co_portals - Community Made Fun Map!

DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
edited October 2013 in Mapping
Workshop Link

Image dump:
Warning: Large images below!

Larger version of new logo image:
7zIWyCZ.jpg

Layout:
ZQFf1K4.jpg

Rooms in close order to layout:

Marine Start - WorthyRival
xLXszRY.jpg
v6dwmEm.jpg

Transit - Braw
N9xucB6.jpg

Gravity Hub - WorthyRival
r7Ds3J6.jpg

Nautilus - Evil_bOb1
cETcMRm.jpg

Circus - Rudy.cz
1jJoZKa.jpg

Gorge Tunnel C - Seraph
SX80D7o.jpg

Crystal Cave - WhiteDevil
Z9NsQF1.jpg

Lava Cave - Pandademic
5nvDlHh.jpg

Church of Onos (Alien Start) - Flaterectomy
ywpDDuk.jpg
YVIJM1Z.jpg

The concept is pretty simple - each person makes a room that has a certain number of portals in it to connect it to other rooms.

The FLOW would be as diagrammed below
J14BQTU.jpg

The signup list by room number:
1. WorthRival
2. WorthRival
3. Braw
4. Evil_bOb1
5. Rudy.cz
6. Seraph
7. WhiteDevil
8. Pandademic
9. Flaterectomy
rr. Seraph/Caboose
portal effects. Howser
All spots are filled.

Here is the working file: My Dropbox - ns2_co_portals.level
Find your location and create your room there - if I have to move it later the textures will be misaligned! If you plan on using the skybox let me know - we can change it, but don't want to mess anyone else up that is using it.

Mappers of ALL levels are welcome. BE CREATIVE. Any room shape, move the portals anywhere, etc. just make sure you follow the usual scale and Line of Sight guides of gameplay. Ask if you aren't sure! Everyone should do something to make their room memorable!

Mapping notes: Don't put an enemy portal facing another one (in immediate Line of Sight). Make sure your portals are the right color - the alien circle when heading towards #9 and the marine when heading towards #1 - yes this means running towards blue means running towards marine base and vice versa. You should use Extra Entities Mod when mapping so you can test your room and move the teleport_triggers (ask me if you aren't sure how!). My initial size estimate is that you want a marine to be able to walk (not run) uninhibited from portal to portal in ~6-7 seconds. We can make up some larger size by increasing the distance that the portal spits you out (this might help with your anticamp plans). #5 room landmark is just a thought about blocking LoS - go with what you think will work. If you need to you can move your room outward as long as it's not toward #5. Keep Line of Sight and camping in mind when designing the portal entrance/exit area and add a vent near exits from alien side - excluding the two tech points.


How to setup Extra Entities Mod:
Go to the GitHub site for EEM and download all files by clicking the ZIP button.
Unzip all files directly into your Ns2 folder (steamapps\common\natural selection 2\ExtraEntitesMod). Then you have to set up the Launchpad like this:
Open it, click CreateGame and fill it like the picture.
launchern.jpg
You have to select on the left side and then you're ready, after restarting the editor you will see the extra entities in the editor. Now you can open the co_portals map and see teleport_triggers!

All thanks go to JimWest for programming this stuff!

Please ask here if you have any questions or need any help with your room - I'd be happy to help anyone out that needs it!

Edit: After checking a lot I think you can likely get away with 7 seconds marine travel time.

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Comments

  • draktokdraktok Join Date: 2013-02-18 Member: 183156Members
    I'll take 6, seems to be the smallest and easiest to work with. The only map i made was ns2_hallways2 (hallways 1 broke hardcore) and it's not great. But i like to make rooms kinda.
  • Rudy.czRudy.cz Join Date: 2012-02-13 Member: 145410Members
    edited March 2013
    How do I include extra entities in my editor? I am planning to use also the jumpads.
  • JimWestJimWest Join Date: 2010-01-03 Member: 69865Members, Reinforced - Silver
    @rudy look in the thread of my ExtraEntitiesMod, I've written there a short tutorial how to set it up.
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    I've added the setup info for ExtraEntitiesMod to the OP. I should have thought to do that earlier!
  • draktokdraktok Join Date: 2013-02-18 Member: 183156Members
    This is combat, right? So i can make the most verticle room ever without issues, right?
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    draktok wrote: »
    This is combat, right? So i can make the most verticle room ever without issues, right?

