PS3 Member Profile - bongobreak
| Written by: Fallen Champ Sunday March 14, 2010 | |
| Name My name is bongobreak aka Gareth (my real name) Location I live in a tiny village near Norwich in Norfolk, UK  Tell us a little about yourself. I'm 38 years old I use to teach science in high school until a serious motorcycle accident 12 years ago put a stop to that. Since then I've been a man of leisure, but only really got into gaming about four or five years ago. I started with a PS2, then a 360 (which was my first experience with FC2) then the PS3. Question 1. Congratulations bongobreak your map Bridge The Gap won the Theme Of The Month voted for by other map authors. Did you have any indication that your map had a good chance after you completed it? Answer. Not really, in fact I nearly threw it away - I started several bridges and thought that another project looked better at the start. Question 2. I understand you made possibly 4 maps for this Theme, did you have other ideas for a bridge map or were you happy with your entry in the end?  (Suspended Disbelief by bongobreak) Answer. I did indeed start 4 projects, one which I completed and which I thought was just too big (Suspended Disbelief - loosely based on the Golden Gate bridge), another which was to be based on the film 'A Bridge Too Far' but after some very helpful advice from Champ, I decided this was too flat and also had some visual problems too. I had started a bridge based on Tower Bridge in London, but I saw there were several other mappers that had chosen this design, and I didn't think I could better theirs, and finally I had begun to design a Forth Bridge style map - but this would have been mostly iron girders and may have been a bit dull (my map - the real bridge is spectacular ) Question 3. Could you name your favourite maps maps for the following criteria (from the 22 maps submitted?) Overall Best Looking Map (A Visual Masterpiece) Robeirs B3E-Storm The Gates is a very well made map - with superb structure detail I really liked ktuludarklords B3E Blood River - the attention to detail is first class Gaz's OnR Tower Bridge is a brilliant looking piece of work Battle Bay by DEEZ is also a great looking, well made map too, as is *Liberty* by SNAKE51 Turnpike Terror by maxpower is superb and great to play with so many options ....hmm....I'm aware that I'm just listing them all here - in truth it is impossible to pick a favourite, they are all so good. Craziest Build – Most Insane Map Big Fookin Bridge by Sizzling_Sar is one of my favourites - a truly ingenious, crazy map, with lots going on and plenty of movement options and innovative use of explosives. Shame you pulled it Champ. Forgotten Xing by Metallica has to be one of the most insane maps I've seen - very creative stuff I also loved Parch to Penty by Negrumir And what can you say about BFB-9000 v3 by xWraV3nCLaWx - fantastically bizarre and very interesting, sadly, I never got a chance to play this one though. Most Explosive Map Big Fookin Bridge features some great use of the repeating cannons, they work extremely well I also liked chadnuts Destructable Bridge 2 - brilliant use of destructable items and explosives. Craftsmanship – Most Neatly Built Map They were all very well built, with meticulous attention to detail, I thought Border Control by SonofSam1 and MILITARY CONVOY by jumodu94 were supremely well put together, jumodus custom vehicles are just fabulous. After Shock by C_H_E_R_B_B1-1 and Turnpike Terror are also exceedingly well made maps too As are BRIDGE 187 by OSAMASTYLEZ, B3E Overpass by kevballs, Knutsel Bridge by yoz and OnR Faction Crossing by vindaloovian - whenever I play vindas map I always try to jump the bridge in a truck - it's hilarious. Winners Choice (what was your favourite from the 22 submitted) Gosh, it's so difficult - I can understand how you judges must have felt.... I really can't pick just one, they're all so good, but if I'm pushed, my top three would have to be: Question 4. We will open up the judging area for you to view – call it the winners treat, please could you give us your opinion on how we went about the judging of maps, do you think we were fair and did every map in your opinion get the same treatment. Answer. I thought the judging was exemplary - you guys had the toughest job to do. Narrowing down from 22 quality maps must have been very hard - the nature of the competition means everyone is giving their best in map skills, so we should all be very grateful to you for giving your time and impartially judging. Above all I think it has been very fairly judged, and you have all readily exchanged opinions and critisms which is most important and you have reached decisions quickly and succinctly. I am very impressed with the work you guys did as judges (and I'm not saying that just because I won lol) it's hard to please everybody, but I think you have done just that. Question 5. What next – DEEZ has a Theme going at cdeezgames.com the title is 2 Grid Arena, will you be making an entry and after this win are you feeling confident.  (2 Grid Arena by DEEZ) Answer. I will certainly be making a map for DEEZs 2 grid arena theme - in fact I'm about 50% done so far. It is based on George Romeros film 'Dawn of the Dead' (one of my favourite movies) It will (fairly closely) resemble the Monroeville Mall, where the movie was shot and will feature lots of familiar mall locations from the film. I do feel more confident having won BFB TOTM, but I will be up against some very strong competition, so I'm being realistic - anyone is in with a shot, and I get a real kick from designing maps - whether they win or not - winning is great though, don't get me wrong lol!! Question 6. If you were to name a Theme what would you select and why.  (AvP by bongobreak) Answer. Themes are tough to choose, they would afterall have to be accessible to everyone, and while certain themes may not be preferred by some, others relish them, but everyone seems to give it their best on the day. I'm a movie fan also, so I would have to say a movie themed map is my theme of choice - might not be an easy one, but there would be plenty of scope for variety - there are lots of movies out there In fact I've made a few movie themed maps already. Question 7. What is your favourite map at this time by another author and who is your current favourite map builder (if you are anything like me your choices will change quite often)  (Rocky Riot by Sizzling_Sar) Answer. As with most of us at the moment, all I have in my PS3 and my head are bridges lol, and I agree, I do change my favourite maps/mappers a lot. The maps that I have studied in the editor, and been most impressed with at this time are maps by yourself champ - I played rocky riot again the other day, and it is brilliant. I'm always impressed with maxpowers maps and DEEZ too - but then again, who isn't? lol You guys have to be three of the most respected, talented and innovative mappers out there right now - I might change my mind next week though lol Question 8. Name 3 people you would like to build a co-op map with and what are the reasons for your choice.  (SuperStore Shooting by Opal_N_Bongo) Answer. I'm fairly new to co-op mapping - I've made two with Opal-Blue, and they were great experiences, the maps weren't bad either. But I'd love to build a co-op map with Fallen Champ (you), maxpower or DEEZ - I would consider it a great honour to work with you guys. I have to say that co-op mapping is a great way to pool ideas, and make some great, interesting and different maps, so to that end I would feel priviledged to work with any mapper. Question 9. How much life do you think Far Cry 2 has left and can you see yourself making many more maps.  (The Hoover Dam by bongobreak) Answer. My personal opinion is that the map-making community is the only thing keeping the game alive, and while that thrives (as it is doing through competitions and forums etc), new gamers will discover the game and the map editor, and begin creating new and interesting maps for us all to play. Every day I notice new members in the FCMAPS, B3E, OnR and DEEZ sites (arguably the best sites for FC2), in fact I met a new mapper a few weeks ago, who is now a member of FCMAPS - won't mention his name, but he keeps messaging me constantly, asking me to test his new maps - some of which are very promising. So FC2 has still got a lot of life left I think, and when FC3 arrives, it will still have a loyal following, many of whom will dip back into FC2 and produce more maps. That's the great thing about ideas - there's a never ending supply of them lol. Question 10. The Far Cry games have always had a good and loyal following, what are your feelings on the community.  (The Great Escape by bongobreak) Answer. I am relatively new to the community, but I have experienced nothing but kindness and true altruism - a great and honourable, sharing community of like-minded, creative and funny people. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know some of you in the short time that I have been part of the community, I certainly hope I can get to know lots more of you - you're a terrific bunch of misfits lol - just like me lol!! Only kidding - I hope to be a productive and helpful member of this community, just like everyone I have met so far. Question 11. From all your maps which would you say are your 3 favourites and can you give us some brief details about each map please. Answer. Talking about my maps - I'm glad you said 'brief details' - I could go on for ages waxing lyrical about my stuff - none of it interesting though lol Because I haven't played many of my own maps very often, I shall pick the three that I had the most fun making, and that I think look the best - they may not be the best to actually play though.
