Snarkpit Forum Index » Maps » Myth
Myth
1
2 next page »
Post Reply
Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Sun Oct 10th at 5:07am 2004

Here's my first effort for UT2004. It's pretty much finished, so I'm ready for feedback.





Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Oct 10th at 7:41am 2004

? posted by SuperCrazy

Here's my first effort for UT2004. It's pretty much finished, so I'm ready for feedback.

thats funny bud

will look at pics harder when i get up for the day, but right now, all that hits me hard is..

1) why is ceiling so flat?
2) some color variation in the textures.
3) lighting is universally the same.

i may need to reinstall the game, but i could critique it.. i leave for north dakota in morning, but could do it when i return if you remind me..

/me goes back to bed..

good job SC

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by ReNo on Sun Oct 10th at 2:35pm 2004

I like a lot of the architecture but as Orph said, the ceilings are awfully flat looking. I'll take an in game look later on and try and do a full critique.
[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Tracer Bullet on Sun Oct 10th at 4:46pm 2004

I don't much like the sprite you are using for those lights. it seems too dull to actually emit any light, making things look kind of weird.

Pic 1 - Add some supports for that ramp

pic 2 - As Orph and ReNo said. Flat ceilings... You should also look into more architectural detail in the walls and such.

pic 3 - Uber flat ceiling... But I really like those stairs, and the door frames look pretty cool.

Honestly, beyond slightly longer sight-lines, I don't see anything here that couldn't be achieved in HL. As disappointing as that is, I still say it looks damn nice overall.

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Sun Oct 10th at 5:27pm 2004

New version uploaded. Most of the changes were from suggestions on another forum, but the uber flat ceiling in the third shot was taken care of, and the rest of the flat ceilings will be worked on later.

I agree that there's not much here that couldn't be done in HL, but pretty much everything is wood, stone, or brick, so there's not a lot of room within the theme for ultra high-tech flashy meshes with thousands of polygons.





Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Sun Oct 10th at 5:29pm 2004

you're one of our best SC, i have faith that you won't let snarkpit down

defend our honor on that other forum

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Campaignjunkie on Sun Oct 10th at 6:23pm 2004

I can't play through the map unfortunately, but from the screenshots, I'm going to attempt some (hopefully useful) feedback:

- I think the map needs more landmarks; the big, giant, majestic kind. While the areas are somewhat unique and different from each other, I don't think it's enough to distinguish them immediately while the player is learning the layout. Maybe have a giant gaping hole in the ceiling in one room, a giant tower in another, etc.

- The overall room layouts are quite boxy. If all/most of the static meshes are stripped away, it's all quite boxy and rectangular. Some rounded corners or slanted surfaces wouldn't do any harm, and might add more interest and strategy. Also, I think lots of ancient civilizations utilized slanted surfaces, so it should fit the theme well.

- What's the purpose of the blue-purple lights? If you haven't already, I think you should attach some kind of context to them (e.g. red lights are used for vents in Natural Selection). Maybe place weapons near them, so the player will catch a glimpse of that color and immediately run out to see what's there? Don't know.

Looks good though, but I have to agree that much of it could be done in HL. However, I think your theme allows great flexibility for giant setpieces. Statues, obelisks, ziggurats, pyramids, towers, etc. look like they could fit in the level and serve as good landmarks. Good luck!
[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by thursday- on Sun Oct 10th at 8:15pm 2004

I agree with all comments. I couldn't do half as decently on my first UT2k4 map, I'd also have to get the game to try too.
[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Mon Oct 11th at 12:16am 2004

Last updated version of the night is ready. The ugly weapon bases have been changed and I've made a bunch of architectural changes as well. The uber flat ceilings are slowly being erradicated.

The first shot has some very minor changes, the second shot is from a different perspective so the ceiling looks better, and the third shot is from a completely different area.

? posted by Campaignjunkie
- I think the map needs more landmarks; the big, giant, majestic kind. While the areas are somewhat unique and different from each other, I don't think it's enough to distinguish them immediately while the player is learning the layout. Maybe have a giant gaping hole in the ceiling in one room, a giant tower in another, etc.

There are some landmarks/noteable areas - One room has a gate sort of thing hanging from the ceiling, there are a couple of skylights, one room has a completely open ceiling, and there's an outdoor area. I like the idea of a tower, statues, etc. but it's hard to just throw them into a mostly completed map and have them look good. I'll see what I can do though.

