Today is a very special day in the Stacraft world, it is the one year anniversary of Starcraft 2!!
So much has changed in the last year it is unbelievable. Only a year ago Khaydarin Amulet was still an upgrade, Marine splits did not exist, MC was a random unsigned Korean that used to play BW, and maps like Steppes of War and Kulas Ravine were still use in tournaments and not considered a major issue with the game.
Well in that year Amulet was removed, MarineKing came out of no where and showed everyone a new style on infantry control, MC has won multiple GSL's, and maps like Steppes of War and Kulas Ravine have made way to new maps developed by the community.
It was just that year ago that mapmaking was considered not really important, but in that time many amazing mapmakers have shown the world new and original maps that help evolve the games as much as the players and patches. Most tournaments use map pools that contain very few Blizzard or Ladder maps, and the future of mapmaking as more then a hobby is finally here.
Today I am proud to announce that the dream that is mapmaking as more than just a hobby has made it's first major step.
SteelSeries has agreed to become the primary sponsor of the iCCup Mapmaking Team! They will provide the iCCup Mapmaking team with valuable support, top notch high quality gaming equipment, and open many doors that were previously closed to the mapmaking world!
We are very proud to make this announcement, and as far as we know it is a first in the Starcraft mapmaking world. We thank SteelSeries for their support and will continue to put out top notch tournament quality maps to represent them in the best way possible.
Speaking of top notch maps..
While we are beyond excited to announce this new partnership, we have been over the last several months been preparing a anniversary gift of our own to the community and all of Starcraft II.
Today I present you with the iCCup Anniversary Edition Maps (iCCup AE Maps)!
Each map has been in works for quite some time, and is fully designed ONLY for the highest level of professional play. In spirit of the anniversary we decided to go back and revisit 2 Brood War maps, and acclimate them for Starcraft II. The other two were previous iCCup maps that we felt with some modernization could be true competitors in the tournament map pool. We have been working directly with Korean and North American pro gamers on these maps, and have customized them based off their feedback and responses.
Without further ado, I welcome you to the iCCup AE Maps!
iCCup Sanshorn Mist AE Remade By: SUPEROUMAN Currently Published On:North America, Europe, Korea, China
The original Sanshorn Mists was a map that was truly ahead of it's time. It has many concepts on it that were not able to be used when it was created. Players did not understand how to play a very open map, with multiple easy to take bases. Games when the first version was released were mostly one base or two base all ins.
It came to my attention several months ago that Sanshorn Mists put into modern play would probably work very well. So we did a silent test on the Korean Weekly. We had several games on it to verify that it would not all be one base cheeses and such. The results were fantastic, with it playing out as a true two player macro map like no other. It was from this that the idea for the AE Maps was born.
You will notice this is the map that underwent the least change from the orginal, as most of the the problems lied in the visual department, and not terrain features. We feel with this visual upgrade as well as some other small changes (adding more pathing routes) that Sanshorn Mists will be the go to for 2 player macro maps in the future.
iCCup Othello AE Remade by: Grebliv Currently Published On:North America, Europe, Korea, China
Othello was the first BW map to be remade during this project. The original map's style and general layout on paper seemed to be very equipped to make an easy transition into Starcraft II.
Like Sanshorn Mists, very few things have changed from the original, but some of them are pretty significant like the changes to the cliff behind the natural. One thing that has NOT changed and makes iCCup Othello AE a first of it's kind is a total lack of a Xel'Naga Watchtower. There is very few spots where one would make sense, and we felt that adding it would be simply adding it to add it, not for any in game purpose.
Othello was a highly regarded map in BW and we think it will be a fantastic addition to SCII.
iCCup Sungsu Crossing AE Remade By: Monitor Currently Published On:North America, Europe, Korea, China
iCCup Sungsu Crossing is one of the oldest iCCup maps in existence, and every game that didn't end in a bunker rush was dynamic and action packed. TvZ in particular was a non stop slugfest.
However the original in modern games is much too short, and the side paths are not really worth using. We looked at these as complicated but fun fixes. The solution to the rushes was obviously to extend the map as much as possible while maintaining the aggressive style of the map.
