Maya 2 (remake for contest)

[The Geologist]

Posting the results of an evening of messing around with Maya 2.

I'm still experimenting with the layout a bit, but as of yet have no big changes in mind other than some changes to the middle area to tighten up the routes.  If something awesome pops up, that could change.  But for the time being the focus has been on joining/fixing any odd polys, getting rid of excess space, and compacting things a bit.  After that, changing the theme, scenery, etc.

Here are some pics:

A comparison of sizes between new and original.

And the most recent picture.  I've been playing around with a drier climate sorta theme while I think of other layout changes that don't take away from the feel or the original.  Might take out some additional space from the spawn areas by shortening the ledges slightly.

I'll put up a download sometime soon, 'til then I'm looking for comments.

[Wraithlike]

It looks good. I'm not sure how the size change affects gameplay, but I think you might want to think about rescaling teh whole base rather than just the backmost part. I'm also overwhelmingly happy that you kept the s_tree in the middle.

[The Geologist]

Yea, I ended up shortening the platforms slightly and bringing the roof down as well.  Didn't want to destroy the original base feel, just get rid of some of the room to force more interaction.

All my scenery placement will be based off of Maya 2, just updated to reflect the theme I choose.

[DarkCrusade]

Sou you are going to change just a few things, change the polystructure and replace the scenery? And I thought you would do a really maya themed map with temples and such ... I guess all hope is gone for the moment

[The Geologist]

I'm obviously still thinking, and just getting started.  I'm out to restore the map, like you would a classic car.  Not chop it up and turn it into a low rider.

[The Geologist]

Small update.

Played around with some scenery, tightened things up a bit more, and added a few small platforms near the bases to help accommodate the move to the upper route.  Just 'em in at the last minute, so I'm still not sure what I'll do with them.

Focusing on size/layout issues and feel of game play right now.  Comments should focus on that.  Scenery/theme changes come last.

Attached updated picture, comparison to original, and the map.  Shouldn't be anything other than default scenery, I think.

[DarkCrusade]

The problem: What happens, if a layout is perfect and you search for things to make the layout better? It gets  more worse. Let the layout stay the way you have it at the moment, some change at the bases would be nice, but I doubt you find something to add like a polyisland or stuff like that

[Wraithlike]

The problem: What happens, if a layout is perfect and you search for things to make the layout better? It gets  more worse. Let the layout stay the way you have it at the moment, some change at the bases would be nice, but I doubt you find something to add like a polyisland or stuff like that

But maya2 is far from perfect, and there's lots he can do to improve it.

[DarkCrusade]

But maya2 is far from perfect, and there's lots he can do to improve it.

That´s right.

I miss some boostingoptions on the top and the low route, maybe you can add some small crates with colliders in the there

[~Niko~]

The little islands in top may give some cover to enemies, but could encourage players camping far away in the base and making players cry about it.

As Wraithlike said, I'd better cut the bases width and the lower a bit higher, so there's always a main focus in the action and not just moving around until you arrive to the base.

[The Geologist]

That´s right.

I miss some boostingoptions on the top and the low route, maybe you can add some small crates with colliders in the there

As I said earlier, that sort of stuff will come later.  Focusing on layout changes that don't kill the original feel of the map.  I do have a few more colliders, etc. to add though, so it's noted.

Niko, I'm having a hard time understanding half of what you said.  "and the lower a bit higher"?

[~Niko~]

Something like this:

[The Geologist]

Ahh, much clearer.  I'll see what develops next time I open polyworks.  May have something fresh up this afternoon/evening.

[The Geologist]

Alright, so I decided to play around with the layout a bit. 

Part of my reasoning resizing the bases and contracting the map was to prevent stalemates from massive camping in the back of bases, as well as to make the map more playable for 3v3, or fewer, hopefully.

Anyhow, even after reducing the size of the bases, and not wanting to lose the feel of the original too much, I decided to add a platform near base (see new pic attached).  Still room to dive to the flag from up above, 'cept the back of the base is more exposed.  Also lets those who spawn in back get up top quick.

Theme tweaks after getting a good layout finalized.

Also played around with the scenery and objects, in addition to some other poly changes.  Any bugs, etc pointed out would be appreciated.

[jerich]

I think the new platform would basically be where the flagger would just sit and an extra platform to hide and circle around while carrying it creating even more of a chance of stalemate. Again that's what I think, you can do whatever you want to it.

[The Geologist]

Well, that's the kind of opinion I'm looking for.  I've been thinking of something to do with the open area around the base while both scaling down the size of the base and compacting things a bit. 

When the base was scaled down, I brought down the size of the islands as well, but flying up to the top wasn't very smooth from the spawns.  This was an attempt to give people spawning a midpoint to jump/boost while moving to the top.

On that note, I could make those platforms shorter.  That may help prevent circling.  I made it with the intention of being able to sling nades in there to flush out flagger/campers.  Also a good run with a saw with momentum. 

On a side note, how many people have actually played the map?  The new spawn area is drastically smaller, so I'm curious how these circling/camping issues with the flag are effected. 

[Shinobars]

Perhaps someone with access to a server could set up all the contest entries for trial and, when it comes to voting, for final analysis?

[Suowarrior]

Perhaps someone with access to a server could set up all the contest entries for trial and, when it comes to voting, for final analysis?

We have #soldat.mapping there will be every map, though we have only euro server maybe NA in future.

[ds dude]

OH MY GOD, is a good way to describe it.

It looks nice, I have to admit. I love the cover fire on top, gives you time to reload behind an obstacle.

The best part is that you use polys for cover fire instead of spamming the whole map with scenery. I like it. Keep going Geo! You're doing great!

A suggestion would be putting some cover fire on low, but that would it.

GJ

[The Geologist]

Thanks for suggestions, map is released.