So far only one map.
-- CHDM01 - Sunset Park --
-This map is a small, hard-to navigate valley.
-It isn't really bot-friendly, as bots will hardly exit the lower area.
(http://i.imgur.com/uXV3Xc5.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/cxznemg.png)
Download it here! (http://www.sendspace.com/file/2c5sh3)
I suppose I should critic this. If there were no critics, there would be no improvement or self standards.
Before we begin with improvement notes, it feels like you mapped before somewhere/have a previous knowledge of how this works. That railroad décor looks nicely.
-I know/I'm fairly certain you used Slumped and/or Slade to put the music in. There's a certain mapinfo we put in the maps in order to use aircontrol and such. Create a new lump/file called MAPINFO and copypasta the following in the blank space, filling out the information in () erasing the parentheses afterwords.
map (The name of your map, in this case DM01) "(Keep the quotations here. This is where the map name goes, Sunset Park)"
{
next = "(Keep quotations. Put the name of the next map in the rotation here, DM02. if the last map, rotate it back to DM01)"
sky1 = "BLACK", 0
cluster = 1
music = "(Keep quotations, the name of your music goes here. limit it to about 7 characters or less)"
aircontrol = 0.5
forcenoskystretch
clipmidtextures
}
Anything else do not touch. Moving on.
- Use a program such as Audacity to loop the music/adjust the volume to a comfortable level. It'll decrease file size and make it appear/sound better.
-Avoid having multiple textures from multiple RobotMasters in a single map. Generally try to stick to 1-3 Tilesets.
-Despite the bots not being able to get back up, you should still place a ladder in locations that are needed. Also Thunderclaw feels useless with only one peg in such an awkward position
-Add health/ammo capsules. This is quite difficult considering it varies per map- just look at the core maps and get a feel for how and where to place them.
-When you think you're done with your map, hit F4. That'll run through and make sure there aren't any errors.
-Stick to increments of 32 when raising/lowering floors. When drawing, stick to either 16 or 32 increments unless absolutely required.
-Overall, have fun. I understand mapping can be tedious. However, it's quite rewarding and fulfilling once you finally complete your product.
I'm not good with weapon layouts, so I skipped them. Also on a personal scale the map is a "meh". A decent first map = yes. However, a map suitable for multiplayer and/or bot matches = no. As silly as it is, I don't exactly know where to improve upon this map. Make it bigger perhaps? Bigger as in, x4. I'm not saying blow up the map x4, i'm saying add new rooms and/or pathes.
Well, that's that.