This map is very near completion. I have one more game type to set up, and then playtesting to do. I think this has a lot of potential - the design is unique and I fussed over it endlessly until it felt just right, and it has a very eye-catching aesthetic centerpiece. I actually started with that (the volcano) and then liked it so much, I had to build a map nearby to go with it. But I think the map turned out as interesting as the volcano. It mixes some ideas from classic Halo maps like Construct, Midship, and Sidewinder/Avalanche. Like Construct it has multiple levels, and multiple lifts and ramps for getting between them; it's also symmetrical on one axis only (like Construct - or an inkblot). Like Midship it has two 2-story bases that are a bit easier to get out of than into. And like Avalanche or Sidewinder, it's sort of horseshoe-shaped, with the most direct route between bases being very hazardous (on Avalanche it was because it was a choke point; on this map it's because the direct route is low and open). Here are screenshots and a video walkthrough (hastily made, no music or production values). Comments welcome, playtesters more than welcome. YouTube - Halo: Reach map preview - Magma Overhead view
Lookin' pretty sick there, megapwn. I love the lava-look you've got on the volcano. If you can catch me on at the right time, count me in.
Thanks! I'll send you a friend request - my tag is Nutduster. I'm usually on a little bit on weeknights, and more on the weekends at random times throughout the day.
Thanks man, I'll add you to the list. Not sure yet when this will happen but the sooner, the better. The map is basically ready to go aside from maybe a few more minor tweaks.
aaaand this is why i gave up on my volcano. I got the mechanics but not the look and this my good forger is the look.
Wow. I'm loving the volcano aesthetics you've got going on there, I wish you showed more of it in the video. If I had one complaint though, I'd say that it might be a little overpowered that you have the overshield leading to the rockets.
Thanks! Would you have any interest in testing within the next couple days? The one thing I should have done in the video was show it erupting - it's not super-spectacular but you do see some flame and smoke coming from the top of the cone. Best I could do without exhausting a lot more budget and probably having some visible fusion coils and stuff. I will give one thing away - the volcano is a facade, it only looks like that when viewed from the general area where the map is. If you were able to fly around the other side of it or look down inside, it wouldn't impress you that much. But that's alright, it does what it's supposed to do. Lack of rock pieces prevented me from really building it up a lot. I hear you about the OS/rockets, but hopefully that won't be a problem for two reasons. One, from the overshield spot you can also drop outside to the sniper, so probably a lot of people would do that rather than take the longer run to the rockets. Two, there are mancannons out of both bases (shown near the end of the video) that go pretty directly from the bases to that walkway - so anybody beelining for the overshield is not likely to make it to the rockets, as they'll already be gone. I imagine the usual suspects will war over the rockets early, and the sneakier players will head to the end of the horseshoe for the overshield, sniper rifle, and maybe the sword and laser. (The other power weapon is a shotgun, not shown in the vid - it's on the middle floor , kind of under the rockets.)
Send me an FR or message, GT is AngryNoiseDude, I'd love to download your map and possibly help test it.
What's the magma made of? At first glance, it looks like the back of a one way shield or a kill ball, but in the video it doesn't flicker. The map looks beautiful, good job on it.
Wow, this map looks nice. I loved what you did with the volcano. But sadly I can not help test it out. My Xbox Live stinks over here, but I'll be rooting from the side lines as I eargerly await the release of this map.
Thanks, most appreciated. The magma is indeed one way shields, merged into the rocks so only select bits appear. The reason it doesn't flicker (much) is that what you really see is the edges of the shield intersecting with the rock, so it always glows brightly; the regular body of the shield still flickers but you don't see nearly as much of that. I put most of the shields in crevices so narrow that where it merges with the rock on both sides is quite close together.
This is a very, very nice looking map, when I first saw the name I was like 'Oh noes somebody has made the map I was going to make before me!!!!' but it's not so I'm fine (mine's going to be situated inside a volcano).
Thank you! Unfortunately I have some bad news for you: http://www.forgehub.com/forum/reach-competitive-maps/110083-eruption.html http://www.forgehub.com/forum/reach-competitive-maps/110104-volcanic.html Your concept may be somewhat different from these but the idea is definitely out there. I say who cares though, just put your own spin on it. Update: map is now set up completely for every game type except Invasion, Infection, and Race, and last minute tweaks were made (including adding health stations and upping the max quantity on some of the non-power weapons). So it's ready to play test. I'd really like to do it tonight around 8 or 8:30 Eastern - if I've already friended you I will send a party invite, but if I haven't and you'd like to get in, please send me a message or friend request tonight by eight. My gamer tag is Nutduster. One other small update: I removed the top of the map so I could take an overhead/floor plan image. That will be edited into the original post shortly.
You're not alone, "Eruption" was going to be the name of this map until I saw someone had just posted one with that name. D'oh! [br][/br]Edited by merge: First play test was done last night, thanks to you guys who were able to help. I'm going to make a few tweaks and try to get one more test in myself (mostly of how the respawn zones work in CTF and assault), and then this should be ready to release.