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**TIPPER** · 05-18-2010, 06:08 PM

Oh good. Glad you didn't abandon the project. Shocking lack of response really.

**Bl!tz~** · 05-18-2010, 07:15 PM

looks really good; DL...thx for ur work

**Achernar** · 05-19-2010, 12:16 AM

Tipper: Not a chance.

Blitz: Thanks

If you get chance let me know if you find any glitches/observations.

**Bl!tz~** · 05-20-2010, 08:46 AM

just tryed the map and here are some comments:

-the map have a nice deep athmosphere
-i like the layout even if it a little too big to my taste
-the UDamage in that hole is very fun
-i dont like thoses slim fans; they have weird looking (the big one that u used on some walls is really more appropriate)
-the swimming pool moove like a river and there s no reason (no entry and no exit for water fiting to the water "flow")
-the swimming pool generate a too powerfull blue reflection on the structure; as the water is quite translucid it dont make sence
-the whole map need more contrasts (darkest areas are way to lighty imo)

the map have potential and u did a nice job; thx for ur work

edit: i forgot to mention that i had some kind of fps dropdowns in some places

**Achernar** · 05-20-2010, 11:06 AM

Thanks for your feedback Blitz. I'll defiantly put those observations into the next release. Cheers.

**Achernar** · 07-23-2010, 11:28 AM

Update Ready

**stevelois** · 07-23-2010, 11:49 PM

Hey there

Did a run on B2,

I must say you have lot's of good ideas when it come down to layout. It's very cool in many ways

The camera shaking with the synchronous sounds & pp effect is **** great. Funny that 3 DM maps published in less than 1 week as that great feature.

Sadly, I don't like huge DM with weapons in double with pickups all over the place (personal preference ofc).

I have some things to comment :

- Many lights SM emit a white / yellow light but the surrounding is another color, like orange or green ???

- Lot's of BSP are cut half way. I saw that in many Liandri floor tiles so a trim is needed. Also, lot's of them aren't well aligned together.

- Shadows are practically non existent all across the map. I strongly suggest you use LM instead of Vertex lighting.

- Many sounds aren't fading well. They are more "cutting" than fading smoothly when you get closer / going far away to the source.

- All water materials need more polishing. The water is traveling much to fast considering is source.

It may sound a bit big to fix but the map as many good points.

- The animated preview pic is nice (always like that feature)
- Player count is right on it
- Layout is very cool
- Atmosphere is good

Keep up the good work

**Syphix** · 07-24-2010, 12:22 AM

I can only reiterate what stevelois has said (yes my cheap attempt at C&C lol). In all honesty though it is a map with a lot of great ideas which probably should have not all been put into one map. Just because there are lots of great ingredients which could taste nice in a cake, doesn't mean you should put them all in one cake. The result is a rather confusing experience, I was happily playing the map for 10mins and then discovered a whole new entire half to it lol. Try adjust texture sizes to align properly with BSP such as shown in the third screenshot provided, the grate should be aligned with the tiles.

Just because it is a large map doesn't mean it should not have the attention to detail, that is where the problem lies in large maps; it is far more work to get them looking perfect.

I am not going to say you should remove a large portion of the map, although personally I think all the area past the water with the UDamage is unnecessary (ie the area where you can get the Beserk, with all that flooding). As previously mentioned I had been happily playing around the cooling tower area wondering where everyone was lol. A smaller map focused around that area would mean more action there, where personally I think it would be the most fun.

It is good work. You should try in future to hold stuff back to impress people on later maps; don't show all your cards at once

**Achernar** · 07-24-2010, 08:00 AM

Stevelois:

Yeah I found the synchronicity of Fx choice with those other maps funny too.

Size has always been something I struggled with. I'm too new to mapping to have good common sense.

Thanks for the pick up on uneven lighting, water material, floor edging and sharp sounds boundaries. Im pretty sure I can work those out.

Your LM tutorial is really good by the way. I've still got heaps to figure out in the lighting dpt but your knowledge helps a lot. I was being conservative with LM on bsp to reduce file size which is probably the start of my woes for a map this size (map size strikes again). Never the less I'll give your suggestions a go. THX for your help and support

Syphix:

My aim was to make a map that had lots of different game play options, hence the size and perhaps too many Fx and such

I'll see what I can do about the floor grating, THX.

I wondered weather putting in a teleporter may lessen the shock you felt discovering those other areas, breaking up the distance problem? Might need a bit of work to help it fit the environment though.