I really enjoyed making this map more than any other - it started life as an experiment in architectural mapping - but went together so well I decided to expand it to a playable map. I was very pleased with the observation towers (those flying saucer things - see 'Men in Black') and the pavillion structure.
Initially I was very pleased with the main bridge structure, and the two bases at either end, it then stalled and I put it to one side for a week or so. When I picked it up again it went together and completed very nicely. I can't recommend strongly enough the value of taking a break when the creative grey matter stops working. 3: PSYCHO!
This was one of my earlier maps - and before I knew half of what I know now about the editor, but I think I'd build it exactly the same if I had to do it again. Question 12. You like your custom work – using pieces to create other things, what single thing has amazed you the most in a map which someone has used from other objects.  (HellevatorsV1 by maxpower) Answer. In a word, elevators. When I first heard of this trick/glitch from Map Builders R&D maps and maxpowers helivator maps, I was truly amazed - so much so that I was determined to master the very fine adjustments necessary to create these brilliant alternatives to stairs. Thanks to Map Builder and max for taking the tedium out of moving upwards lol Also Map Builders guides on creating spheres is incredible too - I have yet to make a map that features a spherical object though - is there a movie with a sphere in it?? oh yeah....that one with Sharon Stone and Dustin Hoffman....what's it called....'Sphere'....that's the one - that might just work as a map. Question 13. What are your strengths and weaknesses when making a map.  (The Rock by bongobreak) Answer. I suppose my strength is patience - I rarely lose my temper whilst in the editor, in fact I relish the hours of fine tuning a map, and getting all the pieces accurately positioned. My weakness is the inability to stick with a map idea/decision. I'm always starting a project, then getting another idea and leaving the first one unfinished - I'm sure I'm not alone here though I have many unfinished maps kicking about - I say that I'll finish them someday - but it hasn't happened yet lol Question 14. What other games are you currently playing besides Far Cry 2  Answer. The only other game I'm playing at the moment is Red Faction: Guerilla. I used to play a lot more games, fps mostly - GTA IV, SR2 Mercs 2 etc, but for the past year I've been pretty much sticking with FC2 - for all it's faults I just love the editor, no other game comes close. Question 15. What is your all time favourite game on consoles from any era. Answer. I've had many favorites over the years - I loved the Hitman series, Splinter cell, all the GTAs, the conflict series, but I don't seem to play them much these days. The only game that stands out from the crowd, in my opinion, in terms of repeatable playablilty, fun, creativity and sheer staying power is, of course, the magnificently flawed and infuriatingly brilliant Far Cry 2. Question.16 You like your movies dont you, lately I have been going to the Cinema to see these 3D films, so far I have seen Scrooge - Avatar and Alice In Wonderland. Have you seen any 3D Movies and what are your thoughts on the way films are shifting to 3D. Answer. Gosh, I haven't been to the cinema for several years now, the last time I went was to see one of the Matrix movies (I forget which one - the second one I think). I'm afraid I didn't enjoy the experience very much - it was packed with people rustling crisp packets and texting etc lol - I prefer the home cinema experience - with horror films it's far more scary I think, especially if you're on your own. I haven't seen a 3D movie yet, I can never forget those cheesy late seventies/early eighties 3D movies like Jaws 3D, where the actors suddenly point towards the screen, or something inexplicably flys towards you for no good reason Maybe I'm too cynical about modern big budget movies, but I think it's a fad that will pass soon enough, like it did in the eighties, and Hollywood can get back to making some gritty, real movies, oh....and not try to remake everything either - I get really cross about that. I also think that modern films such as Avatar, rely too heavily on CGI effects, and as a result lose some sense of realism. I guess I'm a little old fashioned in my movie tastes - incidentally, I preferred Camerons ex-wifes movie 'The Hurt Locker' - very gritty, poignant and realistic - and it scooped the most oscars too, ouch that's gotta hurt Cameron lol. Question.17 I used to like seeing the Stallone and Schwarzenagger films in the 90s - I also loved the Zombie films of yester year, if you had to name 3 of your favourite films from Pre 2000 and 3 from 2000 until Present what would you pick.  