Map-making Contest by Daskew and Guro

***ANNOUNCEMENT

The new batch of maps will probably be scored tomorrow. So if you wish to see your new maps in the next lot of leader-boards submit them sometime today or early(ish) tomorrow!

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 20, 2014, Original Post Date: Nov 17, 2014 ---

Another announcement!

-New leader-boards may be coming out tomorrow. Including some submissions for TTH!

 

Yey :D

 

(The leader-board post was made earlier today however there seems to be a problem uploading images on this forum at the moment so it was removed)

 

hue I already saw it

 

Da da da!

THE LEADER-BOARD POST!

Lovely sky blue.

CTF #9



FULL MAP IMAGES (of new CTFs)

-Maps by @Shadowor

Penumbra - 7.15

THIS WAS NOT ON PURPOSE! 3 mappers are now drawing. It just happened that way we swear!
What do I have to say about this one though?
It's a really good solid map. The surface structure is quite basic, but has a few kinks and tactical points to compell.
Check out the underground caves, they are really well-made and situated. In a big game, it's not hard to imagine a mole-war undernearth. Lovely stuff.
The visually appealing element in this is stong enough, nonetheless can still be enhanced as it looks a bit ordinary on-top.
This is currently Shadowors best map and I am excited to see if he can "up his game" even more.

UndergroundWarfare - 6.3

This is very similar to Penumbra, much bigger though.
Why did it receieve a lower score? Well it looks a bit less polished than it's smaller brother. The placement of certain areas, though similar, just look a little less exemplary. Also there are about as many features on the surface where they should probably be a few more due to an extra 140 blocks of width.
Asside from the comparassion this is a decent map and would work well in CTF. I appreciate the hard work put into the undergound cave system.

Platos - 6.35

I played this map not long ago with the small number of people and it was a great rumble.
We seem to have found another family member here and this is maybe a cousin of a foregoing map from Shadowor: Eruption. Check earlier in the contest.
The underground passageway is great fun. Well I suppose it is until some naughty builders get their hands on it! Is it actually a passageway, or the real surface with huge islands above? Hard to classify. But however you'd describe the structure, it's a relatively cool one.
I've got no quarms about the shape of the surface - it's natural and nice. The (surface) visual attractiveness is sound too, although nothing stands out in awe, there is still nothing wrong here. The underground (or below huge islands) is the better half in my opinion and if there was the same engrossement above this map would score very close to a 7.

AscendedValley - 5.9

This map is cute, and it's perhaps one of Shadowor's best maps in terms of eye-candy.
DON'T WORRY there aren't any flags to grab way up on the towering ledges, everything important is safe and sound on the bottom valley.
I actually grappled my way up the enemies ledge in-game and shot down at them from the skies. That was pretty cool. It was hard to get some hits though, I feel the cliffs could be slightly shorter, but to be honest I'm not sure as just to be that high up in my own temporarily private zone was very satisfying.
The water is a great contibutor to the visual factor of this quite beautiful map, however in a mid to long game there is a certainty of "Ascended Valley" turning into "Aquatic valley" and I think this would spoil it a little.
The shrewd cave in the middle is a nice touch and complements the center embellishment. As a point of notice in relation to this review, I scored this map higher than the average score of 5.9.

ProvingGrounds - 6.75

Top work.
The surface dynamics are a little simplistic, but flat-map enthusiasts will appreciate it.
I'm noticing some splendid patterns and block-combinations below the surface in this user's work.
The score really indicates how I feel about this creation. It's layed out with proficient talent.
Nonetheless I will mention this one last time; the surface eye-candy is good, but let's turn good into excellent next time. I think he can do it.

-Single map by @kodysch

Remnant - 7.4

This map is now the current leader in CTF. As always with Oodle the eye-candy is spot on and just about flawless. I like how the stone is evenly spreadout through the map in a very balanced manner.
The middle part will make for some thrilling play with the island placement and different attack routes to take. However saying that it's not 'too adventurous', but for me this is the most adventurous 'professionally made' map we have receieved so far, and received a good flipping score for it.
It's very positive that Oodle used the mossy block types in this. They often add a little extra charm to a map... but I wouldn't want to see them all the time - let's not have EVERY map using these little fellows.
Well I'm not sure I can say much else, the map speaks for itself. It's an altogether great map based on regular premises. It looks smashing, and I think this should be a default map... by a long way!

