New Map: The Roanoak Excavation Site - Deranged

[Krewzer]

Played this last night on the ev1 beta server. Lots of fun, a big map, plenty to look at if you care to take the time. The only things I would add beyond the others is:
1) Either add angled clip brushes or recess the elevator call buttons so that when you're riding up you can't hit your head on the button and reverse the elevator.
2) The base "garage" door is very easy to camp. If it opens you know someone is right there, you'll see their feet before they see you.  I'd suggest either a remote trigger to open the door, which could be a button or even part of the ground on each side of the door. The side jump to the 2nd flag helps but is kind of tough for some of us to make. Maybe a ladder to the switchback tunnel or something.
3) The middle path is by far the fastest so I'd suggest finding something to either slow it down or make it less desireable to use... pits of death or something.
Anyway, looking really good

[FlaMe]

the 2nd point u made is silly. theres a jump to get u high to flag two without going through the door to killt he campers on the other side.

[Krewzer]

I disagree but it's just a suggestion anyway, he can do as he wishes.

[Deranged]

I had fun playing it last night with you guys. Anyways. I'll look into one and three, but as for two there is already a ladder. Go low, take a left right before the elevator, go up the ladder and through the caves. there's already 4 ways into base

1) Front door
2) Jump to second
3) elevator
4) ladder up from low to cave area

I'm a little strapped for time though, with al lthat needs done it might be a little while before b2 comes out.. sadly :X

EDIT: I think a path from the high ramp area to secodn flag would even out the time it takes to go high and low, if you just plow in and don't use any strategy both ways. IE, go ice, go up ladder, go through path into base, one straight line thus even times .

I actually prefer the other ways into base though, the slow ways are much more strategic, I like going up the ladder from low into base and dropping down on the cap.

Thanks for the advice guys
</long ass edit>

[Pepperoni]

just from a gameplay perspective, i think its pretty well made.  there are a lot of different routes to the enemy flag but it doesnt feel cluttered like some maps do. that takes some design skilz.

[Deranged]

Download Here.

Things changed in the second beta:
*Changed the garage doors to doors made out of bars
*Replaced/Changed the huge side paths to a series of mine-shaft resembling caves
*added a ladder dj up to a path that leads to second flag from the aforementioned caves
*made the low a little less boxy, so to speak
*fixed the r_speeds problems in low with func_walls
*roanoak -> roanoke
*tried to use more lanterns and less crate lights
*fixed getting behind the bunkers on one side of low
*fixed the autocockers floating in the ceiling
*changed the second flag area design
*added a way from mid to each side's high
*made the rivets in the ladders smaller
*fixed minor texture alignment issues
*Replaced the ground textures with ones I found more fitting
*made the ground thicker
*more lighting
*removed the water in low, too dark to see it
*added water on the side paths, along with the other vastly improved visuals in that area
*and more I think

comments please, I think the lighting is a little low in some places still, but I have yet to see any other issues.

[Deranged]

*Flame noted some problems with getting stuck in low from my lowering the cieling

Thank you flame, will fix in b3

EDIT: Yup, didnt notice it before, but when on the catwalk in low you barely hit your head on the cieling everytime you jump, makes it easy to get stuck in some places, also makes the dj up to mid considerably harder

[RiMiNi]

2 things i have noticed so far..
1. when going up the elevator from low you can hit your head on the main level trigger for the elevator and then it will go back down automatically before you can even get off
2. low mid. the railing. you can crouch and go under them, landing on those bars you put in so you dont fall to the ground. but the bars are slightly lowerthan where you fell off of and therefore you cant get back.. i think unless i missed something or am bad at getting out..

and 3. its a lot sexier good work.

EDIT: off topic. new hi-res textures? lol or am i jsut outta date.

i guess thats more than 2 points but w.e

[Deranged]

Yeah I already covered 2 in my post above, thats from me lowering the cieling. 1 was mentioned before I just forgot

AND THANKS BUDDY

[Clipz]

Alright I like the map looks nice. Only thing that sticks out to me is why did you make your flames like that now .

Make them with lanterns again the single flame looks kind of odd.

[Deranged]

lol those flames were always like that, should I change them to lanterns?

[Clipz]

Yeah, i'm still getting lost in this map don't mind me

[Deranged]

haha, I just noticed something while running the map with debug1 1, the spikes on the bottom of the doors are solid black due to being unlit.. is there any way to turn off lighting for an entity?

also just watched jits's demo from the first beta again, i missed a lot of his suggestions :X I'll get them in b3

[jitspoe]

I merged these topics so everything is in one place.  You might want to edit the first post with the fixed name and second beta link.  I was about to ask if you had viewed my demo, but I guess you're working on that stuff now.  I can't remember what all I suggested before, but there are a few areas that could use clip brushes - like the wooden support beams in the underground-ish area.  Never fun to lose a match because you got caught up on something.

Edit:

Ok, I just played this on the beta server.  You really need to put some color indicators in the middle.  With all the different back paths you can take, it's really easy to get turned around.  I also notice you've got some things like a ladder that doesn't go all the way to the top.  Just make it accessible to everybody.  There's no sense making the gap between new players and vets even greater.  That just makes the game less fun.  The challenge of the game should be from competing with other players, not attempting to do trick ladder jumps and whatnot just to get around the map.  I can't tell you how many times I missed the stupid ice jump to the ladder because I was playing with a touchpad.  Maps should be fun, not frustrating.

Another thing I would suggest is blocking off some of the paths when there are fewer players and making this a DSM map.  Maybe even block off the second flag.  When it's just 2v2, you end up not seeing other players a lot.  Also, like you said, it could use some more light.

[Deranged]

That ladder is supposed to be that way, it's a back way in that should take skill to get.

New players have other ways up there, if they want the fastest way up there they have to ladder dj, otherwise they can find a different way up That's just my personal preference

I'll work on the other stuff though, dsm is possible but I don't really care for it. This map is intended to be played in high player count matches

[jitspoe]

This map is intended to be played in high player count matches

Sad thing is, those types of maps tend to cause servers to empty out.

[Deranged]

Meh, I already have a map that seems to be a pub hit on the beta server(which I'll finish), this map was never intended to be a pub hit

[blaa]

Sad thing is, those types of maps tend to cause servers to empty out.

MATCHES JITSPOE, MATCHES!!!!

[jitspoe]

MATCHES JITSPOE, MATCHES!!!!

High player count matches is an oxymoron.

[Pepperoni]

"His return to Roanoke Island was delayed until 1590. When he finally returned, the colonists had disappeared. The only thing he found was the word 'CROTOAN' carved into a tree"

thats what it said on wikipedia but check the source