This map is not by any circumstances a super macro map, many games will not get off 2 bases. But this is a dynamic map that as the game progresses and can very easily become a true macro map. The middle choke will become borderline unusable once T2 tech hits, and the third has a LOS blocker heading into it, so it will be easy for a defender to mount a effective counter attack. This combined with the fourth with a very easy to hold XNT will allow players to play any type of style, although ground based play should be much stronger than air.
iCCup Katrina AE Remade By: Neobowman Currently Published On:North America, Europe, Korea, China
iCCup Katrina AE is the final map. It is without a doubt the most experimental map of the bunch, and is a map that will require possibly very different play styles compared to most maps. Like the original Brood War map, you have easiest to obtain natural in SCII mapping history, but you have a huge main that can be dropped or harassed, and taking bases beyond the second will be very risky.
iCCup Katrina AE should be the first "air" map in Starcraft II history and was designed to reward air play as much as possible while not totally eliminating the possibility of ground based armies.
This map has undergone quite extensive changes from the BW version (mostly related to size), and should be one of the most bizarre, yet playable maps in the pool that will reward both the fans and players games that are NOT just standard.
Well that's the AE maps and the news about SteelSeries! We hope you enjoy the maps and visit SteelSeries for all your competitive gaming gear!
Note: Individual threads will be going up for the maps, but some of our members are on vacation or in different timezones, so they may come up at different intervals.
MC was a random unsigned Korean? I thought he was still on MBC when sc2 came out.
Anyways, that is awesome news that the iccup maps are getting sponsored. I hope you guys can get some more of them into tournaments that just keep using ladder maps. It would really spice things up a bit. Oh and can you guys do a winter/forest tileset for your next map? I have been really wishing to play on some of those.
If only there was some way to get these maps in the ladder pool. I would like to play them but I (and probably the majority of the people) pretty much only play on the ladder.
On July 28 2011 03:45 Dubzex wrote: MC was a random unsigned Korean? I thought he was still on MBC when sc2 came out.
Anyways, that is awesome news that the iccup maps are getting sponsored. I hope you guys can get some more of them into tournaments that just keep using ladder maps. It would really spice things up a bit. Oh and can you guys do a winter/forest tileset for your next map? I have been really wishing to play on some of those.
As for forest there's currently a map that's going in that style but with a twist: + Show Spoiler +
Personally I'm waiting for HotS to come out so I get real snow/ice textures.
On July 28 2011 03:47 dani` wrote: They look pretty cool, but why are they not published on the EU battle.net ?
Actually were supposed to be but the publisher is freaking out on EU and not accepting the uploads. They should be up very very soon (Grebliv is trying as we speak).
YESS!! Now hopefully you'll FINALLY get the recognition you beastly men deserve and get paid and have your maps used in tournaments (and hopefully ladder) worldwide! SO HYPED GOGO ICCUP!!!
Ok... where can I get these maps? These look so amazing! :D Awesome news for ICCup as well and cannot wait to see if Blizzard is smart enough to add some of these maps to their map pool in future seasons ;3
From these previews, I like Othello the most. Clean and simple design. By the way, it's supposed to have 4 random spawn locations or will it be always cross?
On July 28 2011 03:52 DirtYLOu wrote: Blizzard please use these maps, and on top of that hire iccup T_T
Yes absolutely I'm soo sick and tired of the new blizzard maps being all in rush oriented maps. Their so called "Macro" maps are just ment for 2 base all in not 1 base all in lol
On July 28 2011 04:05 ondik wrote: From these previews, I like Othello the most. Clean and simple design. By the way, it's supposed to have 4 random spawn locations or will it be always cross?
No It will not always be cross. All possible spawns are included in the map.
On July 28 2011 04:05 ondik wrote: From these previews, I like Othello the most. Clean and simple design. By the way, it's supposed to have 4 random spawn locations or will it be always cross?
