Surfing in TeamFortress 2

pigsareit

L1: Registered
Mar 25, 2009
2
0
Hello.
I've been mapping for surf for a while now, and it seems that you guys in general hate the idea of surfing. I understand most surf maps are under-detailed. But most of them have some unique geometry that stands out. I've read some comments on surf maps from some of the .. erm 'higher ranking' members, and it seems they don't even give surf a chance.

This is just my personal opinion but I'd like to see some others mapping for surf. However to spark your ideas, I thought it'd be nice to work with you guys for a surf map that isn't as bad by your standards.

I've been working on a surf map for 3 months now, planning for the most part. I'm almost done, but I'd greatly like some advice on how to take a step forward in surf mapping or mapping in general. Below are some pictures of my surf map in it's current state.

surf_avatar0031.jpg


surf_avatar0044.jpg


Please do not comment if you hate the idea of surfing.
 
Aug 10, 2009
1,240
399
I don't hate the idea of surfing in tf2 :D it actually looks like you put some thought into it which is great :)

I also like the look of that water and ice cliffs, namely the water though :p

If that's custom I'd love you for posting it up.

Also, if you need ideas for maps, just take a look around the Map Database section.
 
Feb 17, 2009
1,165
376
When I'm really bored, I sometimes play surf maps. I hate that they use hl2 textures and models. They are not realistic, but they are fun :D
 

Dr. ROCKZO

L8: Fancy Shmancy Member
Jul 25, 2009
580
159
I used to play Comp Surf in CS:S, I can check out the ramps in this if you want, as far as detailing goes, you're going too fast for any realism to be worth it unless it's in a jail or spawn. So, aim for beauty there. And practicality everywhere else.
 

red_flame586

L420: High Member
Apr 19, 2009
437
122
I myself don't mind surf maps, I sometimes go on them time to time if i'm bored or want to muck around. What I think many of the more hardcore mappers find as major problem with surf maps is that they have next to no overall objective, just get to the end (which sometimes there is none) and spawn camp enemies (if your lucky). If there was some type of goal or directive, even something as simple as ctf or koth, I think that people would be much more appreciative of it.

Plus I think people don't like the idea of them being under detailed and not fitting as well in TF2 (Being originally a CSS idea and fitting into that a bit better). If you managed to get a surf map which somehow fitted into the tf2 theme and didn't look like it had any weird noticeable things (you know, the annoying triangles which are the main part of the whole map!!!) you'd probably be thought of as a hero by many.
 

grazr

Old Man Mutant Ninja Turtle
aa
Mar 4, 2008
5,441
3,814
There arn't decent looking surf maps because people with higher skill levels in hammer and level design apply themselves to more important/significant/worth while projects.

It's just the nature of the game.

Making a decent looking surf map would be cool, but it's not really worth the time to a decent level designer when compared to the potential return of other more predictable projects. At best one gets under dog kudos for sating the desires of niche gameplay/aesthetics... but their time is precious little to simply "joke around".
 
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gamemaster1996

L13: Stunning Member
Sep 30, 2009
1,064
134
Ha i used to surf all the time. Either that or i was the engineer putting guns up to stop surfers :)
 

pigsareit

L1: Registered
Mar 25, 2009
2
0
If that's custom I'd love you for posting it up.
It is custom. ;) Here's a link: http://www.fpsbanana.com/textures/652

If there was some type of goal or directive, even something as simple as ctf or koth, I think that people would be much more appreciative of it.
In the map there are 5 capture points, and 5 areas (Fire-nation, Water-tribe, Air-temples, and Basingse.) There are surfs inbetween each area, 8 in all, but 4 with 2 variations of each.

It is indeed from Avatar, if your interested I have the full version available here: http://forums.solidsurf.info/index.php/topic,2961.0.html