Answer. I think you and I must have a very similar taste in films, I too love those daft actioners of the 80s, Predator/Rambo etc, they had a certain style to them, and they were pretty funny too....well maybe not Rambo, but certainly anything with Schwartzanegger in it was usually hilarious, maybe I have a warped sense of humour though. And I never tire of watching anything with zombies in either - more specifically anything by George Romero - that guy knows how to make a great movie on virtually no budget, he's a genius in my opinion. My top three pre 2000 movies are: 1: The French Connection - without shadow of a doubt, the best crime thriller of all time 2: Dawn of the Dead - the best zombie movie of all time 3: Alien - the best sci-fi horror of all time My top three post 2000 movies are: 1: District 9 - very surprised by this, a really excellent film, great story, special effects and well acted - a future classic I hope. 2: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - this is actually a 1999 film I believe, but it's so good, and pretty close to 2000 that I think it deserves to be there. 3: George Romeros Land of the Dead - a very worthy instalment to his 'Dead' series of films - wasn't so keen on Diary of the Dead, but it still beats any opposition. That’s it, thanks for doing this and for letting us know your thoughts and feelings on the game. Congratulations for your map Bridge The Gap I am really glad people liked it. Thankyou Champ for being such a helpful and encouraging chap, you are a real credit to the FC2 community. A big thankyou to everyone who took part and voted in this competition, and made it such a great experience. Lets all keep building maps until the whole world is made of maps lol. | |
Comments
| Posted by yoz303303 on Mar 14 2010 - 06:51 | |
| Joined: Feb 13 2010 - 09:05 | i cant open the full article?? awsome map first of all i realy want to know how you make the stairs they look great whit the elevator inside  and did you start a new account? you been publishen for 2 months now you must of been playing longer and i love to see some old scool work from you i played whit opal blue yesterday and we played the high scool (co-op map) opalblue- bongo....also a great map!(the football field looks great) plz inlight us whit your wisdom  |
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| Posted by Fallen Champ on Mar 14 2010 - 08:36 | |
Gamertag: FALLEN CHAMP | Sorry I do not know why some people can't access these Spotlight Profiles - I will pass this on to the guy who runs the site, he might be able to fix things up. I tried to post this at B3E & cdeezgames .com but both sites have a restriction of 2000 characters per post  So I posted it at OnR - you must be registered to see the post though.  |
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| Posted by Robeir1983 on Mar 14 2010 - 09:13 | |
| Joined: Sep 27 2009 - 03:51 | Nice profile bongo mate  What a good read. Just commenting on the last bit though, Fear and Loathing is brilliant. And I've just borrowed District 9, was a bit um and ah about it but I'm gonna have to give it a watch.Anyway back on topic. Your a fantastic mapper mate and I'm glad that you found us all on these site. Good man Map World FTW, lol.  Click to see My Maps "Here's a little song i wrote, you might want to sing it note for note......Dont worry.....Be happy " |
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| Posted by bongobreak on Mar 14 2010 - 12:02 | |
