F.A.Q.: TF2Maps.net Mapping Contest #5

[DaBeatzProject]

TF2MAPS.NET MAPPING CONTEST #5: THE ART PASS CONTEST

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - ANSWERED HERE!
Make sure you have read the RULES page of the Contest site before you start!​

• Can I edit the props and/or brushes that were in the original valvebase map?
  YES - you can. Most of them only serve a very simple layout purpose, like ladders, piled boxes, etc (Yes, you CAN replace those with stairs). Make sure though the rough layout remains the same. This means that you shouldn't be adding buildings in the gameplay area.
  
  
• Is it possible to add new props, like fences, railings, barriers etc to the map?
  YES - you are. But again, make sure the basic layout remains like it originaly was in the dev-textured version. It is NOT allowed if it changes or breaks the map's gameplay a lot.
  
  
• Am I allowed to make more than one entry for the contest?
  YES - you are. But it is recommended to focus on one very good entry than on two or more, rather lacking ones.
  
  
• Was this map really made by valve?
  YES it was - and it's YOUR job to do the art pass!
  
  
• Where do I submit and show off my map to others, to get comments on my work?
  You can create a thread in the Contest Entries map section of the forum. People will there have the place to comment on your work. When you think you're done, your map must be named in this fashion: artpass_yourusername.bsp and you must have a thread in the Contest Entries forum.
  
  
• Can I change the theme of the map? Can I make it night-time?
  YES - you are. Be original, is one of the basic ideas of this contest!
  
  
• May I change the BLU spawn's layout?
  YES - you can. Make it pretty, make it look good!
  
  
• I think the gameplay is rather bad! I'm worried! Should I?
  NO - you shouldn't! This contest is ONLY about detailing and the 'art' of mapping! The layout has been taken care of by VALVe.
  
  
• What is hammer?
  NO - JUST NO!
  
  
• Who will be judging this contest?
  A team of experts at VALVe will plow through the entries, and the winning entry of their choice will become official!
  
  
• Can I use custom content, NOT made by myself?
  YES - you can. But only if you have permission (this means that you have asked the author) to use it in your map. If you don't have permission to use them, you will be disqualified.
  
  
• Am I allowed to use the the swamp pack and swamp expansion pack in my entry?
  YES - you are! Go make your stuff swampy if you want!
  
  
• Who made the base map?
  DOUG WOOD - Not Corey Peters. He coordinated the contest with zpqrei, but did not make the map.
  
  

Any more questions or suggestions? Feel free to post them here or in the original Contest #5 thread or hop in the TF2Maps.net Steam Chat! Moderators/Other people will happily answer them and this original post will be updated.

 

[Rexy]

Who's judging the contest? I know the polypack was judged by Valve, will it be the same for this contest?

EDIT: answered my own question, sorry for posting without reading first.

 

[l33tz0rx]

So, will a saw somewhere be breaking gameplay hugely or no?

 

[Reactor]

I'm just curious, can we alter Valve's brushes, and add brushes of our own?

 

[EArkham]

Less a question about custom content and more a suggestion.

Custom content is allowed, but you must have permission from the content creator, because, should you win, the files would need to be officially acquired by Valve. The original author of the content must have source files to prove that they made it. This means you need to ask the content creators, not just give credit!

Might be a good idea to have an "Artpass Custom Prop/Texture Approval" thread. Then folks who have made custom content can post publically that their props & textures are available for use in the contest. Saves folks having to PM people to get approvals, and helps even the playing field by giving everyone easy access to the same pool of custom items.

Not like people aren't going to be raiding the download section anyway. May as well make things as simple as possible.

[Edit] To follow up with a real question: are the swamp theme props approved for use in this contest?

Kep

 

[Terr]

I'm just curious, can we alter Valve's brushes, and add brushes of our own?

Pretty sure this is a "Yes". You'll need to add some brushes for certain types of detailing anyway... and if you want to widen a few walls or lower a few platforms that ought to be OK as long as it's clearly the same arrangement of rooms and buildings and corridors.

