My Map Blog

[El_Spec]

Now I remember inf_Waldfestung.  I still think it is a very good map, probably your best.

I think the second version of ctf_Pharaoh was the best though.  The main temple wasn't too large and it had enough routes.  The visuals also were pretty good.

The mapping community here has died.  Either they left or they retired.  Now all you see are these low star rating maps that play horribly.  A few of us still manage to make a few decent maps and very few good ones.  It really has changed and I doubt it'll ever be how it used to be.

[Blacksheepboy]

I agree completely. I've been trying to make good maps for a while now and only a couple have turned out pretty nice. The rest are just mediocre. I think the maps I made towards the beginning of my "career" were a little better than now, and I'm not sure why. I think it was because all of the great mappers were still around, and I got good ideas and inspiration from them. Also, the better mappers gave better input and comments on how to improve gameplay, not just aesthetics.

Well, I've wanted open a server to test some of my maps online, but I often have odd problems hosting. I can only really manage to host on Soldat version 1.3.1 without too much trouble. I'm not too good at troubleshooting internet hosting stuff.

Yup, once again I completely agree with you. I'll still try to conjure up maps every now and again. Vig makes some pretty good maps now and again. I dunno... Currently, if I haven't said this, I've been making a small mod. Wait...you already know that.. Alright, well that's taking up my useful time lately so I haven't done any mapping. Speaking of which, I might be nearing a foreseeable end to the graphics part of my mod. Now I need to go grab sounds from somewhere and finish that table/bedroom map. Then the majority of that thing will be done.

[El_Spec]

I once saw your mod, looks fun.  I really like the Stapler weapon along with the Golden Guns.  I suggest you work on the mod more than your maps.  Mods tend to gain more attention than maps do.

I started working on this since yesterday.  This, is ctf_Frost.  So far, it looks bland from the overview, but there is a lot of stretching and shading.  The second screenshot shows this.  Making the polygons and shading actually were not hard at all, scenery is my biggest concern.  It'll be a while before this map will be fully complete.  Waypoints are also a problem, hope someone may be nice enough to do them for me, since I'm terrible with them.  Comments and criticism are welcome.

[Blacksheepboy]

Yea, the map does look pretty bland. Looks nice n' smooth though. The stretching looks nice.

Eh, I dunno about the mod. The 'Golden Guns' kinda bother me. they need better shading or something...Also the stapler annoys me as well. Dunno why about that one though...

I've been working on the mod map. And so far, I think it's turned about alright. It's an attempt to make a bedroom sorta of feeling, but with odd crap in it. Eh. Might as well post a screenie of work so far:

[El_Spec]

Maybe you can also add something else to the desk, like a picture frame or a computer monitor.  Everthing else looks great.  Its a mod map, doesn't have to be your best work.

[Blacksheepboy]

Maybe you can also add something else to the desk, like a picture frame or a computer monitor.  Everthing else looks great.  Its a mod map, doesn't have to be your best work.

Was thinking about that...what I wanted to do was to add a monitor, then have the monitor be showing some other part of the map on the screen, maybe where the bravo flag or something. Or maybe having another part of a map on the monitor, and have that little part playable , maybe where the alphas "teleported" from to get the Bravo superweapon information so that they could reverse the process or their transformation.

[El_Spec]

Maybe you can add another table (just duplicate the existing table) and add the monitor there and it could possibly be a CTF map.  Both teams spawn at the desks and attempt to reach the other one.  That'll be quite interesting and playable.

[Blacksheepboy]

Hmm, a nice idea. Thanks. It would remind me of ctf_Rats

[Eagles_Arrows]

Just wanted to tell you that "Frost" has already been taken (by Demonic).  Uncommon/SAT-level words are much better for naming maps.  Use a thesaurus if need be.

As for the map itself, El_Spec, it does seem promising.  The coloring is okay, but there should be more variety.  Perhaps a dash of white in certain places?  Check rainrider's ctf_Frozen for reference.

Layout is a bit bleh.  The lower route might not be used often; stretch the lowest of the three small boulders horizontally so as to offer more protection.  That way, it will compensate for the lower route's length.  Moreover, I don't know whether those two platforms in the top-mid corners would be useful or not; perhaps it's better if you just get rid of them.

Blacksheepboy: Nice polyart; can't consider it to be a real map, though, so I won't give any criticism for it.

[Blacksheepboy]

Thanks, E_A, tis true. It's my map to experiment with all sorts of random techniques on how to use polygons for making things look complex. Also it is filled with a bunch of scenery taken from the internet, and not from any Soldat resource either.

One more thing: it's also just a mission map for a mod of mine (if you didn't pick that up), so it contains hardly any form or layout.

[El_Spec]

I haven't recently done much accomplishments.  I stopped working on ctf_Frost (soon to be renamed due to what E_A pointed out), started out on a bunch of other small maps, and pretty much have fooled around. 

ctf_Frost will be postponed for a while, possibly a very long time.  Hell, it might not even ever be finished.  I have, however, started on a jungle-themed map based off of the new Rambo film.  So far, I have only polygons and scenery on the left side.  I'm still deciding if I should continue it or just release it into the Map Scrapyard.  I also have downloaded many maps from the same thread and have somewhat finished some of them.  Might release them or keep them for my own personal use.  Screenshots for the new Rambo map won't be posted yet, but it'll be when I feel I can expose it.