? posted by Campaignjunkie
- The overall room layouts are quite boxy. If all/most of the static meshes are stripped away, it's all quite boxy and rectangular. Some rounded corners or slanted surfaces wouldn't do any harm, and might add more interest and strategy. Also, I think lots of ancient civilizations utilized slanted surfaces, so it should fit the theme well.

The boxy thing has always been something of a problem for me. I have some slanted/rounded surfaces now, but I'll look to see where I can add more.

? posted by Campaignjunkie
- What's the purpose of the blue-purple lights? If you haven't already, I think you should attach some kind of context to them (e.g. red lights are used for vents in Natural Selection). Maybe place weapons near them, so the player will catch a glimpse of that color and immediately run out to see what's there? Don't know.

I like this idea, but I also like how I have it currently. Hm...





Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Agent Smith on Mon Oct 11th at 3:55am 2004

It's looking cool SuperCrazy, and I don't have anything to add, as its all been said.

I've made one small DM map for UT2003 myself (A path problem I can't fix has meant it hasn't been released) and am currently working on one for UT2004, probably a capture node map, not quite sure yet. The reason I'm bringing this up is that I know it's a real bastard moving from HL mapping to UT mapping, as the systems are completely back to front, so to release something that looks this good is a real achievement. Nice one.





Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Tue Oct 12th at 11:24pm 2004

Obligatory Warning: I own UT2K4, but I have yet to play it, so I will be reserving my comments to mainly errors, construction, layout and lighting.. the item placements may need someone who knows the game better to judge, as they seemed heavy in spots and bare in others.. I honestly don't remember UnrealDM well enough to say tis good/bad.

These things just seem to jut out of the walls in order to give the appearance of holding the floor above. Somehow they look wrong. It may be nothing more than the way it actually bonds to the wall i dunno, but it just looks wrong.

cannot remember where i saw this exactly, but that piece seemed to glow

The only really major glitch I saw throughout the map.. I know unreals engine doesn't create holes, but they do have their equivalent of HOM effect, which resembles holes..

Another angle of the same error/glitch.

These light fixtures are some of the most original I have seen in a long time.. They most definitely fit the theme.. some of the blue ones were not really ugly, but no where near as nice as these ones are

Nice looong sight lines.. nothing wrong with this screen, or any of the others I will post like them, I just liked them so well I had to show the people who may not have this game.. Very nicely done SC

Very sweet design on these steps (and the others to of course)

Another extremely long sight line.. nice spots to catch the unwary or *snickers* to catch you as well.

If I had a wish, I would like to see more stuff like this throughout the map.. these chains set the mood of this area, but alas I saw them no where else.. (always the chance that since its my first run through, that I overlooked more placements).. this map lacked the finer touches these chains represented.

More of those things just jutting from the wall.. I think they need some sort of an anchor, or base if you will.

this lift... had me scratching my butt, what is wrong with it.. 1) it doesn't fit the theme. 2) if left, it needs some sound and 3) its bulky.. if it were I, I'd replace it, but since I don't know whats on the other side of those walls, it may not be possible to replace now..

One of my favorite additions to this map, these indentations are nothing special, but they truly perk up the looks. Very well done.

A tree, a very nice tree too.. the map could have used many more plants throughout.. maybe some sills looking out to the sky with some plants beyond.. maybe a bit of water, this map had many places that could have benefited from plants and water.

This hall, it has got to be one of the best I have seen in a long time.. The map could have used a couple more such, but at least it had this one.

Another long sight line.. nice ceiling too i might add, much better than the drab flat ones before.

IMO, these lights were underused.. the map could have benefited from a few more of them.. Also, i would have placed them closer to the floor..

This support beam, very well done.. it looks very nice, and doesn't clash at all.

Another long sight line, but this time you can see how odd those supports look from afar. the flat ceiling is about the only really ugly thing about this shot.

The vertical in this map is ever present.. This screen shows one of the better areas for a good top down ambush.. Nice depth.

I would like to have been able to get under a few of these ramps.. no big issue but it would have made for a nice ambush site.

Beautiful, just plain beautiful.. this would be a nice long sniper site.

Some may have noticed that I used a few weapons that Sc didn't place.. My reason was simple.. UT uses such large weapons that i couldn't take the screen shots without half the viewable area taken up by the weapon.. so i used a cheat and loaded them all so i could find one a bit less obstructive..

I can only hope that someone who plays UT2K4 can comment and fill any gaps I may have inadvertently omitted..

Very well made map SC.. My compliments.

