Really nice map, very unique aesthetics, I also like how you have two directions to expand and there are ton of opportunities to get caught out of position like the wide ramp outside the nat and the very middle choke. Will definitely try some games on this

m3rciless

United States1476 Posts

February 05 2012 05:45 GMT

#24

huh ho, another sick map from TPW.

eTcetRa

Australia822 Posts

February 05 2012 15:03 GMT

#25

This map looks great and I'll leave it at that. But I would like to mention something about the comments on this map.

I'd really ignore the people saying this is too similar to other maps. Simply because mapmakers are taking balance to such a fine point where anything that is non-standard - or anything just different - is shot down instantly. And therefore designs get so similar that they all start to look the same, despite different proportions and the little differences that count, Like that little drop location in the main blocked by LOSB's, or high ground near the natural to hide things.

People need to start looking at maps and looking at what's different and why it is good, rather than what is similar and then just dismissing the map, as it is getting frustrating going through every map on this forum sub-section and seeing in the first 3 posts someone just bashing its similarities and then not contributing anything beyond that.

Rant-off.

But I do love the sick visuals on this map I may have stolen some ideas for the map I'm currently working on! (Which is a better version of my last map -.-")

Pocky52

United States463 Posts

February 05 2012 17:37 GMT

#26

Wow, this map is absolutely sick, it's quite simple, but that's nice, and the aesthetics are amazing , can't wait to play it

Randomaccount#77123

United States5003 Posts

February 05 2012 18:25 GMT

#27

--- Nuked ---

Archvil3

Denmark989 Posts

February 05 2012 19:39 GMT

#28

I dont always fully understand your ways of analyzing stuff Barrin but you might be right. Let me try to argue though.

The 3 unit/3 paths sees all only applies to the early game when center has not been taken. When the opponent got that base up you cant put a unit there. It will die most likely. This means you have to move the scouting back a bit to 2 very open chokes which seems very reasonable to me. It does however give excellent vision in the early game and combined with the huge rush distance(it is identical to Daybreak) it makes timing attacks much less effective. This is intentional of course.

The map split you describe seems to assume a 6 base vs 6 base scenario and somehow goes through the center bases which confuses me a bit. I am not an expert on all that theory but it strikes me as a bit odd.

Now this is how I see the map up to 5 base vs 5 base:

+ Show Spoiler +

It seems to me as the only sensible way to split the map if you take bases and not just shortest drawable line into account. In this scenario we are looking at a lot broader line with a lot more positional options.

At 6 base vs 6 base the map becomes rather strange however. There are no ideal positions and distances favors the attacker much more then the defender. Again, beleive me or not, this is intentional. I dont beleive avoiding cirkle syndrome and all that is a good thing. Maps with a perfect split tends to be very stale in the lategame so I like to round off a map with an odd expansion that allows a winning player to take that extra base and to create a more dynamic lategame.

Anyways assuming that you are right, and I do agree a bit that the central tower is extremely powerfull, what do you think of these tower positions?

+ Show Spoiler +

Archvil3

Denmark989 Posts

February 05 2012 19:48 GMT

#29

The Grid is now available on NA

monitor

United States2402 Posts

February 05 2012 19:55 GMT

#30

Those tower positions do make sense for the middle, but imo they make turtling on the corner bases even easier. How about either no towers or towers here?

[image loading]

a176

Canada6688 Posts

February 05 2012 19:59 GMT

#31

I don't agree with Barrin regarding the pathing and map control, but the new watchtower positions are good. Further to this, I would highly consider widening the spot where the original watchtower was (just a bit) to give some more room to manoeuvre and minimize aoe when funnelling through this spot.

Archvil3

Denmark989 Posts

February 05 2012 20:14 GMT

#32

@monitor. That was the initial tower position I used before moving to the center. The problem is that they see literaly everything on that side of the map.

@a176. I like to have that choke in the center to create some variation in terrain. The areas next to it is wide open and I like to shift between choke and open ground as much as possible so that all races can find an area which is more suitable for them to fight in.

Archvil3

Denmark989 Posts

February 05 2012 21:26 GMT

#33

I let iGrok play around with the lighting of the map for half an hour and this is what he sent me back o.O

+ Show Spoiler +

It looks sick but I'm gonna have to test FPS, visibility and possible distraction to the players first but expect an update within 1-2 days!

FoxyMayhem

624 Posts

February 05 2012 21:38 GMT

#34

I like the expansion progression.

If I can comment on one aesthetic part, nice update. The red doodads no longer clash with the other colors in the map. It gave it a rather unappealing, "thrown together" look. You might want to update the OP.

monitor

United States2402 Posts

February 05 2012 21:44 GMT

#35

@Aesthetics (FoxyMayhem): I actually think the blue and red is kind of a cool mix. Imo it's nice, especially with the lights around the main which are only visible in-game. Edit- iGrok's variation on the lights (only 3 red squares) does look better than the original though.

@iGrok's Lighting: Honestly I don't like it. I think the original is less vibrant in a good way and has kind of a "flat black" look to it instead of being this shiny shopping center-esque helicoptor landing pad. Of course it is up to you though

FoxyMayhem

624 Posts

February 05 2012 21:46 GMT

#36

It was the purple and red in the op I was commenting on, assuming it was up to date. It looks much better now.

You may like the flat black, but what is your average spectator going to want most? I think the glowing lines make it much more memorable.

iGrok

United States5142 Posts

February 06 2012 07:58 GMT

#37

In-game it still looks very black, its just more specular so the details in the textures show up better.

The real change is in how units look on the map - they stand out from the terrain, where before they were very hard to see.

lost_artz

United States366 Posts

February 06 2012 08:46 GMT

#38

If you're going for a Tron look you need to completely remake this map white with blue lines going through the low ground areas rather then white lines

That being said the texturing you've done does look good, but it doesn't look very Tron-esque.

iGrok

United States5142 Posts

February 06 2012 08:48 GMT

#39

Tron doesn't have much white?

Its more alluding to Tron than actually being tron. Artistic expression and whatnot