I would like to make note - Shanshorn Mist - Sungsu Crossing
Both maps were originally made by a old iccup mapmaker named kinki and no credit should be taken from him as both maps were obviously good enough to be remastered to the current instead of left in the past
On July 28 2011 04:45 Dice17 wrote: I would like to make note - Shanshorn Mist - Sungsu Crossing
Both maps were originally made by a old iccup mapmaker named kinki and no credit should be taken from him as both maps were obviously good enough to be remastered to the current instead of left in the past
He was probably the best 2 Player map's mapmaker to this day. His maps were leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else's. Shame he left the scene.
Epic maps indeed! I think Katrina seems like it has a lot of potential if tweaked a bit... And of course, congratulations to iCCup on their new sponsor, Steelseries! Thank you Steelseries.
On July 28 2011 04:45 Dice17 wrote: I would like to make note - Shanshorn Mist - Sungsu Crossing
Both maps were originally made by a old iccup mapmaker named kinki and no credit should be taken from him as both maps were obviously good enough to be remastered to the current instead of left in the past
He was probably the best 2 Player map's mapmaker to this day. His maps were leaps and bounds ahead of everyone else's. Shame he left the scene.
Thank you for that I use to help him test the maps he made and helped make changes here and there and yeah I really think he could of been a big icon to get blizzard to realize how good 2 player maps really are.
On July 28 2011 05:02 bibbaly wrote: Any plans on working with the people who made NTBL (Not the Blizzard Ladder) or releasing a similar type of system?
We would be happy to work with them as long as we can reach some mutual agreements (ie: making sure they keep our sponsor logs in and stuff).
I love your maps. No 2-base "macro" maps with rocks and boring designs. I like how you are mixing textures on the maps too and they always look bright and nice and not like Blizzards maps, dark, blue, dark blue, more dark etc. ggyo~~
Amazing maps, and awesome sponsorship. If map testing ever needs more help feel free to keep coming to tQ. We're more than happy to help.
I really hope Iccup gets the respect the deserve for how hard they work on these maps. This really helps the community and the more people incorporate these maps the better the game is going to get :D
On July 28 2011 05:35 tQKyo wrote: Amazing maps, and awesome sponsorship. If map testing ever needs more help feel free to keep coming to tQ. We're more than happy to help.
I really hope Iccup gets the respect the deserve for how hard they work on these maps. This really helps the community and the more people incorporate these maps the better the game is going to get :D
Guys, a serious congratulations on the sponsorship. So worthy. Excellent news!
Othello and Sanshorn look amazing and Katrina's layout looks very interesting. Can't wait to give them a shot.
Edit: I hope to GOD that Blizzard will work hand in hand with the team for Season 4 map additions. Season 3's atrocities are so saddening to me when there is obviously so much potential for well designed, aesthetically pleasing maps that lead to deeper and more interesting games. There are only so many 2 base timing pushes I care to play against...
Brilliant maps, I just wish the last one wasn't named katrina and resembled a hurricane. I personally wasn't affected but it just sits wrong. Don't mean to rain on your parade... Idk, personal opinion..
The maps look beautiful and the general layouts look quite brilliant.
If the great games from the iCCup Korean Weekly tournaments are to be of any indication, I think iCCup maps are great additions to any tournament. I'm quite excited to see these maps pop up in future tournaments.
On July 28 2011 06:31 DavidLindley wrote: Brilliant maps, I just wish the last one wasn't named katrina and resembled a hurricane. I personally wasn't affected but it just sits wrong. Don't mean to rain on your parade... Idk, personal opinion..
On July 28 2011 06:44 Bibbit wrote: So so sick. For some reason I really want to play Katrina more than all of them even though Othello was one of my favourite BW maps.
Edit: Maybe Katrina will finally let us see carriers
In a most embarrassing mistake, I published a old version of Othello on NA. The right one should be up now, so sorry to anyone that tried out the old one T_T.
