The critical success of No One Lives Forever (NOLF) prompted an obvious sequel. After Aliens versus Predator 2 wrapped, I was asked to join Monolith’s “Gold Team” for NOLF2 as the Lead Multiplayer Designer. The team wanted a more competitive multiplayer option beyond the classic deathmatch PvP.
Counter-Strike was highly popular at the time and helped give the NOLF2 Multiplayer a direction. The original design was Unity vs. Harm with team-based goals, featuring a currency reward system for in-game upgrades after each round.
Because Singleplayer was behind schedule, that design was shelved. To fill the void, I came up with a lighter design. By creating a Multiplayer 4-player CO-OP mode, it could use the existing Singleplayer levels with only a few additions, featuring you as Unity agents paralleling Cate Archer’s storyline.
The remainder of my time on the project was spent fine-tuning the Singleplayer levels: India, Siberia, HARM’s Underwater Base, and UNITY’s Headquarters.
More public details are on Wikipedia.
- December 2001 – June 2002
Roles
- LEAD MULTIPLAYER DESIGNER
- Level Designer
- Scripter
Responsibilities
Designed a 4-player CO-OP multiplayer mode after prototyping a separate competitive teamplay mode. Amplified single-player encounters with layout and mission scripting. Responsible for environment lighting and gameplay mood.
Reviews
- 95% – Armchair Empire
- 90% – Computer Gaming World
- 100% – Entertainment Weekly
- 93% – GameSpot – Editor’s Choice
- 90% – IGN – Editor’s Choice
- 91% – Metacritic Score
- 95% – PC Gamer
- 100% – TechTV’s Extended Play (G4TV)