"POW Camp"

I've released my first map made for Half-Life 2 Deathmatch called dm_powcamp. You may find more information and a download link here:

http://www.snarkpit.com/maps.php?map=1467

Here are some screenshots for your viewing pleasure:

http://xs8.xs.to/pics/04523/dm_powcamo_01.jpg

http://xs8.xs.to/pics/04523/dm_powcamo_03.jpg

http://xs8.xs.to/pics/04523/dm_powcamo_04.jpg

http://xs8.xs.to/pics/04526/dm_powcamo_06.jpg

http://xs8.xs.to/pics/04523/dm_powcamo_10.jpg

Let me know what you think.

The images are a bit over sized, try to keep them a bit closer to 75k.
as to the map, it reminds me strongly of the old "stalag 17 movie" very authentic in its theme.. nice job.
i especially favor the cemetery, i would add one thing.. some freshly dug portions. prisoners die periodically, you would have some more recent graves.
two thumbs up

if you need help resizing the .jpg's, www.xat.com has the best optimizer.

Sharp texturing, looks very realistic. Good Job.

The screenshots size has been fixed. Thanks for the heads up.

Pretty cool looking map. I've already had a couple of rounds in it at the Diner Server.

24.130.13.45:27016

Think I'll add it to the rotation. No time for critiquing at the moment though. I have a few suggestions, but not many. Nice job.

Great idea for a map. The theme works well, and the weather/sky helps to enhance the somberness.

I visited Terezin in Czech Republic a few years ago (a previous Nazi concentration camp), and this map reminds me of that. However, this POW camp appears to be in full compliance with the Geneva Convention (http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/91.htm). It's luxurious compared to the concentration camp condition (they even have their own mattresses)!

Just an idea--do you want to make it drizzle too?

Just an idead- do some displacement on the majority of the ground itself. Also make the decking just outside the huts on stilts instead of brick walls.

I've never been to a concentration camp, but I can't imagine that type of graveyard being in one.

Visually it looks great. The main problem is that everything is at right angles and looks unnatural.

Its positively refreshing to see a new member thats cooperative.

bumps rating up to a 4

I feel so stupid in hl2 = ( i only know hl1 effects so my maps dont look so good..

I agree with TwoKnives' comments, it could definately use some imperfections. I think adding some subtle variations in the terrain height/placement of buildings would make a huge difference. Also some contrast in the lighting could look good. I like it so far tho.

Oooooh, add loads of rubbish aswell, HL2 engine has an abundance of rubbish models (not rubbish as in crap but rubbish as in crud and waste).

All i can say is wow on the detail and second finally a map thats not futuristic to fit in with hl2 style :wink:

Well done i give you 10/10 for making me happy and making beauty!

Awesome comments guys. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to work with them on the map I send to Valve. Keep you posted. Xav

If you haven?t guessed from the name of the map, it takes place in a prisoner of war camp, which appears to be of a WWII era. Although it looks true to the real thing, use of combine technology such as medical and energy consoles ruin the look of the map. Overall the theme of dm_powcamp is convincing, there are details true to the theme such as suitcases stacked by the train platform, however it seems the map seems to lack overall detail, with most being put in one area.

The design of the map is fairly simple, and restricted, allowing for a generally action packed gameplay. The design by itself looks quite nice as is, however more concentration of architecture would really improve this map greatly, maybe even more use of displacement surfaces for the ground and the walls of the map. All parts of the map seem to flow with each other quite nicely.

However, there are several technical issues that make this map suffer, and if fixed would greatly improve the playability of the map. The first, and most obvious is the low Frames Per Second that one encounters throughout the whole map. The FPS slow down the map is apparent, but not a killer. Players with higher end PC's may not be as affected by this. The second issue is the ladders simply don?t work right, it?s hard to get off from a ladder, and one must first duck under a tower beam to get in and out of the towers, making the player easy to frag, and there is no substantial items to get on top.

Also, this map needs a lot more work in the gameplay department, which so many mappers simply seem to forget. The weapon placement is rather horrible, and the RPG is simply difficult to obtain (even with the gravity gun), and not very effective. The crossbow is useless, as the only way to survive is to keep moving. The shotgun is on top of a tower, while there are three contact grenades on the ground not far from any spawn points. The most observed gameplay was simply random, there is no big score gap between skilled and unskilled players, as scoring is generally shooting somebody in the back, or getting your hands on a overwatch rifle.

Verdict

Overall the map should be fun for the occasional game, but the bad gameplay brings it down.

If you haven?t guessed from the name of the map, it takes place in a prisoner of war camp, which appears to be of a WWII era. Although it looks true to the real thing, use of combine technology such as medical and energy consoles ruin the look of the map. Overall the theme of dm_powcamp is convincing, there are details true to the theme such as suitcases stacked by the train platform, however it seems the map seems to lack overall detail, with most being put in one area.

The design of the map is fairly simple, and restricted, allowing for a generally action packed gameplay. The design by itself looks quite nice as is, however more concentration of architecture would really improve this map greatly, maybe even more use of displacement surfaces for the ground and the walls of the map. All parts of the map seem to flow with each other quite nicely.

However, there are several technical issues that make this map suffer, and if fixed would greatly improve the playability of the map. The first, and most obvious is the low Frames Per Second that one encounters throughout the whole map. The FPS slow down the map is apparent, but not a killer. Players with higher end PC's may not be as affected by this. The second issue is the ladders simply don?t work right, it?s hard to get off from a ladder, and one must first duck under a tower beam to get in and out of the towers, making the player easy to frag, and there is no substantial items to get on top.

Also, this map needs a lot more work in the gameplay department, which so many mappers simply seem to forget. The weapon placement is rather horrible, and the RPG is simply difficult to obtain (even with the gravity gun), and not very effective. The crossbow is useless, as the only way to survive is to keep moving. The shotgun is on top of a tower, while there are three contact grenades on the ground not far from any spawn points. The most observed gameplay was simply random, there is no big score gap between skilled and unskilled players, as scoring is generally shooting somebody in the back, or getting your hands on a overwatch rifle.

Design

Gameplay

Verdict
Overall the map should be fun for the occasional game, but the bad gameplay brings it down.

Pros
Unique Theme, Well executed ambience.

Design
Low FPS, Weapons

I love this map! But it lacks of gameplay though. Overall.. it's such a great map! Looks professional!

Nicely made i like how you haev achived some of the parts of the map. there are some very nice little sections but the map lacks harmony between all of its sections.

Dang, compared to my pow map for cs:s (made it about a month ago) this is killer, think you could convert this into source and add a snowy setting rather than a fall setting, i would greatly appreciate it.

Nice design and feel, but the gameplay is rotten. Was expecting more from the screenshots.

Ahh darn. All but one of the images are dead links. The one looked good though.