Wolfer Spotlight
Brian E. Lowe

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Brian E. Lowe's Releases
Contributions To Others' Releases

In the Wolfenstein community, mention "Schabbs" and everyone knows you're talking about Brian Lowe. Author of the "Wolfbel" series of levels and the recently released "Revival of Memories", he is the glue that has held the Wolf 3-D community together these past 8 years.

 

Brian is a dedicated die-hard Wolfer if there ever was one. Doing the research for this article, I could see just how many Wolfenstein mods he has affected in a positive way, by beta-testing, giving support and advice, making bug-fixes, and creating levels for others' projects. In fact, you can find more than 3 dozen unique Brian Lowe levels in addons other than his own, if you know where to look for them. I have listed what I could find below.

 

From his first "Wolfbel" set released in 1998 to the brand-new "Revival of Memories", Brian's designs tend to be well laid-out, nicely decorated, and packed with action. Play them on "death incarnate" mode, and you'll get quite a challenging workout!

 

Perhaps Brian's biggest contribution to our community is hosting virtually all of the Wolf addons and TC's in existence on his two excellent web sites, Mr. Lowe's Wolf 3-D Page (aka "Brian's Yellow Site"), and The Wolf 3D Dome. He faithfully keeps the community up-to-date via the Dome news page, where he also posts links to all the new releases.

 

All I can add to that is: Thanks Brian!

 

Andy Nonymous

Brian E. Lowe's Releases

Add-on Name:

Release Date

Information

Levels

Files Included

Version Required

Our Opinion

Wolfbel1

02/07/98

60

Maps only

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

My first set. Only 37 levels are new, the others are re-edited original levels.

Wolfbel2

10/24/98

60

Maps only

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

Possibly my favourite of the three sets in the Wolfbel series.

Blake Wolf

01/22/99

gfx by Andy Nonymous, final update 05/07/99

10

All

None

Graphics and new sounds by A. Nonymous. I did the new levels.

Wolfbel3

12/11/99

with Bill Hough and Thomas Hubert, final update 08/20/00

57

Maps only

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

William Hough did the first 14 levels, and this inspired me to make a complete set. Thomas Hubert did the 45th level.

Escape From SS Prison

07/15/00

gfx by Ronnie Zeitz, updated (new exe) 11/02/05

10

All

None

Graphics and new sounds by Ronny Zeitz. I did the new levels. Difficulty level is similar to myWolfbel sets.

W.O.T.H. II: Milly F. Fox Saves J.T.H.

01/20/01

with John Hedgehog, final update 06/09/01

60

All

None

My first attempt at changing the source code. (It's full title is Wrath Of The Hedgehog II: Milly F. Fox Saves John The Hedgehog). Includes new Read This and End Game messages.

Revival Of Memories

03/11/06

coding by MCS Amsterdam

39

All

None

Seamless levels, including 2 secret levels. Coding features include exploding barrels, directional sprites, intrart, switch operated doors, a rocket launcher, and a shotgun with separate ammo. Retains the Wolf 3D feel.

Contributions To Others' Releases

Add-on Name:

Release Date

Information

Levels

Files Included

Version Required

Our Opinion

Gravenstein 3000

07/29/99

by Thomas Hubert, Brian did all 10 levels of episode 6

60

Maps, Vswap

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

Each episode has a different theme. I made the last 10 levels. Screenshots available here.

The Nazi's Ride Again

12/12/99

by Spifferaneous, Brian did levels 8 and 10

10

Maps, Vswap

S/ware Wolf 3D, v1.4

Interesting mix of Wolf 3D and Spear graphics, from Spiff. I did the 8th and the secret levels.

Future Of Nazi

03/14/00

gfx by Maxim Zhukov, Brian did the single level

1

Maps, Vswap

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

New VSWAP with many new graphics, plus one new level which I made. To be extended. Future Of Nazi 2 is now available too - see Spacestein.

