Map Concept, seeking skilled forger(s)!

The Library, SketchUp model, in need of skilled foger(s)!

The Library
The Library, SketchUp File

This is my first *real* attempt at designing a map. It takes inspiration from Epitaph (the pillars and upper walkway), Complex (the side hallways)(from Goldeneye 007), and some of the feel of Halo: CE maps (at least, I hope it will, it will need to be tested eventually).

With that said, here's the situation:
I am unable to forge right now, as I got the RRoD recently. In lieu of this, I come to you, the good people of ForgeHub, and want to see what you can do with the map. I will provide screenshots below, as well as a link to the SketchUp file. In the SketchUp file, I mostly did not account for interlocking between walls/floor pieces that is necessary to keep things smooth and solid, to prevent bumpiness and lost grenades. Aside from this, and any other changes I might mention, I would prefer it if you did not take any artistic liberties. Just follow the Sketch as close to the letter as you can.

Now, here's the thing. I am putting this up here as an open challenge to the community. I don't intend to waste anyone's time or hurt anyone's feelings, but if I get multiple submissions, I will use the one that I feel is most to my liking. Don't take it personally, and please don't let this discourage you from attempting the map. Anyone who at least attempts this will be recognized when I finally present a finished map to FH.

"The Library" is to be a rotationally symmetric map placed in the Crypt level of Sandbox.

Gameplay wise, allow me to explain some of my choices. You might notice the large amount of columns in the map. I feel that they provide a nice balance of cover and aesthetics: They give the map a fairly unique feel, and also create the illusion of hallways when viewed from certain shallow angles, but are not solid walls--some simple movement can easily and quickly put you back in line to shoot at your target. The wide open area allows for nice long lines of sight, with some cover in between in the form of quasi-railings or ramps. Also, the high ceiling is, I feel, a staple of a good Halo map. It removes the feeling of being cramped in a box, and allows you to lob a grenade across the map.

On to the map. Here's the screenshots, some of them are out of date, but not by too much. The SketchUp file is up to date, and probably finished unless I feel that I need to add some construction to the bottom middle area to limit the large LoS in the courtyard area. Other changes to note are the Large Columns (orange) that go from the floor to the surrounding walkway, are now stone columns. Also, the top level of the bases now have 2 wall, slits. Further, the ribcage structure along the ceiling will have to be removed, though it is not removed in the sketchup file. There simply (and sadly) aren't enough large columns (orange) for it to happen.
























The big white panels here are simply the un-textured bottom side of Ramp-Wide's






Object Totals so far
No spawns or weapons placed. Still to be placed: one, possibly 2 of both Red and Blue lights.
493/640 Objects
$2,465 spent
x40 Wall
x16 Wall, Corner
x18 Wall, Slit
x18 Wall, T
x38 Wall, Double
x06 Wedge, Small
x10 Wedge, Long
x38 Block, Large
x38 Block, Double
x06 Block, Tall
x28 Block, Huge
x28 Wedge, Huge
x04 Ramp, Large
x18 Wedge, Large
x28 Wedge, Corner
x17 Column, Blue Small
x17 Column, Red Small
x24 Column, Large
x19 Column, Stone Large
x04 Obelisk
x04 Fin
x12 Ramp, Short
x20 Ramp, Wide
x02 Ramp, Thick
x20 Arch
x20 Wood Bridge, Large

 

If you think you're up to the challenge, heh, then you're more than welcome to give it a go. I'll try to get a copy of the SU file linked in the main post shortly. I won't be available through Xbox Live until I get a new 'box, but I'll be readily available on here.

Aye, it's designed for the crpyt. Sorry for the white-space, I hid all the features but the floor to ease the building process (Accidentally zooming out past the walls was starting to get really annoying, heh). As far as Demon souls, never played it. Sounds like it has good level design though, haha.

 

http://www.forgehub.com/forum/halo-...8-ultimate-sketchup-template-compilation.html

Yeah, I was thinking about adding a tunnel or pathway of sorts that cuts into the "dead space" to the left/ride sides of the main area, and connects the upper level corners opposite the opposing team's top base entrance. Another possibility would be to remove the current sidewalls (both top and bottom) and make the map a giant rectangle. But all that can happen once I get my box back, heh.

Awesome, I posted the SketchUp file in the first post (it's 44MB), so see what you can do with it. No rush, of course, you've pretty much got all month, haha.

 

A ceiling will definitely be added to the final product. I'm thinking of having a curved, high ceiling in the main area, to allow grenades to be thrown rather high, and over the bases/side areas (if I add them in later), the ceiling will be flat, laying just over the top of the current wall.

 

Thanks for the encouraging words. I've tried to put a fair amount of thought into the map, from lines of sight to cover, and game flow. I've got a general idea of the weapon layout in mind, too. I'd love for this to evolve into a true gem.

I haven't selected anyone, per se. While I plan and design the map from behind the scenes, unable to work on it due to RRoD, I'd love to have someone with better forge skills than I give it a try while I'm unable to. As far as who actually does it, it's really a non-issue to me. I'm looking for someone with the forge skills to be able to execute it as I have envisioned it, with clean merges, smooth floors and walls, the usual.

I don't want to say that anyone's work will be tossed aside, but of course, if I get multiple "submissions" (so to speak), I'll start work on weapons/objectives/spawns on the version I feel to be the best-forged/best suited to my needs. Once I finally come up with a finished product, though, I'll accredit the current map to whoever forged the map I'm using, but will also be sure to give due credit to everyone who at least attempted it--simply being willing to help me realize my brainchild of a map is worthy of a big thank you in my book.

As for using any of it in your map, be my guest. I'd love to see what you can do with them to further the concepts I started with.

 

Nah mate, consider this public property, just without the permission to really change anything, heh. If you want to work on it, be my guest. Once I've got my new 'box from MSoft, I'll either contact everyone who posted here saying they'd give it a try, or download any versions that people send to me/post here, and give 'em all a look-over, then pick the one that I feel is best forged/best suited to my needs. And I hope, at that time, I don't hurt anyone's feelings if I don't continue work from their forging.

Basically, TL;DR is:
I'm offering this Sketch to everyone here, to test your skills (though there's nothing too complicated here, just some tedious interlocking to come up with the smooth walls/floors that I'm looking for. The upcoming ceiling should be interesting too, construction-wise). I'm not going to promise to use your map if you make one, but I will promise to appreciate your work nonetheless.