Posted by ReNo on Mon Jun 7th 2004 at 12:42am

I notice that some of the points I have to make are the same as ones A_S already mentioned, but since I've taken the screenshots, your getting them anyway



Thats a couch right? If so, why is it made of bricks? Reminds me of ICO though, so thats a good thing



Too big and flat a surface, and the complex texture doesn't repeat too well which makes matters worse.



Perhaps a wooden trim around arches, windows and things?



This could definately use some pillars or support beams from the inside wall, looks like it would collapse under its own wait to be honest.



I love these little balconies and things, this one is particularly well done with the brush based guard rail.



This room I particularly like, upgrade more of your areas to look like this and it will improve the map ten fold. Could still use some texture variation (such as different bricks for the fireplace / chimney perhaps?) but looking great anyway.



The ceiling really shouldn't use the same texture as the walls so frequently, though I've no real suggestions as to what to use in its place.



I don't think the side and top textures on your stairs go together, and the third step up should probably be angled like the bottom two.



This could be a cool area if you worked on the textures a bit more. Perhaps put some wooden supports from the inside wall onto the ceiling? I also think that here and elsewhere your battlement walls are too thick.



Its easy to get in through this guard but a bit harder to get out, which is the way you are most likely to be travelling.



Not too keen on the wood grain, looks a bit wierd really. I think a plainer wood would look better in its place, if thats doable? I think you have underused the cannon if anything, you could place a couple more in this room alone!



If you can, make the roof less flat in here, and maybe break up the space with pillars?



I didn't even notice this until I looked closely. Nicely done but the background texture is too similar to the foreground texture so you can't see it easily.



Perhaps you could hide something up here for the gauss jumpers?

In general I love the connectivity and its probably the most convincing castle layout I've come across in a map. It reminds me quite a lot of a few castle maps from the original Unreal Tournament, which is a good thing considering how much I enjoyed them. It could use some work on detailing but the layout is nailed, and so it is well deserving of a fair bit more work to get it looking as good as it will play.



Here is a screenshot for Adam Hawkins' map dm_rampart showing some simple detail in a corridor. I think you could use a few ideas from it, such as stone pillars as well as wooden supports and so on.



Here is another shot of the same map, this time showing an exterior. Again, there are a few ideas you could use from it. He has also used very few textures in the map but you can pick out the architecture easier due to a small amount of variation, using basic stone trim textures and the like. I think using larger bricks like he has is beneficial as it repeats better, your standard texture looks suitably aged and all, but its too blurry and "busy" for mass repetition.

Hope these have helped and aren't all just repeats of A_S's comments!

EDIT: Was sifting through that links thread in map editing and thought this might be of use to you. Loads of medieval building photos, including plenty of castles. You have probably seen it but if not, here it is...

http://vrcoll.fa.pitt.edu/medart/image/England/maineng.html
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Posted by 7dk2h4md720ih on Sun Jun 6th 2004 at 9:13pm




1. These balls have no texture. The cannon model is nice looking and isn't overused at all.



2. I got stuck in here. The wood grain pattern on the cannon seems a little strange. I've never seen a cannon made out of anything other than wood with a solid colour.



3. I wouldn't use that wall texture on the roof, the entire castle screams out for texture variation. I'm not really sure where to find better ones, but if you look at the long list of texture sites posted in the editing help section you're bound to find something useful.



4. Those walkways looks far too thick to be supported by the wall. Make them thinner and maybe insert a few wooden beams.



5. The texture around the edges of the broken pieces doesn't line up at all and ends up looking out of place.



6. Is this the high r's area you were talking about? I don't like those blue tiles, I prefer the ones that go with that avanti texture. This would be an excellent position for kiting, were the player so inclined.



7. I waited for twenty minutes to ambush someone before I realized I was playing alone. The tile texture where I'm standing isn't really appropriate.



8. You could put some cannon balls on these shelves.

Overall it's a cool map with some very nice architecture in places. You'd better finish it bud.

Posted by ReNo on Sun Jun 6th 2004 at 8:39pm

I'm kinda busy at this moment but will certainly take a run through later this evening

This could really be a crazy time - you, A_S and Gwil are all working on maps, could we finally see releases from you three notorious non-completers?!
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