-Maps by @ffsff

FloodedCanyon - 6.05

It's a good-looking piece! A great dollop of artistic skill is shown for the eye-candy factor.
The concept is however not to everyones liking.
I don't think ffsff made any titanic mistakes here. I believe the concept of this map is precisely how he wanted it to be. In which case the map is brilliant.
But when it comes to extreme concepts such as having to climb up a 30+ high natural wall to reach a flag, it can get tedious for some players.
All this being said I am so happy about receiving this because a lot people who come to Map-maker's Corner server are looking for weird new maps, and this will certainly please.
I won't say anymore. The map is made really well otherwise. For example the dirt background in the water is shaped perfectly. Send us some more ffsff!

StrangeSwamp - 6.6

I've never seen terrain worked like this before. The title says Swamp, and it's a fricking swamp!
I think this would have scored a little higher if it was a bit smaller. I for one didn't mind the size, but there's more than just my opinion.
Once the game gets going, everyone will find themselves stepping in and out of water, and I think that's cool. Most players won't find this annoying because there's plenty of dirt to tread on also, but the Aquaphobiacs among the community (people who cannot stand water in almost any capacity) will turn their noses up to it. I personally relish this map.
It's hard to notice but there are a couple of little boats added, I'm presuming for stylish effect. This is clever.
In summary: A lovely, unique map. Quite large, and LOADED with bushes.


TTH #1



FULL MAP IMAGES (of new TTHs)

-Maps by @Shadowor

Middle-earth - 5.95

I believe this is a decent TTH map. This is the first time we are judging TTH maps and it's a bit harder to do than the other two categories because TTH is less developed map-wise than TDM or CTF.
The tunnel systems underneath will most likely inject a healthy dose of intriguing play to this one. As we know, TTH is a gamemode where splitting up your forces and sneaking behind your enemies line is an ultra valid tactic. It appears as though the tunnels will enable that element of play rather well.
I particularly like the prominent stone houses hanging over water. They are a delight.
Back as we always go, to the eye-candy factor - I would say nothing looks wrong here, however nothing leaps out at me either. It looks reasonably pleasing to the eye, but a further zest is certainly possible.
It might be that the score for this map is a little lower than it should be, it may be re-scored for the next set of leader-boards.

MistyMountains - 5.95

This is a 3-hall TTH map and whilst I personally prefer large-scale 4+ hall maps, I would never want to discount other proposals. Because at this point with TTH, who knows what works?
I think this map has many of the elements I have previously described about Shadowors latest batch.
It's very well balanced. All the terrain elements look great together and I'm impressed.
I feel the score for this map is a little low for how good it is. What I keep noticing from this mapper is a really pleasant use of stone-block.
I'm hoping that for future TTH submissions perhaps the height of the maps can be taller. This would make alternative attack routes much more practical.

-Single map by @H3llO

Castle-C-H-Suddendeath - 5.95

Well. I'd say a great map to experiment on.
For a TTH map it seems a bit small, but I think it works. Obviously the mammoth castle at the top will be an important feature to hold during a lasting-conflict.
More on the castle; I really enjoy seeing fun stuff like this made. It is fun... It will cause fun to happen... Fun will break-out all over the server. I personally would call this map "Fun Fort" xP.
The use of the space under the castle is rather decent aswell. I can see people being able to seal it off and tenuously defend the hall down there.
I'm not a big lover of the eye-candy here though. It doesn't look ugly, but the terrain looks fairly robotical in places. I don't mind the castle being that way, but the dirt-background and surface could benefit from a little mixing-up.
It's a good map though so weldone ffsff.

_______________________

~There were no TDMs in this batch

~All new CTFs are up on Map-maker's Corner CTF!

~News will come soon about MMC TTH

 

:D

 

I like how you overestimate the castle, it might be a terrible mistake relying on it.
By the way this map features a new technology of map making, I call it Levolution™®

Maybe a silly suggestion, but if you hook up a TTH server (and as long as there is just a small amount of maps contributed) I recommend adding the latest maps created by NAND. I never saw them on a server and I really like the diversity he put into them.
NAND's mappack

 

When is this ending again?

 

It's ending on the 12th of December.

It however may morph into something else as it is engaging the map-making community quite well and some fantastic maps are coming out of it.

 

This could be misleading to some people. As the date is now the 12th I believe.

 

Making some maps atm :^)

 

***Announcement

Map-maker's Corner! TTH is now open

Currently with 3 maps in rotation:

Middle-earth
Misty Moutains
Castle-C-H-Suddendeath

~ALL TTH maps submitted to this competition will be hosted on this server.

--- Double Post Merged, Nov 28, 2014, Original Post Date: Nov 27, 2014 ---

>>>MAPPER'S NOTICE!<<<

If you wish to see your maps scored and reviewed for the next leader-board post, it is advised you submit them either today or sometime tomorrow.

