CTF Rock Bottom

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
Hey,

Blu and Red fight it out over the most wanted dust bowl in the Team Fortress universe! A map featuring doors, walls and many routes to get to the enemy's objective!

Quick action and lots of enemy encounters await those who play Rock Bottom!

Enjoy!

Midas
 
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Dr. Sasha

L4: Comfortable Member
Aug 5, 2013
185
86
Nice

Might work better as an arena map though

Also those concrete wall things sticking out of the wall look extremely out of place. Make it a wooden building and add supports under it (it's floating in mid air)

And how can there be a perfectly shaped oval lake of yard-deep water in the middle of this sun-blazing climate

I like the bridge
 
Last edited:

Idolon

they/them
aa
Feb 7, 2008
2,105
6,106
Just a couple of notes on the technical side of things: You'll typically want to package your map as just a .bsp file, rather than a full filepath. Maps are also typically compressed in the .bz2 format, because the server software can handle it well. If you want to include custom materials, models, sounds, whatever with your map, you'll need to look into file packing. Basically, you can package files into your map file, meaning players will get all of the custom content while only having a .bsp file.

Also, you should put the gamemode before the name of the map. Instead of quarry_inc.bsp, use ctf_quarry_inc.bsp. Better yet, start giving your map versions names - if it's the first alpha release of your map, call it ctf_quarry_inc_a1. To add to that, don't rename your bsp after compiling it; rename your vmf (and save a new version of the map after every release!). Renaming the bsp after release breaks things.

One last thing: there's already a rather popular KotH map named Quarry, as well as a ctf map from years ago called Quarry. You should rename your map to avoid confusion.

As for the map itself, it looks pretty impressive for your first map! CTF is generally a difficult gamemode to get playing well, so just be warned that people probably won't like it. However, there aren't any huge glaring flaws that I could see with the layout, which is already a pretty big achievement for a first map.
 

Zed

Certified Most Crunk™
aa
Aug 7, 2014
1,241
1,025
You don't need to stuff all of those folders into your rar. Just pack the .bsp. We know how to install maps.

Also, your file doesn't have a gamemode prefix in the name. Having a prefix (ctf_ in this case) makes the map's gamemode easier to identify and it's also helpful for sorting. On the topic of file names, it would be helpful to include an iteration suffix in the filename. It causes a lot less trouble for both players and server owners. Try releasing the next version under _b2 (beta 2)

The name Quarry is already taken, and I'm afraid Quarry Inc. might not be distinct enough to warrant leaving it like that. See if you can figure out another name.

I'll run around the map later. Layout seems like it could be interesting.

EDIT: Looks like I got ninja'd.
 

Muddy

Muddy
aa
Sep 5, 2014
2,574
4,592
I agree with Dr. Sasha, this'd make a cool arena map.

This is my very first TF2 map (ever), and it's far from done.
Well, you've come to the right place! Sign it up for a gameday, I wanna see how this map plays out.
 

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
Just a couple of notes on the technical side of things: You'll typically want to package your map as just a .bsp file, rather than a full filepath. Maps are also typically compressed in the .bz2 format, because the server software can handle it well. If you want to include custom materials, models, sounds, whatever with your map, you'll need to look into file packing. Basically, you can package files into your map file, meaning players will get all of the custom content while only having a .bsp file.

Also, you should put the gamemode before the name of the map. Instead of quarry_inc.bsp, use ctf_quarry_inc.bsp. Better yet, start giving your map versions names - if it's the first alpha release of your map, call it ctf_quarry_inc_a1. To add to that, don't rename your bsp after compiling it; rename your vmf (and save a new version of the map after every release!). Renaming the bsp after release breaks things.

One last thing: there's already a rather popular KotH map named Quarry, as well as a ctf map from years ago called Quarry. You should rename your map to avoid confusion.

