DM-MantaBattle (Accepting Feedback)(Funmap)

[sKr1p7k1dd]

Manta Battle (Beta) v0.1

NOTE: NOTHING HERE IS FINAL.

Background: This is my first official map! I was inspired by Nipper. If you don't know who that is, Nipper made a ton (hundreds) of quirky little counter strike maps.

Status: Accepting feedback.

Players start here with no weapons. (Nine spawn locations)
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8016/mantabattle2yr6.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5518/mantabattle1kl4.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8553/litmapah7.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/4087/wireframexi3.jpg


DOWNLOAD: http://files.filefront.com/DM+Mantabattlerar/;9234147;/fileinfo.html

Install: Extract to
C:\Users\__YOURNAME__\Documents\My Games\Unreal Tournament 3\UTGame\Published\CookedPC\CustomMaps

[Warhead]

The map seems devoid of detail like static meshs to give it a personality. Not to fond of the color choice for the terrain either.

[sKr1p7k1dd]

I wanted to keep it simple. I may change terrain material. What did you have in mind?

[Warhead]

Maybe something that is more organic and realistic. Like use grass and then add patchs of dirt or some other decal. Its the colors like purple and orange that throw off the look of the terrain.

[sKr1p7k1dd]

Like use grass and then add patchs of dirt or some other decal.

To be honest, I dont know how to do that. This is my very first map.


Its the colors like purple and orange that throw off the look of the terrain.
I added the colors to make the map seem less repetitive.

[Warhead]

Well, you could break up the repetitiveness of the map by added static meshs around the place like wrecks of other mantas. Maybe add some rocks and boulders for the mantas to hide behind.

[Xzodus]

I would have to say; the terrain on here isn't manta friendly; I loved the Nipper CS maps, but I don't think that would work with UT3.

[sKr1p7k1dd]

I would have to say; the terrain on here isn't manta friendly.

I added potholes and ridges to add possibility of strategies, but for the most part it is navigatable.

For future revisions I will smooth out the terrain so it's less spiky, but I want to keep the 'rugged' feel. A flat map would be boring.

[sKr1p7k1dd]

Well, you could break up the repetitiveness of the map by added static meshs around the place like wrecks of other mantas.

Where can I find that static mesh?

[Warhead]

Using the generic browser go to file and then open. Then navigate to C:/Program Files/Unreal Tournament 3/UTGame/CookedPC/Environments Then select one of those files to load. It should load up the static meshs for that package. Then highlight the mesh you want and go to your editing window. Right click and go to add actor then add static mesh.

[sKr1p7k1dd]

Using the generic browser go to file and then open. Then navigate to C:/Program Files/Unreal Tournament 3/UTGame/CookedPC/Environments Then select one of those files to load. It should load up the static meshs for that package. Then highlight the mesh you want and go to your editing window. Right click and go to add actor then add static mesh.

I mean under which package can I find damaged manta?

[Warhead]

Im not entirely sure. I know that UT2004 had wrecks. Might be able to place a regular vehicle, change its texture, and then set it so you cant enter it. That would be how I would try and do it.

[fuegerstef]

I mean under which package can I find damaged manta?

It might come as a total suprise. But the Mantawreck-parts (as meshes) and the "burned" textures you need are all in the package "VH_Manta".

:)

[ShadeMistress]

For a first map, it doesn't completely suck, but I really personally do not like this map... it has a very "blah" feel to it...

A few things to consider, since I had planned to do a Viper Battle DM map similarly, but I may pass on that until my skills aren't so... basic...

1) Players need to be able to spawn where they won't be run over by the guy that JUST got killed before you. My suggestion: 6-8 Smaller Enclosed 'hangar' bases with some neat-o static meshes to really make them feel more real poised high up atop some cliffs or something (heck put em up on some really high supports so you can fly under them), so you spawn, fly out a door (I'd make at least 2 exit bay doors) and swoop down into the fray....

2) Needs Boulders, rubble, wreckage, dilapidated warehouse district, or something to make it more difficult to pin down an opponent... gives people a fighting chance to duck for cover really fast.

3) BIGGER terrain, mantas are fast and can cover a lot of ground quick...

4) If you do add some buildings (warehouses just seem good. Wide open space and you can hide stuff there...) you could hide 1 or 2 Manta spawn points in out-of-the-way places to give people with a severely damaged manta a chance to swap out if there's one available, instead of bailing and hoping that you don't (inevitably) get run over.

5) Enclose the area a bit better, a slope that gradually increases pitch towards the outside, like a huge crater, would do nicely. Once it gets too steep for the manta to get any further, add mountain-like terrain, some hills in the distance, etc. Once again, making it look and feel like a real place. Some (or most) of the most memorable maps are the ones that a player can believe could exist, so you kinda have to immerse the player in the environment.

6) Take your time and don't give up. This has some great potential to be really fun if you keep at it. Just add a bit at a time.

7) Just an extra note, use more foliage (you can find some in the "ACS_Foliage" (?) package for example). Varying the scale of the meshes will add a nice touch, as will strategic placement of trees... basically think to yourself how real plants would grow. More dense and bigger foliage near water sources and fertile soil... and also near and from beneath old wrecks... the mantas can't really drive there to mow them down so they grow around the old wreckage....

That's about it from me. Like I said, It has serious potential, just needs some major overhaul in the layout department.

Great concept though, me likes :)