72-Hour Contest Checklist?

Kube

Kube

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Aug 31, 2014
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Well, it looks like that if all goes well, I'll be entering this summer's 72-Hour Mapping Contest (which you guarantee you'll have, right, guys?). Since this will be my first, I was wondering if I could compile a checklist very early in advance to see what you people would recommend me to do to set up for the long-haul. I also hope to stream the event live, if possible.

The reason I ask so early is not only because I thought of doing so right now before I forget, but because there are a lot of things that I expect will need to get done IRL that will take some time (for example, getting a reliable internet connection that doesn't clip out every ~5 minutes.

All help is appreciated, and may the force be with you! :thumbup:

Here's the list:
takabuschik said:
-A stiky note glued to the computer screen that says: "don't forget the clipping visgroup!"
-Food in your house
-A layout or general idea
Click to expand...
iiboharz said:
if you're gonna stream make sure your config's all setup beforehand, you don't want to waste time during the contest setting up your stream
Click to expand...

YM said:
  • sealed or cordoned
  • put lights indoors (more than one person forgets every time)
  • clipped
  • at least one spectator camera
  • ammo/health
  • ammo/health patches
  • set spawn times to something reasonable
  • set timer to something reasonable
  • respawnroom visualisers
  • respawnroom brushes
  • resupply cabinates
Click to expand...

Vincent said:
While none of these things I'm going to mention are exactly checklist worthy I think it's important to know these hotkeys and tricks for speed mapping.

Pressing H for quick hide and U to quick un-hide is so incredibly useful when you want to work with area's that have triggers brushes everywhere or player clipping.

When in a 2D view only, I usually use the top view for this, you can select multiple props and brushes and with the hotkeys ctrl+l and ctrl+i you can quickly flip the geometry and entities.

When blocking out do it in flat view (Not textured, not shaded textured, not wireframe, etc.) and stick to nodraw 95% of the time. This makes it easier to see what you're doing without the distraction of texturing and it allows you to focus on the feel of the gameplay space. Maps in this contest format tend to look nice but play badly, at least in my experiences. I think blocking out in flat view helps make a great a1.

Also don't forget a playlist of your favorite jams.
Click to expand...

Fantasmos said:
ALWAYS have something uploaded in the upload thread and keep it as updated as possible. You don't want to do a last minute compile and miss out because of the time limit.

Study boards on aesthetics are also helpful http://imgur.com/a/rTqNj making them yourself is also essential, you'll learn much more
Click to expand...

Vincent said:
I'm heading to the store to load up on energy drinks, snacks and maybe some real food. I'll be getting myself at least 8 hours of sleep so I can wake up well rested just before we start. I'll have my music ready and my starting .vmf with my gamemode good to go. I'm breaking up my days of development so I know what I want to be working on when, or at least a rough idea. Streaming for recording purposes blah blah blah.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
iiboharz

iiboharz

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if you're gonna stream make sure your config's all setup beforehand, you don't want to waste time during the contest setting up your stream
 
Kube

Kube

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Aug 31, 2014
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Thanks for all the responses so far. I'm prematurely pumped!
 
Kube

Kube

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Aug 31, 2014
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Just found this again. Now let me find a sticky note...
 
YM

YM

LVL100 YM
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  • sealed or cordoned
  • put lights indoors (more than one person forgets every time)
  • clipped
  • at least one spectator camera
  • ammo/health
  • ammo/health patches
  • set spawn times to something reasonable
  • set timer to something reasonable
  • respawnroom visualisers
  • respawnroom brushes
  • resupply cabinates


Just to get started. I emphasise lights indoors, but literally every one of these points is forgotten by at least one person, every single time.
 
Vincent

Vincent

&#128296 Grandmaster Lizard Wizard Jedi &#128296
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Sep 5, 2009
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While none of these things I'm going to mention are exactly checklist worthy I think it's important to know these hotkeys and tricks for speed mapping.

Pressing H for quick hide and U to quick un-hide is so incredibly useful when you want to work with area's that have triggers brushes everywhere or player clipping.

When in a 2D view only, I usually use the top view for this, you can select multiple props and brushes and with the hotkeys ctrl+l and ctrl+i you can quickly flip the geometry and entities.

When blocking out do it in flat view (Not textured, not shaded textured, not wireframe, etc.) and stick to nodraw 95% of the time. This makes it easier to see what you're doing without the distraction of texturing and it allows you to focus on the feel of the gameplay space. Maps in this contest format tend to look nice but play badly, at least in my experiences. I think blocking out in flat view helps make a great a1.

Also don't forget a playlist of your favorite jams.
 
Last edited:
Fantaboi

Fantaboi

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Mar 11, 2013
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ALWAYS have something uploaded in the upload thread and keep it as updated as possible. You don't want to do a last minute compile and miss out because of the time limit.

Study boards on aesthetics are also helpful http://imgur.com/a/rTqNj making them yourself is also essential, you'll learn much more
 
Last edited:
Kube

Kube

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Aug 31, 2014
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Bumping this thread, I'm doing the contest tomorrow! The thread description has been updated. Any final words of advice?

I'm a bit nervous
nervous-gif.gif
 
Vincent

Vincent

&#128296 Grandmaster Lizard Wizard Jedi &#128296
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Good luck dude I'm participating this weekend as well.

I'm heading to the store to load up on energy drinks, snacks and maybe some real food. I'll be getting myself at least 8 hours of sleep so I can wake up well rested just before we start. I'll have my music ready and my starting .vmf with my gamemode good to go. I'm breaking up my days of development so I know what I want to be working on when, or at least a rough idea. Streaming for recording purposes blah blah blah.

Hopefully you're prepared, I kinda feel prepared.
 
Kube

Kube

Not the correct way to make lasagna
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Aug 31, 2014
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Vincent said:
Good luck dude I'm participating this weekend as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch. Unfortunately, this means we'll be competing for playtesting time, so you better get outta my way when I shout "IMP!".
 
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