[map] de_infinisea

This is a a discussion topic for the map "de_infinisea" by Qwerty which can be found here

Map description:

Take cover by crouching into the water, go hide somewhere in a corner and wait for the perfect moment to blow someone's head off, or just simply try to blow/defend the little island.

This map is compiled with full LDR and HDR, decent lightmaps, cubemaps, and Valve-perfect Sky Lighting. The way vegetation flies off and disappears (not literally flying off many meters away and then just disappearing into the water; you must pay close attention to when this happens from a side view) may be funny to some people, though that's not what really matters, right?

I didn't know what else to add to this map - so player ideas or suggestions might really be helpful for possible future releases. I warn DirectX7 users that they may experience very bad FPS issues with the vegetation. Thanks!

DirectX Comparison Screenshots:
DirectX 7, http://www.hlrse.net/source/css/Qwerty/de_infinisea/de_infinisea_dx7.jpg
DirectX 8, http://www.hlrse.net/source/css/Qwerty/de_infinisea/de_infinisea_dx8.jpg
DirectX 8.1, http://www.hlrse.net/source/css/Qwerty/de_infinisea/de_infinisea_dx81.jpg
DirectX 9, http://www.hlrse.net/source/css/Qwerty/de_infinisea/de_infinisea_dx9.jpg

Map screenshots:

It looks like this map celebrates HDR and water effects, mixing it with Farcryian vegetation but does little else. I can see what gameplay will be like from looking at one screenshot alone which is a bad sign. There is no actual layout.

Even for a techdemo it's very basic.

Start your next map with an actual layout in mind. Some interesting architecture and a theme that is more recognizable would be nice on the eyecandy side.

Start your next map with an actual layout in mind.

I can't. It's not something I can easily do. Why do you think I said that I need player ideas and suggestions of what I should add to this map.

Add another island or 2 so theres almost island battles.

Qwerty, at this point it seems a little late for some layout criticism. Best thing to do would be come up with some ideas on paper, and share them in the general board for people to look at and reply to. That way you can get a better layout before you start actually mapping things in Hammer.

Best thing to do would be come up with some ideas on paper, and share them in the general board for people to look at and reply to.

I'm sorry but I said I can't. I'm not capable of creating or making up ideas very easily - I am almost a complete designer, not a creator. It's hard for me to explain what I mean - but my mind is not capable of creating.

All I'm saying is that instead of making a single island map like you've done here and then asking for ideas, draw the single island on paper (which takes much less time, obviously) and then ask us for ideas. I'm just trying to save you some time.

WTF??? a 307k image of a god damned tree?

(cries)

Of course you can come up with an idea for a layout.

Get a piece of paper, like morphine said, and draw an island. That way you don't have to spend 3 hours building it in Hammer befor you even know how to go on.

Close your eyes, imagine standing on the island as a player and where the enemy would come from. Now you know where the player would be happy for some cover. A rock or crate... but maybe something more interesting. Draw the rock or crate.

Now think of a theme. Maybe this island is a hiding place for a drug baron. He might have a little house on it. A hiding place for the drugs. Make the island bigger and draw a basic shape of the house. But how would he ever get to this house? Maybe a there is a little runwy for airplanes, a hangar ect.

You see? It's easy. Just sit back, relax. Think of new things step by step.