Testers for my map-in-progress de_divinity - with server.

[Doom]

So I'd love it if some of you would test my map-in-progress. I know that a lot of you would probably like to get paid, but I simply can't do that. I also know that I do not need testers, but I'm very very interested in hearing other peoples opinion in my work. If you'd like to test it type

connect 108.61.254.135

in the Counter Strike: Source console, and it'll take you straight to my server. There's currently a download of about 10 mb, so it won't take up any huge space on your PC.

Also, this server is one I bought so I could have my friends play this map with me. It's not very large yet, but I still think it's pretty good, not to mention fun. Here's a few images for you.

[QUOTE][IMG]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/594714175194765788/68028C73DDA1EB1D9BC6E7C5867723715D6E08F0/[/IMG]
[IMG]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/594714175194764495/57FBEB347D359CFBFC042016EF2020DBE6113767/[/IMG]
[IMG]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/594714175195940312/37468B53585E74B7452881401550ADF51B10062B/[/IMG]
[IMG]http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/594714175194761529/9EB611251F3FFF4B1842D5C07356377FD1FEFD2C/[/IMG][/QUOTE]

Please do try to keep in mind that this is my very first serious before posting. Not that I ain't open for criticism :)

I'll upload a new version of the map to my server when I deem it ready for testing purposes. When I do so, I'll post on this thread given that people actually actively test my map.

If you'd like to send me feedback, which is much appreciated, send it to [email][e-mail][/email].

Please put the topic as 'Test' or something like that so I'll be able to find it quickly :)

Thanks in advance.

[elfbarf]

I'm on here with another guy and it's on cs_italy, are you doing any testing tonight?

[Doom]

[QUOTE=elfbarf;35297007]I'm on here with another guy and it's on cs_italy, are you doing any testing tonight?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for telling me, I've fixed the issue.

As for the testing, it's constant. Just head in there, play the game and mail me feedback, bugs or improvements :)

[Dymon]

Joined the server, saw what I assumed was that map, almost threw up.

I had missing textures, you need to pack them into the addon! Mising models, missing geometry, and worst of all, it was full bright. No lighting what so ever.

The architecture in some places was alright though, although you're going to have to change that tunnel the camera spawns in!

You need to add lighting, its a must, not negotiable. And actually have something playable before you release, so no missing walls leading to the edge of the earth type deal. And get the missing textures fixed, the spiral staircase was the only one I could see for now.

[Doom]

[QUOTE=Dymon;35300502]Joined the server, saw what I assumed was that map, almost threw up.

I had missing textures, you need to pack them into the addon! Mising models, missing geometry, and worst of all, it was full bright. No lighting what so ever.

The architecture in some places was alright though, although you're going to have to change that tunnel the camera spawns in!

You need to add lighting, its a must, not negotiable. And actually have something playable before you release, so no missing walls leading to the edge of the earth type deal. And get the missing textures fixed, the spiral staircase was the only one I could see for now.[/QUOTE]

Well, then there's a issue with the map, I already tested for laks, so it might be a compiling issue. I'll fix it later today (In about 3-4 hours) and then I'll re-upload. I'm well aware of the basics of level design, and more than that, there is advanced lighting, spawn points and a bombsite amongst more features with more to come. I must've uploaded an untested version of the map, which I'll fix when I get home. I appreciate the feedback, next time I'd like a bit more respect though. If you do not like the map, then that's all right, but there's no need to be rude. I don't mind people speaking their mind, if you think a sektion sucks, please tell me, I just want to have a bit more respect. Also, simply stating that this and that is bad is not enough. I nede to know what should be improved in what aspects. A bunch of your statements arek also plain wrong which annoys me even more.

If you cannot see any textures at All then that's your om problem. As for now I'm using two custom. I've already had several people playing, and enjoying the server, and even though it's small for now it get's expanded on a daily basis.

[Doom]

Oh okay, I understand what's going on now. The version of my map you're reffering to is a VERY old one. Like three days old, and I've done a lot of work in three days. I have no clue how it got uploaded, I thought it was completely deleted from my computer, but yeah that's what's going on. It'll get fixed soon.

