Short Survey about CTF maps

[Sam17]

Hi, I'm studying a games development course, and for my final major project I need to create a Deathmatch or Capture the Flag map for Unreal 2004 (I'd rather do CTF)

I figured this place would be a good site to gather information, I often come to the site to look at news and articles and occassionally briefly scan the forums, and you all seem a pretty intelligent bunch

I've prepared a short survey about what your favourite maps are and what you look for in a good map, if you could help me out it'd be very much appreciated, it can be from any game, whether it be MoH, CoD, Halo, Unreal or Battlefield

Note: This is really only regarding online FPS's

Thanks!

1. What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?



2. What is your favourite map(s) from any game?



3. I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?



4. In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)



5. What do you think makes a good map?



6. How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)



7. Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?


8. Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)



Thank you for your time

 

[Hazy]

1. CTF.

2. Corruption - Unreal Tournament 3

3. It' a vehicle CTF-oriented map sporting a waterway across the middle. At opposite ends are two distinct bases, and a small, rigid cliff side overlooking the battlefield.

4. Depends entirely on how it's presented/developed. For the sake of this survey, I'll have to say Woodland, as it presents the feeling of uncontrolled chaos. But hey, if someone can make an aesthetically pleasing and fun to play urban map, I'm all for it.

5. Various ways to traverse the map that incorporate the strengths and weaknesses of particular players.

6. It's a wild-card. If it can keep someone on their toes, then sure, why not.

7. If they're handled in moderation, yes. It gives the feeling of uncertainty, and can set the mood quite well if done correctly.

8. Close/Medium range combat. I prefer to engage my enemy at an uncomfortably close range.

 

[Wolfram23]

I probably prefer death match because it's easier to have fun even if your team sucks. However, I do indeed like CTF.

Only thing I can say about it as far as map designs go, I like when there's no less than 2 routes into a flag room, and generally it's great if there's a bit of a crossroad where a flag runner has to be somewhat exposed, and possibly a more "hidden" route but that is easy for defenders to get to if they notice the flag runner isn't in the more open area. Something like a subterranean passage but with some holes in the roof people can drop into.

Aesthetics I don't really care.

I like some environmental threats if they're not overpowered, but more of a skill(or luck)-required thing for instance exploding barrels are alright, maybe a gun implacement or bunkers w/o guns.

I like weather effects a lot.

I probably prefer medium/long range combat but it really depends on the map, I enjoy close range with a shotgun too but when you have to choose a gun I tend to go with accurate assault rifles.

 

[Mr Snuffles]

What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag? CTF

What is your favourite map(s) from any game? 2FORT (TF2) Laguna Presa (BFBC2)

I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?2FORT is small but has different paths going around. Laguna presa is a tropical map set in a jungle.

In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc) Snow/Jungle

What do you think makes a good map? Impaired visibility (ie. not being able to see everything, like using a snowstorm or thick foliage)

How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc) Not a huge fan, but if they don't deal too much damage I'm fine

Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting? Very appreciative

Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc) Close/Medium range

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

Team deathmatch is my overall favorite gamemode since I don't really have to worry about objectives. Just shooting people.

 

[Pielikey]

What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?
Capture the Flag.


What is your favourite map(s) from any game?
ctf_2fort from Team Fortress 2.


I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?
It's a map with 2 bases, seperated by a large gap filled with water and a bridge ontop. in the water, there are sewers which go up into each base.


In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)
Urban.


What do you think makes a good map?
A map that you can play a million times and it's still fun.


How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)
When done right (the exploding barrels) they can be fine, but when they go overboard (nuke button) it can become annoying.


Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?
Weather Effects are awesome.

Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)
Medium Range.


Thank you for your time

I love doing surveys

 

[Flames66]

What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag? CTF



What is your favourite map(s) from any game? Halo: Infinity. Big open maps



I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it? It's big and open. Make the map large and open with lots of cover.



In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc) Woodland



What do you think makes a good map? Big and open, even for both teams, good sniping positions, easily defend able bases and fairly easy to navigate.



How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc) They're good, but not too many and no nukes that kill everyone.



Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?awai-bai-daiyers der-baba-do-DOM-DOM, I like it.


Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc) Long range.



Thank you for your time

Any time.

