Welcome to Microcontest 16: Exclusion Zone
Last year, I asked you to build inside a single box for Microcontest 8: Thinking Inside the Box. Now, it's time to build outside of 484 boxes!
The provided .vmf contains a grid of 512x512x32704hu* pillars, arranged exactly 1024hu apart, filling the entire hammer grid. These are the "exclusion zones."
Your job is to make a map that fits around and between these zones; you may not move them, and you cannot have any accessible playspace inside of them.
When compiling, hide the "Exclusion Zones" visgroup or you will get leaks since the pillars are too big for the compilers to handle well!
For full Microcontest rules and submission procedure, check out the 2021 Microcontest Megathread: https://tf2maps.net/threads/the-microcontest-megathread-season-2.43572/
*the ones at the edges are slightly smaller so they are not touching the edges of the grid.
Today's Bonus Punch:
Completely surround at least 3 pillars with accessible gameplay space. "Accessible" means that players can navigate all the way around a pillar; distance from the pillar does not matter.
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Quick Info:
Difficulty: 2/5
Planning starts at 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) on July 24th, 2021.
Mapping begins one hour later at 11:00 AM EDT (15:00 UTC)
Maps must be submitted to this thread no later than 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) on July 25th, 2021.
Testing begins one hour later at 11:00 AM EDT (15:00 UTC)
Countdown to deadline here:
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdo...=Microcontest+16+Deadline&font=sanserif&csz=1
When compiling, hide the "Exclusion Zones" visgroup or you will get leaks since the pillars are too big for the compilers to handle well!
Name your .vmf:
<gamemode>_<yourname>_mc16_a1
All game modes are allowed. Game modes that can run on standard 24-player servers will be tested, maps that require plugins or custom server settings will be reviewed but not tested. If there are any single-player Training maps, a recording of me playing it will be made available alongside the usual feedback to make up for a lack of demos. MvM maps will be tested separately.
The Speedmapper punch only counts time working on geometry. Planning, compiling, bug fixing, lighting, logic, clipping, sealing, and other things that aren't physical playable spaces do not count towards the four hours.
Good luck!
Last year, I asked you to build inside a single box for Microcontest 8: Thinking Inside the Box. Now, it's time to build outside of 484 boxes!
The provided .vmf contains a grid of 512x512x32704hu* pillars, arranged exactly 1024hu apart, filling the entire hammer grid. These are the "exclusion zones."
Your job is to make a map that fits around and between these zones; you may not move them, and you cannot have any accessible playspace inside of them.
When compiling, hide the "Exclusion Zones" visgroup or you will get leaks since the pillars are too big for the compilers to handle well!
Brushes and props may be placed inside of the exclusion zones, but players may never enter them under any circumstances. So you're free to build them into buildings or put skybox brushes in them, just don't ever have rooms or platforms within the pillars. You are allowed to texture them and use them as actual geometry, though they're so big that you probably will run into errors if you do. Just make sure you don't move them!
For full Microcontest rules and submission procedure, check out the 2021 Microcontest Megathread: https://tf2maps.net/threads/the-microcontest-megathread-season-2.43572/
*the ones at the edges are slightly smaller so they are not touching the edges of the grid.
Today's Bonus Punch:
Completely surround at least 3 pillars with accessible gameplay space. "Accessible" means that players can navigate all the way around a pillar; distance from the pillar does not matter.
--------------
Quick Info:
Difficulty: 2/5
Planning starts at 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) on July 24th, 2021.
Mapping begins one hour later at 11:00 AM EDT (15:00 UTC)
Maps must be submitted to this thread no later than 10:00 AM EDT (14:00 UTC) on July 25th, 2021.
Testing begins one hour later at 11:00 AM EDT (15:00 UTC)
Countdown to deadline here:
https://www.timeanddate.com/countdo...=Microcontest+16+Deadline&font=sanserif&csz=1
--------------
Important Notes:
When compiling, hide the "Exclusion Zones" visgroup or you will get leaks since the pillars are too big for the compilers to handle well!
Name your .vmf:
<gamemode>_<yourname>_mc16_a1
All game modes are allowed. Game modes that can run on standard 24-player servers will be tested, maps that require plugins or custom server settings will be reviewed but not tested. If there are any single-player Training maps, a recording of me playing it will be made available alongside the usual feedback to make up for a lack of demos. MvM maps will be tested separately.
The Speedmapper punch only counts time working on geometry. Planning, compiling, bug fixing, lighting, logic, clipping, sealing, and other things that aren't physical playable spaces do not count towards the four hours.
Good luck!
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