Escapist Testing Initiative (Portal 2 Custom Map Archive & Challenge Circuit)

[Lord_Ascendant]

[HEADING=1]Hello future test subjects and/or employees of Aperture Science![/HEADING]

This is a thread dedicated to the creation of a testing circuit for the Escapist community using maps created by the community as well as an archive for all maps the community has to offer! To add your map to the archive simply add a reply to this thread with your Steam Workshop links line this :http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71707220 or shorten it like <a href=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71707220>this. Feel free to test other players maps and share maps you like or offer constructive criticism of maps.

GUIDELINES: Maps must meet the following criteria to be considered.
1: The Test Chamber must have more than one step to completion.
2: The Test Chamber must have a solution.
3: The Test Chamber must adhere to all community guidelines both for the Steam Workshop and the Escapist.
4: The Test Chamber must be public access.
5: The Test Chamber must be able to be completed without assistance from the designer.

GRADING: Maps are graded 1 to 6 by me and by other players. I use these grades to create an average for a map and then put the grade next to it. Grading breaks down as follows.

1: Very Easy- Able to be completed by any player, two or fewer steps.
2: Easy- More difficult than easy challenges but still able to be completed by first time players, less than three steps.
3: Normal- Experienced players will have no trouble with this after some thinking but new players may have a hard time, less than five steps.
4: Hard- Experienced players might be stumped at first, less than seven steps.
5: Very Hard- Experienced players will be stumped, test has more than seven steps. Solutions require thought, timing or mastery of a mechanic (light bridges, excursion funnels, repulsion gel etc) or multiple mechanics acting together. True challenges.
6: Innovative- introduces or requires new or different mechanics or different uses for existing mechanics, a completely new Portal experience that blows away all previous kinds of challenges. Test Chambers are truly mind-boggling and complex. This is the only type of map it is okay to be obtuse or difficult in.

Once a map has been graded, in this way a map maker may fix their map and ask for it to be graded again. This can be done only once and there must be a significant change to warrant re-grading. This re-grading request can be dismissed by other contributors but the OP must look at the map, if no significant change is found the map will keep its grade. If its level of challenge changes it will be reflected below in the archive.

[HEADING=2]CURRENT ARCHIVE[/HEADING]
Cruel Waters [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75525490] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
The Gauntlet [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72152589] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
Four-Leaf Clover [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75635460] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
Stairway to Heaven [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75524011] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
A Spittle Momentum [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75987495] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
Velocity [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=89894231] by Lord_Ascendant (4/6)
Compact #1 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71987339] by bobmus (2/6)
Compact #2 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72025546] by bobmus (3/6)
Compact #3 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72072082] by bobmus (3/6)
Timed Advancement [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71707732] by v8_Ninja (6/6)
BouncePie [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71253350] by DazZ (3/6)
Stupid Turret [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72079355] by NoQuestionsAsked (3/5)
Labyrinth [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71610108] by DrAksel (5/6)
Worthless [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72700415] by expendablejim (5/6)
Impossible Test- Or is it? [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71419713 ] by zacho984 (6/6)
Impossible Test [2]- Or is it? [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72794616 ] by zacho984 (6/6)
Impossible Test [3]- Or is it? [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72825976 ] by zacho984 (6/6)
Impossible Test [4]- Or is it? [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=74173007 ] by zacho984 (6/6)
Impossible Test- CHALLENGE 1 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72952333 ] by zacho984 (6/6)
Impossible Test- CHALLENGE 2 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=73087162 ] by zacho 984 (6/6)
Ultimate Test of Not Dying [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=70287017 ] by Captain Kips (3/5)
Man Vs Turret [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68605177 ] by Captain Kips (3/6)
To The Face [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=70722507 ] by axelom (2/6)
ascend [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=70680095 ] by expendablejim (1/6)
Foiled Again [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71450247 ] by Deckard Cain (3/6)
Trampoline Room [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68542641] by Deckard Cain (3/6)
Big Blue Ball Machine [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71903056] by Blade (6/6)
Look Before You Leap [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71204778] by Blade (4/6)
Advanced Chamber 1 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68601853] by MTF! Nesky (6/6)
Advanced Chamber 2 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71272958] by MTF! Nesky (6/6)
Warm Up 1 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68547627 ] by MTF! Nesky (5/6)
Warm Up 2 [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68568796 ] by MTF! Nesky (5/6)
Test Chamber ?Uno? [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68616296 ] by laggyteabag (1/6)
2KRAZY!!! [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71286898 ] by 2Krazy4U (5/6)
The World Shall Taste My Laser [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=68653355 ] by NoQuestionsAsked (4/6)
Forced Single-Perspective Test [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=73270085] by speacock (4/6)
Long Jump [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72701598] expendablejim (2/6)
The Trap [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=73612028] by Deckard Cain (5/6)
The Pit [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=74681396] by v8_Ninja (5/6)
The Broken Button [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=74972314] by v8_Ninja (5/6)
Trick of the Light [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75109882] by expendablejim (5/6)
The Lake [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75393533] by v8_Ninja (5/6)
The Divide [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75403407] by v8_Ninja (5/6)
Work from the Top [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=75860213] by v8_Ninja (5/6)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[HEADING=2]Challenge Circuit[/HEADING]
A special event held to challenge the best Portal 2 puzzle solvers in a race to the finish through three rounds of play starting that increase in challenge and decrease in time limit as the tournament goes on. Placement for the Challenge Circuit will be held one week in advance of the Circuit and will use the same three-map sequence which challengers must complete. Those who complete the maps will be seeded into the Challenge Circuit.
Map makers who show promise or skill in creating unique or difficult maps will have their maps entered into the map pool for this challenge!

