Tranquility

Tranquility is a symmetrical, medium-to-large-sized, multi-tiered competitive map that supports all game types except Invasion/Invasion Slayer and Race/Rally. Although the map is designed for large team play, it also supports and plays well for free-for-all gametypes like FFA Slayer and FFA Oddball. Note that the map supports multi-team so long as those teams are Green, Orange, Purple and Yellow (Red and Blue team spawning is restricted on Team gametypes by the placement of Respawn Zones, which was necessary for large team slayer and objective play). The map provides a variety of firefight environments, including close-quarters and medium-range engagement areas.. While there are also several long-range firing positions, I strategically placed cover to prevent the Sniper Rifle from achieving unwarranted dominance.

From the outset, Tranquility was designed for enjoyable gameplay. While there are a large number of complex, technically brilliant and aesthetically impressive (even gorgeous) community-created Forge maps out there, many of them lack core playability: Respawn Points are strewn haphazardly about the map, weapon placement is excessive and unbalanced, team bases are easily encircled and teams easily kill-farmed, etc. In creating Tranquility, I spent a great deal of time and thought carefully placing Initial Spawn Points, Respawn Points, Respawn Zones, weapon spawns and objective points, and was careful in setting appropriate weapon spare clips and weapon and vehicle respawn times. Additionally, I constructed the various areas of the map from as few pieces as necessary, and you will notice that this has resulted in a map that, unlike many other Forge maps, is completely free from frame-rate lag. As I said, the map was designed for enjoyable and smooth gameplay. If the screenshots below do not initially impress you, I urge you to download and play the map before drawing any final conclusions. I think that you will enjoy yourself.

Weapons on Map
*2 DMRs (FFA Only)
*1 Rocket Launcher (FFA Only)
*1 Energy Sword (FFA Only)
*1 Spartan Laser (Team Only)
*2 Grenade Launchers (Team Only)
*2 Plasma Pistols
*2 Needlers
*2 Shotguns
*1 Sniper Rifle

Vehicles on Map
*2 Falcons (Team Only)
*1 Banshee (Team Only)

Notes on Gameplay
*When playing small Team (4v4) and Multi-team gametypes, I recommend disabling vehicles in the Game Options menu.
*The map was not designed for small Team (4v4) Slayer Pro and Swat, and it is my opinion that these gametypes do not play well on the map: the gameplay often devolves to "find a high place and face-off," which is not only antithetical to the gameplay design of the map, but is generally unsatisfying.
*As a corollary to the above note, I suggest that starting weapons be Assault Rifle and Magnum for FFA and Team gametypes. The gameplay that these weapons create is in-line with the gameplay design of the map and leads to a generally more satisfying and enjoyable experience. Note that this is only my opinion and you are, of course, free to use whichever starting weapons you desire.
*When playing FFA and small Team (4v4) gametypes, I suggest starting one of the loadouts with a Jet Pack (this is the default setting for the Slayer gametype). This has the effect of compressing an otherwise large map, allowing players to engage each other more frequently. I find the vertical combat that is created by the Jet Pack to be quite fun on this map.
*As a corollary to the above note, when playing large Team gametypes, I suggest NOT starting one of the loadouts with a Jetpack (this is the default setting for Assault and CTF).
*
If you want a ready-to-go BTB Slayer gametype configured for optimum playability and fun, as per the above Gameplay Notes, I made one! Bungie.net : Halo Reach : File Details


Note on Forgetacular Contest
I intend to submit this map to the Halo:Reach 2010 Forgetacular contest in the BTB category. As such, I would greatly appreciate it if you play a large Team (8v8) Slayer or Objective game and enjoy it, you save the video of the gameplay in your Theater, put it up on your File Share (temporarily) and notify me as such by a message to my Gamertag (VRo11ingThunder) so that I can download it, as I need such a gameplay video to submit the map to the contest (it is part of the contest rules).

Here are some screenshots!

A 3/4 View of the Map from the Red Base

A View of the Lower Area

A View of the Covered Walkway Leading from the Red Base

The Man-Cannon Leading to the Blue Base from the Lower Area

The Man-Cannon Leading from the Blue Base to the Central Area

A 3/4 View of the Blue Base

A Low Side View of the Central Area from the Blue Approach

A High Side View of the Central Area from the Red Approach

A View of the Red-Side Central Area

A View of the Blue-Side Central Area