Built a new map, any betatesters out there

[Maniac]

I have built a new map. It's a very small one but you can have much fun with it (good bot support). You can check it out here: www.geocities.com/kotzmaniac/dm-dawn.zip (http://www.geocities.com/kotzmaniac/dm-dawn.zip)

Does the link work? I could download it, but I'm not sure it works for you.

[Wild Falkon]

I downloaded it and played it, and it is a rather creative map, but there are a few things I noticed.

-the car or tank is in mid-air

-maybe the water fall could be steeper (nitpick)

-maybe, since the map is so small, that the tree trunks could be cylinders instead of cubes

Other than that, I noticed nothing wrong. Just move the tank to ground level and the level would have sufficent cover. smilies/images/icons/smile.gif

[ 07-09-2001: Message edited by: Wild Falcon ]

[Maniac]

Oops, I didn't delete that tank :-) I wanted to inlcude a small driveable car in the map, but that didn't work as I thougth, so I deleted the mover but not the brush. Updated the map and uploaded it. I tried to use cylinders as trunks but that looked pretty ugly.

[NutWrench]

I liked it. images/icons/smile.gif

I think the middle area is too open. I would add a few things to hide behind.

I would round off some of those ramps a bit, too (it IS supposed to be a 'natural' formation, right?). I also noticed a BSP hole just before the ramp that goes up to the top level. When I re-built the level, it went away.

--Nut

[Maniac]

That hole might went away, but look at the waterfall. There is a hole now images/icons/frown.gif.
That can be fixed by moving the "Ignore Portals<------->Portals Cut All" slider to 77. There's another problem that might appeared when you rebuilt. Walk up the ramp at the mountain (not the one at the lift). You'll propably die. I couldn't fix this problem images/icons/frown.gif. Can anyone help?

[Tip]

I warn you Maniac, I'm going to be VERY honest with you and I may seem harsh. But I'm doing it to help.

So, if you're afraid I might offend you then don't read ahead.


I don't think you should try to seriously release this map. It will not get played much and it will not give you a reputation as a good mapper.
I will list the map's problems (in no particular order).
Too many large BSP holes (I found a few) I could easily get up on the ledge of the map and look outside of the map (I just hammer-jumped to the ledge) Too small Didn't suspend my disbelief: this was caused by things like you floating rocks and the fact that the map doesn't seem to be any sort of location Lots of misaligned textures (this was mainly on the walls) Bots didn't work very well (I often saw them get stuck running in place and doing other stupid things) I can't think of anything else right now....
I think this map was a good starting point. You obviously have all the skills it takes to make great maps, now you just need to perfect them.

I have a couple of suggestions for you.
#1: Plan your maps out thoroughly before doing them in the editor.
#2: Zone your maps and make some stuff semi-solids. This should help to reduce your BSP holes, which seem to be caused by too much detail in any given area. Zoning does alot to help this. Making things as semisolids reduces your node count a fair amount.
#3: Your maps should have some sort of hook. Whether it is visual, gameplay, or both it can help get people to play your map.
#4: Thoroughly tests your bots. Go into spectator mode and watch your bots as they run around. If they do stupid stuff figure out why and fix it.

Damn, I need to go to bed.
Anyways, I suggest you use this map as a learning experience to help you make bigger and better maps which are worthy of release.

Tip

I hope I didn't insult you. I also hope all of you will give me straight-forward honest opinions and criticisms of any maps I release.