 

[Trivun]

Hi, I'm studying a games development course, and for my final major project I need to create a Deathmatch or Capture the Flag map for Unreal 2004 (I'd rather do CTF)

I figured this place would be a good site to gather information, I often come to the site to look at news and articles and occassionally briefly scan the forums, and you all seem a pretty intelligent bunch

I've prepared a short survey about what your favourite maps are and what you look for in a good map, if you could help me out it'd be very much appreciated, it can be from any game, whether it be MoH, CoD, Halo, Unreal or Battlefield

Note: This is really only regarding online FPS's

Thanks!

What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?

Capture the flag, personally, though both are fine.


What is your favourite map(s) from any game?

Maybe Coldsnap, a user-made map for Halo: Custom Edition on PC.

I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?

It consists of a vast snowy landscape, roughly 6km (in-game) in length, with a massive crevasse with a single bridge running through the middle. On one side, at one end of the crevasse, is a sheer cliff dropping down, and on the other three sides are mountains and the map boundaries. There are two bases in the mountains, at opposite ends, and once you leave the bases in a vehicle you can't re-enter. The flag points are on a bridge over the cliff for the Blue Team, and inside a cave for the Red Team. Pictures can be found on Google .

In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)

I prefer anything large-scale and well designed, aside from that I'm not too fussed whether it's urban, wooded, desert or whatever. Though urban zones are slightly more enjoyable for me to play in.

What do you think makes a good map?

Well layed-out, and well balanced, are starting points. Neither side should have an unfair advantage, and any advantages for one team should be countered in the map. Multiple ways of accessing locations such as camping points and spawn points should be used, to be certain of fair and challenging teamplay.

How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)

I think they add more realism and atmosphere to a map, and I quite like that.

Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?

I enjoy weather effects, especially when they have some actual effect on gameplay and on tactics and whatnot.

Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)

I prefer long range, since I enjoy sniping and camping. Not so keen on short range, since you just end up in a stupid server with 12-year-olds who don't know how to play the game and just keep shooting each other with shotguns "because they're awesome"...

Thank you for your time

Answers are all in the quoted text .

 

[The Rockerfly]

I prefer team death match

I quite like Guardian from Halo 3

Guardian is a map within the Halo 3 game for Xbox 360 and it has multiple ways of taking the environment, you can go long ranged with a sniper tower on the one side, go close range on the other and there is a luscious hybrid between nature and buildings. It also has multiple ways to get to the other sides so campers are few and far between on Guardian

I prefer a hybrid but it depends what atmosphere you are trying to go for. If it's dark and creepy make it look as though nature has over taken, if you want something a bit more normal then make them look intertwined

I quite like them as long as they are in sensible places and don't spawn ridiculously, such as next to all the power weapons once every 5 minutes. However I think it would be more simple not to have them but if you think you can implement them effectively into game play without unbalancing then go for it

I find weather effects to be distracting at best and annoyingly over powered at others. If they change the appearance then I would say "yes" but most weather effects are so damaging to gameplay that they break the flow

I prefer mid range but if you can get map which caters to all fighting styles then I would go for that

Hope this has helped dude, maybe give us a place to download the file once it has been made

 

[mrfusspot]

Capture the flag: I like having a goal.

Berlin in Battlefield 2142

Its set in Berlin, Germany in 2142. Its snowy, futury. Pretty and in a city, so it makes it all the better.

Urban. I think building combat works much better than forest.

Large enough to snipe comfortably, small enough that everyone has to see each other no matter what. Lots of buildings to hide in. High places. Realistic design.

I'm okay with threats that make sense to have. Exploding barrels kinda make sense, so those are fine. Nukes, however... I can't see any commander wanting to drop a nuke on a small area just because there are twenty people shooting at each other over and over. So I don't appreciate nukes.

If it fits, I like them.

Medium to far. I like being both a sniper and someone with an assault rifle.

 

[Optimus Hagrid]

CTF.

In my opinion, the best map EVAR is Sago's Castle in Openarena. It's so awesome, in fact, I will plonk a video here showing it.


It's brilliantly simple and is incredibly small, and is consistantly fun to play.

If you are designing CTF maps, it is very important to take note of this example, because the best CTF map ever was promptly completely ruined by proximity mine spam. Everywhere.

