PL Sandblast a17

[soylent robot]

This is Sandblast. It's a 3 stage payload map, in tf2's traditional desert/industrial style. I thought this time I'd avoid going for a community theme (no packrat screw ups that way) or a SERIES OF CUBES layout, so it snakes through a twisty canyon and some industrial buildings.

 

[tyler]

It's so yellow I thought it was Egypt themed :v

 

[LeSwordfish]

That first point looks REAAALLY long. It looks comparable to a stage of a MSPL in itself.Plus, that hazard texture is ugly.

Other than that, i really, really want to play this, it looks very cool.

I predict a blu forward spawn will be highly necessary though.

 

[Fredrik]

It seems to be kinda hard to get out of the spawn becuase of the hill on the left side that red team can use for a great height advantage if blue can't get up there from spawn, which is kinda hard to see.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

yea, the left side hill looks waay to tall. besides that it is interesting. With the hazard strips, you just need to add strips up hte side with the ramp to denote rollback.

 

[soylent robot]

the blue spawn has three exits: the double gate at the bottom you can see on the picture, and there are two gates that lead to both the ledges on either side of the track.

thanks frozen i was wondering why the hazards were looking a bit weird.

thanks for the comments ^^

 

[Omena]

I like the brightness I like bright maps

 

[soylent robot]

A2 up: Cubemaps, and fixing the hazard strip areas.
dunno how i forgot the cubempas XD

 

[soylent robot]

Here's a few shots of the next version, a3. It's all from the first stage, I changed it to a multistage pl map following advice i got from testing.

 

[LeSwordfish]

Too many signs!

In that second screenshot, i reckon you need two or less signs- the one on the faright, and one in from the left. People will see the door in the middle anyway. The cart goes through there: there'll be a crapton of defenders! They could hardly miss it with their eyes closed!

In that first screenshot, why in gods name would they need those signs? Where do you expect them to go?

Hmm this came out as cranky and strident but i dont hve the energy to retype it. Sorry.

 

[soylent robot]

im back from my holiday and ive been doing more work on sandblast. here's stage 2:

still a few problems (such as bastard respawn visualizers not bastard working) but im working on stage 3 right now

 

[Fruity Snacks]

You should stop immediately and add some lighting. it helps.

 

[soylent robot]

apart from a few little (but important) things like the timer, a3 is pretty much ready for release. HERE'S SOME PICTURES

blu's spawn in stage 2

stage 2 cap 1

the track going from cap 1 to cap 2

stage 2 cap 2, under the gantries

the first area of stage 3

the final cap area

bev of stage 2

bev of stage 3

and the entire map

 

[soylent robot]

pl_sandblast_a3 is available for download!

 

[soylent robot]

oh man, its sandblast_a4

the majorest change is the final point:

one of the main complaints about the previous version was that it took to long to get to the final point, and the area was also too much like badwater's blast pit. ive replaced it with this tiered area.

another big change is the first stage; ive lengthened the section between the start and the first point, and removed the route that allowed red to get to blu's spawn so quickly

stage 2 hasnt changed much except for a higher ceiling and a new spawn for red

and this is stage 3

 

[soylent robot]

sandblast was on the us games day tomorrow, but apprently theres something wrong with the demo recording so i cant get the recording of the test.
so im bumping this thread for feedback. i'd like some, come on, somebody must have some kind of opinion on it.
im just a little sick of every map in the gamesdays getting feedback in the threads except mine. how am i supposed to know how to improve my map if nobody will tell me?

 

[Wilson]

im just a little sick of every map in the gamesdays getting feedback in the threads except mine. how am i supposed to know how to improve my map if nobody will tell me?

Getting feedback is not really always down to people begin lazy, hating you or map.
Here is old list i made sometime ago.

- Test more than once, just because somebody didn't leave feedback on your map doesn't mean it sucks or is perfect, not every issues comes up on first few playsessions.

- Join chat, i mean it, really do, you can ask feedback from people who were there if you need to, people like to give it trough chat sometimes, it is easier that way.

- Be spectator, sometimes it is good idea to sacriface some of your personal enjoyment and watch how map plays.

- Run around your map alone. While not the most effective testing method, it helps to find annoying clipping, sightlines and so on.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

(what wilson said)

Also, since the implementation of the feedback system, people don't post in threads very often. Why you posted in STV thread when you want people to post in your thread is a little confusing, but none-the-less it looks like you get plent of feedback right here... No if your confused on something, or what something more in detail, then ASK the person. You can't just expect feedback to walk up to you and start a conversation, you need to go out and get it.

ALSO: Why you posted in the WiP thread is completely silly, and un-needed.

 

[soylent robot]

thanks for that link Forzen. is there some way to use that site so i can see where the players gave the feedback? if not, i think can figure it out with those coordinates in hammer

 

[Wilson]

You should be able to download vmf with locations once you claim the map is yours.