TF2 Map Design: Landmarks
Once the geometry was all built, I was anxious to test the map with real players. I got ready to call some buddies of mine for an all night testfest when I realized… hey! Even though I’ve been working on this map all week or so, none of my would be testers will know anything about it’s twists and turns. They are pretty (NOT) forgiving so I slammed down the phone, fired up Hammer and dropped a little signage. Both bases had the same texture so these location markers had to be huge and obvious.
In placing the signs all around, the obvious occurs to me. This is what we as level designers are supposed to be doing throughout the entire process! Maybe not always as blatant as the Capture Point there, but through textures, lighting, and geometry, information needs to be communicated to the player. It seems like such a no-brainer, but is so often overlooked. I have added a new goal to this project: Make sure each location can be described in 2-3 words.
When starting a new map for the first time, the first task is to find the way to make the killing (read FUN) start. For players on Offense, it’s finding the exit… and for the defenders, the Flag/Capture Point. This sparse room here will eventually be a bit darker, and have a ton of lanterns. The spawn room there actually faces the back door for an immediate exit into the arena, while a quick turn goes directly to the flag room. Heading more towards the front door of the base, players are treated with the contrast of the cold inner base a warmer toned forest.
Forests inspire adventure and the unknown, and are tall enough to be seen almost anywhere in the level. At ground level, they provide a minimal amount of cover. Stylistically, I loved the evergreens in Psychonauts and in keeping with classic look of TF2’s worlds these are made from very simple brushes and point towards the enemy base. I believe this combined with the curve of the level will funnel players to where they need to go. As cool as a lush forest would be, I found a good rule of thumb for this type of map is a new landmark every 7-10 seconds. Between the bridge and the base entrance, I added an arch and near the bridge I added an unfinished shack.
In order to make the shack strategically important, an ammo and health pick up have been placed in obvious, but not easy to reach locations. This makes sure players have to clear take a moment to collect them. By placing them on boxes, it is harder for players to circle strafe and pick them up while in battle. Lining up even an easy jump can build tension ever so nicely when the player has just crossed most of the level, taken damage, and is so near the enemy spawn point. On the other end, if a spawned player dies this close to their base, they will want to inform their team an enemy is near… or even wait anxiously to spawn and get revenge.
After the shack comes the major landmark of Staredown… the Waterfall! I love waterfalls because they have such a great combination of danger and majesty. All that water gushing down shaping the land it falls upon, the roar in your ears that grows louder the closer you get. That feeling of awesome when the Batmobile flies into the batcave, or the Last of the Mohicans jumps through and slays his enemies. I mean, he totally shanked that guy right in the kidney! I was all like “Whoa!! not righty!” It’s been a while so I might be mixing up my movies, but that’s how it exists in my mind so I’m sticking with that. So yeah… waterfalls are great. Much like 2fort, the bridge area is a love letter to all those snipers out there. There’s the partial cover of the water, the rocks, even a part when you can jump out from the waterfall, land on the bridge and maybe even shoot some n00b that didn’t notice.
The bridge itself was modified to be very rickety and dangerous. It’s in the heart of sniper country, there’s very little room to dodge, and there aren’t even any guard rails! However, it’s the perfect length for a Joust style battle. Imagine, like in an old Kung Fu flick, two fresh soldiers line up at either end of the bridge. The both break out the rockets. Boom Boom Boom 3 shots and they’re getting close, each whips out a shot gun taking chunks of flesh out of each other with each shot… They are close now, shotguns exhausted they switch to Melee combat! Shovels clang and health is low, but the wiser of the two soldiers has a secret. He’s saved one rocket for just this occasion. Ignoring a shovel to face, he aims it at rickety bridge and quips “If god had wanted you to live… he would not have created me”. Pulling the trigger he’s launched high into the air, laughing as his rival explodes in a shower of goo.
Falling (rocket jumping?) off the bridge takes you down down down into the arena below. The small amount of natural cover here goes a long way to make battles in this area feel frantic and provides exceptional opportunities for trapping the careless. And what secrets could lie behind the waterfall?
From the Ramps to the Rickity Bridge, First Spawn to the final nail biting moment, I will not let you get lost. Even when bullets are flying towards your vitals you’ll know how close you are to each pitstop along the way. The gamepath is set, the landmarks are placed. Lets do this thing!