Your other questions:

Don't care about setting, cyberpunk suits UT however
Tight, face paced, can get from one part of the map to the other with minimal ease
Not necessary, but pit drops can be fun. Lava pits are rubbish and boring.
Only if it doesn't rain through a roof :/

 

[Thaius]

1. Capture the Flag, by a long shot, assuming I have a good team that I can talk to and strategize with.

2. Mansion from Gears of War, Zanzibar from Halo 2

3. Mansion is a symmetrical map. The two teams start out on opposite ends of the map, each to the side of the mansion itself. From spawn one can head inside or over to the front courtyard, where the boomshot (rocket launcher) spawns: taking this weapon is often incredibly important. If one heads inside from spawn, they can either go to the downstairs area (a big open area with a door leading out to grenade spawn in the front courtyard) or up to the balcony where the sniper or torque bow (crossbow with explosive bolts) spawns, depending on the round (they alternate).

Zanzibar is a non-symmetrical map. In objective-based games, one team starts off within a fortress and the other starts off on a beach. From the beach, there is a wall with passageways through it and a large hole far to the right that the vehicles that spawn there can get through. On the other side is a small building to the right with some weapon spawns; this building leads up to the huge, slowly-spinning wheel that can lead to the upper level of the fortress. On the far left of all this is another, smaller building with sniper spawn. The fortress itself is rather large and has two levels, including a control panel on the upper tier that opens a door allowing vehicles to get into the fortress. I once had an hour-long CTF game with friends on this map: it was freaking epic.

4. A well-designed multiplayer map can be in any aesthetic area. For the purposes of multiplayer, the look of the map doesn't mean much at all. In other words: I don't care.

5. Good strategic options, well-placed weapon spawns... it's really all about placement. This is done very well in Gears of War, in that the game is largely dependent on who gets the power weapons. They are not overpowered, but are an incredible advantage in battle. They are usually put in a central location that the teams will fight over, but usually on opposite ends with another power weapon. For instance, in Mansion, it is often an important decision as to who will go for what weapon: one must prioritize whether it's most important to get the sniper/torque bow or the boom shot. This strategic weapon placement makes the maps much more interesting. Beyond that, a good map simply has to have certain locations that are good for different purposes, but still have weaknesses that people must be aware of when making use of said locations (like a good holding spot, or a good sniping spot).

6. Depends on the game. In shooters, one or two in a map aren't a bad thing, but I really love having exploding barrels or something scattered around (with good placement, of course). This means that one would do well to shoot them at certain times, and also to be aware of their presence when near them. More strategic options. Never a bad thing.

7. Indifferent. They can be cool, but I focus on winning, not looking at the pretty snow. It doesn't distract me, though. It can be a cool effect, but I wouldn't like a map less for having or not having weather effects.

8. I can do any. I like a map with the options for both, such as Lockout in Halo 2. One can get a sniper and, in certain areas of the map, make great use of it. Alternatively, the map is full of narrow hallways that allow for close and medium range combat. Especially in a good team with varied skills, this is great map design.

 

[Tharwen]

For CTF, you want 3 main routes from one end to the other, and the two outside routes have to be distinctive so people know which way they're going. Think of your favourite CTF map. Chances are, it has a short route through a killing zone in the centre and two longer, safer routes around the outside.

 

[Sam17]

A lot of good answers, to those who were asking I was actually looking for more CTF-orientated answers, but DM is just as good

Thanks a bunch

 

[Sam17]

Shameful bump, wouldn't normallly do this but I need a little more information if possible

 

[DigitalSushi]

What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?

Capture the flag, since there is an objective more realistic to attain other than "don't die", as in defending, assault and the realistic depiction of stealing a flag (totally happens on the battlefield).

What is your favourite map(s) from any game?

Visari Hammer (KillZone 2), and Hidden Hacienda (Far Cry 2). Good variety in terms of corridors and verticality.

I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?

Visari Hammer is a bonkers multi levelled monster with bunkers, open area's, tight corriders wih slight openings... the actual size of the map is small but the area it covers thanks to all the levels and intricacies means their is a lot of ground defend. Perfect for any type of FPS gamer whether they specialise in offence or defence.

In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)

Urban, the clean cut look is best for a level playing field, take Far Cry 2 for example... lots of vegetation for campers

What do you think makes a good map?

