Surfing in TeamFortress 2

[pigsareit]

Hello.
I've been mapping for surf for a while now, and it seems that you guys in general hate the idea of surfing. I understand most surf maps are under-detailed. But most of them have some unique geometry that stands out. I've read some comments on surf maps from some of the .. erm 'higher ranking' members, and it seems they don't even give surf a chance.

This is just my personal opinion but I'd like to see some others mapping for surf. However to spark your ideas, I thought it'd be nice to work with you guys for a surf map that isn't as bad by your standards.

I've been working on a surf map for 3 months now, planning for the most part. I'm almost done, but I'd greatly like some advice on how to take a step forward in surf mapping or mapping in general. Below are some pictures of my surf map in it's current state.

Please do not comment if you hate the idea of surfing.

 

[absurdistof]

I don't hate the idea of surfing in tf2 it actually looks like you put some thought into it which is great

I also like the look of that water and ice cliffs, namely the water though

If that's custom I'd love you for posting it up.

Also, if you need ideas for maps, just take a look around the Map Database section.

 

[Engineer]

When I'm really bored, I sometimes play surf maps. I hate that they use hl2 textures and models. They are not realistic, but they are fun

 

[Dr. ROCKZO]

I used to play Comp Surf in CS:S, I can check out the ramps in this if you want, as far as detailing goes, you're going too fast for any realism to be worth it unless it's in a jail or spawn. So, aim for beauty there. And practicality everywhere else.

 

[red_flame586]

I myself don't mind surf maps, I sometimes go on them time to time if i'm bored or want to muck around. What I think many of the more hardcore mappers find as major problem with surf maps is that they have next to no overall objective, just get to the end (which sometimes there is none) and spawn camp enemies (if your lucky). If there was some type of goal or directive, even something as simple as ctf or koth, I think that people would be much more appreciative of it.

Plus I think people don't like the idea of them being under detailed and not fitting as well in TF2 (Being originally a CSS idea and fitting into that a bit better). If you managed to get a surf map which somehow fitted into the tf2 theme and didn't look like it had any weird noticeable things (you know, the annoying triangles which are the main part of the whole map!!!) you'd probably be thought of as a hero by many.

 

[grazr]

There arn't decent looking surf maps because people with higher skill levels in hammer and level design apply themselves to more important/significant/worth while projects.

It's just the nature of the game.

Making a decent looking surf map would be cool, but it's not really worth the time to a decent level designer when compared to the potential return of other more predictable projects. At best one gets under dog kudos for sating the desires of niche gameplay/aesthetics... but their time is precious little to simply "joke around".

 

[gamemaster1996]

Ha i used to surf all the time. Either that or i was the engineer putting guns up to stop surfers

 

[Freyja]

Looks like someone's taking inspiration from Avatar

 

[Konata]

Looks like someone's taking inspiration from Avatar

My thoughts exactly. FIRE SURFING!

 

[pigsareit]

If that's custom I'd love you for posting it up.

It is custom. Here's a link: http://www.fpsbanana.com/textures/652

If there was some type of goal or directive, even something as simple as ctf or koth, I think that people would be much more appreciative of it.

In the map there are 5 capture points, and 5 areas (Fire-nation, Water-tribe, Air-temples, and Basingse.) There are surfs inbetween each area, 8 in all, but 4 with 2 variations of each.

It is indeed from Avatar, if your interested I have the full version available here: http://forums.solidsurf.info/index.php/topic,2961.0.html