Map COMPLETED .. Vista-Plains-V1.SD7

[genblood]

I've made a new map and it's a desert map. It has 8 starting positions
and the map size is 16x16. Average metal layout with a few Geos.
I figure most are making green forrest like maps. I decided to make a
few desert maps. Here are some screenies .... I hope someone
like them ....

I figure I'll release today as soon as I spend a few hours game testing it
over my LAN. As soon as it's complete I'll post it ...

UPDATE: 2-13-07

The map is completed. You Download it from this link...
http://www.fileuniverse.com/?p=show&a=it&id=4268

Enjoy ...

[Goolash_]

comet catcher with geos in the desert? oh well looks nice anyway (i really like the sand texture) and i'm sure the comet pros will like it...

[LordMatt]

Needs metal spots...

[genblood]

LordMatt:

Needs metal spots...

Ok,

I'll add them to the main texture ....

[Guessmyname]

needs a brighter sky-box too

[LordMatt]

Some well placed desertish rocks would be nice too.

I think there might be too many Geos though.

I actually like the dark skybox, it gives the map a cool effect, as if its just at dawn or sunset on a planet without much atmosphere.

Also, you should PM me in the lobby to playtest a 1v1 here, I think this map has potential for giving a nice 1v1 game.

[Nemo]

Aye, too many geos. Under 6 would be good. Perhaps fewer.

[Zoombie]

No! No metal spots! I like the unspoiled desert look.

[AF]

needs a brighter sky-box too

Brightening the skybox would make it look uglier. I like the dark skybox look very very much, and feel it looks more realistic.

genblood, on a side note, 90% of the maps for spring are either evergreen grassy, or barren desert wastelands. We dont have much in the way of snowy, icey, proper crystaline, urban, toxic, mountain, aquatic, or unusual looking worlds, its all grass and trees, or sand and rocks.

I'm not saying you should rework this map, because I think this map is fine all you need is to add metal spot textures and release it before you ruin the map by following a miriad of suggestions in this thread that will be made..

summary:

Add mex spot textures, then release, the map looks fine as it is and I wouldnt change it.

[genblood]

I've completed my changes ...

1. less Geos

2. no mex decals ( didn't find any that looked good for this map)



I added some rocks, but it didn't look good, so I canned that idea.
As soon as UF web sites ftp services are up. I'll add the map.

[Argh]

This map needs to be SM3. It's almost perfect for the format...

[LordMatt]

If you don't add metal spots I won't play your map, if I can avoid it.

[imbaczek]

This map needs to be SM3. It's almost perfect for the format...

+1 save our hard drives!

[Zoombie]

If you don't add metal spots I won't play your map, if I can avoid it.

Why not? It's as easy as one, two press F4.

[LordMatt]

I've written extensively why visible metal patches improve the playability of a map previously, but consider this: The only maps without visible metal patches that are regularly played are Mars, Small Divide, XantheTerra, and Brazilian battlefield. All of these were made very early in spring's history, when there weren't many maps to choose from. People played those maps because there wasn't much else, and learned where the metal is, so for those maps it isn't as big of a deal. I haven't seen a recent map without metal patches become widely played, mainly because players don't want to have to learn about where the metal patches are on a brand new map. This map has potential to be a good one, that's why it would be a real shame if GenBlood listened to forumgoers, rather than players, about this issue. If he wants he can find or make metal patches that go well with his map, and he will need to if he wants it to be widely played.

[Guessmyname]

Heck, when you order to build a mex, the metal view comes up automatically. I often have to use the metal view to see where the metal is, visual on the map or not. Besides, where's the fun of always playing TA-style metal? We don't have to have it concentrated into tiny little spots you know...

Think out of the box, and play stuff that's different. It's only what we've been shouting at the Speedmetaler's for years...

[Goolash_]

this reminds me exactly of the comments lordmatt posted when i released Victoria crater that had no visible metal spots (and still hasn't), and bottom line as far as i am concrened is that: you are the mapper you do what feels right. it's true that some players won't play your map (like lordmatt and and others) but if the map is good it will get played. Victoria has almost 1500 downlods, not bad for a map without no visible metal patches

check this out if you all want to save yourselves the same argument again:
http://spring.clan-sy.com/phpbb/viewtop ... c&start=20

notice matt's posts, gotta give you that matt: you're consistent

[Zoombie]

that's why it would be a real shame if GenBlood listened to forumgoers, rather than players, about this issue.

Except for the MINOR detail of: I am a player. I play Spring every day if I can find a game, and I find mtal patches completely supurflous. I usually need to press F4 anyway because, early in the game, I zoom way far out and that means those 'helpfull' metalic patches are...completely useless. Glowing green is a lot easier to see from a distance, so I'm going to use F4.

And secondly that's a very nice texture. I don't want to see it all cluttered up with metal patches.

[LordMatt]

Heck, when you order to build a mex, the metal view comes up automatically. I often have to use the metal view to see where the metal is, visual on the map or not. Besides, where's the fun of always playing TA-style metal? We don't have to have it concentrated into tiny little spots you know...

Think out of the box, and play stuff that's different. It's only what we've been shouting at the Speedmetaler's for years...

People who don't really know how to play think metal spot location is only important for placing mex. The reality is that they SHOULD influence almost every decision you make in a game. Thus, you end up playing with F4 on most of the time until you learn were the metal is without having to look. It wouldn't be as big of a deal if F4 didn't obscure the terrain in most maps.

Victoria crater benefited from having a layout no one had seen before, and being a relatively forgiving map for bad players. It's already not played as much as it once was. Genblood's map is not unique, there are already very similar maps out there, such as desert dunes, Aavikko, geyser plains, comet catcher, etc. If you want to get your's played, best not to throw up additional roadblocks to users who are trying the map for the first time.

It's no accident that the authors who have many maps that are regularly played all use metal patches (e.g. Noize, FA, Icexuick, Quanto, hrmph, hunterw), while there are some talented mappers who often don't use metal patches, and have made quite a few nice looking maps (I won't name names here), don't find their maps being played very much.

[LordMatt]

that's why it would be a real shame if GenBlood listened to forumgoers, rather than players, about this issue.

Except for the MINOR detail of: I am a player. I play Spring every day if I can find a game, and I find mtal patches completely supurflous. I usually need to press F4 anyway because, early in the game, I zoom way far out and that means those 'helpfull' metalic patches are...completely useless. Glowing green is a lot easier to see from a distance, so I'm going to use F4.

And secondly that's a very nice texture. I don't want to see it all cluttered up with metal patches.

Strange, I'm in the lobby a lot and I haven't ever seen you in any games I've played in, whereas I recognize most of the experienced BA players in the game.