 

Broken Plains

 

Thats pretty cool! Would make great TTH map!

 

It was a TTH at the start

 

Heh.

 

I would like to share with the world

 

***ANNOUNCEMENT

The next leader-board post will be coming out Wednesday at the earliest.

This is perhaps the best 'map batch' yet so stay tuned

 

@daskew87 Where's that l.b? It's PAST Wednesday! No pressure doe. ;)

 

...The long awaited

Leader-board post!

Heya everyone, this is a little later than I thought it was going to be. I had to plan out some things for a 1v1 Archer contest and also I wanted to do some tinkering with the leader-board format.

Anyway... here we are!

KEY:
EC = Extended Commentary
SC = Short Commentary
Arrows on leader-boards: How many mappers the user has relatively passed since last post (not absolute movement)


CTF #10


FULL MAP IMAGES (of new CTFs)

-Single map by @Wolf_Huscarl

Pillar of Dirt - 5.15

EC: This map didn't score that high.
The reason for this is simply the pillar in the middle. I've seen a few maps like this before and the problem with a big pillar design is it destroys both knights and archers whole-map freedom. Yes some unobstructed holes may open up, but it's not enough and most players would be irritated - not to mention that with the background dirt leaves behind this pillar is likely to transform into a man-made one after the inevitable errosion over time - so no grace is given there either for the fighting classes.
On the brighter side I think some of the patterns and block placements show good promise. This map hasn't been mirrored (this is uncommon), yet I would say its pretty much equal.
Some people may like Pillar-maps that are this extreme. Preference is something important to never forget. However it's very niche and I feel after one bash on this map most would not wish to re-visit the scene anytime soon.
Appart from the difficult design factor, there clearly is skill put into making it and I would encourage the map-maker to make more CTFs.

-Maps by @Shadowor

Reckoning - 6.9

EC: My goodness a creation of sheer splendor!
The overall structure is marvellous. This map is only 240 wide. I remember Shadowor telling me a while back he couldn't make any below 300 wide. I don't usually do this but take a look at one of his previous submissions:

This was his highest scoring a little while back. Man the changes are frightening!
Back to "Reckoning"...
It's great!
From the last batch of map submissions I can clearly see some improvements in the small-scale eye-candy.
If I can strain to make criticism here I think (very very) mildy some areas look robotic and flat. This for me can sometimes be a positive thing in a map. It can contrast with other more natural-looking parts to break it up nicely which gives a good feeling. But throwing this out there: maybe there is slightly too much flatness overall.
I like the mossy rooms. I am getting a little too used to seeing them now in this contest, heh. Maybe we should ask Geti about introducing another stone-block and stone-backwall type to the colour pallette? Just as an example - Charred stone-block?
My favourite part is the water! I just love it. I think it suits everything so well.
Maybe the flags are too close to the spawn-points. I'm not saying this for a fact, but the gold is hard to discover, making travel tunnels less likely to materialise.

Sunrise - 7.2

EC: What a beautiful map this is. The whole lot looks so lovely.
When I look at the PNG it's all perfectly balanced. By way of illustration see how gorgeous the enclosed room is under the floating islands.
Make this a default!
This is the best map this user's created thus far. The one thing I would say is... For the next CTFs lets see the map-height increased a bit. I'm not 100% sure, but I think they might be improved further with some more elbow room up-top. However I have certainly enjoyed this recent 'neat and narrow' campaign from Shadowor.

Cathedral - 6.85

EC: Well Shadowors decided to go tiny this time and he's pulled a fruity one out the bag.
I'm still trying to figure out if such small CTFs work in this game-mode, and I myself don't know the answer yet. They atleast seem to be decent and produce a commendable novelty.
This one looks rather pleasing, though I feel "Sunrise" tops this for eye-candy.
My opinion is the roof's too low. Imposing itself on the level harshly. Asside from that this is another pretty slick product straight out of the incredible Shadowor Design and Manufacturing business.

Hallowland - 6.95

SC by @Guro: I like the look of this map but it seems very hard to defend due to the complexity. Would be good for larger ctf with 20+ players but I wouldn't like to play on it too much on a smaller server. Very pretty map though.

Colusseum - 6.95

SC by @Guro: Cool and concise map that isn't too large. Lost some points with me as I feel maps with ceilings are sort of OP for archers. I like that the centre of the map doesn't have a stone feature like some of the other maps from this guy. There's also potential for some tunnel plays and stuff. Pretty cool map overall.

