Citadel design evolution
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| The Citadel | |
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| Game information | |
| Designer(s) |
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The Citadel went through various designs during Half-Life 2’s development. They can be described thanks to the various pieces of concept art, WC map pack maps, and the models, textures, and environment maps found in the playable Half-Life 2 leak files.
Contents
Oldest known versions[edit]
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- Viktor Antonov, Dhabih Eng and Eric Kirchmer made several pieces of concept art depicting various iterations of the Citadel. Whether these versions made it past the concept art stage is unknown.
- The vignette Old Friends from the uncorrected proof of Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar features a Citadel fitted with weaponry, making use of its supportive guy-wires to form an "Eye" which shot "spears of blazing plasma" at Gordon, Barney Calhoun and Isaac Kleiner as they attempted to escape City 17.[9]
Gallery[edit]
The Citadel above a building also used as one of the last iterations of the Manhack Arcade (Antonov).[10]
Inside the Citadel (Antonov).[11]
Train stopped at a platform, with the Citadel in the distance (Eng).[12]
The entrance to the Citadel's inner wall, originally found in maps such as
c17_04,c17_05orVanceHQ, with in the background a Citadel similar to the one featured in the previous image (Unknown artist, probably Eng).[13]
Gordon arriving at the Citadel's lower entrance, with concrete shapes similar to those featured in the map
proto_c17inner(Eng).[14]
The Citadel among American skyscrapers (Kirchmer).[3]
2001 versions[edit]
This 'rusty' version is featured in several revisions of the map c17_04, from revision 21 to 28, created from March to June 2001. Prior versions of the map do not feature the Citadel, or even a 3D skybox, and in succeeding versions this variation was replaced by the next iteration. The Citadel is entirely brown and apparently not detailed, while a closer look shows it is detailed, featuring a round lump (seen in the posters), windows and other precise shapes. This version was to be separated from the rest of City 17 by a tall concrete barrier known as the "inner wall" or "inner gates"[15]. Another map, proto_c17inner, from March 2001, also features this Citadel (the front and rear and reversed, compared to c17_04) and provides a closer look at the area behind the inner wall, featuring brutalist concrete structures and deep holes in the ground emitting greenish light. The aforementioned structures appear to be forcibly built into a previously existing city block, with remains of the human buildings featured around the area.
There is only one known map of the interior of this Citadel, existing in two revisions: proto_core001 (January 2001) and proto_core002 (February 2001), showing an early iteration of the Citadel Core that will eventually appear in Half-Life 2: Episode One.
Another map, proto_c17citadel_skybox, from April 2001, features a less detailed spire, which appears grey-colored, not brown, and seems to be based on the concept art for the Citadel's lower entrance. Here the spire is shown to be rising out of a deep shaft in the ground, surrounded by the same brown concrete building-like structures.
This version is also featured in the old Combine propaganda posters made by Randy Lundeen[16] (who was also one of the mappers of the 2001-2002 versions of the Citadel).
Gallery[edit]
Isolated Citadel brush from
c17_04_23, front.
Ditto, rear view, featuring the round lump seen in the posters.
The Citadel featured in the Metropolice propaganda poster
paperposter001a.
The Citadel featured in the Metropolice / Consul propaganda poster
paperposter003a.
The Citadel featured in the Metropolice propaganda poster
paperposter004a.
Sleeve insignia of the old trench coat-wearing Metrocop model, featuring the Citadel.
The prototype Citadel Core in
proto_core002.
Ditto.
Ditto.
Ditto.
The Citadel behind its inner wall near the Manhack Arcade in
c17_04_23.
The inner wall without the Citadel near the Manhack Arcade in
c17_05_06.
The Citadel's inner wall entrance near Vance Headquarters in
VanceHQ.
The Citadel's inner wall entrance as seen from inside the wall in
proto_c17inner01.
The Citadel's inner wall entrance and the top of the wall in
proto_c17inner01.
Overview of the Combine structures and human buildings in
proto_c17inner01.
View from the street level in
proto_c17inner01.
Brick building used in other maps in
proto_c17inner01.
The Citadel as seen from the street level in
proto_c17inner01.
Overview of
proto_c17inner01.
Isolated Citadel brush from
proto_c17citadel_.
skybox
Overview of the Citadel's base in
proto_c17citadel_.
skybox
The shaft under the Citadel in
proto_c17citadel_, with the Borealis’ plimsoll line reused.
skybox
Envmap
c17_04_23, for the same map, featuring the Citadel.