Given how much chronoboost goes idle in PvX late game, I reckon Carriers are not to be brushed aside as they used to be on Katrina, as the time while constantly chronoboosted is not too bad, actually. Just need a mass Carrier build that can somehow survive until then =/
Obviously they are all better than the Blizzard map pool - that's a given. Othello does look very BW-esque, even though I haven't watched much BW I could tell straight off it was a lift
I hope you don't mind if I give my opinions just as I would to any map-maker from the perspective of PvX, kind of ignoring that you will know so much more about maps than me that my opinion may be worthless
Sanshorn Mist looks like a counter-attacking Zerg's dream, so got to watch out as Protoss, but I think more routes makes for more interesting games, so I can put up with my irritation at getting surrounded/my natural getting gutted I think. It certainly looks good for moving away from blob vs blob, which SC2 is doing anyway. Another plus there, I think. I like the textures etc, but I'm not really arty, it's quite subjective and it is irrelevant for balance almost all of the time. I can't see if there are actually islands or if they have a bridge to the mainland. If they are islands, it's fine as long as they are far away from the mains/nats, which they seem to be so Terrans can't get a safe, free expo early on. I also like the changing level of terrain, which might encourage more maneouvring into position in games. What I dislike? From a glance, it might make taking a third as Protoss very difficult and may encourage 2 base all-ins etc. With a 3 base Protoss being vulnerable from 3 different directions, and the bases far apart so drop play will be hard to stop, multipronged attacks from Zerg may be REALLY hard to deal with, especially given recent ZvP styles. PvT looks fine on this map, but we'll have to find out. Tanks may come back into fashion. I hope so. As far as PvP goes, who knows. The match-up is so insane it's really hard to tell properly.
Will edit for the other two maps in a while. I need my beauty sleep.
Sandshorn Mist has always been my favorite ICCup map. I still remember watching Drewbie and Antimage and Catz duke it out on that map on ICCup TV last fall. I'm excited to try out this reworking of it. The maps look great!
Come back home, go on TL, see 4 incredible new iCCup maps that will be played by pros in the near future + sponsorship by steelseries -> best day of the month :D
What is Iccup? i hear it alot of teamliquid and map forums/threads. I understand it is some sorta starcraft 1 ranking system, but what is it beyond that? i went to the website, but it is down..
On July 28 2011 04:24 Micket wrote: I wish one day someone does 2 base colossus drops into carriers on Katrina off a nexus first. Never gonna happen I know but chilllz
Then we'll see some guy duing mech Dual Armory with Thors and Tanks.
shame Blizzard will never put these in ladder (no destructible rocks)
no really... the steelseries guys have contacts with blizzard through their sponsored gaming stuff, even though these guys may be in different departments, you should really get blizzard to think about their fucking maps
These maps are visually gorgeous unlike some new maps I've seen (coughblizzardladdermaps). I hope blizzard acknowledges your hard work and dedication to map creation and balance by using some of these maps for the ladder. Perhaps you can contact MrChae about using some of these maps (SANHORN MISTS) in upcoming GSL events! Congrats on the sponsorship. I'm totally buying steel series for my next headset
Othello looks like a beastly map, would love to see that in ladder (sigh bliz). Also congrats on the sponsor, looking forward to even more maps to come
But as always, the hard part is to get tournaments to use them I really hope that the sponsorship will help you guys regarding this issue. The mapmaking community really needs more exposure in order to improve the current map situation, and this is a great opportunity.
On July 28 2011 21:37 BobMcJohnson wrote: Awesome maps :D
But as always, the hard part is to get tournaments to use them I really hope that the sponsorship will help you guys regarding this issue. The mapmaking community really needs more exposure in order to improve the current map situation, and this is a great opportunity.
I'm going to do my best to get these used, your support can help to. Email/PM your favorite tournament or tourney admin and ask for these maps !
It would be great if say....Blizzard would partner with these guys or put a few of their maps on ladder instead of pumping out the most bland looking uninspired maps ever?
On July 29 2011 03:49 forgottendreams wrote: It would be great if say....Blizzard would partner with these guys or put a few of their maps on ladder instead of pumping out the most bland looking uninspired maps ever?
On July 29 2011 03:49 forgottendreams wrote: It would be great if say....Blizzard would partner with these guys or put a few of their maps on ladder instead of pumping out the most bland looking uninspired maps ever?
