Author's Best
Homepage | Frib's Maps
E-mail | frib@planetquake.com
Mr. Fribbles has made some amazing forays into Quake1 mapping. Each one of his maps presents a totally different theme and style, and he's even managed to keep the designs extremely different. I think I remember playing some of the earliest efdm maps a few years ago. Perhaps efdm1 or something. But let me tell you, if any author has made the biggest mapping leaps, Frib certainly wins the prize. Comparing efdm1 with efdm8 shows an amazing progression. However, even efdm1 had a certain flair and element which showed promise. And promise it was.
Since efdm5 - Vortex was released, Mr. Frib has gotten quite a bit of publicity. Vortex caught on with everyone and became a classic in short order. While efdm6 wasn't that regarded it was still an excellent map. Then, when efdm7 & 8 came out, pretty much everyone was mumbling 'whoa.'
Although Frib has quite a mapping collection under his belt, he has added quite a bit to the level scene. His web site for a fairly long time reported news in the level com. almost every day. He had some really meaty content (something I can't say for many news like sites), and an interesting style, along with lots of other 'goodies.' Frib has collected various editorials/rants/reviews, all of which are a good read. Drop by Frib's Maps to check it out.
After a suspiciously long hiatus, Frib returned to the scene with a newfound gusto. He released three maps in short order: efdm9, 10, & 11. Once again, he follows suit with his former eight maps and ensures that each one is different and unique. Presently, Frib runs "PeeJ n' Frib's Custom Mapping News," the definitive place to be if you're at all interested in maps. Hell, the man still maintains his personal site too. Hopefully Frib's dedication will continue as the scene blunder's along, but if he retires, he will have left a legacy behind.
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.MR. FRIBBLES.
Electric Fish | 447k | 9-27-00 |
.bsp name: efdm13
Size: large
Layout: complex
Style: concrete/industrial
Gameplay: strategic
Y/X Ratio: 1.3 |
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The latest offering from Frib is a large, concrete/slime style level with a gritty industrial feel to it. The combination is original, yet it somehow feels vaugely familar. But you'll forget all tat when the first round of nails spike into the wall next you you. Electric Fish is a highly playable, diversie, fun level. The open architecture and plethora of ledges turns the level into a first rate themepark, complete with exploding bunnies. But seriously, its a good lookin' level with a solid design and maxed out fun factor.
Powder Keg | 472k | 12-22-99 |
.bsp name: pkeg
Size: tiny
Layout: atrium
Style: [varies]
Gameplay: frenzied!
Y/X Ratio: 1.6 |
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This level comes textured in three differen flavors (#2 shown), and all are good jobs. But the level itself, regardless of its texturing, is really a sight to behold. Pkeg is an excellent 1on1 level, but also quite intertaining as a free for all level. Well balanced item placement keeps play progressing well, while the simple layout makes the level easy to learn, yet it can take a lifetime to master. Comes highly reccomended.
Death by the Dozen | 527k | 11-20-99 |
.bsp name: efdm12
Size: large
Layout: sprawl
Style: metal/tech
Gameplay: strategic
Y/X Ratio: 1.5 |
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Mr. Fribbles. Quake. Maps. All good things. Combined? Very good map. That's right kiddies, this map combines spooky spotlights, angular atriums, tantalizing textures, and a devious design to create one of the most playable and atmospheric levels around. Basically what we are dealing with architecturally is an "angular" design. Frib has forgone using the curvaceous curves or blocky brushes to create something in-between. And the result is "good." Adding to the look is the lighting, which is without a doubt the most impressive I've seen to date. While it is a bit dark in a few areas, the contrast and shadows cast throughout are magnificent. Stellar job. Next we arrive at gameplay, which this level is bristling with. The playing surface is quite large, a welcome addition to the scene IMHO, and can easily support any number of adversaries your comfortable cramming in. The central "hub" atrium (see the big picture) acts as a junction for getting to all the various parts of the level. However, this "hub" is surrounded by a series of atriums all blending together in an incredibly dense manner. The quantity of connections and shortcuts is dumbfounding. Needless to say, the plethora of weapons ensures that the gameplay stays set on "insane" mode; looking good the whole damn time.
Maelstrom | 384k | 5-23-99 |
.bsp name: efdm11
Size: large
Layout: formulaic
Style: red metal/tech
Gameplay: strategic
Y/X Ratio: 1.6 |
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Maelstrom is Mr. Fribbles most under appreciated maps. Personally, I feel it is one of his best, ranking even with Cryptosporidium and Death by the Dozen. The visuals are similar to Tangerine Dream, while the lack of "hype" and the bizzare style of Efdm10 put this map on the back burner. However, the layout is extremely playable for any numbers of poeple, and the action in the horizonatal and vertical plane is great. The level does span an enormous amount of area, so that may have turned some people off. Oh well, for those who like it, this level is a gem every time it is loaded.
