Neon Deathmatch

NeonDM is a PK3 file for the deathmatch game mode released on April 29, 2019 for Zandronum. It is the Mechanix Union's most ambitious DM project, being the most complex in layout design, implementing the most new features, extensive palette changes requiring many new texture recolours for software compatibility, both random and dedicated game play mod support, and some of the most detailed work done to date by the group. The maps use advanced port features such as 3D floors, ACS scripts, and the PK3 structure instead of the WAD format.

Despite being the most ambitious project, NeonDM's production struggled. The project started in pursuit of an additional 32 maps, but quickly lost steam, attempting to appeal to new mappers and failing, losing mappers and interest for quite some time, ending up at 15 maps. Unlike MXU's previous mapsets Don't Be A Bitch Remastered, Aeon Deathmatch, and Progressive Duel 2, Neon features far less map theme variance, being a more cohesive and comprehensive set in theming, detail, and map size.

Razgriz led this project with some co-leading by Decay, but a bulk of the work on the maps was done by Razgriz, despite the seemingly large number of contributors.

The WAD received one of the multiplayer awards at the 2019 Cacowards.

Custom Skill Levels
NeonDM features different item sets based on the skill level and introduces a custom skill level for a new game mode. The naming convention was based on chronological order of MXU's previous mapsets.


 * Beginnings in Rage (I'm Too Young to Die) features pure BFG game play.
 * Don't Be A Bitch (Hey, Not Too Rough) features specific item placement for the mod "Death Foretold."
 * Vanishing Aeons (Hurt Me Plenty) features specific item placement for the mod "Quake Champions: Doom Edition."
 * The Progressive Era (Ultra Violence) is vanilla items only, ensuring multiple game play mod compatibility.
 * Lost in Neon (Nightmare!) uses.
 * Bourgeois Realized (new skill level) features a new game mode, Neon Hunter.

Neon Hunter Mode
Neon Hunter is loosely based on an idea from a tournament Boris Klimeš (dew) discussed with the team during the final stages of testing. This tournament was called the "Predator" Tournament, based on the popular movie franchise, where maps would have a respawning invisibility sphere in a 1-on-1 scenario. In Neon Hunter mode, Neon's maps use the vanilla item placement found in skill 3, The Progressive Era (Ultra Violence), but adds an Invisibility Sphere. This sphere buffs player speed, gives armor, an additional 100 HP, removes all vanilla weapons, and gives the special Eon Weapons (Grenade Launcher, Lightning Gun, Railgun) plus the Eon Chainsaw. This creates the Neon "Hunter," who is stronger than the average player and has access to special weaponry.

People
Levels, graphics, sounds, music, logistics for the WAD were made or handled by:
 * Argentum
 * Combinebobnt
 * Decay
 * Dranzer
 * Dragonfly
 * HeavenWraith
 * Killerkouhai
 * Jdagenet
 * Michaelis
 * Razgriz