2001-2002 versions[edit]
Viktor Antonov made concept art for this version,[1] while Aaron Barber and Randy Lundeen designed the maps of the outside and inside, respectively. In the WC map pack, this is the version with the most maps, featuring numerous instances of both the exteriors and interiors.[5]
This Citadel, covered in metal, is made of different cylinders stacked on top of each other, with other shapes stuck around them, and topped with an antenna-like shape. The metal textures used in the various maps are metalwall065 from e to j, which are missing from the leak files, metalwall065a being the only one left and not used for the Citadel. This version comes in two known variations: One with a tapered shape, the other with a thicker appearance. Incidentally, the City 17 logo is similar to a cross-section of this Citadel.
Inside, all floors, walls and ceilings are entirely covered in tiles of various colors and sizes. Metal and glass pipes with organic forms can also be found all around, as well as dangling chains, some with speakers are their end, and mechanisms such as pistons (similar to those seen in the Air Exchange) and rotating valves. The maps also feature a prison area with Vortigaunts in the cells. Concept art for the Depot's prison is based on such maps.[17]
This Citadel's exterior is featured in maps such as:
c17_01_16(August 2001).c17_04: From revision 29 to 41 (August 2001 to February 2002).proto_citadel_002: In a real-life size (April 2001).proto_citadel_001is missing from the map pack but its envmap is still present in the playable leak's texture files.proto_citadel_skybox: Featuring the nighttime satellite image of Manhattan also used in the final game, and an optional visgroup of human and Combine buildings such as towers (similar to the Air Exchange's industrial tower) connected to it at its base (October 2001). The revisionproto_citadel_skybox3includes a concrete wall similar to the previous version's inner wall surrounding its base (Same month).
This Citadel's interior is featured in maps such as:
proto_citadel_interiorand its variations (May 2001).proto_citadel_consul(August 2001).proto_citadel_mechanical(August 2001).proto_citadel_tankroom(August 2001). It is reused indemo_citadel01(October 2001) anddemo_citadelpipes(February 2002). The envmap texture file forproto_citadel_tankroomalso includes two color variants.proto_citadel_advisors: Features a long shaft. Though its names suggests a relation to the Combine Advisor, no models of the Synth are present. This may be an early instance of the Advisor shaft featured at the start of Episode One (October 2001).proto_citadel_cellblock(July 2001). It is reused indemo_citadel01(October 2001).proto_citadel_garbage(October 2001). Also exists asdemo_citadel02(Same month).demo_camshaft: A demo map not set in the Citadel but reusing the same assets (February 2002). Older version ofdemo_physics(September 2002).
Gallery (outside)[edit]
Tapered version[edit]
Isolated Citadel brush from
proto_citadel_skybox.
The Citadel in
proto_citadel_skybox, also used for concept art featuring the thick version.
Ditto.
Ditto, with the human and Combine buildings visgroup enabled.
The early Breencast with the Citadel in the background in
c17_04_38.
Collection of buildings located near the Manhack Arcade, with the Citadel behind, in
c17_04_38.
The same area in
c17_04_41.
Column plaza near the Manhack Arcade, with the Citadel in the background, in
c17_04_41.
The City 17 Trainstation Plaza and the Citadel in the background in
c17_plaza02.
The same area in
c17_plaza06.
Thick version[edit]
Isolated Citadel brush from
c17_04_30.
Concept art based on
proto_citadel_002(Antonov).
The Citadel in
proto_citadel_002, with the skybox changed to a restored oldsky_c17_05to match the previous concept art.
The Citadel in
proto_citadel_002.
Ditto, from the catwalk leading inside.
Ditto, inside.
Concept art based on
proto_citadel_skybox(Antonov).
The Citadel among human buildings in
proto_citadel_skybox3.
Ditto, from above.
Door Tower and the Citadel in
c17_01_16among the Combine Factories.
The Citadel as seen from the City 17 Trainstation in
C17_01_16.
The Citadel behind its inner wall in
c17_04_30.
Envmap
citadel_001for the nighttime Citadel skyboxes.
Gallery (inside)[edit]
proto_citadel_consul[edit]
Concept art for the Consul's office with the Consul in his chair, based on
proto_citadel_consul(Antonov).
Overview of the Consul's office.
Corridor leading to the office.
Rear view of the Consul's office.
Side space with windows.
The office's ceiling.
The numerous monitors, dais and chair from above.
Detail of the dais and chair.
Isolated version of the Consul's dais, chair and monitor brushes, with (formerly hidden) metal device attached.
Alternate dais found in the map's void.
Ditto.
Envmap
citadel_consul.
The following screenshots depict fan-made recreations, based off the above envmap.
Overview of the Consul's office.
Corridor leading to the office.
Rear view of the Consul's office.
Side space with windows.
