A Question To All Of You Mappers..

Electro

<div class="IPBDescription">Variety.. is it possible?</div> I'm just wondering, since there will be no outdoor maps, how will it be possible to makes the maps look different? They're basically all in abandoned space stations.. but is it possible to do different themes somehow?

I'd really like to see some different looking maps, although the official ones DO look amazing .. I'm still awed by the textures every time I play a game. <!--emo&:0--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wow.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='wow.gif'><!--endemo-->

KungFuSquirrel

Outdoors areas are not the only means of variety.

That is all.

Electro

<!--QuoteBegin--KungFuSquirrel+Nov 11 2002, 01:23 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (KungFuSquirrel @ Nov 11 2002, 01:23 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Outdoors areas are not the only means of variety.

That is all.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No kidding.

That's why I asked how else can the maps look varied..

Cyborgguineapig

Outdoor maps are not completely impossible, just not reccomended for certain reasons.

KungFuSquirrel

Your asking how there can be variety in non-outdoor maps implies seeing the outdoor areas as a major indicator of variety.

We've seen this question and others in direct or indirect regard to outdoor maps time and time again, and it's wearing down on all of us. Apologies if I came off a little harsh.

realityisdead

Anyway, let's get off the focus off of outdoors areas (it's really, really pointless to argue the point on here), and concentrate on his initial question. It's actually a good point, and could bring up some nice map ideas if people contribute enough to it in responses.

Personally, I feel that each mapper's own 'theme' contributes a lot to making the levels look and feel unique. This could mean a heavy industrial map compared to a sleek spaceship design, or even a brighter/colorful level against a shadowy and creepy level. Both of which, if done 'right', could be well within the ns theme. There is, obviously, more to it then specific setting as well. Each designer does things so much differently in certain areas, and I think it brings out a nice variety.

I'd also like to stress that one shouldn't be in the mindset that if he creates a space station, that it has to be a 'generic' space station. A guy could come up with <i>numerous</i> themes within a station, ship, or an indoors surface-bound facility to make his level stand out. A battleship, a garbage hauling ship, a cruiser, etc. And there's no reason to limit your setting to that either.

So long as the NS theme is put into consideration of the design...

NZBarry

Try playing around with a few ideas and see what you can come up with. Working with different elevations in the same area, water, lighting, texturing, sound and even changing how doors and lifts operate can all make a map feel quite different. For some ideas on how texturing can make the same area into an entirely different place look through the original halflife.wad and see the texture sets in there, the Fifties set is completely different to the Lab sets but they all pretty much fit the same geometry.

Also there is nothing to stop you using outdoor areas as scenery if you don't want them to be actual playable areas, for example in one map there is a walkway covered by glass where you can see out to some rocky cliffs.

Cash_Car_Star

Personally, I'd like to see a few more residential style maps, you know still futuristic, but with details like arcades, vendors, train stations, etc. I think this is what my first attempt will be...

Bird_of_Prey

heh, I would like to see a map thats like on the moon. But the hallways are windows so you can look out and see other people going through. It will also look quite classy if you make the tunnels very well.

BiTMAP

hehe residental? can you settle for crew quarters and Capt. Quarters? as well as a lounge and a mess hall (wit tables). Cuase thats all going into ns_rift <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->

Hirebrand

Cruise ship, baby!

::starts humming Love Boat theme:: <!--emo&::skulk::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/skulk.gif' border='0' valign='absmiddle' alt='skulk.gif'><!--endemo--> ack!

BiTMAP

nawt what i had in mind when i started makin it, more like a trade vessle, some parts look very nice, others are just jurry rigged to work (aka behind the scenes). I'm really going for a split personality in this ship.. I need a name for the ship though. (that and to stop screwing the map up, lol I had Human spawn nearly done and WAM crash and i lost what I was gonna have ta redo anyways a sign?? i think so!)