[editline]26th March 2012[/editline]

Okay, there's more problems with the map. All of my props and entities were deleted, so I'll upload a new version tonight. Untill then the server will be DOWN. I'll post here when it's up again.

[Metallics]

[QUOTE=Doom;35302492]Oh okay, I understand what's going on now. The version of my map you're reffering to is a VERY old one. Like three days old, and I've done a lot of work in three days. I have no clue how it got uploaded, I thought it was completely deleted from my computer, but yeah that's what's going on. It'll get fixed soon.

[editline]26th March 2012[/editline]

Okay, there's more problems with the map. All of my props and entities were deleted, so I'll upload a new version tonight. Untill then the server will be DOWN. I'll post here when it's up again.[/QUOTE]

If I'm honest you're going about this all the wrong way.... In my opinion at least. you haven't even mapped out the whole playable area from what I gather before uploading for testing. You should probably sort out the level flow before you make it pretty... Otherwise you're going to end up redoing one hell of a lot of prettyfying when you find the flow is wrong through the map.

[Doom]

[QUOTE=metallics;35302978]If I'm honest you're going about this all the wrong way.... In my opinion at least. you haven't even mapped out the whole playable area from what I gather before uploading for testing. You should probably sort out the level flow before you make it pretty... Otherwise you're going to end up redoing one hell of a lot of prettyfying when you find the flow is wrong through the map.[/QUOTE]

I agree with your way of mapping, and I kind of regret not doing it that way. However that does not mean that my map is doomed, I know the creator of de_dust developed his map this way, so as long as I get the hotspots and the flow right, it shouldn't be an issue :)

EDIT: But there is a playable area. A bomb site is created, so you are able to play, and I have done this myself several times.

[Stiffy360]

[QUOTE=Doom;35304746]I agree with your way of mapping, and I kind of regret not doing it that way. However that does not mean that my map is doomed, I know the creator of de_dust developed his map this way, so as long as I get the hotspots and the flow right, it shouldn't be an issue :)

EDIT: But there is a playable area. A bomb site is created, so you are able to play, and I have done this myself several times.[/QUOTE]

What kills most maps is lazy mappers like me. I have dozens of maps, but only one is complete. err two. I lost count. :V

[Doom]

[QUOTE=Stiffy360;35305194]What kills most maps is lazy mappers like me. I have dozens of maps, but only one is complete. err two. I lost count. :V[/QUOTE]

Don't worry, I won't give up on this map :D I'm personally pretty proud of my architecture :)

[gm_Jimmy]

Arabic architecture use's no bricks, and using support beams* to support the single most stable roof there is, an arch, is ridiculous.

*Arabic architecture also doesn't really use wooden beams and trees, as there are usually very few to go around.

The roof on the second picture makes no bloody sense, as bricks aren't used to make a ceiling.
It'd dangerous and doesn't really make sense.

There are WAY too many spires, which are a very hard to make and a fancy RARE decoration.

Hugh domes are not a common thing.

There are towers everywhere(very rare actually, as it is hard to build), domes everywhere, but not a single bloody mosque?
Make some Minarets.

Skybox doesn't fit Arabian scene, as Middle eastern skies are usually very bright and with very few clouds. and the few clouds are WHITE.
FIXED: Lightning doesn't fit the skybox, which doesn't fit the map.

Other than that, good job and good luck.

[Doom]

[QUOTE=gm_Jimmy;35305306]Arabic architecture use's no bricks, and using support beams* to support the single most stable roof there is, an arch, is ridiculous.

*Arabic architecture also doesn't really use wooden beams and trees, as there are usually very few to go around.

The roof on the second picture makes no bloody sense, as bricks aren't used to make a ceiling.
It'd dangerous and doesn't really make sense.

There are WAY too many spires, which are a very hard to make and a fancy RARE decoration.

Hugh domes are not a common thing.