The office's ceiling.
The numerous monitors, dais and chair from above.
Detail of the dais and chair.
Isolated version of the Consul's dais, chair and monitor brushes, with (formerly hidden) metal device attached.
Alternate dais found in the map's void.
Ditto.
proto_citadel_interior 1 to 3[edit]
Concept art for the Consul's office based on
proto_citadel_(Antonov).
interior
Area of
proto_citadel_used for the previous concept art.
interior
Alternate view in
proto_citadel_.
interior3
Corridor and pipes in
proto_citadel_.
interior
Pipes in
proto_citadel_.
interior
Ditto.
Ditto.
Large pipes that seem to have grown out of the floor in
proto_citadel_.
interior2
Ditto.
Envmap
citadel_interior.
proto_citadel_advisors[edit]
Overview of the shaft and its booth from an adjacent duct.
View from above.
Inside the shaft.
The platform leading to the shaft.
Inside the booth attached to the shaft.
View of the the shaft from the cabin.
View from far above, sans fog.
View from below, sans fog.
proto_citadel_cellblock / demo_citadel01[edit]
Concept art for the Depot's prison, with a design similar to that of
proto_citadel_'s prison (Antonov).
cellblock
Ditto.
Early Combine Prisoner Pods being moved by cranes in the prison in
demo_citadel01.
Prison cells in
demo_citadel01.
View of the chasm under the cells in
demo_citadel01.
Low-angle shot of the crane in
demo_citadel01.
More cell niches seen from the shaft in
demo_citadel01.
Open Combine Prisoner Pod on display in
demo_citadel01.
Vortigaunts in a cell in
demo_citadel01.
The same cell viewed from the prison's second chasm in
demo_citadel01.
The elevator in the second chasm in
demo_citadel01.
proto_citadel_garbage / demo_citadel02[edit]
Overview of the 5 shafts in
proto_citadel_.
garbage
The ceiling in
proto_citadel_.
garbage
The sky in
proto_citadel_when the ceiling visgroup is removed.
garbage
High-angle shot of the grinder shaft in
proto_citadel_.
garbage
Player's view in
proto_citadel_.
garbage
Envmap
citadel_002, from within the grinder shaft.
Misc.[edit]
Concept art for undetermined vessels moving horizontally and vertically on wall rails.
Pipes in
demo_citadelpipes.
The same pipes in
proto_citadel_.
tankroom
The same area in
demo_citadel01.
The same pipes from above in
demo_citadel01.
Pistons in
proto_citadel_.
mechanical
Ditto.
Envmap
proto_citadel_.
tankroom
Variant as
proto_citadel_.
tankroom02
Variant as orange-tinted
orange.
E3 2002 version[edit]
This round and blueish version (and the first known model, citadelfar.mdl) was first seen in the Half-Life 2 E3 2002 Trailer. Another feature appearing in the trailer is a single cable connecting the Citadel to one of the Combine Factories buildings (In e3_terminal from May 2002). It appears in e3_terminal and its variants (April to May 2002), e3_strider and its variants (April to May 2002) and canals_01_10 to canals_01_11 (June 2002).[5][15] The model appears green-tinted due to having its own greenish envmap.
Gallery[edit]
citadelfar.mdl.
citadelfar.mdlsansenvmap.
Citadel cable support model as seen placed on one of the Combine Factories buildings (
citadelfarnode.mdl).
The Citadel as seen in a fixed version of the WC map pack map
e3_terminal.
The Citadel in
e3_strider.
The Citadel seen behind the City 17 outer concrete wall, in
canals_01_10.
Standard Combine logo seen on that version.
Envmap
citfar_01, used oncitadelfar.mdl.
August 2002 - July 2003 versions[edit]
The near final version, designed by Jeff Ballinger,[1] Viktor Antonov,[18] and Danika Wright,[8] was first created with depots at its feet like the other version made around the same time. This version can be found in d1_under0102a, with added small Citadel parts as the model CombineCitadel.mdl (April 2003).
In the other maps it is found, it has no depots, and is a brush or a model (Combine_citadel.mdl). Revisions 12 and 14 of canals_01 (Brush, June and July 2002), prefab_combine2 (Brush, June 2002, as canals_01 with added Citadel parts as the model CombineCitadel.mdl, with a larger unused Citadel found in the map void), proto_innerwall (Brush, July 2002, as canals_01 with added Citadel parts), and in the screenshot of a more recent version of e3_terminal, and as a model in the map d1_under0102 (June to July 2003), d1_under0102b and its variants (Model, May to June 2003), proto_combine_underground5 (January 2003, same skybox as proto_innerwall), proto_c17map (March 2003, same mix of brush and model as in proto_innerwall and proto_combine_underground5), proto_c17combine (August 2002), proto_combine_underground5 (Close to the base of the Citadel; features the Depot model at its feet, January 2003).[5] Then a model was created; this is the one featured in the Half-Life 2 leak; it is almost identical to the next and latest version.[15]
This design is reminiscent of the Bayonets Memorial in Zelenograd, Russia, as well as a monument in Aberystwyth University in Wales.