    I'd love for you to play in vertical space, but I'd be careful making it too tall and open. Chuteout is one of the least balanced maps out right now and is just a spiral staircase up 3-4 floors with the center open. Vertical rooms tend to favor those who have the high ground and you don't want people to consciously avoid your room. As long as you break line of sight appropriately it can be good. If you can play in vertical space without giving either side of the room an advantage I'd say go for it.
  • xtcmenxtcmen Join Date: 2004-04-20 Member: 28040Members, Squad Five Blue
    I wanted to replicate the New York Stock Exchange. Don't ask why, I just think its an awesome place to fight in.
  • BrawBraw Join Date: 2008-03-21 Member: 63920Members, Constellation
    You and your stock exchange :D
    This seems fun though, I'd like to take number 3 :)
  • xtcmenxtcmen Join Date: 2004-04-20 Member: 28040Members, Squad Five Blue
    edited March 2013
    Braw wrote: »
    You and your stock exchange :D
    This seems fun though, I'd like to take number 3 :)

    B Dubs, we meet again haha :). I think I played too much COD / watched the dark knight rises too many times. Plus, it never made it into jambi.
  • draktokdraktok Join Date: 2013-02-18 Member: 183156Members
    Do i need to do anything unique to make this work for combat, or just make the room and pass it off to you? I've never made a combat map before.
  • Evil_bOb1Evil_bOb1 Join Date: 2002-07-13 Member: 938Members, Squad Five Blue
    Guess I better sign up before its too late! I was thinking about number 4 for me :p I've been hesitant as I'm not lacking mapping to do but a little change of theme would be nice.

  • bp2008bp2008 Join Date: 2012-11-28 Member: 173581Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold
    I do hope we get to see this on servers once in a while!

    Do you guys have a schedule for when you hope to have this done by?
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    edited March 2013
    Welcome aboard Evil_b0b1!
    draktok wrote: »
    Do i need to do anything unique to make this work for combat, or just make the room and pass it off to you? I've never made a combat map before.

    Just finish the room & pass it off. If you installed EEM you should be able to test the map and get to your room without issue (no team joins use j1/j2 in console).
    bp2008 wrote: »
    I do hope we get to see this on servers once in a while!

    Do you guys have a schedule for when you hope to have this done by?

    Me too. Currently servers will refuse to put Stargate or spacejump into their rotation, but a lot are leaving maps like chuteout & assault in which is confusing. I'm hoping if it looks good enough and plays decently it will be added to rotations.

    Not really a schedule - I don't want to rush anyone as I know most people have several projects in the works. I was hoping most people could return a room in a couple months. Once the first few rooms are in I might start pushing the other volunteers to finish up their work.

  • WorthyRivalWorthyRival Black Armor Division Join Date: 2006-11-07 Member: 58470Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Silver, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    edited March 2013
    DarkSeraph wrote: »
    Currently servers will refuse to put Stargate or spacejump into their rotation, but a lot are leaving maps like chuteout & assault in which is confusing.

    I've tried 4 times to get the Stargate map working on the Monash Combat server same with many other maps published on the workshop. It won't D/L correctly off the workshop. Something to do with it's size and the fact that we are not in the USA. Endar has bought this point up in the server discussion fourms.
    http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/124547/error-downloading-mods#latest

    DarkSeraph would you mind stop bad mouthing my maps if you have no contructive comments.
    No ones bought any issues or bugs about either of those maps to my attention through either the mapping fourms or the steam workshop comments which I check regularly.

