Map Making Challenge

[nesnl]

I think a lot of people might have good ideas for maps but either don't have the skills or time to make a map. Or maybe the whole process from start to finish just seems like it's too much work. So here is your opportunity to make the map you have been thinking about or maybe it's time you started thinking about one now.

My "challenge" is this: if you think you have a good idea for a map layout then post it up here in this thread. You can post it in PSD (photoshop format) or just a simple jpeg. I don't care if it's a scan of something you drew on a piece of paper. And don't worry about being fancy, all it has to be is a black and white image of the layout. As in draw it black where you can't fly and white where you can. Ideally, just make it as basic as possible. If you want to include little arrows or other designations for where a base, powerup, turret will go then feel free to do so. For those of you who don't know what I am talking about I have attached an image file of what tbd_thecore looked like when it was finished with its level design but didn't have any art.

***Hopefully a bunch of people will post some picture ideas in this thread. If they do then people can voice their opinions on which is best. My offer is that my cousin (Redshift in game) and myself (Maimer in game) will make your map from start to finish. We will make all the art, create all the objects and import it all into the editor to give you a nice polished version of the map you always wanted.***

So get your paper and pencil out, paint program, or photoshop and show us what you have for ideas. To help get those of you started who may not know where to begin I have included links to download two PSD (photoshop) files of the maps tbd_thecore and tbd_mayhem of when these maps were only a black and white layout of their level design. In each of the files I have included images of a base, each of the 5 planes, and a turret. These images can be useful tools to use to gauge how big different openings and areas are on your map. If you want something to be wide enough for a base to sit on then the image of a base is right there for you to compare. Or if you want to make a skinny passageway but want to insure that an explodet can traverse it then it's right there for you compare with.

THE CORE - http://www.mediafire.com/file/t3l3wm1ynjt/thecore.psd

MAYHEM - http://www.mediafire.com/file/zmiqdkmannz/mayhem.psd

If you don't have photoshop but still want to edit these files then you can download a program called GIMP. It is a free image editing program that let's you edit Photoshop files and you can download it at http://www.gimp.org. But again, it doesn't need to be a photoshop file, any other image file that is a representation of your map is welcome. Attached is an example, tbd_thecore, in jpeg format.

[Grif]

Are we allowed to ask just for art?

See, I've got just about the most basic map you can get (should be good for the 34 player servers), but it needs at the very least a background.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jv2oaandmmv

[nesnl]

Originally Posted by Grif

Are we allowed to ask just for art?

See, I've got just about the most basic map you can get (should be good for the 34 player servers), but it needs at the very least a background.

http://www.mediafire.com/?jv2oaandmmv

Interesting concept. Definitely would need the large capacity servers for that level to work. I will see what I can do about getting you a background. You might be better off making all the non-bomb power up spawns to be shields. Could give it more of the dodgeball feel of bouncing bombs. Which by the way, can you block a bomb with a shield that was previously blocked with a shield from the other team? Could be interesting if the bombs were bouncing back and forth.

For those of you who are wondering and are too lazy to download his level and look at it in the editor. It is entirely open and therefore contains no collidable objects and therefore just needs a background.

Let the map ideas continue!

[DiogenesDog]

Too lazy to post a layout, but there was an old map I did called Papercut that I thought had a fun look. It was just a bunch of doodles on standard yellow lined paper that looked like they were done by a kid in junior high or something. It was incredibly easy to make the art for (find yellow tileable background and then just use the pen/pencil tool in your image editor of choice to draw crappy stuff), but was distinctive and kind of neat looking imo.

Also, it was the only map I know of where you could dodge around a drawing of pac-man and then fly through a dinosaur's mouth to the other side of the map.

[Grif]

Originally Posted by nesnl

Interesting concept. Definitely would need the large capacity servers for that level to work. I will see what I can do about getting you a background. You might be better off making all the non-bomb power up spawns to be shields. Could give it more of the dodgeball feel of bouncing bombs. Which by the way, can you block a bomb with a shield that was previously blocked with a shield from the other team? Could be interesting if the bombs were bouncing back and forth.

