I want to start game editing, but I simply don't know where I should start. Nor what game I should attempt. I'm considering Far Cry, seeming how I've heard good things about it, but then theres obviously JKA or heck, Max Payne 2.

I want to know what all you vetern editors use, what you like best, whats easiest, etc, because I'm at a loss of where to start.

JKA, using GTKRadient, is probably far and away the best one to find tutorials for, and therefore may or may not be easier (depending on how you learn). Farcry's okay, but it's mapped COMPLETELY via 3D models. It's up to you--experiment.

I agree with DJYoshi, GTK radiant is pretty good. i used it to create counter-strike levels. i worked well. i created some pretty good ones.

GTK Radiant == win

http://www.qeradiant.com/

DO NOT GET THE 1.5.0 BETA. I can't get it to work for JKA, or any other game it supports for that matter. I recommend the 1.4.0 final until they release another bug fix.

If you are just getting started with editing, I would suggest starting out with Half-Life and Hammer Editor. There may be plenty of JA editing tutorials around, but more people still play Half-Life and its mods, so you'll be more likely to get better feedback on your work, once you get to the stage of making complete levels.

You can make Half-Life levels in GTK Radiant too... :p

Unfortunately, v1.4.0 doesn't have steam support, ie saving and compiling maps is borked if you do it under your steam e-mail directory.

However, I have filed bug reports and it will work for 1.5.0 final :p

I have found Doom 3 to be pretty easy to edit, but maybe that is just me

It's a pretty obvious suggestion, but you know, if you're already going to be around here anyway, this site is a pretty great resource for JK and MoTS editing resources. You should check out the tutorials section; tons of great JED stuff, some things to get your started on cog, it's all very helpful. And if you have problems, there's the really helpful people on the editing forums.

Of course, the rather large downside would be that it's Jedi Knight...a seven year old game with a pretty small, but devoted, fan base...

But, you know...something to think about.

Yeah the problem with JK is that it is completely backwards from the way modern game engines work (except maybe UT). You might want to give it a try, but when you move on to a brush-based engine like Half-Life or Quake3, you'll have to learn everything all over again.

The Lithtech engine is also a hybrid engine like UT. You can makes levels using both sector and brush type methods of CSG. Brushes in that game don't even need to be convex. You can have a plane as a brush if you wanted, as long as there is no leaks made.