Gallery[edit]
Concept art (Ballinger).
Concept art featuring the nighttime satellite image of Manhattan also used in 2001-2002 and the final game (Antonov).
Concept art for the inside of the Citadel, reused in the final game as the map background menu
background07(Antonov).
Pencil version of concept art for the Citadel's inner wall towered by the Citadel (Antonov).
Ditto, final version.
The Half-Life 2 leak menu, featuring the previous image.
Concept art of Alyx and Gordon facing Antlions in front of a similar area (Eng).
Similar area in an unknown map.
Similar area in
proto_innerwall.
Isolated Citadel brush from
d1_under0102a.
Ditto, detail of the depots.
Isolated brush.
Isolated brush and model.
Combine_Citadel001.
.mdl
CombineCitadel.mdl.
City 17 boulevard and Citadel in the back in
proto_c17map.
Unknown version of
e3_terminal, with the Citadel in the back.
Early screenshot of the tracks behind the City 17 Trainstation in d1_trainstation_01, featuring the Citadel behind. The 2003 game uses d1_trainstation_01 for both journeys through the area, while the final game uses d1_trainstation_01 (Without the Citadel) and 06 (With the Citadel).
September 2002 - March 2003 version[edit]
This version is a cylinder flanked with buttresses that go beyond the cylinder's top. At its feet, it reuses the same depots than the near final version worked on concurrently, with just one additional smaller depot. It can be found in the map proto_docks (September 2002), d1_sewer51g (January 2003), d1_sewer51i (February 2003), d1_sewer51j (February 2003), and two versions of d1_under0102 (February and March 2003).[5]
Gallery[edit]
Isolated Citadel brush from
d1_sewer51j.
Ditto, other side.
Ditto, detail of the depots.
Ditto.
Coast docks with a misty Citadel in the background in
proto_docks.
The Citadel seen from the Canals in
d1_sewer51j.
Retail version[edit]
The last version, a set a several models depending on context, is featured in Half-Life 2 and its Episodes. The final evolution of the August 2002 - July 2003 versions, that triangular prism is bluer and more detailed, and no longer contains Depot models at its feet.
Half-Life 2[edit]
During the course of the game, Half-Life 2 uses a total of 5 models.
At the start of the game until the failed teleportation (background01, d1_trainstation 01, 02, 04 and 05), the game uses the model Combine_Citadel001b.mdl, which is an idle Citadel whose top is hidden in the clouds. Model Combine_Citadel_animated.mdl is used next, and only once in the game, when the Citadel sets itself on full alert after Gordon has been discovered following the teleportation failure (d1_trainstation_06).
Its alert model with the top in the clouds, Combine_Citadel001b_open.mdl, is used in the Canals (d1_canals_01 to 03, and 05 to 07) and during the City 17 uprising (d3_c17_01 to 07, and 09). The subsequent uprising maps (d3_c17_10a to 13) use Combine_Citadel001_open.mdl, with the top no longer hidden in the clouds.
The model Combine_Citadel001.mdl is used only when reaching the foot of the Citadel, with its base as brush work within the playable map itself (d3_citadel_01).
Original Maya model.
Combine_Citadel001.
.mdl
Combine_Citadel001_.
open.mdl
Combine_Citadel001b.
.mdl
Combine_Citadel001b_.
open.mdl
Combine_Citadel_.
animated.mdl
Combine_Citadel001b_in
open.mdld3_c17_07.
City 17 view seen from the Citadel in
d3_citadel_05andd3_breen_01(Actually a portion of Manhattan).
Ditto, zoomed-in version.
Half-Life 2: Episode One[edit]
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Inside the Citadel Core.
The Citadel exploding.
Half-Life 2: Episode Two[edit]
This section is empty or incomplete. Maybe you can help by expanding it. |
The Superportal above the remains of the Citadel as seen from the Outlands.
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 246
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 173
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 243
- ↑ Into The Pixel
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 WC map pack
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Episode One commentary
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 283
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Danika Wright's resume
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar (uncorrected proof), page 359
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 249
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 250
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 172
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 248
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar (uncorrected proof), page 173
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Half-Life 2 leak
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 201
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 225
- ↑ Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 251