That would be cool, but I doubt it unfortunately.
Diamond (or any iCCup team member) -- have you ever been contacted by Blizzard or tried to contact them? Seeing these beautiful, creative, non 2-base timing nonsense maps makes me both excited for the future of SC2 as well as sad that I, being primarily a ladder player, have to deal with the atrocities that Blizzard just released. It would be such a breath of fresh air if they reached out to you so that I could enjoy ladder even more.
On July 29 2011 10:10 Solinos wrote: Just wanted to offer some praise: I played a couple of (low-level) games on Othello and really enjoy the map. Keep up the good work!
Katrina looks sick. I like the really unconventional layout, I am going to play it. I have been waiting or someone to make an Island map like there were in BW and this is the closest anyone has come I believe.
Also, even though it is not listed here, i would like to congratulate you guys on Ithaca. That map is drop-dead gorgeous. I have only watched games on it so far, but i seriously am in awe of it's levels and beauty.
oh man, sanshorn looks so sick. I wish so much that these maps were in ladder instead of blizzard maps or that there was an alternate ladder, something ;_____________;
On July 29 2011 03:49 forgottendreams wrote: It would be great if say....Blizzard would partner with these guys or put a few of their maps on ladder instead of pumping out the most bland looking uninspired maps ever?
That would be cool, but I doubt it unfortunately.
Diamond (or any iCCup team member) -- have you ever been contacted by Blizzard or tried to contact them? Seeing these beautiful, creative, non 2-base timing nonsense maps makes me both excited for the future of SC2 as well as sad that I, being primarily a ladder player, have to deal with the atrocities that Blizzard just released. It would be such a breath of fresh air if they reached out to you so that I could enjoy ladder even more.
We have reached out multiple times yes and will be doing again so. No response thus far but patience is a virtue I guess.
I found this daft little bug on Katrina when I was trying it out earlier:
Not sure if it's just an engine pathing thing or what, but I sent a few reaper from one base to another and one of them sat stuck their for a good 30 secs before I noticed.
Not sure if it's just an engine pathing thing or what, but I sent a few reaper from one base to another and one of them sat stuck their for a good 30 secs before I noticed.
K just watched the video. That type of bug is pretty common with all types of cliffs walking units on pretty much all cliffs. It isn't a problem with the map as it is with the pathfinding and the way units move up cliffs in general. We've already fixed this bug and the problem where the water looks choppy but can't upload the change since the person who uploaded the map is on vacation for another 6 days.
Not sure if it's just an engine pathing thing or what, but I sent a few reaper from one base to another and one of them sat stuck their for a good 30 secs before I noticed.
K just watched the video. That type of bug is pretty common with all types of cliffs walking units on pretty much all cliffs. It isn't a problem with the map as it is with the pathfinding and the way units move up cliffs in general. We've already fixed this bug and the problem where the water looks choppy but can't upload the change since the person who uploaded the map is on vacation for another 6 days.
Just a side note, we should have it fixed on China, Korea, and EU within a day, just NA will be un fixed during that time. Sorry. We will begetting a shared iCCup SEA/NA account within a week or so to prevent this from happening again.
Really love the maps. Hopefully I can get some good games on them with friends soon! The 2 player maps seem especially nice, similar to xel naga caverns in a way.
Congratulations on the sponsorship with SteelSeries and honestly a good move from SteelSeries.
I had always looked at older brood war maps and wondered how some of them would transfer over but since I lack in the map making skills department I thought I might never see it happen but iCCup proved me wrong :D
Katrina looks beautiful NeoBowman. Maybe the best SC2 map I've seen, and I'm pretty picky as a product designer. In another life, I would be designing SC2 maps, but I have a family and design enough during my day job.
On July 29 2011 13:10 yawnoC wrote: Congratulations on the sponsorship with SteelSeries and honestly a good move from SteelSeries.
I had always looked at older brood war maps and wondered how some of them would transfer over but since I lack in the map making skills department I thought I might never see it happen but iCCup proved me wrong :D
Maps look amazing. Keep up the good work.
