Robota

4v4 Slayer
8.0

Map Description

  1. Pat Sounds
    [​IMG]



    PLEASE NOTE:
    Version 2.0 is available now, and is a new file. If you like the map, please bookmark the new version. There have been significant improvements to the performance, aesthetics and gameplay since release.

    [​IMG]

    Robota is a symmetrical 2v2 map built for Slayer, CTF and Strongholds set in a droid factory. It was built for the HSFN November Forge-off put on by Halo Spark Forge Network, Creative Force and the Gravemind Community. You can find out more about the contest HERE. The challenge was to take a blockout by WhosBlaze and add art and weapons to it.

    _________[ART DESIGN]_________

    The name "Robota" was taken from a multimedia art project by concept artist Doug Chiang, who has worked on the modern Star Wars movies as well as other films including Terminator 2. It is not an attempt to build anything from that project, but the name served as a jumping off point.

    [​IMG]
    One of several pieces of retro sci-fi art that inspired me.

    Chiang's work served as an inspiration for the design of the non humanoid droids on the map, but I also looked to several other pieces of retro science fiction art to nail down a style, including work done by Ralph McQuarrie. I colored the map in a way that's supposed to mimic the look of film stock from the 60s/70s.

    [​IMG]
    Red base, looking towards mid.

    _________[GAMEPLAY]_________


    One of my favorite parts about designing this map was that Blaze's initial blockout was built in a way that allowed for a variety of weapon and game mode placements. It's a symmetrical map that could conceivably be rotated in a few different ways depending on where you want the center line to be. After a number of different layouts, I settled on bases and weapon positions that featured the two exposed walkways on opposite sides of the map.

    [​IMG]
    A Hydra spawns on the top of the walkway near red side.

    The walkways were non ideal locations for flags, since there could be an easy capture right across top mid, but the amount of effort required to get onto the mid level ramp and clamber up on to each one seemed to give a risk / reward factor that made them good power item spots.

    [​IMG]

    A Barbed Lance spawns on the walkway near blue side.

    I also placed an OS in bottom mid to draw players towards the center of the map.

    [​IMG]
    Overshield spawns in bottom mid.

    There are two Splinter Grenades on the map, which I've placed in exposed windows that are hard to get to. There are also 2 classic sight BRs on the level. At red and blue bases are Storm rifles, which spawn with half power.


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    _________[WEAPONS]__________

    Weapon spawn times are for the most part set to standard matchmaking settings, but clips and times have been adjusted in some cases.


    POWER ITEMS:
    Barbed Lance - 2 Clips - 180 sec
    Hydra - 2 Clips - 120 sec
    Overshield - 120 sec


    STANDARD WEAPONS:
    Classic Sight BR (x2) - 2 clips - 20 sec

    Storm Rifles (x2) - 50% power - 45 sec
    Brute Plasma Rifle (x2) 50% power - 20 sec
    Splinter Grenade (x2) - 20 sec
    Plasma Grenade (x2) - 20 sec

    Although this contest has been over for a long time, I occasionally tweak and update my levels to keep them fresh. If you have ANY feedback whatsoever, please let me know.

Recent Reviews

  1. ZombieDyer ZombieDyer
    8/5,
    Atmosphere ***
    Immersion ***
    Detailing ****
    Creativity *****
    Concept *****

Discussion

  1. GrayishPoppy210

    GrayishPoppy210 Legendary
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    Looks cool. I think I need to go put more work into my entry now.
     
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  2. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing the other entries
     
  3. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Pat Sounds updated Robota with a new update entry:

    BETA 0.2 - New Weapon Locations

    Read the rest of this update entry...
     
  4. SgtSlaphead

    SgtSlaphead Talented
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    Very nice!
     
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  5. Xandrith

    Xandrith Promethean
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    I love all of your maps, this one especially.
     
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  6. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Aw thanks man, that's nice to hear.
     
  7. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Pat Sounds updated Robota with a new update entry:

    Visual Asymmetry + Expanding to 4v4

    Read the rest of this update entry...
     
  8. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Pat Sounds updated Robota with a new update entry:

    Version 1.0 - Judgement Day

    Read the rest of this update entry...
     
  9. D4rkDeath

    D4rkDeath Legendary
    Forge Critic Senior Member

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    Walked around on this, cool concept, however I think you may have broken the rules for the contest. You can get up top of each side, see through certain sight line blockers, and clamber up to the mid from the base. The idea is there, but enough of the geometry was changed that you might get disqualified. However, the rules weren't clear enough, so I decided to watch the entries rather than participate. Good Luck, that aside, it's a unique theme nonetheless.
     
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  10. D4rkDeath

    D4rkDeath Legendary
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    Not to seem sour, but if Blaze made the original design for the map and is a judge in the contest, how do you get away with being an entry?
     
  11. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Hey thanks for replying with some actual feedback man. You've made some good points.

    I listed Blaze as the co forger just because from what I know he built the block out and I wanted to give him credit for his work. He did not work on the map with me in any way. If this is confusing, or not the way it should be credited, I will change it immediately.

    Your point about disqualification may be accurate. There are some spots where I probably strayed too far from the layout in an attempt to be creative with my piece usage. I made an effort to keep the geometry in line with the block out, so if you've found a way to break out of the map or some clamber routes that didn't exist before, then that's a mistake and not intentional.

    In terms of sight lines, there are two spots in the map that I think you're bringing up. One is the Droid assembly stations I put in place of the pyramid piece on the floor, and then two pillars in bottom mid I've replaced with tanks containing droids. You can see through these, although your sight is obstructed somewhat. I was trying to push the boundaries, and it sounds like I may have pushed it too far.

    If this disqualifies me, then so be it. I'm not expecting to win and just wanted to participate. I wasn't intending to ruffle any feathers or anything like that. I posted it up here in hopes of getting some real feedback, and now that I'm hundreds of miles from home and the contest has ended, I'm finally getting some. LOL. I would change it if I had time. Oh well.

    Again thanks for sharing your thoughts. Apologies if I've broken any rules.
     
  12. D4rkDeath

    D4rkDeath Legendary
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    All good man! I'd take him off as co forger since he didn't work with you. The feathers would of been ruffled only if a judge had entered a map. Very nice reply. I know you are a respectable forger.
     
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  13. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Word, I've changed the listing. Again, I do really appreciate the comment. I rarely get feedback outside of testing lobbies, and in lobbies it is rarely constructive or specific. I'm just trying to learn
     
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  14. Pat Sounds

    Pat Sounds Legendary
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    Pat Sounds updated Robota with a new update entry:

    NEW FILE - Big performance, aesthetic and gameplay changes

    Read the rest of this update entry...
     

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