As for the map itself, it looks pretty impressive for your first map! CTF is generally a difficult gamemode to get playing well, so just be warned that people probably won't like it. However, there aren't any huge glaring flaws that I could see with the layout, which is already a pretty big achievement for a first map.

Thank you, I will fix that as soon as I can! I wasn't sure on all that stuff, but now I am! Thank you!

I will look for a cool new name (any tips are welcome)!

CTF is indeed pretty challenging, and I hope to learn a lot of this first map :)
 

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
Nice

Might work better as an arena map though

Also those concrete wall things sticking out of the wall look extremely out of place. Make it a wooden building and add supports under it (it's floating in mid air)

And how can there be a perfectly shaped oval lake of yard-deep water in the middle of this sun-blazing climate

I like the bridge

I was thinking of also making this an arena map. Thanks for the tip on the sniper nests, I'll add some supports to them. Lastly, I wasn't sure on the story behind those water pits, still looking for a good excuse (got tips?). I wanted to make the pyro's virtually useless in those corners
 

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
You don't need to stuff all of those folders into your rar. Just pack the .bsp. We know how to install maps.

Also, your file doesn't have a gamemode prefix in the name. Having a prefix (ctf_ in this case) makes the map's gamemode easier to identify and it's also helpful for sorting. On the topic of file names, it would be helpful to include an iteration suffix in the filename. It causes a lot less trouble for both players and server owners. Try releasing the next version under _b2 (beta 2)

The name Quarry is already taken, and I'm afraid Quarry Inc. might not be distinct enough to warrant leaving it like that. See if you can figure out another name.

I'll run around the map later. Layout seems like it could be interesting.

EDIT: Looks like I got ninja'd.

Thanks for all the tips!
 

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
I agree with Dr. Sasha, this'd make a cool arena map.


Well, you've come to the right place! Sign it up for a gameday, I wanna see how this map plays out.

Making this an arena map too is an option I am currently thinking about (thanks to you peeps!)


Where do I sign up for gamedays? :)
 

Muddy

Muddy
aa
Sep 5, 2014
2,574
4,592
Sign-up threads go up in this section every Wednesday (or Thursday at 3am if you live in the UK, bloody timezones). The gamedays themselves typically take place on Saturdays. It's a great way to get your map tested in a pub environment!
 

Dr. Sasha

L4: Comfortable Member
Aug 5, 2013
185
86
I was thinking of also making this an arena map. Thanks for the tip on the sniper nests, I'll add some supports to them. Lastly, I wasn't sure on the story behind those water pits, still looking for a good excuse (got tips?). I wanted to make the pyro's virtually useless in those corners

Okay, but don't add a lake. It's very strange amongst the steaming, sunburnt ground

Also, you don't have to sign up for a gameday. I mostly get my maps testing through impromptus. Hang around in the group chat and when people decide to have an impromptu, with a few maps people said they wanted to be in it, then some admin that was in the chat hosts it.
 

ZeSpice

L2: Junior Member
Mar 17, 2014
94
34
Don't name map as ctf_copper_pit_a1. Name it ctf_copperpit_a1. Don't put underline between two (or more) words (cp_gravelpit, pl_thundermountain, cp_mountainlab, this is like some standart). And ask admins to change you theme name to Copper Pit. =)
And one more (very important) thing. Do not just rename your .bsp file. This will not work properly. Rename your .vmf file, then compile it, add costume files to it (if you use some), and than reupload.
 

Bombraker

L1: Registered
Sep 22, 2014
39
38
Don't name map as ctf_copper_pit_a1. Name it ctf_copperpit_a1. Don't put underline between two (or more) words (cp_gravelpit, pl_thundermountain, cp_mountainlab, this is like some standart). And ask admins to change you theme name to Copper Pit. =)
And one more (very important) thing. Do not just rename your .bsp file. This will not work properly. Rename your .vmf file, then compile it, add costume files to it (if you use some), and than reupload.

Fixed, thank you!