Focal is a small symmetrical map for 2 to 8 players. It is built on Tempest and utilizes the beam as an aesthetic. I had the idea myself, and began working on this just days after the release of the Noble Map Pack. However, due to the extensive testing the map has gone through, it is just now being released. Speaking of testers, there are many I would like to thank such as Stevo, Skisma, Throwindembows, inferno, Secret Shnitzel, Kittenpaste Company, Pacmonster1, Mac XL, Natetendo83, and many others, you know who you are and I thank you. The map is set up for all gametypes except for Race and invasion. Team Slayer is probably the best here, but Multi-Flag, Stockpile, and FFA games are all quite fun as well. I'm tired of blabbing, so I'll give you a weapons list and some screenshots. Map Layout: This is a small map with a simple layout. New players should be able to get their bearings almost instantly. There is a large central dance floor where the sword is located. Ramps lead from here into the bases, and a grav-lift takes you up top where the concussion rifle is. The bases also lead up top, and thats about it. It works great for competitive team games. Weapons: DMR x6 Plasma Rifle x2 Needler x2 Energy Sword x1 Concussion Rifle x1 Frag Grenade x2 Plasma Grenade x4 Health Pack x2 (3 in FFA slayer) I knew I wanted to have a sword on the map, so I chose the concussion rifle also because it's stopping power, and ability to knock players out of sprint is a great counter for the sword. The other weapons fell naturally into place. Screenshots: Action Shots: Download (in case you missed it) and enjoy!
This looks really nice actually. To be honest when first clicked on this i wasn't expecting much, most of the maps I've seen on tempest so far have been fairly average/poor. But this looks nice. I thought also of using the beam as an aesthetic for a map but couldn't seem to integrate it into the map without it looking out of place. You've done it quiet nicely i have to say, overall aesthetics seem quiet nice actually. Can't say for game play until i try it though, definitely a download.
After playing on this map a numerous amount of times, and being there as you worked out your problems, I'm happy with the (finally!) finished product. CTF was definitly a pain in the ass to deal with, but now it seems it's an awesome gametype to play this map on. I hope it wins a FHF, but then again, from what I've seen...people don't exactly have the best taste here. (To anyone who wants to insult me for "insulting you" you should think-I never singled you out, so you should think about that )
I remember seeing the preview for this when tempest first came out and it seems it turned out really well. The sight lines and elevation changes look like they make for some great game play. I like how you included some windows to see the outside but I also wonder, does it influence the framerate when you can see all that "nature" out there while also viewing a lot of the objects inside (pic #5 for example)? I have a similar map I'm working on and the windows showing outside the map really seem to make an otherwise lag-free space chug a little bit. Nice job on one of a small number of decent maps on tempest so far!
Damn, this looks like a good one. I am on vacation right now, but I am queuing this up to check out on my return. I like what I see so far, with your interesting elevation changes and the green lighting. And of course, lovely to see Tempest getting some attention. I haven't tried forging on this map yet and I am excited to see how you maneuvered around the map. I'll let you know what I think when I return next week! -Slamm
Played a few games on this and other than some spawn issues which I'm sure were fixed by now it was a well forged map. I like the low road/high road concept to getting to each base.
I was just about to post my first map thread which also is integrated with the laser beam, but when I saw this I figured "I have to start over" lol. Looks good and I will check it out =)
The 2 or 3 tests I was in with you were quite fun, despite my own personal tastes in weapons. In all of those plays, I -never- noticed the laser above. I'm glad you made it a part of the map without it being the main focal point.
Thanks for helping so much, and being there for almost all the tests. I don't think it'll win an FHF though, because there are no trees or water in the map. The framerate is smooth throughout the map. Howvever, during testing, there were framrate issues while looking through the center and out red team's lower window. There were no issues looking through the center and out blue's lower window. This is why I removed red's lower window. Then I decided to remove all their windows tomake navigating the map easier, to make more of a theme for red side, and to completely quash any framerate issues. I hope you do! People say that all the time and never actually do though... Don't worry, there have been like 5+ different setups for the CTF spawns, and I have finally found a balance that works. The spawns are as good as they're gonna get on such a small map. Don't start over, I'm sure your map is great too! Ah, so you are also a fan of MLG, huh? Sorry, I really don't like DMR starts on small-medium sized maps, I'd much rather use my magnum and I don't think I ever even picked up a DMR on this map throughout all the testing sessions. During gameplay, people rarely notice the beam, but it is there, and I think adds something to the map. It was originally meant to be the focal point, (hence the name) but the green lighting has drawn the attention away from that just a bit. It does make the loadout camera look pretty awesome... Thasnks to everyone who posted and downloaded! Your comments are always appreciated, and it's great to see all this positive feedback.
Huh, what? No, I've been very outspoken against MLG. I even said that while we were testing your map. Remember how I said it felt too MLG at first then, at the end, said "moar needler plz"? I think I had you play on my Kitsgepia map as well - very much not MLG. Again, I'm glad you did shy away from making it your focal point (even if it wasn't purely intentional).
No worries: it's in my downloads, awaiting my return home! I just hope I can find the thread again after a week... You know how this place is sometimes. -Slamm
Oh yeah... Sorry, there were a lot of people I had never played with before during that test, and remembering who was who wasn't easy. I just assumed that since I had joined Shnitzel's lobby that people were into MLG like he is. Was your map the one on Tempest with the teleporters between different parts of the map?
Mine had a zip-line that lead to a teleporter into the power thing to pick up the sword. :x I think that's what you're referring to. Yea, we were in the same group since we're together in a Tempest map testing group on another forging site. Would love to tag along with you again in future forge tests.
Ah, good to see a map built on Tempest. This map looks really good. I like the architecture and the way you incorporated views of the outside environment (because Tempest is beautiful), and the power beam is a nice touch. Definitely giving this a DL, and trying it out.
I've updated the OP with a bit more information about the map's weapons and layout. Thanks again for all the positive feedback guys, keep it coming!
This map looks sweet. Nice to see a map on Tempest. Great idea on the laserbeam too, I thing you were the first to start using it in a map? Not sure though. dl'ing now, I'll post back if I get a game. /bump
I'm not sure if its the first map to use the beam, but I was definitely one of the first to have the idea, and came up with it completely on my own. And I thought you helped test Errupt? Or maybe not, I know I played customs with you recently. And lol
I'm afraid not, or at least, I don't recall it. I might have been in Schnitzel's lobby once with you, since you mentioned him above, but I haven't ever played this map before now. But you can send me a friend request and we can run customs if you would like, sir. Anyways, I was rushing my post before, I would like to add that I love you geometry on this map. The central pillar mush have 14 pieces, at least, lol. I like all the glass sails, and to an inexperienced member/forger I would ask about screen lag, but you seem to know quite a bit, and you obviously are a good forger, so I assume you reduced it to zero screen lag. Your welcome. lol
As promised, I took a look. I'm quite impressed! A lot of neat geometry going on here. I really like the center as it encourages use but remains somewhat open. The sight lines along the bottom corridors are brilliant. I also enjoy the lift and the potent placement of the concussion rifle. My only concern was in how fast a player can take the lift and immediately reengage the exact same level by dropping back down again. I like the view, though, because it encourages the area as a hot spot. I am just wondering if you could preserve those sight lines without offering such easy access back to the level. It just seems like you could have used more interesting paths there, much like you use interesting cover all over this map. Awesome work!
Loved playing this map when you were testing it. The layout really played out very well. Great choice with the concussion rifle to offset the sword.