BETA READY (Fixed)!!! Emergence Map Pack (Download link inside)

[Taffer]

Sorry about that mix up with the files. The fixed beta can be downloaded from the link below.

IMPORTANT!!!

This map is now ready for testing! You can download it from the following link

http://files.filefront.com/Emergence+Map+Pack+BetaDzip/;9629365;/fileinfo.html

I am mainly looking for comments on weapon placement and on cover placement (whether there is too much cover, not enough, etc.). If there are any problems with the visuals as well please notify me in this thread.

______________________________________________

I am very proud to announce this map pack. It will contain three maps: Closure, Docks, and Viaducts. I've tried to make each map feel unique from eachother in both the visual presentation and in the gameplay.

MP Closure

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3729/1pic02editedxn6.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2623/1pic05qu4.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6592/1pic08vu5.png (http://imageshack.us)

MP Docks

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/5706/pic02rb9.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6681/pic05dh2.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/5294/pic06fk6.png (http://imageshack.us)

MP Viaducts

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9329/3pic04jv9.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5976/3pic05wx0.png (http://imageshack.us)

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4061/3pic06cs8.png (http://imageshack.us)

I have built these maps with the hopes of becoming a gameplay level designer some day, but I have tried to ensure that the maps are also decent looking as well. In doing so, I think I've actually come to enjoy working on the visuals as much as the gameplay.

[Kronos]

You've been quite the busy bee havent you.

The maps look great visually, they definitely look fit for gameplay aswell, cant wait to play em.

[Core2TOM]

looks very nice, finally some new mp maps :)
your third map looks like the sp map where u drive the junker (?)
cant wait to play them! very good work

[Manks21]

Very nice maps. :) I love the feel they give and especially the lighting on each one. I can't wait to download and try these out.

[NewPCGamer]

wow taffer, your maps are looking great! you need to teach me how you put those buildings together so well!
Keep up the awesome work.

[far]

pretty cool work Taffer ;)

[Zackiz]

They look cool :) Waiting for the betareleases now :)

[Taffer]

The map pack beta is now READY FOR DOWNLOAD! See the original post for the link!

[Kronos]

Excellent group of maps!

Each map seemed a bit crouded, espessially Viaducts as its rather small. Despite the maps being a bit crouded with cover, I happen to have had a great time on them with my brother, I could see a map like Viaducts though being a bit overwhelming with 8 players, although as I said before... dispite it being over crouded, and small, I think it'd still be a great map for 8 players.

I dont have much to say toward weapon placement, seeing as I only got around to play 1v1s on them, perhaps more whom have played with more players could comment on such a thing, but as far as I can tell I see no serious issues with where the weapons are currently.

The performance of these maps are superb, I got well over enough fps to the point where I had to actually lower my mouse sense to play correctly due to how extremely smooth, and fast the maps ran.

Not to say that this is bad, because its extremely good! But if one was to switch from a stock map to one of these maps during an online session, they may just happen to need to change mouse sense due to the difference in performance. I wouldnt suggest you up the detail just to meet this minor issue though, as many may really enjoy how well they run compared to the maps Gears came with.

The only visual thing that you might want to take into account in the maps is some desaturation(used in a post processing volume). The maps currently look rather bright and colorful, which might be something you were going for but to me its a bit over the top, and looks to fit a game more like UT rather then a game like Gears which is suppose to be a bit more grittier. I posted an example awhile back in one of Thaurs threads, its the 7th post down.http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?t=601935&page=2

Gameplay wise the maps were excellent regardless of them being a tid bit over crouded for there size and visually they looked fine to me. What I listed were merely just small request that I wouldnt expect you to change.

Good luck with the final releases!

PS: I'll continue with testing the maps when I get the time.

[Taffer]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed them :)


Each map seemed a bit crouded, espessially Viaducts as its rather small.

I will definitely try to work on this. I just went back and reread Lee Perry's excellent Multiplayer Map Theory, and I suppose that my maps are lacking a "no man's land" between cover. Viaducts in particular like you stated I can see devolving into nothing but shotgun dances. If you have time, could you tell me which sections of Closure and Docks felt too crowded?


The only visual thing that you might want to take into account in the maps is some desaturation(used in a post processing volume).

Ah, I wasn't aware of that setting and will definitely play around with it to achieve that gritty "Gears feel" that you're talking about.

Thanks for the feedback!

[BloodRaven14]

On your level of viaducts you forgot to check bIsmultiplayermap. Sigh, and on your best one too.........;)

[Taffer]

Gah! I remember having that exact problem when I tried to run the map ingame and I made sure to fix it. Except it turns out that I uploaded the wrong file! Sorry about that.

I have fixed the link so that it now has the correct (multiplayer) version of MP Viaducts. I am working on a Beta 2 that will feature changes in cover and some subtle changes in the visuals to give it a grittier feel. I'm still playing around with the post process settings and I can't seem to find a setting that I like but I'll continue to work on it.

[3o5TiLLIDiE]

All I want to say that I hope your hard work gets noticed, and put into consideration, and hopefully into the game later on.