Archive for category Map Discussion
Remakes, Movies, and Video Games
Posted by Vilepickle in Gaming, General, Map Discussion on December 5th, 2009
This movie article is a direct reflection of what happens in video games. Having made several level remakes myself, it rings true:
http://www.hollywood.com/feature/Remakes_Reboots_and_the_Death_of_Original_Thought/5734395
Domination – With Flags
Posted by Vilepickle in Gaming, Map Discussion, Team Fortress 2 Maps on September 13th, 2009
I’m working on a newer game mode since Valve finally decided to add my request for OnPickupTeam1 and 2 to item_teamflags (it only took a year!). I’ve basically finalized the entities of the mode. It has the domination scoring setup with percentages, but contains only 1 flag. It is similar to KOTH, but it has certain twists.
DOM_ w/ Flags Features:
- 1 central flag that’s neutral
- If a team holds for 25% straight, the flag automatically returns (warning at 5% remaining)
- Team that reaches 100% domination points wins the round
- Percentage increase by 1 when a flag is held every 6 seconds. A full round would take ~10 minutes if one team held the entire time
- Flag return time is 5 seconds
Obviously, a good map is key to bringing out the fun in this game mode. A good centralized playing area will be needed, with an elevated flag that can’t be easily camped. Spawns should be far enough away so they don’t play a huge factor in grabbing the flag and creating a huge fortified defense, but not too far. The spawn doors should probably be higher up and not have a lot of ground around them so that they don’t breed that sort of gameplay.
I’ll release a prefab for this once I get the map done. It would be nice to see more dom_ type maps. The original dom_ prefab by TheBladeRoden is a bit messy because it includes a jail system and the one used in Canalzone is heavily modded. This one is even more different.
Common Map Criticism
Posted by Vilepickle in Map Discussion on April 26th, 2009
Here are some common level criticisms that I personally hate.
1. It’s too big.
Guess what? It’s not always too big. I get this a lot when in fact it is NOT too “big” (whatever your definition of big is). Sometimes it might actually be too big. Then again you have to define “it” and also define “big” to make any sort of sense. Because you don’t make sense if you just shoot the comment out there. You also look stupid.
2. It’s too much like X
If it’s a mapping project that’s fairly involved, the author probably knows.
3. It’s a port
So? Valve ports maps too.
4. Since it’s a port, it’s not suited towards TF2.
Valve ports maps. The maps they port GET suited for TF2. Anyone blindly porting is destined to fail anyway.
5. I get bad FPS
This depends on whose map you’re playing. If you’re playing one of my maps, you need a new computer. I don’t make anything that runs worse than Valve maps. If you actually do get bad FPS, say where. It might actually prove to be slightly useful feedback.