    Chuteouts balance problems have been addessed with the teleporter entity. As have the choke point in alien spawn with an additional exit.
    (maybe you should stop trying to solo the hive.)
    it's a team objective map so it requires a team effort.
    Get to lvl 3 hold and Activate Lvl 3 teleporter,
    Get to lvl 5 Hold and Activate lvl 5 teleporter,
    Push and Destroy Hive.)

    I've no idea what you think is wrong with Assault it works perfectly fine.
    I do plan to make some changes to it's teleport entity which I'm not happy with.
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    edited March 2013
    DarkSeraph wrote: »
    Currently servers will refuse to put Stargate or spacejump into their rotation, but a lot are leaving maps like chuteout & assault in which is confusing.

    I've tried 4 times to get the Stargate map working on the Monash Combat server same with many other maps published on the workshop. It won't D/L correctly off the workshop. Something to do with it's size and the fact that we are not in the USA. Endar has bought this point up in the server discussion fourms.
    http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/124547/error-downloading-mods#latest

    DarkSeraph would you mind stop bad mouthing my maps if you have no contructive comments.
    No ones bought any issues or bugs about either of those maps to my attention through either the mapping fourms or the steam workshop comments which I check regularly.

    Chuteouts balance problems have been addessed with the teleporter entity. As have the choke point in alien spawn with an additional exit.
    (maybe you should stop trying to solo the hive.)
    it's a team objective map so it requires a team effort.
    Get to lvl 3 hold and Activate Lvl 3 teleporter,
    Get to lvl 5 Hold and Activate lvl 5 teleporter,
    Push and Destroy Hive.)

    I've no idea what you think is wrong with Assault it works perfectly fine.
    I do plan to make some changes to it's teleport entity which I'm not happy with.

    My apologies, I really don't mean to unconstructively criticize those maps, however they have a reputation of being unbalanced. The NLG guys wouldn't add spacejump because they were worried it would clear out the server like Stargate - those are not my words, but theirs.

    You and I have had a conversation before about map balance and the risk of you using teleporters in an attempt to balance those maps. Please do not pretend like I have not attempted to have constructive conversation with you. So let's put the working gloves back on if you really want some feedback:

    Assault - since you have made the map 3/5ths the original working size the marine win % did go up to 40% (in Feb) which is much better than it was. My real problem with it is flow - since there is only one hallway, marines HAVE to go through vents. This map ends up having more vent combat than any other map as a result, which is why balance is still off IMO.

    chuteout - Really man... yes I was insisting the balance was off because I'm fukin Rambo.... No. With the vent straight into marine spawn (this is the only combat map with a vent into MS) it seems difficult to organize an EXO train. Not to mention just how difficult it is to get a team organize to actually weld the teleport on the top level. That said if you do manage to weld that you probably will win. But why do I want to play a combat map that I have to weld a teleporter to win - I want to shoot stuff. If I want to weld shiz I'll go play classic. Unclear on last win % - can't seem to find any good data.

    In addition - and I have said this above. Vertical maps tend to have balance issues. The team on the higher ground will typically get the benefit. This isn't just Natural Selection, it's a pretty commonly known tactics/strategy issue and will apply to almost all games.


    Unfortunately with no NS2stats for combat servers my assumptions now are much more difficult to prove. But I do hope you will understand why I have been critical of your maps and why others are critical as well. I've played a lot of combat lately and have a good sense for the maps as well as the community's thoughts, and I'm always happy to discuss balance with you.
  • WorthyRivalWorthyRival Black Armor Division Join Date: 2006-11-07 Member: 58470Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Silver, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    edited March 2013
    I'm sorry if you have spoken to me in game about the map, I have no recollection as people offer me opinions everytime I play my maps and everyone always has a different opinion on what is and isn't the problem.
    and as a mapper I'm sure you are well aware everyones a critic.

    Either way this is not the thread to bring up discussion on my work rather the portals map.
    I look forward to a constructive conversation in the appropriate setting about my maps.

    *** Back on topic ***
    But good luck to everyone on this project I'm looking forward to seeing it and will add it to the monash server rotation when it's on the workshop.