Goldentomb - 7.05

SC by @Guro: Another simple but cool map. The centre feature is pretty good and the half complete tunnels could promote some quick gameplay and provide another point of attack.

Minotaur - 7.1

SC by @Guro: I really dislike maps with a stone centre feature, but at least this one can be climbed regularly which prevents archers from just sitting on top spamming arrows. I feel the map would be a 7.5 out of 10 without the larger dirt formations near the centre of the map, and maybe an underground flag or something. Cool map regardless. I really enjoy it.

-Single map by @UltraMarine_Val

Broken Plains - 5.65

EC: Welcome Ultramarine_val to the competition.
It's obvious you know map-making to a creditable level.
I see good shapes and block usage.
There is a shed-load of stone to be found all over. I like this because for all the large spaces available, there's plenty of stone to fill the gaps.
I really think this should have been a TTH map.
Maps with huge spaces and on a micro-level, simplistic terrain don't wet most peoples appetite in CTF.

-Maps by @ThE_HeRo

Flower Islands - 5.8

SC by @Guro: Would have been a six without the hard to defend flag at the top in my opinion. Interesting and different but not something I'd like to play on for a balanced CTF game. Might be cool in a much smaller format for mini ctf or TDM.

Valley of Death - 5.95

SC: Getting wiery playing the usual CTF narrative?
THEN PLAY THIS MAP!
Quick wits, chancy flag-grabs and very aerial attacks.
The score would be higher if a little more intrication was involved. I feel like attention has been given to the eye-candy, but only very briefly.
I really do think some good games could come out of this.

-Single map by @H3llO

Twins - 3.5

EC: I have never before seen a PNG and thought "I have no idea whats going to happen in-game".
I think this is the wackiest submission we've had that's been allowed to enter.
To explain to people who don't know, the top area is basically a bunch of spikes and neutral one-way blocks. The flags are encased in a giant ball of stone-block.
You might have noticed that the red teams flag is on the blue's side and visa versa. Why? lol.
I am having trouble comprehending what would actually transpire here, however I'm pleased we've receieved this.
The low score is due to the fact the gameplay is very limited, atleast I think so from my beggarly understanding of what on earth would go on.

-Single map by @MCrifelMIST

Mountain - 5.85

EC: I'm getting a mystical feeling from this level. It might be the strange symbol in the middle, the patches of mossy-background, and the light-gloss of gold all over.
I like this map more than the average score, but preferences can vary.
I'll list a few small details I like: There are some quite refined parts here: stone-blocks on the mountain surface, the subtle use of mossy-background, the large cave passages, the shape of dirt-background strips to the sides, tactically placed islands at the upper corners.
Weldone MCrifelMIST I think this is a quality map.
To give some constructive criticism some aspects seem a bit clumsy such as the dirt background strips. Their profile just looks a little under-disciplined.
The bedrock doesn't look like it was placed with great intent. Also the same with the stone.
Not a small number of players dislike cave-based maps. This won't please some. But a large majority will have plenty of fun.

-Single map by @ffsff

The Lost City - 7.9

EC: Wtf? And Wow.
How should I desribe this? I think a thick intricate-roofed map with a small island base. I've not seen really anything like this before.
To say I'm eager to try this in a full server is an understatement.
This looks simply incredible - the fine detail is done superbly.
The gameplay mechanics mean a lot of trouble for knights and archers will be put under strain aswell. But I think because the level is so spectacular, not many will mind and they'll have no trouble embracing this concept.
The flag is VERY close to the spawn-point, but heck this will only mean people will have longer to play this wonder. I also think in all the confusion grabbing that flag will come easier than you'd think to a crafty operator.
This is currently the CTF number 1. It had to be.


TTH #2


FULL MAP IMAGE (of new TTH)

-Single map by @Vamist

Kaboom! - 6.3

EC: Yes a TTH!
Great stuff Vamist. I've noticed this is similar to the best default TTHs. Not that we're trying to copy them.
I have to say it looks like the eye-candy's been a little rushed though.
There are some dynamic dirt shapes presented here, but I think it's a bit too much. The spindly dirt-background doesn't go perfectly well with the island shapes in my opinion. Maybe the water background parts could be removed, I find it slightly overkill. I'm not saying they are bad, just in a bad context in some areas.
The overall idea of the map is what I adore. Alternate big routes to take to sieze control of poorly guarded halls.
A little note to add: some more character added under the surface would help to make the stone not so isolated.
The epicness makes this cool for TTH.

_______________________

~There were no TDMs in this batch

~All new CTFs are up on 'Bw Map-maker's Corner CTF!'

~The new TTH is up on 'Bw Map-maker's Corner TTH!'