I've updated the FAQ to include the Level Builder 1.2.2 download link. This level builder does not run on OS X Lion, however, if you have OS X 10.6 or earlier, you can use it to still edit mansions (exporting to HD format using Rezycle when you are done with your changes) AND 1.2.2 has features that allow you to turn off glows for keys, coins, and also disable shadows on either a per-room or per-mansion basis.

This means that custom mansions can be updated to work nicely with the HD version of the game *now* without having to wait for the level builder to be ported.

Vern, I forgot where the download link is?

It's in the "Does Midnight Mansion Come With A Level Builder? section of the FAQ.

direct link here:

http://www.actionsoft.com/files/mm/LevelBuilder1.2.2.zip

VernJensen wrote on 24.11.2011 at 14:10:46:

This means that custom mansions can be updated to work nicely with the HD version of the game *now* without having to wait for the level builder to be ported.

Is the Level Builder going to be ported in the nearest future or do I have to "go back" to pre-Lion if I don't feel like waiting too long?

Hey!

I wonder what's about the level builder in HD? Its been a long time though not I can't see any Level Builder on it now :(

The Thing is I just got a Windows version of MM HD, both episodes. My Question is, when the Level Builder should be released, will there be a Windows Version of it too? Since I got no Mac, it would be pretty nice if u do :)

I really would love to make some Mansions for my family and friends.

Chippii wrote on 31.07.2012 at 01:53:33:

Hey! I wonder what's about the level builder in HD? Its been a long time though not I can't see any Level Builder on it now :(

The short answer is "No". There is not a Level builder for MM HD, nor is there likely to be one in the short term. I would say that there will probably never be one, but that is so definitive and who knows for sure what the future may bring? For the moment, the only way to create mansions is to have access to a machine with an older version of OSX on it, and use the old Level Builder. I realize that's not good news to most folks.

I believe that Vern's strategy with MM HD was:

* Make the game more portable
* Update the graphics/effects to make it more pleasing to the eye (opinions vary)
* Make it work on Lion and the App Store

These three things were difficult enough as it is, and the work took nearly a year. He had to rewrite the game to use a new and more portable graphics library. This library didn't have good support for simple windows controls of the type that would have been useful for the Level Builder. So the task of porting the Game was very different from the task of porting the Level Builder, and so porting the Level builder was put on hold in favor of finishing and releasing the game.

I believe that Vern hoped that the combination of releasing the game through the app store, and releasing a windows port (along with other ports) would increase the audience for Midnight Mansions. This would enable him to support future development of the game - including the Level Builder, which probably would have been a loss for him in terms of time and development.

Unfortunately, things did not go as well as he hoped - probably a portion of his original audience bought the MM HD, but it's hard to say for sure. The Apple App store handles all sales, takes a percentage, and doesn't provide any customer info.  On top of this, Apple puts all sorts of restrictions in place for apps which had to be very frustrating. I know that he tried to put some patches out, and the turn-around time was very slow. The game was already being sold cheaper than the original game, plus he provided discounts to owners of the original game. He did complete the windows port, but had difficulties finding a good Windows store front comparable to the App Store.

Anyway.. that's a highly condensed overview. At one time, I had started my own port of the Level Builder, which was written in Java and would have tied into the game engine somehow. The idea was kind of sketchy and was initially something that sounded like a fun project I could work on outside of my Day job. Unfortunately, before I really got going with it, my responsibilities at work increased dramatically, and I started retooling in cloud-related technologies which took up a lot of my free time.

Sales of Actionsoft games could no longer support further development and Vern had to make some hard choices. It shouldn't be too difficult to guess what those choices must have been. Actionsoft is still Vern's company, and I'm sure he would love to do more with Midnight Mansions along with other game ideas, but his free time is more limited these days. He's also experiencing some back trouble so if you send him an email, please be patient - he will respond eventually. He *is* aware that folks would like to see a usable Level Builder in Lion, and if he or I get around to finishing it, it will be ported to windows as well.  It wouldn't be worth doing if it wasn't portable given all the effort Vern spent on making the game portable.

To be clear: this post reflects my views and is not something Vern asked me to write (except for the bit about his back). I'm a little conflicted posting this, but I figure that if Vern finds anything objectionable then he can contradict me with his own post. My own personal view is that he doesn't wish to completely close the door on further Midnight Mansion development. It's just that current circumstances prevent him from devoting the kind of time that people are accustomed to.

VernJensen wrote on 29.11.2011 at 09:15:58:

direct link here: http://www.actionsoft.com/files/mm/LevelBuilder1.2.2.zip

I just tried that link, but it does not work bcos the MM1 -HD that I have does not have a folder with it offering anything that the original MM1 has or the MM2 has.
ie:  Game Data Folder or Read Me page etc.

Pls see pic of the pop up that I get when I try to open the builder, below.

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Missy wrote on 25.11.2012 at 11:17:11:

I just tried that link, but it does not work bcos the MM1 -HD that I have does not have a folder with it offering anything that the original MM1 has or the MM2 has. ie:  Game Data Folder or Read Me page etc.

MM HD actually does have a Game Data folder, but it's it's hidden, but that doesn't matter in this case. This builder will *only* will work with the original MM game. So you would put the builder in the older installation and replace the builder that was already there. This builder will not work in Lion or Mountain Lion. This is *not* a MM HD Builder - there is no such thing at this time.

Once you move this builder to the older MM installation directory, it should work as you expect.