One with no glitch capabilities, being able to stick yourself into the floor so no one can shoot you is impressive but try and grab a flag while your stuck in concrete, after all, that friend you have that glitched themselves into the scenery is the same sort of person that plays that game "because its real, not like Halo". Yeah yeah whatever kid.

How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)

Hate them

Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?

They are impressive and it makes the maps somehow "feel" different on second playthrough

Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)

Ermm, tough one, I use long range weapons but I like to get up close, so Sniper Rifle normally but I don't hang back waiting, I get in peoples faces with it.

Thank you for your time

I'm glad you enjoyed it

Never fear, for ColdStorage is here.

 

[azncutthroat]

1. What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?

Deathmatch.

2. What is your favourite map(s) from any game?

Battlefield: Bad Company 2
Map: Isla Innocentes

Spoiler

3. I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?

The map is played on the game mode Rush with an attacking and defending side. The defending side must defend 2 stationary objects, and if they fail to do so, they retreat to another area farther back in the map and defend the next 2. The attacker's side initially has 2 Blackhawk UH-60 helicopters and an assortment of motorboats, but as they push farther, only 1 UH-60 spawns.

4. In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)

Urban.

5. What do you think makes a good map?

Spoiler

Here are some of my ideal conditions:
- Spawning: spawn points should NEVER be in the center of the map, and preferably around the edges of the map (a la Bad Company 2's Squad Deathmatch). If a player can't be spawned safely, THEN DON'T SPAWN THEM AT ALL.

- Weapon placement: power weapons should ALWAYS be placed in the middle of the map, or in areas of high contention. Weapons that dominate in certain situations (i.e. shotgun in CQC) should be placed in areas WHERE THEY ARE NOT DOMINANT, nor entirely useless. And weapon placements SHOULD ALWAYS BE VISIBLE.

- Accesibility/mobility: maps should be designed around motion and offence. The only single-entrance areas should be around the map, and NEVER in/around the center, and even then should be complete deathtraps to discourage campers. Beginning spawn points should be vulnerable enough to also discourage campers. Chokepoints should always have several alternate paths around, above, or under. Vehicles such as quadbikes/Mongooses should be scattered around the map, not concentrated around a area/spawn point.

6. How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)

Absolutely ridiculous. Such things should only be in films for the special effects and preposterone drama.

7. Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?

Yes, I appreciate weather effects as they add to game immersion and environmental awareness, not to mention aesthetics.

[

b]8. Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)[/b]

Medium range (i.e. 30-40 meters/yards between combatants.)

 

[Sir Kemper]

1. DeathMatch for most games, CTF for select games like TF2.

2. 2Fort, or Doublecross.

3. Two TF2 maps, each completely balanced in the sense that they are essentialy mirrors of one another, so there's no advanatge, or disadvantage for either side.

4. Almost any aesthetic is fine by me, so long as it doesen't go over board and make the map confuseing for the sake of being pretty

5. Balance, as I mentioned earlier, giveing each team an equal opurtunity to do something, but at the same time, that opurtunity relies on the skill of the players.

6.Don't mind them, so long as there not overdone, or there are a few, but put in key areas (Example: Take the tunnles to avoid the open ground targeted on by sniper's, but the tunnles have a few saw blades moveing about, makeing them much harder to manuver around when your in combat)

7. No, I feel they add to a map.

8. Don't have a prefrence.

 

[Warrior Irme]

1. What do you prefer, deathmatch or capture the flag?
Deathmatch
2. What is your favourite map(s) from any game?
Stovepipe from TF2
3. I may not have heard or played this map, what can you tell me about it?
One team works to push a cart through various check points on the map as one team plays defense.
4. In terms of aesthetics, what do you prefer? (Urban, woodland etc)
Urban
5. What do you think makes a good map?
Ability to take may different approaches and still be successful.
6. How do you feel about enviromental threats? (Exploding barrels, nuke button etc)
I really don't like them. Barrels are fine since they are usually fairly obvious, but other traps really pray on new players which you really don't want if you want people to like what they just played the first time.
7. Do you appreciate weather effects? Or do you find them distracting?
Rain is usually fine as is a very light snow. Please no heavy snow or sandstorms.
8. Finally, what range combat do you prefer? (Close range, medium range etc)
Whichever I feel will compliment my team the most. If we have 3 snipers and 5 assault type classes I grab something with a shotgun and stick near the snipers to defend them from ambush.