Next Up: Time to prove your friends you’re worth a damn
February 8th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
clang…
Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts …..
April 14th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
refinance fha mortgage…
I found your post comments while searching Google. Very relevant especially as this is not an issue which a lot of peaople are conversant with….
April 14th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Consolidate Loan Student Bad Credit Mortgage Advance Debt…
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. ~ Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama…
April 14th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Best Homeowners Insurance Companies…
The poet is a liar who always speaks the truth. ~ Jean Cocteau…
April 14th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Current Interest Low Mortgage Rate Calculator…
In such an ugly time the true protest is beauty. ~ Phil Ochs…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Bankruptcy Lawyer Pittsburgh Pa…
It is a quite interesting post but quite difficult to understand for me -…
April 15th, 2008 at 1:02 am
best refinance home mortgage loan rate…
…
April 15th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Car Cheap Company Insurance Quote Uk…
I don’t mind making jokes, but I don’t want to look like one. ~ Marilyn Monroe…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Refinancing Mortgage Bad Credit…
I love this, “An intellectual is a man without a craft”…lol,great…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Advance Loan Payday Wisconsin…
Hi - just wanted to say good design and blog -…
April 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Insurance Automobile Insurance Home Owners Insurance…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Best Small Business Credit Card…
Wow, this is interesting. How could I miss this info before? It seems like I was lagging for years to have this kind of facts. Hehe. Thanks for the sharing, but I feel that I can not really understand some of the issues here. I really need to check som…
April 15th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Health Insurance Gulf Breeze Insurance Flood Insurance…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 15th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
credit repair company rating…
I enjoyed reading your blog. What a great thing it is to be able to share information like this on the Internet……
April 15th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Ohio Mortgages And Bad Credit…
These new low rates are killing me, I wish my credit wasn’t messed up so I could lock in the low rates….
April 15th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Bad Credit Loans Personal Loan Auto Loan Calculator…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 15th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Insurance Small Business Health Insurance Nationwide Insurance…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 16th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Insurance Quotes Home Uk…
It is a quite interesting post but quite difficult to understand for me -…
April 16th, 2008 at 1:25 am
mortgage rate second…
This Mortgage crisis has me kind of torn, as it occurred due to everyone’s greed, banks, investors, homeowners trying to live beyond their means etc. Should the Gov’t bail these greedy people out? I don’t know but I feel bad for people and famili…
April 16th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Melissa…
I am very impressed with your site. The quality of the design and content makes it a real winner! Thanks again for a great site and a great resource on the net….
April 16th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Jack…
This Mortgage fiasco is out of control and our gov’t better do something serious to help people out or the housing market will crush this economy….
April 16th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Jack…
Have enjoyed your site very much and benefited from the information. Thank You….
April 16th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Hotel And Air Deals To Las Vegas…
Failure is unimportant. It takes courage to make a fool of yourself. Charlie Chaplin….
April 17th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Eric…
…
April 17th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Bad Credit Car Loans Loan Application Calculator Financing…
It’s not that I’m afraid to die, I just don’t want to be there when it happens. ~ Woody Allen…
April 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Health Insurance California Health Insurance Michigan Health Insurance…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 17th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
How To Apply For An Fha Loan…
I enjoyed reading your blog. It is so interesting reading other peoples personal take on a subject….
April 18th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Jacky…
…
April 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
0 apr credit cards…
This is similar to comment spam but avoids some of the safeguards designed to stop the latter practice. One notable blogging tool that…
April 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Student Credit Card Online…
You can’t love anyone until you understand that you can’t love everyone. Real Live Preacher….
April 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
low home equity refinance or mortgage rates…
I don\’t understand it….
April 20th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Weight Loss Pill Identifier Pills…
I can not agree with you in 100% regarding some thoughts, but you got good point of view…
April 20th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Shelba…
amount of work is the same….
April 20th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Norman D. Brown…
…
April 20th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Nicole Linkletter…
Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts comin…..
April 21st, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Laurene…
Plant the seeds of expectation in your mind; cultivate thoughts that anticipate achievement. Believe in yourself as being capable of overcoming all obstacles and weaknesses…