Your right about the work load. I think thats really whats holding this map down[lame excuse]. Never the less I feel I'm learning how to better approach big ideas, [next time at least].

THX for testing!

**stevelois** · 07-24-2010, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Achernar View Post

Stevelois:

Yeah I found the synchronicity of Fx choice with those other maps funny too.

Size has always been something I struggled with. I'm too new to mapping to have good common sense.

Yeah, I know, it can be a pain to determine the right size. It's even harder for CTF / VCTF & WAR maps. A trick I can give you is when you start to build the map, use a grid of 1024. That way, when your building the "exterior" limits of the map using that grid size is easier to establish the play area. An example for this would be like if you want to build a 1-on-1 map, a value of 3072 (with) by 2048 (deep) by 1024 (height) is great. Another thing to do that I found very helpful, when I start a map, I add some players SM so you have a good idea of the map size vs. player size.

Thanks for the pick up on uneven lighting, water material, floor edging and sharp sounds boundaries. Im pretty sure I can work those out.

Many of those things are very easy to fix. I don't doubt you can fix all of that. If there is something you need in particular, just ask or send me a PM

Your LM tutorial is really good by the way. I've still got heaps to figure out in the lighting dpt but your knowledge helps a lot. I was being conservative with LM on bsp to reduce file size which is probably the start of my woes for a map this size (map size strikes again). Never the less I'll give your suggestions a go. THX for your help and support

THX

It is so rare that I receive feedback about my tuts that I always ask myself why would I bother to make some in the first place ! I'm happy it help you out

Also, by using LM on SM, your file size will decrease depending on the SM in use. But indeed, BSP will increase the file size a bit more.

**Achernar** · 07-25-2010, 01:44 AM

Originally posted by stevelois View Post

Yeah, I know, it can be a pain to determine the right size. It's even harder for CTF / VCTF & WAR maps. A trick I can give you is when you start to build the map, use a grid of 1024. That way, when your building the "exterior" limits of the map using that grid size is easier to establish the play area. An example for this would be like if you want to build a 1-on-1 map, a value of 3072 (with) by 2048 (deep) by 1024 (height) is great. Another thing to do that I found very helpful, when I start a map, I add some players SM so you have a good idea of the map size vs. player size.

Thanks for the handy advice on approaching map building. Having some constraints is pretty valuable. Helps maintain perspective when prototyping ideas. I suspect thats where my focus has frayed.

Many of those things are very easy to fix. I don't doubt you can fix all of that. If there is something you need in particular, just ask or send me a PM

Many thanks for your kind offer - I'll keep that in mind.

THX

It is so rare that I receive feedback about my tuts that I always ask myself why would I bother to make some in the first place ! I'm happy it help you out

Edit: added " I would not have got very far with out it" ops, hope there was no misunderstanding.

Oh man. I am very indebted to the people like yourself that take the time to piece together this knowledge. I would not have got very far with out it. Its a shame that sharing knowledge is not valued more highly.

Also, by using LM on SM, your file size will decrease depending on the SM in use. But indeed, BSP will increase the file size a bit more.

Thats very handy to know and something I will have to investigate in this map.

THX again for you help.

**Bl!tz~** · 07-26-2010, 02:06 AM

hey bro; srry i m a little "off" theses days but my children tryed it today and....they played it the whole afternoon!....they like a lot the "interactive " side of the map and insist to thx you for your imagination & work...so i do it

cant wait to try that myself tommorow ...from what i saw ,it looks promising
booyah

**Achernar** · 07-26-2010, 05:02 AM

Hey Thanks Bli!z, glad that your family enjoyed it.

Thanks for your comments last time I tried to implement your thoughts but I feel I probably need to go a bit further on the out side water.

The last game play feature I'm debating is a teleporter - something glacial in appearance perhaps a bit more derelict though. Love to know what you think.

**Bl!tz~** · 07-30-2010, 03:18 AM

héhé i finally took the time to try it and i like it very much
okay this is not a conventionnal gameplay ; the map is too huge for that but honnestly it s very fun to explore that huge level
visually i found it nice except some foliages that looks very flat & some others overscaled in some place
the fans look nice now
the athmosphere of the map is deep & good ;cant imagine how many hours u ve spend on it
for the teleporter it s a good idea but from where to where ?

nice improovment to the map; keep up the good work

Announcement

DM-Richter DM-Chiasma Added[RC][Vid][Pics][Updated 24.10.2010]

DM-Richter DM-Chiasma Added[RC][Vid][Pics][Updated 24.10.2010]

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