OMG IT'S CRASH !!!Mirrored maps have minor balance issues in the fact that your weapon shoots off center to the right of your screen (or rarely, to the left, depending on your view model location.) For this reason, it's best to eliminate that variable and use rotational symmetry.
Experiment. Literary. Try something new and have it tested. If it's liked you're golden. If it's not liked, try something else.OMG IT'S CRASH !!!
but seriously though, every comp 5CP map derives something from Blands/Granary whether the spires or the last's structure, how do i differentiate my map without being too alien/bad ?
The next version will be extremely different. I talked to someone (I don't know if they wanted me to say their name) about why they changed their map from the croissant/banana mirroring and why their map didn't get played before they made that change and they basically said that it dumbs down the gameplay on the mid to an insane level, and makes it so the closest route (the one that people were complaining about in banana) becomes the best most of the time. Either that or you have to drastically change the connectors to accommodate it. Also it imbalances the teams just on principle because one team has the peakers advantage, and the other consistently doesn't. I have looked at a few connectors and second points I've liked in 5cp and lets just say that the gameplay on last and second will change a lot. Also while it is your opinion, I find the gameplay on last to be extremely fun. There us a few times in normal 5cp maps where teams can't push in due to a turret (and it's a pub so nothing but an Uber is breaking that sentry), but that's nullified in this map because of the pillars on the cap point, there is always a safe place to stand from a turret's line of site. I am changing the side door to the point (the extremely small one that nobody used) to a process-like semi-sneaky, giving the attacking team more options. But to counteract this I am going to increase last cap time. Since a lot of the time the way people won was getting a Pyro on the point and just airblasting people away. And while I do like that, I don't think it should be the dominant strategy.
OMG IT'S CRASH !!!
but seriously though, every comp 5CP map derives something from Blands/Granary whether the spires or the last's structure, how do i differentiate my map without being too alien/bad ?
My issue with comp maps is that, at least from my perspective, all formulaic and similar. Very minimal variance in gameplay, and not much is explored in what could be 'fun.' Bridge-like mid (or granary), spire-like 2nd, rectangular finale with raised sides. Look at the top 3-4 5CP maps on the workshop right now (Glassworks, Sunshine, Metalworks ... Sorry Crash). They're competitive, and they all do that. Look at custom maps that are official, Gullywash, Process, same thing.
Yes, it's a good thing because they play well, but it's bad because it's virtually the same type of gameplay over and over, just a different skin and some changes here and there.
I do fully understand WHY this is though, and I do not disagree with the logic as why it's happening. Though, as someone who wants to actually see new stuff, innovation and pushing the limits of mapping, it's very frustrating.
Now, I'm sure that a competitive player will come in and tell me how wrong I am, but this is how I see it, and what I understand of it with my experience in the competitive scene.
Mirrored maps have minor balance issues in the fact that your weapon shoots off center to the right of your screen (or rarely, to the left, depending on your view model location.) For this reason, it's best to eliminate that variable and use rotational symmetry.
The next version will be extremely different. I talked to someone (I don't know if they wanted me to say their name) about why they changed their map from the croissant/banana mirroring and why their map didn't get played before they made that change and they basically said that it dumbs down the gameplay on the mid to an insane level, and makes it so the closest route (the one that people were complaining about in banana) becomes the best most of the time. Either that or you have to drastically change the connectors to accommodate it.