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Crono on Wed Oct 13th at 12:42am 2004

er can't you click "hide weapon" in the menu and it wont show the weapon at all, just the hud? [addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Wed Oct 13th at 12:45am 2004

? quoting Crono
er can't you click "hide weapon" in the menu and it wont show the weapon at all, just the hud?

dunno, can you?

besides, there are 20 screens in that critique, is that the best you could do

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Wed Oct 13th at 12:51am 2004

Wow, that's a ton of very useful feedback. Thanks a lot!

? quote:
These things just seem to jut out of the walls in order to give the appearance of holding the floor above. Somehow they look wrong. It may be nothing more than the way it actually bonds to the wall i dunno, but it just looks wrong.

You're right, I think adding bases to these would make them look better.

? quote:
cannot remember where i saw this exactly, but that piece seemed to glow

This is a problem throughout the map, actually. Nearly every time I use that mesh it gets lit really badly. Not much I can do about it though, short of finding/making a new one and hoping it works better.

? quote:
The only really major glitch I saw throughout the map.. I know unreals engine doesn't create holes, but they do have their equivalent of HOM effect, which resembles holes..

Agh. This has been popping up off and on throughout the map's development. I thought I had it taken care of for good but apparently not.

? quote:
These light fixtures are some of the most original I have seen in a long time.. They most definitely fit the theme.. some of the blue ones were not really ugly, but no where near as nice as these ones are

I was getting some complaints about these fixtures because they don't look bright enough to be giving off light. I like them though, and I'm glad to hear someone else does too

? quote:
If I had a wish, I would like to see more stuff like this throughout the map.. these chains set the mood of this area, but alas I saw them no where else.. (always the chance that since its my first run through, that I overlooked more placements).. this map lacked the finer touches these chains represented.

I'll see if I can find any other appropriate places for them.

? quote:
this lift... had me scratching my butt, what is wrong with it.. 1) it doesn't fit the theme. 2) if left, it needs some sound and 3) its bulky.. if it were I, I'd replace it, but since I don't know whats on the other side of those walls, it may not be possible to replace now..

I try not to use lifts often, but I had absolutely no room here for anything else. Sounds will be added, and I'll see if I can find a less bulky mesh or make one on my own.

? quote:
One of my favorite additions to this map, these indentations are nothing special, but they truly perk up the looks. Very well done.

I was getting complaints about how ugly the weapon spawns were (I had used the normal weapon base but retextured them to be the same as the doorways/trim/etc), so I was looking through random mesh packs for something to use when I found this. It was actually an ice-covered ceiling dome originally, but I flipped it over, shrank it, and retextured it. I love how versatile working with meshes is.

? quote:
A tree, a very nice tree too.. the map could have used many more plants throughout.. maybe some sills looking out to the sky with some plants beyond.. maybe a bit of water, this map had many places that could have benefited from plants and water.

I can definitely add some plants, but I'm not sure if there's room for much water in the existing partial outdoor areas.

? quote:
IMO, these lights were underused.. the map could have benefited from a few more of them.. Also, i would have placed them closer to the floor..

I like how they add a bit of contrast too, I can probably find a few more places to use them.

? quote:
I would like to have been able to get under a few of these ramps.. no big issue but it would have made for a nice ambush site.

You used to be able to get underneath the platform with the shock rifle, but I made it solid so I could have the indented weapon base instead of the plain wooden circle on top.

? quote:
Very well made map SC.. My compliments.

Thank you.





Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Wed Oct 13th at 1:17am 2004

? quoting SuperCrazy

Wow, that's a ton of very useful feedback. Thanks a lot!

you, are very welcome.

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by G.Ballblue on Wed Oct 13th at 2:06am 2004

? quoting Orpheus
? quoting Crono
er can't you click "hide weapon" in the menu and it wont show the weapon at all, just the hud?

dunno, can you?

besides, there are 20 screens in that critique, is that the best you could do

Yep, you can.

/edit: Yep you can, as in, yes you can hide your weapon

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Thu Oct 14th at 12:28am 2004

Myth has been released! You can download it here. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback.



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Forceflow on Thu Oct 14th at 5:31am 2004

Looking very good !
[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by Orpheus on Sat Oct 16th at 12:16am 2004

LOL, your text files are the smallest i have ever seen

*pats SC on back*

well done.

[addsig]



Quote
 Re: Myth
Posted by SuperCrazy on Sat Oct 16th at 6:46am 2004

In stark contrast with the collosal text files I used to include with my HL releases




1
2 next page »
Post Reply