Entrants receive their maps 15 minutes before the start of each Tier and will have 20 minute breaks between Tiers. If a map is skipped it is replaced with another map from the same pool. Each Entrant is judged on their time,

Each map in the Tier must be finished in the allotted time, with skips allowed in the first two Tiers and one overall lifeline for each Tier regardless (Ask the Mapmaker or Consult an Expert) when a lifeline is used, that player's official time is paused for the duration of the lifeline until time in is declared. A challenger who fails a map is removed from the competition, failure is considered one of the following; inability to complete maps in the time allotted or dying more than three times in one Tier. The last person eliminated or the first person to complete all the maps is declared the winner. Winners receive mention on the opening page of this thread and (awaiting staff permission) a Badge in honor of completing the Circuit as well as a Badge for all participants.

The Challenge Circuit will be a major event which may be broadcast live via twitch.tv and linked on The Escapist and held live at the Escapist Expo (awaiting staff approvals, subject to change).

TIER ONE
Challenge Rating: 4
Creators Considered: speacock, NoQuestionsAsked, Captain Kips, bobmus, Lord_Ascendant
Creators Confirmed: Lord_Ascendant
Number of Maps: 13
This is an introductory tier, introducing challengers to the difficult maps and requiring them to solve them. Challengers are given two map passes in this Tier. Time allotted for this Tier is 1 hour. The number of maps to completion of this Tier is 6.

TIER TWO
Challenge Rating: 5
Creators Considered: expendablejim, Deckard Cain, 2Krazy4U, DrAksel, DaZz
Creators Confirmed:
Number of Maps: 10
This is where the difficulty ramps up and challengers are going to be hit with even more complex puzzles, challengers are allowed one map pass in this Tier. Time allotment is 45 minutes. The number of maps to completion of this Tier is 5.

TIER THREE
Challenge Rating: 6
Creators Considered: Blade, v8_Ninja, MTF! Nesky, zacho984
Creators Confirmed: MTF! Nesky, zacho984
Number of Maps: 19
This is the final round and requires all a challenger's thought and attention. Challengers will have no map passes and will have a time allotment of 30 minutes. The number of maps to completion of this Tier is 4.


RULES AND RESTRICTIONS
* Challengers must have a Judge standing by to record the starting and ending times of each Tier to be assured Challengers are completing each Tier within the time allotted.
* Challengers must not use cheat codes and will be disqualified for use of the console.
* Challengers may not skip more than their allotted amount of map skips or they will be disqualified.
* Challengers must not use more than their allotted lifelines or be disqualified.
* Challengers may not use pirated or non-official copies of Portal 2 for the Challenge Circuit.
* Challengers must abide by all community guidelines and sportsmanship during the Circuit may result in time being added to one's official time in one minute increments for each sportsmanship infraction.
* Challengers must abide by all judge rulings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Staff of the Escapist who wish to contribute are welcome to do so. All map makers in Portal 2 are encouraged to participate in this Testing Initiative! Remember to be constructive when criticizing maps and as always keep a level head if you feel your map has been unfairly judged. If you are frustrated, explain to the map maker what is troubling you and they can help you solve a puzzle.

This is a guide for how to make maps, in case you need help: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2693987

Good luck and happy testing!

 

[DazZ.]

You got any input?

I have a map but it doesn't quite meet the requirements and can't make any more till later in the week. Very interested in playing other peoples maps and making more of my own though!

 

[bobmus]

Here's my first map, should meet the criteria of this thread. I've got more on the way, and this is just the easy beginning!

Link: <url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71987339>Compact 1

 

[bobmus]

And now its slightly-more-difficult follow-up is ready too. I'm just playing around with keeping them small here, so they're not as open-ended as I'd prefer.