    I'm just sorry I missed the boat on grabbing a room.
  • draktokdraktok Join Date: 2013-02-18 Member: 183156Members
    I suck at mapping so i'm glad we have time to work on it!
  • BrawBraw Join Date: 2008-03-21 Member: 63920Members, Constellation
    How do we go about sharing the map files, Seraph?
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    Braw wrote: »
    How do we go about sharing the map files, Seraph?
    • 1. Download the .level file from the OP
    • 2. Create your room in the correct location
    • 3. Save it to file sharing website and link here e.g. Dropbox, RapidShare etc.

      Then I'll put everyone's together and post the final product.

      I'm also hoping people will post WIP screenshots as they get them.
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    Lookin good! I like the use of the Descent models, and the way the portal is set in the wall looks awesome!
  • PandademicPandademic Join Date: 2013-02-26 Member: 183359Members
    edited April 2013
    Here are a few screens of the lava cave's WIP.

    E63Garq.jpg
    9H2qafl.jpg

    Not sure what to do with the portals yet. Was thinking of waiting to see what the themes for the connecting rooms are going to be, and work with that.

    Q: Is it ok to have playable space behind the portals, or should they be against walls?
  • Vert^Vert^ Join Date: 2013-01-22 Member: 181227Members
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    Pandademic wrote: »
    Here are a few screens of the lava cave's WIP.

    Not sure what to do with the portals yet. Was thinking of waiting to see what the themes for the connecting rooms are going to be, and work with that.

    Q: Is it ok to have playable space behind the portals, or should they be against walls?

    Looking great so far! I wouldn't worry about tying the portals to the next room - part of the cool concept of the map is your room is a whole different world! Really I like the effect of the portals coming straight out from rock tunnels - it fits the room well.

    Please do NOT leave playable space behind the portals. I'm already really worried about camping, and that would only give room to the opportunity for people to shoot/bite you from behind as you teleport in.



    As a side note I'm worried I didn't space things out enough and will end up with conflicts :( we'll see. I thought of it seeing how close you are to #4... I guess I should have made the rooms larger. Hindsight etc...
  • PandademicPandademic Join Date: 2013-02-26 Member: 183359Members
    I think it looks bigger in the picture than it is, the surrounding square geometry is unnecessarily tall.

    If you want to have a look, here's the map file in it's current state. https://dropbox.com/sh/9e1fnl5iau4fdk3/hWPWM0rPPU/ns2_co_portals_8.level No matter the changes I may make, I plan to stick (lights, props) within the confines of that space. If it's too big as is, let me know.
  • eliotmateliotmat Join Date: 2002-12-01 Member: 10350Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Looks amusing. Keep up the good work!
  • DarkSeraphDarkSeraph Join Date: 2004-06-07 Member: 29174Members
    @Pandademic you're right - it's not that close to the other rooms, it must be the angle in the last screenshot. Room looks great and I do think that round cave portal entrance would look good; no need to tie it to other rooms or make some stargate looking thing that doesn't fit the room.
  • Rudy.czRudy.cz Join Date: 2012-02-13 Member: 145410Members
    Ok. have worked on my part. I have published it as a playable combat level. It can be found here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=137553655

    When you will need it I will send you the source files.

    All feedback is welcome !!
  • JimWestJimWest Join Date: 2010-01-03 Member: 69865Members, Reinforced - Silver
    love the circus ^^
  • PandademicPandademic Join Date: 2013-02-26 Member: 183359Members
    edited April 2013
    I'm sorry Rudy, but I must protest. It's wrong to take onos from the wild and try to 'tame' them for human amusement. Animal abuse in circuses is well documented, and these proud, intelligent, and sensitive creatures deserve better than the indignity of your centerpiece. What do you think this is, some sort of game?

    In protest of this sick display, I shall add a death trigger entity to my lava room, filling every inch of playable space, set for 5 damage per second. Every day those poor onos remain in captivity I shall increase the damage by 50%.

    PS, the cannon is awesome.
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