There are towers everywhere, domes everywhere, but not a single bloody mosque?

Skybox doesn't fit Arabian scene, as Middle eastern skies are usually very bright and with very few clouds. and the few clouds are WHITE.

Other than that, good job and good luck.[/QUOTE]

First of all, who the hell mentioned anything about this being Arabic? :b

Secondly, I get your point regarding the ceiling using bricks, I'll fix that asap. EDIT: On second thought, I did a bit of research, and bricks are used in real life as ceilings... Never seen 'em in real life, but they are realistic.

I think you also forget that arch beams are a very common thing, as long as they are also supported by other means of beams. Go ahead and google bridges, you'll get my point ;). In this case I have a huge motherfucking cylinder placed in the middle of the room. Trust me, in real life this is more than enough to hold up that roof.

In my opinion common is a bad thing, I don't know if you meant that in a negative or positive way, but I try to be as uncommon as possible. As long as it's sane of course :D

Also, a mosque. Really? Say that this is an Arabic town, does it have to have a mosque in this small part of the town? Also, look at maps like dust, which pretty much use the same design as my map. Have there ever been a mosque in dust? If so then I've missed something :b

I'd like to comment on the skybox, but again you reffer to it as being Arabian, which nobody mentioned. You're making assumptions buddy ;) Anyway, the skybox is temporary, just like most of the easy changeable things. Lighting and that kind of stuff.

You do have some very valid points, and I they will get changed, yet I still find you making a lot of assumptions. Also, try to remember this map is not made to look pretty, although I do try my hardest, it's main purpose is gameplay, which is what I'm most interested in. I think you care too much about real life. We're talking about a game, and since I'm not trying to replicate anything, I don't have to implement anything. If I don't want a mosque in my map, that is all right. How many professional maps can you mention that has a mosque included? The server is currently down, but I'll open it later today. Untill then sit tight and give it a go once I open it.

Your feedback is very much appreciated :)

EDIT 1: I can see you edited your post after I posted my post. I think you should read my post before stating that the lighting doesn't fit the skybox, and it therefore doesn't fit the map. I clearly stated that lighting, nor skybox is far from final.

[IronPhoenix]

Your choice of textures and architecture supports gm_Jimmy's arguments. If it isn't an arabic scene, why use the sand stone textures which people will associate being from the middle east. It's unlikely to be a scene set in the centre of london (mainly because there needs to be a constant sound of police sirens, and the glow of a major blaze on the horizon).

Also the use of a domed roof does indicate the location of a temple or mosque. It is unlikely to be positioned on top of a tentement.

Also, you ask for feedback, then rate someone dumb when they give detailed feedback. People are not going to praise you for no reason.

If you need to fix the sky, then fix it...

[url]https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Sky_List[/url]

[Doom]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35308788]Your choice of textures and architecture supports gm_Jimmy's arguments. If it isn't an arabic scene, why use the sand stone textures which people will associate being from the middle east. It's unlikely to be a scene set in the centre of london (mainly because there needs to be a constant sound of police sirens, and the glow of a major blaze on the horizon).

Also the use of a domed roof does indicate the location of a temple or mosque. It is unlikely to be positioned on top of a tentement.

Also, you ask for feedback, then rate someone dumb when they give detailed feedback. People are not going to praise you for no reason.

If you need to fix the sky, then fix it...

[url]https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Sky_List[/url][/QUOTE]

I tages it dumb because of his edit, not the original feedback.

On other notes, I'm going to remove the domes as I get home.

I do not find the middle east interesting so I'm unfamiliar with the architecture. Do you have any other notes?

[IronPhoenix]

To me, your map looks similar to this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y3nl5N0GGY[/media]

You need to work out what you want your architecture to symbolise. Traditionally, buildings in the middle east will be a sandy colour...what country were you trying to portray?

[TCB]

It looked Italian to me.

[editline]27th March 2012[/editline]

Maybe Spanish.

[editline]27th March 2012[/editline]

The first screenshot, I mean.

