Creating a TF2 Map: "Surface Tension" Devblog (Update 07/03)

Captian Kil wrote:KP can you let us all test the map once your finished please?

Sure thing.

Updated the blog with a look at rendering engine code.

Oh, so these GR 6v6 games have something of an ulterior motive, do they?

Keep up the good work Karl, I look forward to trying it out.

Cheers. Not much to report over the last few days - I've been somewhat preoccupied with learning a bit of OpenGL, partly for me, partly because I'm meant to be teaching My Human it soon.

Looks great KP. Used to enjoy a bit of level and scenario building back in the day. I recall building my school as a level for Unreal Tournament as well as a few small levels and scenarios for Deus Ex.

Carving your level instead of building it was my first major hurdle with the Unreal Engine too.

*Add*
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"How the **** do you make something!?"
*Close program*

Roonmastor wrote:Looks great KP. Used to enjoy a bit of level and scenario building back in the day. I recall building my school as a level for Unreal Tournament as well as a few small levels and scenarios for Deus Ex.

Carving your level instead of building it was my first major hurdle with the Unreal Engine too.

*Add*
*Add*
*AddAddAddAddAdd*
"How the **** do you make something!?"
*Close program*

That's just like me! :lol:

Updated the blog with more planning.

If you ever get this done, I will love you long time.

From your diagrams, this looks to be a very well planned out and fun looking map.

I was having a little look over that layout, and I was just wondering about two things:

I'm assuming that when the blue team cross the checkpoint, the gate will open allowing them a second route of attack on the red base. If that's true, then the checkpoint seems to be rather unfairly placed. It's right in the middle, so the blues could easily rush it early, and it's also at the top of a hill, giving the blue's an advantage once they get there. It would be better (on a first glance, obviously. It could play completely differently) to move the checkpoint closer to the red base and have it on either neutral, or red advantage (although due to the level layout, they might always be at a disadvantage), territory.

It's great following everything, KP, so do keep it up!

Red would have time to set up sentries and get prepared, and there's a certain amount of time it would take to move the cart - meaning they couldn't really do it in one big rush.

Is the cart game something added into TF2, or is it something new KP has made up? It's not present in the X360 version, so I've no idea how it really plays.

It's the Payload gametype - see, pl_goldrush and pl_badwater. It's something Valve created, though I have no idea if they've released the new maps on Xbox 360 yet.

Also, I had a look at the potential balance issues in the FRIST PSOT.

Karlprof wrote:It's the Payload gametype - see, pl_goldrush and pl_badwater. It's something Valve created, though I have no idea if they've released the new maps on Xbox 360 yet.

No, nothing has been added to the X360 game yet. Interesting gametype, though.

What I find rather interesting is how there is no "perfect" area on the second bit of the map. The Reds have a massive viewpoint advantage, and sentries will be able to overlook a majority of the area, but no one sentry would be able to cover all the map. There is still a few nooks for a demo to launch grenades from. I hope you don't mind, but I edited your picture to give a clearer idea of what I mean:

The closer the reds stay to their base, the better control they have over their territory. From near their base, they have got the blues in two separate choke points, but if the start to go towards the middle ground, they start to lose that advantage, as snipers could easily take them out from the Blu base as it has a straight line of sight towards that lower ground. Very interesting, and it seems very balanced for a draft diagram.

On the flip side the Blu then have only limited entrances and neither of those provide viewpoints which directly open up onto the Red base (was this intentional?) meaning a sneaking Sniper can't just spawn kill, as he could never get a clear shot to the base.
The Blu team will always have to keep moving forward, and setting up new defensive lines as the cart moves forward as the terrain means long range combat isn't possible, and the Blu need to keep on a constant offensive.

Very nice, very very nice.

I'm following this with interest, KP, and I don't even have TF2.

I've been waiting a month.

Tiarny isn't pleased.

I've had constant History and English coursework alternating for a month. :lol:

I said this would happen! I said it!

Karlprof wrote:I've had constant History and English coursework alternating for a month. I said this would happen! I said it!

Don't be crazy, you don't work.

Freak Out Requiem IV wrote:Nor does his map OLOL

HIYOOO!

Creating a TF2 Map: "Surface Tension" Devblog (Update 07/03)

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