scorch | Quadropolis

unixfreak | 2011-10-18 13:30

scorch

[

points ]

(6 votes)

Blurb scorch - medium sized map for ffa/regen/gib

Screenshot scorch

Get original file (251KB)

Detailed description

Scorch is a medium sized map made for regen capture and ffa modes in mind, it also plays okay with instagib or instateam modes. I started this about 2-3 weeks ago, and is the only map i have been editing on for this time.

Here is a larger screenshot showing more of the map. And also an aerial view of the map:

Its themed around a dying star, in which the planet was become scorched, things are melting, almost volcano like, however i'm not too keen on the colour orange, so tried to avoid using the lava material, and tried to create a glowing effect in the rooms with red lighting. There's also a few roofs ripped open with claw marks trailing from them, i tried to give the appearance of a monster on the lose.

I'm still considering changing a few parts of the layout and possibly moving a few of the regen bases.

Things which are missing/not finished:
- Waypoints are temporary (not optimal, a few bots will get stuck every now and then)
- A few more details in the emtpier looking sections
- Move some of the regen bases if the layout changes
- Change the brick texture on the staircases

Also, the culling (filling in un-used space) was done because i didn't intend to make an outside section of the map, and felt that no detail was needed outside of the map, in my opinion it helps avoid the use of clip material and becomes easier to work with.

I don't think there are any geometry errors, although if you find any please tell me about them. Can't wait for any feedback, as i honestly haven't really shown anyone this map since i started it.

Map file scorch.zip (1.5 MB)

Rating

points

(6 votes)

Comments

Djakk | 2011-10-18 16:15

first of all, neat concept! The map has a creepy 'end-of-days' feel to it, which is what I feel you were trying to accomplish! Geometry is good, layout is a little confusing which I feel makes for a more complex battle. The textures in the map are a little too overused in my opinion. I haven't been able to play this map online yet, so I don't know how the map actually plays. The wide corridors seem to make for good flow, and the narrow doorways seem to make for a bottleneck in the action, which isn't bad. One thing that I did notice that I really liked and that I don't see too often is the spinning counter-acting skybox and cloubox. I think this adds a nice creepy feel to the map. Overall, I really like this map.

unixfreak | 2011-10-18 17:03

Thanks! The textures could do with more variety i agree, although i tried to keep the same theme across the whole map (ie; all the walls should look the same or very similar).

The layout is odd yes, this is the first map i started on without trying to make it symetrical in some way. Decided to try a different kind of layout to what i'm used to making.

Also just realised i forget to reset the maptitle :-x

Suicizer | 2011-10-18 17:14

Seems like a nice map from first sight, nice story about it.

Theme
Seems to be original and noticeable there has been spend pretty much time on that.

Texturing
As Djakk commented before, there isn't a real switch of textures in the hole map. All rooms carry the same, which could make it pretty confusing to navigate trough.
I'm not really font of using /vcolor to turn a lot of surfaces red, while there isn't any explanation why they are red (as for example, the boxes). This also counts for the specularity of the "ST_GK_003" and the "glue1" texture. It looks like the floor is wet, while it wouldn't fit the theme at all.
The scrolling "mm-metalbase1" texture that shows there is a teleport over there, isn't eyecandy either. The both fast-scrolling surfaces which even scroll in opposite position, makes me feel to turn around.

Geometry
The geometry isn't very complex, but good enough to me. It fits the theme (even I wonder what the purpose is of the big arch in each doorway).
Culling isn't a bad thing, just look at metl2 which still has a great atmosphere.

Lighting
The lighting isn't great, since your missing a lot of lightsources, but also having places where complete darkness replaces lighted areas (not a smooth contrast).
Like you've added strips of lamps on the stairs, but there isn't any light which they emit.

Detailing
The map contains pretty much details, but some of them are just overused (like those "grates?" in the floor). The map also feels pretty empty to me, since there are huge halls, but just nothing in it (while it could be a great place to add details like furniture and stuff in it).
Just like Djakk, I also really like the spinning cloud- and skybox, they really fit to the theme.

Clipping/Noclipping
Seems fine to me...

Flow
The map has some "sort" of flow, but it's not convincing me. There are just 2 levels of playground, which consist out of huge, flat rooms. This makes it pretty boring (and confusing) to navigate.

Gameplay
The map definitely needs more pickups, since there are just a few of them. It would make people go try to frag more with pistol, than they really go hunt for any other ammunition and kill with that instead.
So, always make sure players are packed with ammo (on a subtle way of course), but keep them hungry for health and armour. This makes matches more intense to play (since you can't be sure that your opponent isn't having a pistol and 1 grenade only, like you could now).

So far so good, I pretty like this map, but it's far away from done yet, so 7/10 to me.

unixfreak | 2011-10-18 17:17

I can agree with most of that. Thanks.

I have been thinking, for example the long hallway in the middle of the map is the main culprit for making it seem flat. I'm wondering if extending say the middle section of that hallway to add a bit more room, and possibly lower it with a small staircase or two (make it harder to shoot all the way down the longest hallway.

The strips of light on the stairs should be emmiting light (the vscroll texture should be illuminated) at the sides.

As for the teleports, i'll admit it doesn't look right if you stop to look at them. I'm wondering whether adding a small roof big enough for just the teleport model would look right?

I've still to add some detail, most of the crates were placeholders for the moment. Although what do you think is wrong with the grates? Personally i don't think it is used too much in the map, do you mean the shape is over-used in other maps?

As for the lighting, i'll try to fix that after changing parts of the layout. Some of it is too dark.

Thanks both for the quick replys.

Suicizer | 2011-10-18 18:12

Lighting
I was actually meaning the strip of white lamps above those stairs. They aren't having any purpose at the moment.

Detailing
I have no idea what you mean about those teleports.

Gameplay
I think if you add pits in several rooms, you could get some pretty tactical areas yes. But try to let the player choose if they stand into the pit or not, as they are in a room.
I also would advice you to use the arch of the doorways for more tactical positions. The fact that if the arch would be lower, you would see your opponent earlier then he is standing in the doorway (because it's smaller at the bottom). That could lead to some pretty nice moments during play.

I'm not sure if it's because you used vcommands only (which is always a pain when modifying once more again if you would ask me), but the file-size is pretty much for a map with such ammount of wtr and lightmaps.

vampirefrog | 2011-10-18 19:53

Very nice map. It feels really original, though reminiscent of Quake 3 (scrolling textures, the arches, and maybe the windows). Feels really consistent with the red tint to everything.

congratulations!

Jorge | 2011-10-18 23:42

Reminds me of metl4, but simpler overall. I don't have much to add which suicizer didn't cover already. Its definitely a good start with some pretty neat ideas. But it needs more... personaliy. Colors and textures are the same everywhere, which doesn't have to be a bad thing, but the rooms, stairs and corridors are very similar, too. I'd like to see more diversification, more variety, more connections between the rooms, more levels. I think this can be carried out pretty well by expanding what's already there.

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