| Joined: Jan 20 2010 - 18:16 | Thanks yoz and Rob, and congrats Rob for making the top three too. Yoz, those spiral stairs are based on the 'circle method' which I'm sure you already know - but briefly: Place a colonial corner ( or anything small, column-like and symetrical) in the centre of a grid cross point - this will act as a pivot point. Lie a colonial no.1 on its flat side and position lengthways along a grid line close to the pivot point - adjust them so that they are perfectly lined up. Select both objects and go to 3D edit mode. Place the cursor on the pivot point and clone both the objects. Keep the cursor on the pivot and rotate and lift them a little til they overlap correctly - some trial and error is needed til you get the right height of each step correct to allow them to be walked up without getting snagged. Then select all objects again (pivot and steps) Place cursor over pivot again - clone - rotate - lift. Repeat as necessary I sometimes place a vertical concrete pipe in the centre and use this as a measuring device and also to enclose the elevator - as seen in Bridge the Gap. I have only ever had one account yoz - although I've been making maps for well over a year, I've only begun to publish them recently. My old school maps are very rough lol, and I'm far too embarrassed to publish them - but you never know, maybe I'll clean them up and publish them one day Glad you liked High School Reunion - that football field took ages, especially the numbers Rob, like you, I was a bit iffy about District 9 at first - I thought it looked a bit daft - I'm not a big modern sci-fi fan - too much CGI imo, but I was very pleasantly surprised by it - I recommend you watch it, it's really rather good I'm very glad I found you guys here too Rob, it's been really great to meet you and the rest of the members, both here and B3E, OnR and DEEZ. Champ, thanks for looking in to the mysterious problem of redirect/unreadable posts, however, I seem to be able to now read this post - I'm going to check out the others later. And thanks for posting those cool pics too - nice pic of Norwich Cathedral there - been there a few times lol, it's a shortcut to a pub I used to frequent  |
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| Posted by yoz303303 on Mar 14 2010 - 13:28 | |
| Joined: Feb 13 2010 - 09:05 | il wait it out then....and i tried joining OnR a few weeks ago but they dont let people join anymore so too bad....... tnx for the heads up bongo and il get back to you when i c the full article |
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| Posted by Robeir1983 on Mar 15 2010 - 04:59 | |
| Joined: Sep 27 2009 - 03:51 | @ Yoz, I've not heard of anyone having problems signing up at OnR, they get new members everyday. If I remember rightly it's very similar sign up process as the rest of the sites. @bongo, I've still not watched it yet, It's sat there next to my chair but it hasn't made as far as the PS3 yet, lol. Think I may watch it tonight Click to see My Maps "Here's a little song i wrote, you might want to sing it note for note......Dont worry.....Be happy " |
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| Posted by bongobreak on Mar 15 2010 - 06:03 | |
| Joined: Jan 20 2010 - 18:16 | Rob, I'm sure you won't regret watching it - I thought it looked a bit of a kiddie sci-fi flick at first, but it so very definitely isn't lol!! I might watch it again actually, maybe tonight also - in fact I think I will - I usually watch a movie while I'm mapping, it prevents me hearing those irritating monkey noises you get in the editor - wish you could turn that off lol. |
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| Posted by Fallen Champ on Mar 15 2010 - 06:13 | |
Gamertag: FALLEN CHAMP | District 9 - First 20 mins are dodgy as it is kind of written like a documentary, first time I tried watching it I turned it off after 5 mins, second time I fell asleep. Everyone kept going on and on about it so I sat up one night and watched it all - expecting to be bored. The film really sucks you in and you feel for the characters, it is very well done. A fantastic movie. |
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| Posted by Robeir1983 on Mar 15 2010 - 06:31 | |
| Joined: Sep 27 2009 - 03:51 | And I'm sold.........tonight it is, I may just hook my PS3 up to my small tele and do the same as you, (those monkey sounds do get annoying, lol) I'll shut up about films now and let you get back to bongo's glory, lol. Click to see My Maps "Here's a little song i wrote, you might want to sing it note for note......Dont worry.....Be happy " |
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| Posted by vindaloovian on Mar 15 2010 - 09:15 | |
| Joined: Feb 15 2009 - 04:06 | Sorry chaps, think they may have recently blocked new sign ups at O&R because the weight of traffic has given the place some problems, cant be completely sure as i wasnt admin actually lol, just run the farcry section. cant say when they may re open the door to be honest. Gratz bongo, a deserved winner.  |
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