<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting keved</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>

But I'm writing here about your policy of overwriting bsp files with new versions - seriously, revise your policy! Consider this; a client downloads a version of your map and happily plays it on a server. Then a new version of your map is released with the same filename and the server admin overwrites it on his server. Now the client tries to connect to the server but is kicked because the file differs. Other map authors use the _b1 _b2 etc suffixes for a very good reason; to prevent file conflicts like this.

</DIV></DIV>

now you've warned him.. lets see if he can absorb the logic or not :biggrin:
my guess, his maps will not be played much after the first or second server borkage sadly, we will never know, i doubt he will come back and tell us.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting ultranew_b</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext> I hate when ppl label maps with b1...b2, etc. When i update the level, all you have to do is simply overwrite the old level. </DIV></DIV>

I've commented on this map before in the steampowered forums and remember pretty much giving the same comments as Lep and Yak Fighter; basically it looks a heck of a lot better than it plays, and for a first time effort it's a sterling attempt.
But I'm writing here about your policy of overwriting bsp files with new versions - seriously, revise your policy! Consider this; a client downloads a version of your map and happily plays it on a server. Then a new version of your map is released with the same filename and the server admin overwrites it on his server. Now the client tries to connect to the server but is kicked because the file differs. Other map authors use the _b1 _b2 etc suffixes for a very good reason; to prevent file conflicts like this.

Awesome map man, very pretty! The only thing that I saw that looked
very strange is the buildings in the background of pic 1. If you go up
to the fence and look at the buildings they look very strange. This is
probably because these were not meant to be seen up close and meant to
be used as filler for scenery. OH and one more thing, when you are
using grav gun you can pull street sign polls out of the ground but the
sign itself will be left floating in the air. You should change the
cars in here to prop_physics_multiplayer so you can shoot em around,
and maybe take out that car that you can pick up and throw with the
grav gun. Not sure about that though, its kinda cool to be able to just
whip a car around like that :smile: I pray to see this on some god damn
servers soon. What kinda world do we live in where killbox is on more
then 10 servers. That gay map shouldnt even be on 1 server. Keep up the
great work man!

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Dred_furst</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Just like to add, this map managed to get in the UK's top5 PC gamer maps and was included on the march 2005 DVD edition, nice work man! i gotta play this yet though!
</DIV></DIV>

WOW !!! Awesome ! I wish the magazine would of informed in some way, though. However, if my name is with the map, i'm happy.

Any chance you could scan the magazine article and post the pic here Dred_furst? I live in Canada and have no access to this magazine unfortunatly. It would be much appreciated, Thanks for the heads up !! :biggrin:

If you need a free image host, you can use http://imageshack.us/. !! :smile:

Just like to add, this map managed to get in the UK's top5 PC gamer
maps and was included on the march 2005 DVD edition, nice work man! i
gotta play this yet though!

This is a classic case of lack of beta testing. All these problems you mentioned can be fixed. Unfortunatly, I had no way to test this level due to time constraints. This is literally (beta 1) your playing. :smile: I hate when ppl label maps with b1...b2, etc. When i update the level, all you have to do is simply overwrite the old level.

:smile:

Ignoring the low FPS, the single DM spawnpoint, and the (seemingly) nonexistent weapon placement, you've still got a bunch of connectivity and layout problems. It looks really cool, but as a DM map it really doesn't work. You've got a bunch of wide open streets with little to no cover, a bunch of dead ends on the roofs (unless you just swan dive off the top), and a ton of ladders everywhere. The map is too expansive and open for a good game, especially given the slow movement speeds and ease of death in HL2DM.

You've got the right ideas (multiple levels, a combination of close combat and open areas) and the obvious ability to make complex and sweet looking areas, so I'm certain you're next maps will be knockouts. Until then...

As an aside, I am stunned by the number of really good looking contest maps that have little-to-zero gameplay. Each contest map I've downloaded except island17 and rebar has failed the most important aspect of mapping, and it's rather stunning that people would put so much effort into creating an architecturally beautiful map with all the bells and whistles when the basic layout would never work as a good map.

Have you tried to actually test it with people yet? I think you only
have one spawn point, which needless to say is a problem. Oh and
ReNo, have you ever actually used UnrealEd? It rocks Hammer into
the stone age, which is about when Hammer was developed...

Used both. I like Hammre better. Even though its lacking some of the finer advantages of UnrealEd, the style of editing in Hammre is more in tune with the way I think about mapping.

Thank you for taking the time to point out these issues, i appreciate it very much. I just answered a bunch of questions here.

http://www.snarkpit.com/maps.php?map=1621

I'm debating whether or not to abandoned this map and just start another one, I feel optimising this baby will be almost impossible, simply because of the design. Live and learn. :biggrin:

Hambeater, I was wondering why i always spawned in the same spot. :/ Thanks for your solution. I wish i had known earlier of this error.

As for fps, i attempted to insert area portals , to block off the sewer, but they failed to work . Someone on another forum mentioned using area portals hidden in buildings to "section" off the map, i have no idea how this would work. Occluders do work in the map, but because of my design (wide openness), I fear optimizing will be nigh impossible.

Thanks for your great comments, I appreciate it very much. To this day i have not played the map with anyone . Which really sucks. Because of the very short deadline in this contest (and my late start), it just wasn't possible for me to sufficiently beta test this map thoroughly. :/ I made this map in about 2.5 weeks, nevr touched hammer before this. I'm happy with its looks, not happy about fps problems.

/end rant