[Stiffy360]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35315387]To me, your map looks similar to this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y3nl5N0GGY[/media]

You need to work out what you want your architecture to symbolise. Traditionally, buildings in the middle east will be a sandy colour...what country were you trying to portray?[/QUOTE]

Is that BF2? I friggin love that game.

[TCB]

[QUOTE=Stiffy360;35316719]Is that BF2? I friggin love that game.[/QUOTE]

[quote]Battlefield 2 Modern Combat Random Gameplay on Backstab I Xbox 360 I [/quote]

Nah, I think it's LEGO Star Wars.

[Stiffy360]

[QUOTE=TCB;35316780]Nah, I think it's LEGO Star Wars.[/QUOTE]

Hmm you're RIGHT! I think it DOES look like lego star wars. NICE catch! :D

[Doom]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35315387]To me, your map looks similar to this:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y3nl5N0GGY[/media]

You need to work out what you want your architecture to symbolise. Traditionally, buildings in the middle east will be a sandy colour...what country were you trying to portray?[/QUOTE]

I take that as a compliment :)

I dont know really. I kind just worked off of what I thought looked good. I rarely decide that I wan't to recreate something from real life. I like to start on something easy like a hallway and then just take off from there. I also do this with school assignments, because once I get started, I tend to get really creative.

[IronPhoenix]

[QUOTE=Stiffy360;35316719]Is that BF2? I friggin love that game.[/QUOTE]

its battlefield 2 on consoles...6 months of my life went on the multiplayer...and i was paid to do it :)

[QUOTE=Doom;35317522]I take that as a compliment :)

I dont know really. I kind just worked off of what I thought looked good. I rarely decide that I wan't to recreate something from real life. I like to start on something easy like a hallway and then just take off from there. I also do this with school assignments, because once I get started, I tend to get really creative.[/QUOTE]

It wasn't a compliment.

It was a statement, that is middle eastern architecture. You need to decide on a theme...it's no good saying to someone that it isn't arabic architecture, when it looks like it is. Fix on a time period and building style and stay with it, or it will look messy.

[Doom]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35317796]its battlefield 2 on consoles...6 months of my life went on the multiplayer...and i was paid to do it :)[/QUOTE]

You. Lucky. Bastard!

[IronPhoenix]

[QUOTE=Doom;35317822]You. Lucky. Bastard![/QUOTE]

Two words...

Games tester.

[Fulcrum]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35317847]Two words...

Games tester.[/QUOTE]

Care if I steal your life?

[IronPhoenix]

[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;35317898]Care if I steal your life?[/QUOTE]

Sure, if you like working 7 hours a day on the same game, doing highly monotonous tasks (such as removing the controller on every screen), for a few quid over min wage, for anywhere between 3 months and a year.

Said like that, it doesn't seem quite so fun.

[Fulcrum]

[QUOTE=IronPhoenix;35319411]Sure, if you like working 7 hours a day on the same game, doing highly monotonous tasks (such as removing the controller on every screen), for a few quid over min wage, for anywhere between 3 months and a year.

Said like that, it doesn't seem quite so fun.[/QUOTE]

Well I'm graduating uni this year and after that I'll have to spend 7 hours (probably more) per day not playing games.

[IronPhoenix]

[QUOTE=mdeceiver79;35319514]Well I'm graduating uni this year and after that I'll have to spend 7 hours (probably more) per day not playing games.[/QUOTE]

But it will probably be more interesting than working on football manager...

[Doom]

Alright, so heres the deal. I'm putting this map on a hold for now. I've learned so much through the progress of making it, and I've kinda messed up. If I were to continue this map I'd have to redesign a buttload of stuff. Instead I'm starting a new collaborative work with a buddy of mine, which'll get planned a lot more. I've already taken your feedback and used it in the preparation work for this new project. I really appreciate all of your feedback, and who knows, I might have a new WIP thread in a couple of weeks with a truly awesome map :)

[Stiffy360]

If you want I can do some crap to it if you want. (add me on steam) <- same username as facepunch

[gm_Jimmy]

[QUOTE=Doom;35305416]First of all, who the hell mentioned anything about this being Arabic? :b

Secondly, I get your point regarding the ceiling using bricks, I'll fix that asap. EDIT: On second thought, I did a bit of research, and bricks are used in real life as ceilings... Never seen 'em in real life, but they are realistic.