We had done some 1-1 ports before but they were not that good, but we finally felt we knew enough now to adjust the old ones to suit them to sc2 !
On July 29 2011 13:13 0neder wrote: Katrina looks beautiful NeoBowman. Maybe the best SC2 map I've seen, and I'm pretty picky as a product designer. In another life, I would be designing SC2 maps, but I have a family and design enough during my day job.
He did do an amazing job! It was a really difficult map to get right for sc2, but neobowman did it perfectly I think. I did the aesthetics on it
On July 29 2011 13:13 0neder wrote: Katrina looks beautiful NeoBowman. Maybe the best SC2 map I've seen, and I'm pretty picky as a product designer. In another life, I would be designing SC2 maps, but I have a family and design enough during my day job.
He did do an amazing job! It was a really difficult map to get right for sc2, but neobowman did it perfectly I think. I did the aesthetics on it
On July 29 2011 13:13 0neder wrote: Katrina looks beautiful NeoBowman. Maybe the best SC2 map I've seen, and I'm pretty picky as a product designer. In another life, I would be designing SC2 maps, but I have a family and design enough during my day job.
He did do an amazing job! It was a really difficult map to get right for sc2, but neobowman did it perfectly I think. I did the aesthetics on it
Well then monitor, my hat's off to you. Awesome.
Hehe, they both did great, and I'm super proud of our mapmakers how this set came out!
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
Awesome, best of luck to you! I don't suppose there's a way we can help?
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
WOW, it would be such a fantastic sight if any of these maps would be accepted.
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
awesome :D I especially like othello and ithaca <3 that said, pretty much every single map you guys make are 100x better than the new crap blizzard just put in the map pool
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
Awesome, best of luck to you! I don't suppose there's a way we can help?
As for support just let these tournament organizers know you want these maps! Please don't spam them or anything, just a message on Twitter or a very brief email to let them know!
Please again DO NOT spam them. I know all these people and they are GREAT people and are open to considering them. Just a friendly "hey i'd love to see the iCCup AE maps" or w/e is fine !
On August 05 2011 05:30 iCCup.Diamond wrote: Just submitted these maps + Ithaca for review to GOM and MLG for their upcoming events! Cross your fingers they pick one or more up!
lovely map! I really like most of them, but how long are the rush distances on the these maps? Because for me that has been 1 of the 2 major problems with current maps (the other being that most very few expansions).
Blizzard should really really HIRE THESE GUYS these maps seem more macro oriented not , close spawns are not insta 1base vs 1base and seem fine,please Blizzard add them to the map pool,the more maps the funnier...
On August 05 2011 07:20 MCDayC wrote: lovely map! I really like most of them, but how long are the rush distances on the these maps? Because for me that has been 1 of the 2 major problems with current maps (the other being that most very few expansions).
Rush distance is pretty large on all Katrina, Sanshorn, and Othello.
On Sungsu it's small but that is a "rush map" as Blizz would say. However the middle choke is easy to wall-off or just generally shut down mid game so the map extends itself slightly and forces both the side paths to be used extensively.
While it doesn't offend me, the name 'Katrina' and the layout of the map might offend some Hurricane Katrina victims. Normally I wouldn't comment on this, but it seems like that map is a direct reference to the incident.
On August 05 2011 09:25 Omegalisk wrote: While it doesn't offend me, the name 'Katrina' and the layout of the map might offend some Hurricane Katrina victims. Normally I wouldn't comment on this, but it seems like that map is a direct reference to the incident.
It is actually a Brood War map, seen here: (BW) Katrina. The changes necessary for Starcraft 2 happen to make the overview look more like a hurricane than the original. Unfortunately we can't change the name!
On July 29 2011 11:53 iCCup.Diamond wrote: We will begetting a shared iCCup SEA/NA account within a week or so.
Hi there! Just wondering how this is coming along! Itching to play in my home region! Would a small donation (say $10) help with this sort of thing? iCCup have always provided me hours of entertainment, and $10 would probably only cover the fun I've had on testbug!