<url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72025546>Compact 2

Let me know what you think if you try them out!

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

You got any input?

I have a map but it doesn't quite meet the requirements and can't make any more till later in the week. Very interested in playing other peoples maps and making more of my own though!

If you want to put your map into the general archive, just post it here.

If you want me to judge it, send it to me in a private message and I'll get back to you on whether it meets the required difficulty.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

And now its slightly-more-difficult follow-up is ready too. I'm just playing around with keeping them small here, so they're not as open-ended as I'd prefer.

<url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72025546>Compact 2

Let me know what you think if you try them out!

I'm sorry but both of your maps have no solutions. The first one has no portal-able surface to reach the exit door, it's physically impossible to reach. The second one the repulsion gel generator covers the edgeless safety cube in the gel and makes it bounce, thus impossible to continue the test.

If you make a few changes, they should be playable. Always remember to make your tests have solutions.

 

[bobmus]

And now its slightly-more-difficult follow-up is ready too. I'm just playing around with keeping them small here, so they're not as open-ended as I'd prefer.

<url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72025546>Compact 2

Let me know what you think if you try them out!

I'm sorry but both of your maps have no solutions. The first one has no portal-able surface to reach the exit door, it's physically impossible to reach. The second one the repulsion gel generator covers the edgeless safety cube in the gel and makes it bounce, thus impossible to continue the test.

If you make a few changes, they should be playable. Always remember to make your tests have solutions.

Both are fully solvable - I play-tested through a few times.

The first one, look up to your right, it's there, but the lights are off. Adds to the challenge.

The second, just hold the ball at your feet or at your side - anywhere that's not in the falling liquid! It's perfectly possible, and easy to do on a second attempt.

Jeez, if they were so easy you couldn't make mistakes it'd be pretty dull.

 

[V8 Ninja]

Heck, I'll throw mine in just to see if I can get anybody to play it.

Timed Advancement [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71707732]

I believe it meets all of the requirements and has a difficulty of 3. I'll be sure to play some of the other maps that have already been submitted.

 

[ajemas]

Is it possible to have a separate thread to slow for our maps to be playtesred by others? It's difficult to get an assessment of difficulty without input from someone who hasn't seen that particular puzzle before.

 

[V8 Ninja]

I just played @TheBobmus 's maps, and I was unimpressed. Not only is the first of his Compact maps ludicrously hard only because of the bad lighting, but the keep-the-ball-out-of-the-goo trick was annoying to perform in Compact 2 and I easily broke the last part of Compact 2 by walking on the dividing walls. Admittedly, I do like the concept of a very closed-in level, but these two just don't do it right.

Compact 1 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)
Compact 2 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)

EDIT: OP, do you want me to comment on your level? I would be completely willing to.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

And now its slightly-more-difficult follow-up is ready too. I'm just playing around with keeping them small here, so they're not as open-ended as I'd prefer.

<url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72025546>Compact 2

Let me know what you think if you try them out!

I'm sorry but both of your maps have no solutions. The first one has no portal-able surface to reach the exit door, it's physically impossible to reach. The second one the repulsion gel generator covers the edgeless safety cube in the gel and makes it bounce, thus impossible to continue the test.

If you make a few changes, they should be playable. Always remember to make your tests have solutions.

Both are fully solvable - I play-tested through a few times.

The first one, look up to your right, it's there, but the lights are off. Adds to the challenge.

The second, just hold the ball at your feet or at your side - anywhere that's not in the falling liquid! It's perfectly possible, and easy to do on a second attempt.

Jeez, if they were so easy you couldn't make mistakes it'd be pretty dull.

I didn't think of that on the second one and the first one the darkness makes it a cruel level challenge. Would you like to put it into the challenge circuit?

Is it possible to have a separate thread to slow for our maps to be playtesred by others? It's difficult to get an assessment of difficulty without input from someone who hasn't seen that particular puzzle before.

The OP will have the Archived list of all maps on it. I will play every map in this thread until I finish it and give it a number grade from 1 to 5. Every map until I get other volunteers to grade them.

I just played @TheBobmus 's maps, and I was unimpressed. Not only is the first of his Compact maps ludicrously hard only because of the bad lighting, but the keep-the-ball-out-of-the-goo trick was annoying to perform in Compact 2 and I easily broke the last part of Compact 2 by walking on the dividing walls. Admittedly, I do like the concept of a very closed-in level, but these two just don't do it right.

Compact 1 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)
Compact 2 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)

EDIT: OP, do you want me to comment on your level? I would be completely willing to.

