Skyrise

Skyrise is a medium-sized symmetrical map based largely on the design of the Halo 3: ODST Firefight map, Windward. As its name suggests, Skyrise takes place on the top of a towering skyscraper. At first it may seem to simply adopt the plateau-styled platforms of Windward's left side and mirror it to produce a symmetrical multiplayer map, but a number of differences make Skyrise truly stand out as a competitive experience.



The change players are most likely to notice first is the addition of a large glass structure to the front of the building. The set of passages housed within act as alternate routes throughout the map while replacing Windward's turrets and landing pads - designed for Firefight - with more appropriate and aesthetically pleasing spaces.



While traversing the bridge portion of the structure, players have an ample amount of cover. The protective wings' glass texture prevents camping, and players attempting to get easy kills can be caught off-guard by a well-placed grenade.



To reach the bridge, players can either head up the ramps on the far sides of the map or quickly jump across the set of metal shades that hang above the doors to the central area.



This path can be used both ways, and is also the fastest way to travel from the bridge to the team bases.



Below the bridge lies the easier-to-access viewing area, which acts as a path to and from the bridge and the two portions of the map's lowest level. The player depicted is clearing his path to the bridge with a Grenade Launcher.



From the lowest level, there are several ways to ascend the map. Depicted here are the two crates that can be used as alternatives to the ramps on either side of the bases, and the leftmost crate which acts as a shortcut to the bridge.



Walls of sandbags are also present on each team's bases for use as cover when defending objectives. Also visible here are the one-way doors from the upper portion of the central area. The doors allow players to quickly snag and place objectives if they can survive the high-risk environment of the central area.



The central area houses both the Grenade Launcher and Rocket Launcher, as well as an unmistakable statue which can be used as cover from enemy fire. In front of the monument is a small neutral objective pad, highlighted by an inert Man Cannon's jet. A large ramp leads to the upper portion containing the one-way doors.

TECHNICAL DETAILS:

WEAPONS:
DMR X2
Fragmentation Grenade X4
Grenade Launcher X1
Needle Rifle X2
Plasma Grenade X4
Plasma Pistol X2
Rocket Launcher X1
Shotgun X1

UPDATES:
Added glass structure.
Added Man Cannon highlight.
Added more spawns.
Added crates and sandbags to bases.
Added metal shades.
Made front of tower more aesthetically pleasing.
Slight change to weapon placement.

TESTERS:
Zow Jr
iM x JacKsoN
ShadowStorrmxX
Indecent Values

I hope that you have as much fun playing on Skyrise as I had making it!
Download Skyrise!

 

Skyrise actually did not have any sandbags or crates when it was tested, but a lack of cover and an alternative way to ascend the bases was one of the tester's complaints. I'm pleased that my map brought back memories, too. Thanks for the feedback!