Map diversity
Sgt_Bilko1
Join Date: 2002-02-02 Member: 150Members
Join Date: 2002-02-02 Member: 150Members
<div class="IPBDescription">Diamond syndrome</div>I've noticed that most NS maps tend to have a common design theme, which is a diamond pattern with the three hives at three of the four points and the marine base at the last point. (if you picture it in your head in basic terms)
This isn't a bad thing, and by all accounts this system has created some extremely enjoyable map designs and good map flow, but I encourage map makers to think outside the box a bit to offer more diversified gameply.
Possible options -
-Tirangle with three hives at the points and the marine base at the center (have the ceiling be a dirt type tile with a hole in the top, marines dug down into an alien infestation (underground map? Anyone played Red faction?)
- One long map with three hive locations in a row and an optional train of some sort for fast transport between the longer distance hive locations to the marine base.
- Depth map: create a map with multiple ladder type landings and long tube shafts leading upwards, aim for height not width. This could be done quite easily as long as high map portions don't overlap low portions, picture it as a right triangle gometric shape with the obtuse angle facing up. (conceptually in structure and layers)
Just some random ideas, I know there are mapping guidelines to follow but a little diversity from the diamond syndrome would definitrly something worth looking at.
<!--EDIT|Sgt. Bilko|Aug. 29 2002,11:38-->
This isn't a bad thing, and by all accounts this system has created some extremely enjoyable map designs and good map flow, but I encourage map makers to think outside the box a bit to offer more diversified gameply.
Possible options -
-Tirangle with three hives at the points and the marine base at the center (have the ceiling be a dirt type tile with a hole in the top, marines dug down into an alien infestation (underground map? Anyone played Red faction?)
- One long map with three hive locations in a row and an optional train of some sort for fast transport between the longer distance hive locations to the marine base.
- Depth map: create a map with multiple ladder type landings and long tube shafts leading upwards, aim for height not width. This could be done quite easily as long as high map portions don't overlap low portions, picture it as a right triangle gometric shape with the obtuse angle facing up. (conceptually in structure and layers)
Just some random ideas, I know there are mapping guidelines to follow but a little diversity from the diamond syndrome would definitrly something worth looking at.
<!--EDIT|Sgt. Bilko|Aug. 29 2002,11:38-->
Comments
A linier map would be un-balanced depending on how far away the aliens spawn from the Marines.
The problem with the deapth map is the commander mode, such great deapths make it unplayble to command at all hieghts.
Nice try sarge.
I dont, i make layouts while i map and tend to make it as chaotic as my own mind....
i think that that would be awsome, getting attaced from all sides, however, doors would have to be able to be welded shut/locked from the inside if the marines were to have any chance.
if a octagon is too much trouble, then maybe a pentagon (going clock-wise) 12<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->0 would be aliens first hive, 5<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->0 and 7<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->0 would be hives 2 and 3 respectivly, marines would be at the center of the map with the spokes heading out of the center to the SIDES (not corners!<!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo--> of the map.
would be interesting to see...
P.S. Widow (meh mep) uses a diamond pattern, because its the most balanced. Gameplay wise.
A linier map would be un-balanced depending on how far away the aliens spawn from the Marines.
The problem with the deapth map is the commander mode, such great deapths make it unplayble to command at all hieghts.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It all depends on how the map is designed; it could work quite well, as these types have in past games. Does it have to be a mile deep like you are implying? No, obviously that wouldn't work, duh.
There are already maps with quite a bit of depth in NS that work perfectly fine, how about a little optimism here instead of pessimism?
I’m trying to be beneficial with this post by trying to insert a little thought diversification in people’s minds. Anything can work if it’s done correctly; your thoughts are exactly the kind I want to eliminate "It's impossible to do it this way..."
Just take my commets with a grain of salt here, I'm not pointing fingers, the diamond pattern can work just fine.
Balance based on an assumed shape is just a perception created by an assumed structre in map design, any shape could work really.
<!--EDIT|Sgt. Bilko|Aug. 29 2002,15:03-->
Maveric it sounds like your describing the triangle based layout to me.
The diamond style is easiest to balance the gameplay, NS maps being difficult to balance at best, often taking may months (years even) I can't blame people for going for the easy option.
let's see how it works out
Having said that, a little diversity never did anyone any harm - I'm waiting for a map set in a huge alien factory, which the marines have been ordered to infiltrate. That'd give some interesting mapping <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
If I had to guess, I would say the Kraken marine start floods immediately, causing them to evacuate to one of a few different starting points (trying to "encourage" less combat at the marine start).
I can't see this happening in NS, at least, not yet. The alien's are not part of a civilisation and they do not construct anything beyond what they do with their own excretions. (Please excuse the rather gross connotations)
So basically, there aren't any alien factorys, buildings, etc. Only human, or perhaps some other race's structures.
I wouldn't mind seeing someone making an alien factory which was made by some unknown race tho...that'd be sweet
hmmm... rather like the crashed ship in the first Alien movie.
<!--emo&:0--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'><!--endemo-->
like the one in HL, on Xen?
And I think Flayra was just speculating
This is a great idea. <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
What I meant by the "alien factory" was, as you sort-of suggested, a factory set in the alien world but not necessarily built by those specific aliens - they may have found it by chance and started reproducing there, or something similar. Or, they could have found it there, taken it over, and now use it to create weird alien stuff whatever that may be <!--emo&:)--><img src="http://www.natural-selection.org/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'><!--endemo-->
j/k