I think you also forget that arch beams are a very common thing, as long as they are also supported by other means of beams. Go ahead and google bridges, you'll get my point ;). In this case I have a huge motherfucking cylinder placed in the middle of the room. Trust me, in real life this is more than enough to hold up that roof.

In my opinion common is a bad thing, I don't know if you meant that in a negative or positive way, but I try to be as uncommon as possible. As long as it's sane of course :D

Also, a mosque. Really? Say that this is an Arabic town, does it have to have a mosque in this small part of the town? Also, look at maps like dust, which pretty much use the same design as my map. Have there ever been a mosque in dust? If so then I've missed something :b

I'd like to comment on the skybox, but again you reffer to it as being Arabian, which nobody mentioned. You're making assumptions buddy ;) Anyway, the skybox is temporary, just like most of the easy changeable things. Lighting and that kind of stuff.

You do have some very valid points, and I they will get changed, yet I still find you making a lot of assumptions. Also, try to remember this map is not made to look pretty, although I do try my hardest, it's main purpose is gameplay, which is what I'm most interested in. I think you care too much about real life. We're talking about a game, and since I'm not trying to replicate anything, I don't have to implement anything. If I don't want a mosque in my map, that is all right. How many professional maps can you mention that has a mosque included? The server is currently down, but I'll open it later today. Untill then sit tight and give it a go once I open it.

Your feedback is very much appreciated :)

EDIT 1: I can see you edited your post after I posted my post. I think you should read my post before stating that the lighting doesn't fit the skybox, and it therefore doesn't fit the map. I clearly stated that lighting, nor skybox is far from final.[/QUOTE]

Ok.. first of all, you DID ask for feedback, and I did the best I could.

1. Very mature- "Your feedback is very much appreciated :) " - rates me dumb.
1a. I applied my edits before you posted. there are hours, check 'em.
1b. The changes are:
After the word towers, I added "(very rare actually, as it is hard to build)"
And "Make some Minarets."
And "FIXED: Lightning doesn't fit the skybox, which doesn't fit the map."

2. Bricks are used in a ceiling only when in form of an Arch(and never in HUGH roofs, like you did):

[url]http://media.photobucket.com/image/brick%20ceiling/lukachuki/boveda/bovida.jpg[/url]
[url]http://img3.photographersdirect.com/img/28777/wm/pd2416798.jpg[/url]
[url]http://images.travelpod.com/users/pathfinder35/5.1257148123.the-crrypt-s-vaulted-brick-ceiling.jpg[/url]
[url]http://www.discover-eu.com/photos/morra-osteria-veglio-.jpg[/url]

3. About arches: Arches are the single most stable thing there is. No beams are EVER used.
On the contrary, I Googled bridges, and only found reassurance for what I said.
Even HUGH F*CKING ARCHES need no beams.

[url]http://www.nps.gov/glca/historyculture/images/Navajo_Bridges_1.gif[/url]
[url]http://web.utk.edu/~wmorgan/Suttree/bridges.jpg[/url]
[url]http://roomtwentyone.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/rainbowbridge.jpg[/url]
And in this one, the arch is HOLDING the beams-
[url]http://wirednewyork.com/images/bridges/hell-gate-bridge/hell_gate_bridge_triborough_7apr02.jpg[/url]

4. My assumptions were only based on the colour pallet, stone textures and motifs.
Forgive me for assuming someone knowingly uses textures and motifs of Arabic Architecture(De_dust) is trying to replicate Arabic architecture.

5. EDIT: BTW, De_dust does have a mosque in it, and unsurprisingly, it's the only one with a Hugh dome and towers.

As for the lighting- I take it back, I must have missed the WIP statement of it.