Theme - The Reveal
Test Chamber 19. The first, last and only time we see the "cake" symbol on the chamber sign. We ride the unstationary scaffold around the corner, and then... The Reveal. How would you have done it differently? "The Reveal" theme is all about recreating - or redefining - the final moments of the test proper, and how our protagonist escapes through the inner halls of Aperture Laboratories. Fans of BTS mapping should think about this contest theme! Note, this does not necessarily include a "boss fight", but if you think you can do the ending to Portal even better, then by all means please do!
- Requirements: This theme must include a "chamber 19" beginning, and some sort of reveal about the true nature of GLaDOS' testing. No, it does not have to be a fire pit. No, the player does not have to successfully survive and escape! How much or how little past "The Reveal" is entirely up to you.
Theme - Aperture Science
Three areas, three difficulties. Basic Science, Rocket Science, and Aperture Science. This is the most open-ended of all of the themes. The "Aperture Science" theme should remind all of us what it's like to be Thinking With Portals.
- Requirements: This theme must include 3 distinct areas, each with an increasing difficulty level. There can be as many or as few individual "puzzles" per area as you would like. The different areas can be separate "test chambers" as well, and the areas can be separated in any way you choose, but there must be an obvious and distinct transition from one difficulty zone to another. Multiple BSPs are allowed, and especially with larger maps, encouraged.