Backpier

MangyCarface

Mapper
aa
Feb 26, 2008
1,626
1,325
Many people seem to like Frontier! Sadly, it's not something I'm proud of anymore; there are detailing + optimization issues. I do however love the last point area. So, I flipped it on itself, added capture the flag mechanics, and plenty of delicious changes!

Backpier is a capture the flag mode with a twist (of course) the flags are situated on payload-esque carts. The carts spawn at the final CP from Frontier, and immediately begin crawling towards each other on the tracks. Once they meet at the middle, they both stop; however, if a team grabs the intel before this (likely), the cart stops and the carrier has a chance to get away, bringing the intel back to their pier to capture it. But if the carrier is killed, a harsh 5 second flag return puts the intel back on its cart, where it will begin crawling forward once more. Only on a full capture will the cart reset, flying back at 10 times its normal speed, alarms blaring, killing the opposite team as it flies along its path. Once back at the pier, the intel appears again and the cart once again crawls forward. Yes, it's a rehash of an old map, but I wouldn't release it to yall if it weren't hellza fun.

The basic effect is to ruin turtling, as no matter what, the intel will eventually arrive at the entrance to the enemy base. This is intended as a pub map only, and I'd recommend turning off the 10s crit mechanic to prevent steamrolls.

TODO:
-Detail Blue side
-Compile w/ full settings
-Redo 3D sky
-Fix rope for Blue pier
-Entity visual work for cart system

THANKS:
-F_M + 2f2f
-Ravidge and ABS for the awesome intel parenting system! Check out Ravidge's excellent looping ctf payload map, ctf_system!!!
 
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ricardojvc6

L6: Sharp Member
Jun 8, 2009
268
66
looks good so far btw i don't get how the cart will fall on the sea
 

PenPen

L5: Dapper Member
Apr 24, 2008
207
136
It's a weird CTF map, I don't know how to say (it's so different from what I'm used with). It'll definitely be interesting to play and how Engineers work in this map would be interesting.

Hopefully the cart is temporary though! The current one looks weird when it's moving by itself.

Something I found:
ctf_backpier_a20000.jpg
 
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MangyCarface

Mapper
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Feb 26, 2008
1,626
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Something I found:
ctf_backpier_a20000.jpg

Thanks, but check the todo list :p

Engineers work fine, but it's a different role than the usual lazy gameplay. You have to control the chokes... and ofc teleports play a huge role, as this is Frontier at its base, so plenty of offensive opportunities
 

Penguin

Clinically Diagnosed with Small Mapper's Syndrome
aa
May 21, 2009
2,039
1,484
That is a pretty inventive mechanic, buddy.

Clever name, too.
 
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TMP

Ancient Pyro Main
aa
Aug 11, 2008
947
560
I think the name has secret connotations to something... fairly strange.

Let me put it this way.

Back=behind, posterior end.
Pier=Place to dock a boat.

Backpier= Place to dock a boat.. behind..

Now lets take that into slang terms. YEAH. Ever since Ass Rage, Mangy has been choosing more.. suggestive names for his maps!

In all seriousness, I love the final area of frontier, and I really want to give this a try without having to go to 2f2f. I'll try convincing people into getting some play on this at a server I frequent.
 

Omnomnick

L6: Sharp Member
Aug 16, 2009
335
111
Wow, this looks really inventive and fun actually. I loved Frontier so this should be good if not better :)

I'll check it out sometime! :D
 

Radaka

L420: High Member
May 24, 2009
491
244
Going to download and run around a bit. The mechanic seems good, and it'll get rid of the frustration of ctf (sounds like it at least).
 

Wegason

L3: Member
Aug 16, 2009
147
64
I'm going to have to give this a go, it sounds crazy yet fun.
 

FLOOR_MASTER

L3: Member
Mar 10, 2008
118
140
Make no mistake, this is not a gimmick map. As verified with large-scale playtests, this completely reinvigorates the concept of dual CTF into one that is actually playable on medium and large servers and will not drag on indeterminately without manual server time limits. Yes, it's an existing map refactored, but it makes for a great CTF layout even without the cart mechanism.
 

Sharc

L1: Registered
Jun 11, 2009
32
3
I miss Lil Chew Chew though, maybe the carts will eventually turn into a tiny Lil Chew Chew variant with the intel ontop?
 

MangyCarface

Mapper
aa
Feb 26, 2008
1,626
1,325
I miss Lil Chew Chew though, maybe the carts will eventually turn into a tiny Lil Chew Chew variant with the intel ontop?

While I flirted with various implementations of chewchew into the map, eventually I dropped it for the sake of filesize and keeping the credit list short.
 

PMAvers

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 29, 2008
389
142
Huh, how'd I miss this? D:
Very nifty idea, though. A few visual bugs, but nothing that can't be ironed out. Things I noticed on some solo runs:

If you're standing on top of the "tiered" BLU hill and facing the cliffs over the pit, they fade in and out, depending on where you stand. Looks like some sort of draw-distance problem. If you turn around, and look up over the buildings where the RED satellite dish is, it looks like it's floating.

If you head over to the RED side and stand on the hill, the BLU satellite dish isn't visible at all, even though I think it should be.

Once, the intel became decoupled from the cart, and was floating about ten feet or so in front of it. You couldn't walk through it, it was still solid like the cart was there. The "cart" itself, though, you could.
 

Mike

L1: Registered
Aug 9, 2009
2
1
this is by far my favorite ctf map out there
not a fan of the mode itself but always loved the last area of Frontier and you've done great adapting it for the ctf gametype

there are still plenty of interesting engineering spots but because the intel is constantly on the move it gives all classes a great amount of options to approach the enemy wich has always been enormously lacking in regular ol ctf maps

hope Valve takes a good look at this settup because regular ctf maps like Sawmill and 2Fort just dont cut it anymore in a normal pub environment

only thing thats a bit lackin is the kinda bland design of the cart.. but thats probably cause i miss Lil Chew Chew ;]