Need some opinions.

[Gorgut]

Hey guys, I'm pretty new to the site/servers.  Will likely be spending some time around here.  I recently became very interested in makeing maps and have spent the last few weeks learning to use a few editors.  After many failiers I have come up with an arena style deathmatch map that I think has alot of potential.  I am very aware of the many factors that are concidered when evaluating how good a map is.  I have put 98% of my time into the layout of the map so it has very minimal textures, objects and weapons.  After a coupple weeks of working on it I think it is time to get a few opinions on it before continuing on.  If the map has little optential I would rather find out why now then spend the next few weeks making the same mistakes. 

The map follows an "Urban" style environment.  As stated before the textures are identical for all the buildings (brick walls, metal floors and ceiling).  I have added a few areas of grass to help get the "feel" for what the map will look like.  There is still some minor changes that need to be made.  A coupple buildings need their second floor finished, the L shaped buildings need a a second and/or 3rd floor (only walls, roof and doors are up), the sidewalk needs to be slightly raised above the grass, a few planks need to be added, access to the roof of the center building needs to be added.  One of the main decisions I still need to make is weather to make the map a "catwalk" style of moveing threwout the map or to keep it very realistic looking and enable grappling hook useage to travel threwout rooftops.  I am trying to design the center building to house the only rocket launcher on the map, but I would like the person to be extremely vaulnerable when moving for the rocket, and would like it to be very uneffective to camp the rocket launcer.  There will be limited rail guns and all/most health will be along the very outer parimeter near the spawn points.  This is to make it so the farther away from the spawn you travel the less chance of healing/resupplying you have but the greater firepower you aquire.  There is 8 spawn points, 2 in each corner of the map and it is designed to house maybe 8-14 players.  Map lighting is also very limited but is enogh to evaluate the maps potential.

I hope to get some feedback, even thoegh the map is only partialy complete it is still done enogh to use Eraser Bots to test it.  Hope to see yall on the server so we can have some fun.

Thanks,
Gorgut

[console]

Welcome, Gorgut!

Looking forward to trying your map...


Regards,

[plastik]

I have played your map...

1) the spawn point is in mid air, trapping you within the ceiling.  The only way I could view it is in spectator mode. (maybe that was your intention)

2) The map is too symmetrical, basicly 1/4 of it copied 4 times.

3) You definately need to mix up more textures than that.

4) the colors are a little on the lite side.

you made the map with ALOT of headroom, probably too much some would say.  Unless you plan to add something all the way up there.  It needs some more obstacles in it to mix things up a bit.  You will definately want to make it less symmetrical like that, because it got very boring moving around the map, only to go around the same exact corners or ledges.  The 4 corner buildings, with just the 2 door ways would benefit from an internal stairway going somewhere.  All in all, its alright.  you can work the map editors better than i can, and i wish i could soo bad because i have some REALLY great map ideas, maybe even some that would become regular favorites around here.  Maybe we can cooberate sometime.

[Gorgut]

Thanks for the response.  The textures were intentionally identical everywhere.  I wanted to find out if I was on the right track before spending another 2 weeks refining everything.  Walls on the map are very thick, was going to cut the walls in 1/2, copy and paste it back to thickness so that the insides of the buildings can have a diffrent texture then the outside. Would rather spend those 2 weeks on a new map then on a map that will not get played.  As far as the spawn point goes, that is a glitch.  It was ment to be placed on the floor.  And the symetrical...was kind of a concept idea, was trying to make a map that has less bottlenecks and descourages camping a certain area (camp rocket launcher and just shoot down a hallway without aiming).  Thats how I ended up with 4 equal portions with 8 spawn points.  Was trying to make it so skill is more based on the player rather then their ability manipulate areas on the map.  Had planed on placing dumpsters, boxes and whatnot to break things up a bit but I think I may over on a new map.

Thanks for the help, will post my second attempt when I get it far enogh along to test it.  Will do my best to make map random and more interesting this time.  Probubly wont do anything with textures again, want a solid layout first.

Gorgut

[plastik]

i hope i didn't discourage you.  it's just that after all these years, alot of people prefer solid, good, intricate maps.  something different at the least.  and truthfully, it will attract more players, or at the very least refresh the communities enjoyment from the maps.  it gets boring playing in the same maps over and over (most of them). Q2 may be a relatively old game, but it's 3d engine has had alot of influence, and it is possible to make some very sleek maps even hardcore new-game gamers(dare i say it?) can enjoy.  heres an idea, I wonder if it would be possible to work on a map together maybe and see what both of us come up with.  i know it sounds sort of stupid, but i think it would be fun.

[Gorgut]

I would be willing to give it a try, maybe use msn pc to pc calling or something.  not exactly sure how we would comunicate the graphical part.  Spent several hrs last night on a new map, didnt get anything done but curved staircase.  not sure where to go with it yet but I will post it on here in like 20min when im done choseing some textures.  Let me know what you think,  my msn handle is Gorgut if you happen to have a msn account.

[Gorgut]

today was a total disaster.  after puting a total of about 6 hrs into a staircase it would not compile due to leaks in the map.  could not get them fixed.  oh well, download msn messanger and shoot me a tell, username gorgut or maybe gorgut@mindless.com.  shoot me a message and we can figure out some idea for a map.

[Gorgut]

Hey, just thought I would stick my 2nd map up here and see how this one is doing,  its very small so far but I think I am much more on the right track then the last map was.  Would still like some sugestions,  minor details might make a big diffrence in the end.  Learned how to do a few new things thoegh like doors, water, glass, and sky.  Textures aside I think the overall design is alot more appealing to the end user.  The coupple rooms that are there still dont have any items but the lighting is much better this time and I took alittle time to select a few textures to sort of help keep the ideas flowing.  Let me know what ya think.

Thanks,
Gorgut

[Gorgut]

 

[[BTF]Defiant!]

Looks like you have the in-map technology working with the doors, water, curves.  Good.

I'm looking forward to seeing interconnected areas, weapons, perhaps even single player monsters.

Def

[Om3ga]

i hope your not an ffaller! i already have headaches from too many good ffallers. 

[Gorgut]

heh, no idea what an ffaller is....  anyways, been sort of descuraged lately,  my last several attempts at makeing cool map features were total disasters.  have been unable to make items rotate on the z axis,  cannot get elevators to work for the life of me but i have mastered doors and figured out how to add working teleporters.  im really cerious now, what the hell is a ffaller? lol. havent had much time to refine the map but spent some time learning new quark functions and have also started my 3rd map,  a collaberation of a coupple peoples ideas.  has turned out nicely so far.  that one will not me released at all tell its 100% ready for a server,  have some good help on it and am pleased with the design so far.

Gorgut