Quake3World

cityy wrote:@ Pat:
This would cause a complete layout change and take a lot of time.

I'm not sure if I still want to do changes of this "size" in the map.

• I'd recommend just about any shader in AEcell *but* the one you are presently using: aecell_light1_orange. This light shader is not working properly because the surface is not receiving a lightmap. When working on AEmars I noted this. I'd recommend you rather actually use the proper JP shader: textures/aecell_sfx/aecell_jp. It also casts a light, plus is "animated".
• Also, give the JP brush to the RG something like a 30° angle, to make it clear the player will not only be cast up, but also backwards into the RG.
• As a temporary "help" for the player to identify the doorways that are actually TPs, maybe place a "green" light above them. You added a red light for at least one doorway somewhere else... in that style.

AEon wrote:Somehow I have the feeling the feedback we are giving you is beating the "nifty" and "original" ideas the map had to death.

• Height variation: You have added some quite steep height variations in the map, to get some vertical fighting going. IMO, this works very well in the main MH arena, and also in the PG/YA/TA arena 3. Where it is fun to pick off the bots with the RG (standing up at the RG or the LG; and the YA respectively).
  
  But, IMO, the JP is a bit to high for gameflow in the RL,TP,YA arena 1 (former pool RG). Such extreme height variations can be good, e.g. in the case of the RG, but...
  
  The corridors could be made more interesting adding some height variation here as well. Presently, the out-lying corridors on the "upper" level are all at the same height. 4-5 steps up and down again might make them more interesting.
  
  For a good example of this see Sock's present Focal Point, you slowly gain height via several levels of stairs until you reach the Quad, and other height variation all over the place (AEdm7 does that too, less subtle maybe).
• Height Suggestions: Starting in the arena 1 (were the RG pool used to be), lift up the floor to make the JP from floor to YA less high (20% maybe, 64u). With the JP in your back leaving the arena for the corner, add some more steps 4-5, until you round the corner to reach the next JP (near the large stairs set).
  
  From the RG JP, towards the PG, make the player go up 5-6 steps, grab the PG - the window would also be raised - then moving onward to the YA, have some steps drop down to the YA platform again.
  
  Continuing on that path past the JP still on the upper level, enter the roofed over corridor, 5-6 steps up, keep that level until you reach the door to the main arena (2). The raised platform, continue that into the upper level of the arena. You can den drop a few steps to the LG, and on the other side to the wooden planks.
  
  Etc... the corridor from the LG to arena 1, also add some height variation there.
  
  Now, from arena 2 (main arena), to to arena 3 (with the "stream"), in the corridor under the planks, also add some steps... e.g. raising arena 3 about 3-4 steps.
  
  You get the idea... try to avoid too many areas that are on the same flat height level. You don't need extreme height differences, just several steps up (6-8 is a good value, around 64u up or down).
• Something else to consider, to make the map maybe a bit more difficult to understand, but more interesting to learn are paths over paths (e.g. "underground corridors"). Presently you could squash all height levels onto *one* level (except for the plank bridge), making the map flat. You might like to think of one or two paths that lead under another path. E.g. the JP between arena 2 (main) and arena 1 (former RG pool), could actually tunnel through the wall, to lead directly to the RL (again add a few steps to reach the upped RL floor).
• I am still hoping you will make turn the PG area into an outdoor area with nifty roofs.

• Image 4: That arced path looks interesting... reminiscent of q3dm6's path to the RG.
• Also noting some height variations... keep that up

• I don't understand why the JPs do not emit light, they should. Compared your shader with my original, and it should emit light... strange.
• Not sure you did, but presently all the action is happening in the outer arenas, you might want to add more player respawn points to the main arena to fix this.
• Your planks are floating at the upper end. To make the planks better fit onto geometry, you might like to do what I did in AEdm7, in RL2 arena, the rusted plank leading onto the square tubes (with the shards on them)... I added a sort of metal support on which the planks can rest. This way you can avoid the planks resting directly on geometry edges, plus the upper and lower end of the planks are flush with the lower and upper end of the path. In the RL1 arena I also did this.
• Height variation definitely helps the map.
• In the southern corridors (on the LG side), your walls are *very* high. Try to create some height variation with the top of the buildings, and maybe lower some parts of the walls there, i.e. those looking outside of the map. To make those corridors more open and less claustrophobic due to wall height.
• You used to have arcs above the MH... I really liked those. You could put a "mini-roof" on them. This would add a path to jump onto from the RG ammo window area.

You used to have arcs above the MH... I really liked those. You could put a "mini-roof" on them. This would add a path to jump onto from the RG ammo window area.

Get to work!

• I'd make the ledge for the RG less wide so that someone up there cannot hide, and you have a chance to either rail him yourself or splash damage him with a RL.
• Your JPs all have a severe case of over-bounce, I'd suggest you lower the JP destination entity by at least 32u.
• Add a few 5H on your stairs (middle arena, SG up to the RG) to give the player some intensive to take those stairs.
• IMO, you could place the LG right in the middle of the central arena, not on the side.
• The rounded off corner (arena1, to the JP) with the 2x25H is great... the health there is *really* helpful... I always JP backwards into the ledge, and then into the health. Plus you can RL the bots coming up the stairs below. Neat! But please cut off the wall brush at the start of that rounded off path, the corner gets in the way.
• Hope you'll find something to make the TPs unique, for better recognition.
• On the upper level of the central arena you have placed 3x5H near the wall (on the GL side)... it would be nifty to put them on the planks... again as a path motivator.
• I wanted to suggest a different placement for the weapons, but I have thought the better of it... well maybe swap the LG with the PG, and the PG right in the center of the central arena.
• There are still several corners where I tend to get snagged, some angled playerclip brushes could help here.
• I'd remove the pool for the GL... it's hard enough to properly get up that JP, the water slowdown makes it even worse, IMO.