
Grenade Boost Jump
I have also added something I have wanted for quite a while.Previously, while holding a hand grenade, the alternate attack would throw it in a similar way to the grenade launcher on the 9mmAR. I believe that behaviour originally came from Severian’s Mod rather than Bubblemod. I have replaced that with a boost jump. Using secondary fire while holding a grenade now launches you through the air. It does cause some damage, but it is also a lot of fun and opens up some interesting movement possibilities.
Give It a Go
There are plenty of smaller changes throughout the mod as well, but those are some of the more noticeable additions at the moment. There is a lot more going on that I have not mentioned yet, I will do separate post under the modifications section once I have done sufficient testing. If you fancy trying it out, jump onto Outpost 42 and give Bubble 25 a go. Wilee E Coyote is still holding the fort there.