I have a completed level 4 map if you wish to play it: <a href=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71898656> Cruel Waters

 

[bobmus]

I just played @TheBobmus 's maps, and I was unimpressed. Not only is the first of his Compact maps ludicrously hard only because of the bad lighting, but the keep-the-ball-out-of-the-goo trick was annoying to perform in Compact 2 and I easily broke the last part of Compact 2 by walking on the dividing walls. Admittedly, I do like the concept of a very closed-in level, but these two just don't do it right.

Compact 1 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)
Compact 2 (by TheBobmus): 4/10 (slightly below average)

Thanks for the feedback, I'll add a bit of lighting in on the first to make that clearer if it's becoming tricky.
Edit: Now added - should make it much clearer (Retry perhaps)

The ball and goo is hardly difficult - I've only failed that bit twice testing it through myself...
Edit: Updated the final step to a laser challenge, which isn't broken - give it a go

Hopefully you'll like <url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72072082>Compact 3 more, a lot harder than the first 2.

I gave up with your's after one of my cubes fell into the lake. The process of getting them in the first place is fairly laborious, so losing them is a real pain. Will try again later.

Consider changing your ratings after some edits perhaps people?

 

[bobmus]

I didn't think of that on the second one and the first one the darkness makes it a cruel level challenge. Would you like to put it into the challenge circuit?

Fixed the lighting, so turn the difficulty level down suitably. It was supposed to be a pretty easy map. <.<

I've also added a laser puzzle to the end of Compact 2, which would actually make it a harder level.

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

I didn't think of that on the second one and the first one the darkness makes it a cruel level challenge. Would you like to put it into the challenge circuit?

Fixed the lighting, so turn the difficulty level down suitably. It was supposed to be a pretty easy map. <.<

I've also added a laser puzzle to the end of Compact 2, which would actually make it a harder level.

I'll reevaluate both 1 and 2 tomorrow, it's late here. However rest assured I will evaluate both of them.

 

[bobmus]

I didn't think of that on the second one and the first one the darkness makes it a cruel level challenge. Would you like to put it into the challenge circuit?

Fixed the lighting, so turn the difficulty level down suitably. It was supposed to be a pretty easy map. <.<

I've also added a laser puzzle to the end of Compact 2, which would actually make it a harder level.

I'll reevaluate both 1 and 2 tomorrow, it's late here. However rest assured I will evaluate both of them.

Just played the first of your maps - Simple Spatial Awareness Test. Is the joke that you can complete it with the laser cube in one step, or did I just cheat? I wasn't really certain you see.

 

[thatonedude11]

Eh, why not?

 

[Lord_Ascendant]

I didn't think of that on the second one and the first one the darkness makes it a cruel level challenge. Would you like to put it into the challenge circuit?

Fixed the lighting, so turn the difficulty level down suitably. It was supposed to be a pretty easy map. <.<

I've also added a laser puzzle to the end of Compact 2, which would actually make it a harder level.

I'll reevaluate both 1 and 2 tomorrow, it's late here. However rest assured I will evaluate both of them.

It's 6am here - I should really go sleep soon.

Just played the first of your maps - Simple Spatial Awareness Test. Is the joke that you can complete it with the laser cube in one step, or did I just cheat? I wasn't really certain you see.

The joke is that it's basically one step.

 

[V8 Ninja]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll add a bit of lighting in on the first to make that clearer if it's becoming tricky.
Edit: Now added - should make it much clearer (Retry perhaps)

The ball and goo is hardly difficult - I've only failed that bit twice testing it through myself...
Edit: Updated the final step to a laser challenge, which isn't broken - give it a go

Hopefully you'll like <url=http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=72072082>Compact 3 more, a lot harder than the first 2.

I gave up with your's after one of my cubes fell into the lake. The process of getting them in the first place is fairly laborious, so losing them is a real pain. Will try again later.

I suspected that the ground-portaling trick would be a bit too hard for some normal players. I would change it, but I'm not sure if the OP would allow edited/changed maps from their initial posting. However, I will play Compact 3 and give my thoughts.

EDIT: It appears that the OP is allowing edited maps. However, I do suggest something: a map can only be edited after initial play-testing and judging ONCE and only once.

 

[aksel]

Might as well

 

[DazZ.]

You got any input?

I have a map but it doesn't quite meet the requirements and can't make any more till later in the week. Very interested in playing other peoples maps and making more of my own though!

If you want to put your map into the general archive, just post it here.

If you want me to judge it, send it to me in a private message and I'll get back to you on whether it meets the required difficulty.

Alright then, how long have we got to get things in? Can't get to making anything until around Saturday.

Till then, this one doesn't meet requirements but it is a functional chamber. BouncePie [http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=71253350]