Spacestein

04/01/00

gfx by Maxim Zhukov, Brian did the 3 levels

3

Maps, Vswap

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

New graphics, and new sounds from the actors. Now has 3 new levels which I made.

Grossed Out

04/22/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 10

10

All

None

Fairly difficult at times. Hans Grosse appears on some of the normal levels (hence the title), and some keys are in secret rooms.I made the secret level. Screenshots.

Gottspear

05/05/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 10

6

All

None

Well designed levels, plus some new graphics. Difficult, but not impossible to beat. Some keys are in hidden rooms.

Tragedy At Istanbul

05/27/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 19

11

All

None

Well designed levels. There are some graphics changes and a new title screen too. I did the 1st secret level. It's fairly difficult to play. Some keys are in hidden rooms.

The Bunker Files

06/23/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 19

6

All

None

Fast moving, and well designed levels. Fourth set in the Tragedy At Istanbul series.

Schabbs Connection

07/08/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 19

9

All

None

Fifth set in the Tragedy At Istanbul series. Fast moving, well designed levels and some modified graphics, sounds etc.

Assault On Hell

07/23/00

by Little Snabes, Brian did 3 levels in episode 2

46

All

None

All round good quality. Has a changed title screen too.

A Touch Of Nazi

08/07/00

by John Bucksnort, Brian did level 10

10

All

None

Mostly new levels comprising some of John's favourites. Has a lot of Spear graphics, changed title screen etc.

Wolffred

08/11/01

by Fred Kenny, Brian did some level work on episode 3

10

Maps, Vswap

Reg Wolf 3D, v1.4

Graphics are mainly from Astrostein and WolfNuck, though several of the actors come from other sources. I helped out with the levels, which are on episode 3.

New Wolf

11/08/01

by Bobby Bucksnort, Brian did levels 13 and 15

15

All

None

Well designed seamless levels. More difficult to beat than the original game. Bobby did most of the levels but I did the 13th and final one.

Scarystein (v2.0)

07/28/02

by JJ, Brian did levels 1-3

6

All

None

I helped out with some of the levels. There's a nasty looking new Hans Grosse. and there's a challenging new Christmas level on episode two.

Beyond Mutantstein Special Edition

12/25/02

a group effort, Brian did levels 7, 9, and part of 18

21

All

None

A 'Tribute To John Bucksnort'. Mostly excellent levels quality. Lots of graphics, sounds and code changes. An excellent set - one that John would have been proud of - and serves very well as a tribute to the 'mutant maker'.

Schabbs 9000

01/19/03

by Kyle Fisher, Brian did levels 3-5

5

All

None

Lots of Doom type graphics and sounds. New title screen, plus new helpart/endart files. I did the last 3 levels.

Map Making Mania Melee

01/27/04

a group effort, Brian did level 4 on episode 3

20

All

None

A levels contest with 7 entrants. Has changed ceiling colours, new demos, etc. Level quality is mostly excellent. There's more info in the README text file. My level was a small one made simply to close out episode 3 and did not form part of the contest.

Operation: Mutant Strike 2

01/08/05

by Majik Monkee, Brian did level 6

10

All

None

Straight levels that are quite extensive, well designed and well decorated. Adam Biser did the coding and some new music. Some levels have shaded ceilings/floors. Players are recommended to read the story before playing.

Spear Levels Pack

09/25/05

a group effort, Brian did levels 2, 8, and 12

21

Maps only

Reg Spear

The original concept by Gex was for a levels contest but this was later dropped in favour of a levels pack. They were made by various mappers and there are a wide range of styles. Text file included.

Spear Revisited

02/11/07

by Executor, Brian did level 19

21

All

None

The seamless levels are quite extensive, well designed and well decorated. There are many changed graphics and sounds though the original Spear feel is retained. There's plenty of fast moving action. The new music blends in well. The 2 guest levels were made by thejosh and myself. Text file included.