For those of you who are wondering and are too lazy to download his level and look at it in the editor. It is entirely open and therefore contains no collidable objects and therefore just needs a background.

Let the map ideas continue!

That's not a bad idea, and, hmm.

Might move the shield powerups close to the base. Or not...how frantic should it get? Again, hmm.

Thanks for the feedback (at the least) and thanks tons for any art you can get me.

[Phasma Felis]

For the Dodgeball map, you could just about use any old landscape picture as the background. Maybe look around Flickr or DeviantArt.

I like the idea of Papercut. I personally think it would be best with a crayon effect. Get that whole Crayon Physics look going.

[Se7en]

Obvious idea but for the Dodgeball map you could have a picture of a dogeball court or something as the background.

This could make for an intresting map, high bases, low bomb, two entrances to each base
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...kerConcept.png
or it could suck - blockworld

[Spirtz]

looks almost imposible to diliver the bomb. however i like the idea maybe try to make it more hor. rather than vert.

[Se7en]

Yeah the map doesn't work too well looking at it again. probably woul work better as a ffa map, don't really have enough of them.

could be interesting as a map only one powerup at the top the rest near the bottom, will most likely get lots of combat focused at the bottom.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...kerConcept.png

[Grif]

Originally Posted by Se7en

Obvious idea but for the Dodgeball map you could have a picture of a dogeball court or something as the background.

I have been looking for so long for a good topdown picture of even just a basketball court.

It does not exist.

[Spirtz]

i think that that map would be great if we had boosts *hint hint Lams *hint hint

[DiogenesDog]

Btw, a suggestion for possible mapmakers: do an FFA map, k? We already have a lot of good TBD maps, but I can't think of a single dedicated ffa map, which is sad because I think you can be a lot more creative there and still make an enjoyable map.

[nesnl]

Originally Posted by DiogenesDog

Btw, a suggestion for possible mapmakers: do an FFA map, k? We already have a lot of good TBD maps, but I can't think of a single dedicated ffa map, which is sad because I think you can be a lot more creative there and still make an enjoyable map.

We are all waiting on Team Death Match to be implemented to make those types of maps because I think that most people grow tired of the cluster pluck that FFAs become.

[yankeeboy]

re-make older maps

city, forest, londonblitz, iraq, and others

that should keep you busy for a while....

[nesnl]

Originally Posted by yankeeboy

re-make older maps

city, forest, londonblitz, iraq, and others

that should keep you busy for a while....

I would be more than willing to take a look at them, but I didn't start playing the game until recently (maybe for about a year now?) so I haven't seen any of these maps. So if you have these maps, or images of these maps, please let me know.

[as red as black]

Just experimenting with the map editor, I rearranged the hulls from The Core into a map that might be cool.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...nconneryII.jpg

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by as red as black

Just experimenting with the map editor, I rearranged the hulls from The Core into a map that might be cool.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...nconneryII.jpg

oh, and the bombs are the icons on the very far edges of each side of the map

[nesnl]

is that sean connery?

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by nesnl

is that sean connery?

yea. I put in a pic of connery and named it that in honor of the greatest map of all time.

(Rest in peace seanconnery I)

haha

[as red as black]

Also, I have another idea for a TBD (still thinking about FFAs).

I was thinking something along the lines of a giant trench with bases on either side. Each team has to go through the trench to bomb the other base death star trench style. It really places emphasis on teamwork in protecting the bomb carrier because both teams are going to pass each other at one point or another. Shields would be paramount.

question: how do I take hulls from imported maps and transfer them to a new map?

[nesnl]

I think you just have to do it manually in that you have to copy the images into the new maps image folder. There is no way currently to copy and paste an object from one map into another.

Why don't you draw up a picture of this death star style map first. Just do it in black and white so i can get an idea of what you are talking about.

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by nesnl

I think you just have to do it manually in that you have to copy the images into the new maps image folder. There is no way currently to copy and paste an object from one map into another.

