Those giant blue baths should really be physics objects that you can push around, rather than static obstructions! And some areas still look like they could use some more detail, you can certainly afford to spend some FPS on more: perhaps more "prison-ey" bits? Otherwise, looks pretty good, very cold feel to it.

Are you happy with the layout?

Here are a few early pics of my next level, "The Great Wall". The concept is kinda like the Great Wall of China; a huge defensive wall running 1000s of miles used by the Combine to secure their borders.

http://www.keved.com/ctf_thegreatwall_01.jpg
http://www.keved.com/ctf_thegreatwall_02.jpg
http://www.keved.com/ctf_thegreatwall_03.jpg
http://www.keved.com/ctf_thegreatwall_04.jpg

A level doesn't necessarily have to bring something totally new to deathmatch though. I went for the prison setting because with the Nova Prospect section in HL2 spanning several levels there are plenty of prison-themed art assets to make use of. Obviously, the prison theme can also take advantage of the popularity of Lockdown - no harm in that.

Aren't all large indoor HL1/2 levels seemingly labyrinthine when you're unfamiliar with them? I'm fairly happy with the layout - it has large two+ tier rooms each with 3+ entrances, and all connected by short corridors. There are a few specific areas that need addressing though, such as the room in pic1 has upper tier walkways which are too narrow. If you guys have specific suggestions of where you think the layout needs changing I'll be glad to hear them. " SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">

This is the first opportunity I've had to reply, Jon. I totally take on board whatever people say - I've already spent at least twice as long changing the CTF version (now at beta 10!) as actually building the original beta version in the first place. I remember posting beta 1 here of the CTF version and after receiving comments here that the lighting was flat I totally relit the level!

Yep fair play, I can only apologise for not already mentioning SnarkPit guys already having commented on the CTF version. This will be rectified in the next beta's txt file. I've updated my website already.

I have got a LOT of feedback on the CTF version in the HL2CTF.com private forums and particularly from the mod's creators too via MSN Messenger as they are really pushing to increase the standard of the official levels. I also post looking for feedback at the Steam forums - a number of server admins hang out there so it's more than worthwhile hearing what they have to say about how it runs online & gauging general opinion of the punters on their servers. Since I only released beta 1 of dm_prisonriot 2 days ago there isn't a great deal yet, though.

Since this level is largely based on the CTF version (which is at beta 10) the visuals are at a fairly polished state but obviously with this being the first free-for-all DM version this is my first attempt at the DM weapon layout, so this is very much what I was looking for comments about. Thanks for your input. I think there are already quite a few weapons (8 shotguns for instance) but after I've got a bit more feedback from various sources I will probably end up increasing the number of weapons.

Regarding the props, there are some areas with a few props too many and will look at removing some (particularly the smaller props). I'll make those big blue bathtubs into physics objects too. " SRC="images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">

Thanks for all the input fellas.

The lighting style on this map is what catches my eye - for some reason I can't place it looks very different from most other maps, very larger-than-life.

I've never had a problem with railings being fullbright (or the entire model being one clearly the wrong tone), only very long props which have the model's vertices far apart (such as long pipes). Whenever I add railing I just make sure the bottom of the bounding box (not the model itself) is precisely flush with the floor level and also disable its shadows (since I don't increase lightmap resolution enough for the thin railings to cast shadows anyway).

Beta 2 of dm_prisionriot1 is now available.

http://www.keved.com/dm_prisonriot1_b2.zip

Mirror link...
(big thanks to *ASFE*-Kellis for providing the webspace)
http://kev.5th-gradient.com/maps/dm_prisonriot1_b2.zip

Changes:-

- Added extra weapons, ammo and pickups.
- Added small new section at what was a dead end above the RPG.
- Added extra clip brushes.
- Other small changes that nobody will probably notice.

Unless there are any further major issues or suggestions raised I'll probably recompile this as the final version sometime over the next week.