I think the problem is when you want to add a new floor or a new underground path or to change a rocket-jump-accessible balcony entrance to an impassable window, etc.

 

[Loc_n_lol]

[*] What is hammer?
NO - JUST NO!

This made me lol

 

[Trotim]

What is ham-mer? A miserable little pile of secrets!

 

[Micnax]

# May I change the BLU spawn's layout?
YES - you can. Make it pretty, make it look good!

Good lord thank god that's over

 

[Drexer]

[*] May I change the BLU spawn's layout?
YES - you can. Make it pretty, make it look good!

I'm assuming RED as well, but it might be a good idea to add it there.

I did think of something though. If someone wishes to use the swamp theme for instance, they might want to use water, as it is very complementary to the look. What are the rules regarding water? I know that for decorative purposes it should be ok, but if there is for instance a puddle capable of putting out fire, that would be considered a gameplay element, right?

Ignoring for a bit that such a puddle would probably mean a lot of displacement manipulation.

 

[l33tz0rx]

Anyone here know if I can put a saw?

 

[Loc_n_lol]

I suppose a moving trigger hurt (saw, train, saw on a train...) in the middle of a combat area would actually be a pretty big gameplay change... Just use an inactive saw ?

 

[l33tz0rx]

I suppose a moving trigger hurt (saw, train, saw on a train...) in the middle of a combat area would actually be a pretty big gameplay change... Just use an inactive saw ?

Well, not in the middle of combat, maybe in an off-ish area. I'm thinking somewhere in one of the buildings near blu spawn, so they don't get endlessly spawncamped.

 

[Grim Tuesday]

I'm assuming RED as well, but it might be a good idea to add it there.

I did think of something though. If someone wishes to use the swamp theme for instance, they might want to use water, as it is very complementary to the look. What are the rules regarding water? I know that for decorative purposes it should be ok, but if there is for instance a puddle capable of putting out fire, that would be considered a gameplay element, right?

Ignoring for a bit that such a puddle would probably mean a lot of displacement manipulation.

You can't change the Red spawn, as that changes gameflow a lot more than the blu spawn. As long as the water is not deep enough to put out fire, I think it is OK, and you can modify displacements to your hearts content, as long as the map still has the same core gameplay.

 

[l33tz0rx]

You can't change the Red spawn, as that changes gameflow a lot more than the blu spawn. As long as the water is not deep enough to put out fire, I think it is OK, and you can modify displacements to your hearts content, as long as the map still has the same core gameplay.

Can I still add extra props to red spawn?

 

[ANova]

Beatz Whats Hammer?

 

[Drexer]

You can't change the Red spawn, as that changes gameflow a lot more than the blu spawn. As long as the water is not deep enough to put out fire, I think it is OK, and you can modify displacements to your hearts content, as long as the map still has the same core gameplay.

When I mean change I'm talking about making it longer or wider, not changing its exits. Would it really change gameplay that much?

And this that was asked by a friend. Can he add knee high water for instance near B, even if it negates fall damage?

 

[Knight-Errant]

Question: The swamp pack was made by members of tf2maps, its a bit of a gray area, since I don't know who to ask. Who do I contact on that/should I not bother with that pack?

 

[Grim Tuesday]

Well, not in the middle of combat, maybe in an off-ish area. I'm thinking somewhere in one of the buildings near blu spawn, so they don't get endlessly spawncamped.

That would change gameplay. Its valve's job to worry about that, yours is to make it look pretty.

Swamp pack is legal, all the people who worked on it have agreed with its use for this contest.

 

[A Boojum Snark]

Question: The swamp pack was made by members of tf2maps, its a bit of a gray area, since I don't know who to ask. Who do I contact on that/should I not bother with that pack?

A member of the pack informed me that they all had to waive their rights to the content to be part of it, so it's fair game.