Why don't you draw up a picture of this death star style map first. Just do it in black and white so i can get an idea of what you are talking about.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...tudetrench.jpg

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by as red as black

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...tudetrench.jpg

it could be longer too

[nesnl]

Originally Posted by as red as black

it could be longer too

The only problem I see is that there is only one access point to the base at the end. So you create a choke point that makes base camping really easy and will most likely make it very hard to successfully bomb.

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by nesnl

The only problem I see is that there is only one access point to the base at the end. So you create a choke point that makes base camping really easy and will most likely make it very hard to successfully bomb.

good point. definitely needs more tinkering and thought.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q...tudelaputa.jpg

this is another one I did when experimenting a while back. There's a choke point in the bottom section, but I put in short range neutral turrets so that should dissuade people from parking down there. Bombs would be at the top near spawn areas, maybe one in the mid. Items dispersed. The bottom cloud section would be very thick and comprised of background clouds to fly over, midrange one that to fly through, and foreground ones to fly under, all to make a cool dogfighting area. I tried to figure out a way to get rid of the rollover, but couldn't find a way other than just adding side walls. background would be sideways starry night portion of middleground (which I used to make this).

any thoughts? problems?

[Spirtz]

hmmmm looks interesting. where are the items?

[as red as black]

Originally Posted by Spirtz

hmmmm looks interesting. where are the iteams?

haven't added them yet...

bombs will be mutual and at the top under spawn points.

Other stuff could be inbetween gaps of lost city buildings and stuff.

[jf2l]

Here is an idea I had for a D-Day themed TBD map. I'm no artist (as if you couldn't tell) so this is about as good as I can do.








A little explanation:

Colored dots are spawn points.

P= Power-up
B= Base
b= bomb
T= Turret

Those fish shaped things in the sky are called barrage balloons. (Look it up) There positions in the picture are just estimations of positions.

The vaguely ship-shaped things are in fact ships. The one on the left is supposed to be an aircraft carrier which holds the base. The one on the right is a destroyer with turrets.

The gray mass on the right is a bunker. The turrets on the side would be recessed, reminiscent of the MG bunkers on the beaches. The turrets on the top would be like anti-aircraft guns (larger, more damage).

The right base has a "roof" of sorts. There is a hole in the middle for ventilation (and incoming bombs).

The purple thing on the beach is a downed plane. I'd like it to be a sort of tunnel, just wide enough to let Bombers through.

Clouds should be semi-opaque, like the ones in Hills.

I'd be happy to answer any questions and receive feedback.

[Luke]

Finally we see a tbd map not symmetrical! Really like the idea of having two team attacking and defending different places.
It would be good also from playing in a tourney.. like 2 round switching the sides.

First impressions:
1) too many turrets
2) right side has a big tactical advantage (base/bomb higher, base partially covered)

Ideas:
1) Less turrets (forgot to remove some in the picture below)
2) Maybe replace the "base boat" with just a big bow of a war ship. Somthing like this:

[jf2l]

I think some turrets on the right would have to be removed, but adding some to the bottom of the balloon closest to the left base would improve the balance of the map.

The left base was supposed to be more open, but the balloons would be placed to stop any long lobs. The right base is sort-of enclosed, but there aren't nearly as many turrets which should balance it out.

On your map is there an entrance to the bottom of the boat? If so, it makes the map symmetrical without actually looking it.(That's a ++)

The difference in base placement/form is reminiscent of the board game Weapons and Warriors. One side is fortified but easy to hit while the other is spread out but more difficult to hit.

[Luke]

Didn't think about a bottom entrance.. but that could be a good idea.
Anyway, best thing to do is to try and play different layouts to adjust the balance.
And don't worry about the artwork, time on that should be spent only later on when you have the final design.

Just another thought.. i can't see the point of the "bunker chamber".. it just contains a few powerups. Maybe could be worth having the bomb spawn down there instead of above the base.

[jf2l]

It was just another area for a some in-close dogfighting. It also helps relieve the choke of fighting in the tunnels.

Having the bomb spawn there isn't a bad idea. I'm just worried it would be too easy for the left team to swarm it and keep the right from getting their bomb. (And think of the bomb wasting that would go on if the right did manage to get it)