White Chocolate Space Egg | 311k | 4-20-99 |
.bsp name: efdm10
Size: medium
Layout: sprawl
Style: midieval/stone
Gameplay: intense
Y/X Ratio: .3 |
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This crazy and different piece is not really Frib's style all, other than the fact the level doesn't resemble any of his others! The level certainly has an interesting cosmetic get-up; it's a beauty to run through. Gameplay is a little aggrivating though. While I won't dispute the intensity of the carnage, the minimalist vertical activity makes it a bit boring frankly. Even so, Frib does the best job possible making an intesne game through the item placement. Still worth the download, don't get me wrong! The bots are bastards on this level, humans are bigger ones.
Tangerine Dream | 254k | 4-20-99 |
.bsp name: efdm9
Size: medium
Layout: experimental
Style: industrial/slime
Gameplay: strategic
Y/X Ratio: .8 |
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Tangerine Dream recieved a fair dosage of hype prior to its release, and for good reason. The level is totally off the wal and different. The combination of an outside to inside theme was something new yet well excuted. although the level is an original work in every way, I think of it as more an experiment than a playable level, since it just doesn't play that well in my opinion. A centraized layout is severly lacking along with Frib's usually intricate connectivity, which is a shame. Even so, the level has its good points, but it's just to funky for my taste. Your welcome to try a bite though.
Cryptosporidium | 261k | 12-16-98 |
.bsp name: efdm8
Size: small
Layout: open
Style: metal
Gameplay: frenzied!
Y/X Ratio: 1.8 |
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Efdm8, commonly called Crypto-what-the-hell is it called, is one quality map. As always, Frib has gone for a totally new look. It's exciting, refreshing, and really looks damn cool. The layout is also something rather unique, and feels quite a bit like the old doom levels did. That is, the level has an 'open' feel to it. Rather than chambers or atriums with halls connecting them, you have a series of spaces pushed right together. That means you're not going to waste anytime wandering around boring corridors, but rather spend your days merrily ambushing people from every direction. This layout really works . . . and the gameplay is some of the best to be found! Item placement works well to boot, and really requires players to lock down items (the red armor / megahealth), but the open design makes this a real chilling. Cryptosporidium truly challenges players to use their cunning, as well as technical skills, to frag their way to the top. Well done Frib!
Biohazard | 293k | 9-25-98 |
.bsp name: efdm7
Size: medium
Layout: formulaic
Style: base/industrial
Gameplay: strategic
Y/X Ratio: 1.5 |
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Mr. Fribbles has showed constant improvement with each map he's made. However, Frib's first maps were great maps as well, so it's really saying alot that he's improved so much. The 7th installment in the efdmx series is one mighty map. Borrowing textures from numerous sources (quake, quake2, mission paks, his own additions) gives this level a completly unique look and feel. It makes the most of quake's limited color pallet to deliver a visuall stunning piece. The lighting as well demonstrates perfection. It is incredbily ambient and spooky, and is an amazing style. The layout is simply excellent as well. The level is a fairly decent size, so you can pile quite a few of your buds into this one. The weapons are spread out nicely along the levels numerous levels, so the fragging never really lets down. Excellent stuff.
Gun Metal | 233k | 9-5-98 |
.bsp name: efdm6
Size: large
Layout: atrium
Style: base (quake)
Gameplay: intense
Y/X Ratio: 1.8 |
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Efdm6: Gun - Metal is quite a bit smaller than his earlier maps. In fact it's quite tiny. It has a killer layout, nice and dense the way we like em. This map re-coins the term balls-to-the-walls, as your going to be scraping yer gun along the nice silky smooth metal, and then smearing your freinds remaining peices to give a nice polish. The layout resembles q2's The Rage (ztn) and Infernal Base (Gom Jabbar) in that there are two duel-floored chambers (tiny as hell), connected by a hall running on both levels, and teleporters/lifts to acess the top. Very basic. the texturing is torn right out of Quake2 (damn it's wierd), but comes off with that 'quake' edge. The lighting is dark and atmospheric, and the gibs 'will' be flying high. This map is brutal as hell with four people, so I don't recomend you invite your neighbors to the barbeque as well. Have fun.
Vortex | 186k | 7-19-98 |
.bsp name: efdm5
Size: small
Layout: formulaic
Style: concrete
Gameplay: frenzied!
Y/X Ratio: 1.0 |
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This was the first really great map from Fribs. Prior to these maps, his levels had a little bit of a novice look to them. They were not as well constructed, and didn't fall totally into the formula map scheme. I'm not saying those maps were bad! Far from it (I'll be doing some older maps like efdm4 in another update) in fact! Anyways, this map has a nice looking texture scheme, the lighting is sound, and the layout is really intense. It doesn't play as vertically as other maps, but that doesn't keep this level being great. There is tons of room for some intense toe-to-toe action, and the teleporters really cause some confusion the middle of the action. Players have a tendancy to disappear (sucked into a Vortex perhaps?) without notice, so keep yer crosshairs on target. The weapon loadout is pretty hefty as well, with all the heavy iron packed in nicely. Great work, I don't see any problems here!
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