Sandbox Avarice

[squidhands]

"High above the wastelands, a lone Sentinel awaits..."

[av-er-is] - n. An excessive or inordinate desire of gain; greediness after wealth; to covet.


Ingredients:

• 1 - Halo Wars Limited Edition
• 1 - heaping desire to outdo previous works
• 1 - assload of Unreal Tournament 3 influence
• 1 - Beta build, non-interlocked and playtested thoroughly
• 1 - complete map rebuild to perfect layout and address beta issues
• 14 - hours of testing different gametypes and team sizes
• 1 - pinch of cinnamon for sweetness

Avarice is an asymmetrical, multi-level map that is suited to competitive games such as Team Slayer (and FFA), KOTH, Oddball, and one-sided objective games. All gametypes are supported, but the aforementioned are the ones that were tested thoroughly. I have created gametypes for Oddball and One Flag that address the issues of playing these in the skybox. Both have a 10sec reset time, and One Flag has a 3sec flag return time. I should also mention that the maximum number of players on Avarice should be no more than 8, and 3v3 seems to be the sweet spot for TS games. On to the pictures:

overview

Attackers start on the red platform and Defenders start in the blue room

looking from Bridge to Camo spawn and Blue Room


Rocket Trench


Blue Room

Bomb plant spot is in the same location as the flag

Oddball spawn above Rockets

This bridge connects OS platform to middle room where Camo spawns.

Mauler Bridge

Mauler spawns below this bridge and serves as a good place to recharge, but be careful where you step.

Sniper Balcony

Off of the main bridge, there are two ways to access the balcony.

That should be enough pics to get a feel for it. There are some features that aren't shown here, like the ability to shoot through the main bridge. I just didn't get a good picture of it, and there are plenty as it is. Play the map and you'll see what else is in store for you.
People can find the layout of Avarice confusing at first, but the map is deceptively simple and players will quickly learn their way around. Weapon layout is as follows:

• 1 - Rocket Launcher, 1 clip, 180 sec
• 1 - Sniper Rifle, 2 clips, 120 sec
• 1 - Mauler, 1 clip, 120 sec
• 1 - Plasma Pistol, 60 sec
• 1 - Needler, 1 clip, 90 sec
• 2 - Spikers, 1 clip, 60 sec
• 2 - Covenant Carbine, 1 clip, 10 sec
• 4 - Battle Rifle, 2 clips, 10 sec
• 8 - Plasma Grenades, 30 sec
• 1 - Overshield, 180 sec
• 1 - Camouflage, 180 sec

Playtesting revealed that no one weapon is super dominant with the possible exception of the Needler (yeah, you heard me). I'm very satisfied with the weapon layout, and feel that everything balances out well. I'm always interested to hear intelligent comments and criticisms about how the map plays, so feel free to post your thoughts of gameplay in the Featured thread. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy Avarice.

Download Avarice

UPDATE: I've also created a MLG version, with Rockets and Sniper on drop spawn. Red Overshield swapped for MLG OS. Mauler has been removed, as well as the other non-MLG weapons.

MLG Avarice

[longshot619]

very nice map. i think the lay out, expecually the flag location in the blue base for some reason, is well placed. Well i really cant think/see any flaws that could be fixed, but thats just me. also, interesting map name.

[uF HaVoK]

Very solid map Squidhands. Once again, you seem to make another favorite map of mine. Now, i would like to know, does this happen to work for FFA, because i don't believe I have seen that many maps for FFA and i would very much like one ;p. Anyway, very nice forging skills, and it has to be good with over 14 hours of testing. shit.

5/5

[thesilencebroken]

Squidy! This map is how skybox maps SHOULD look. This is quite refreshing when you sift through all the clones that sit in the forum currently. There honestly isnt another map that looks or plays like this one right now. You should be proud cause you made a map thats unique, sexy to look at, AND sexy to play.

I found myself using older dual weapons alot more on this map, such as the plasma pistol. Its actually very useful, as is every other weapon you've placed. You hit the nail on the head with this map in all aspects, and i really dont have anything negative to say. Some people didnt often travel the mauler route, but thats okay, cause when they did, i was there lurking and fuckin their shit up. :]







PS. Fuck Shad0w and his noob combo through the ceiling slats.

[skillkill119]

I like it. really neat i'll DL it

[DEATHPIMP72]

Thanks for letting me play on this map squid it is awesome. Anyone that wants intense game play and a map that is beautiful download this one!!!

[JoshRicks]

all i can say is: WOW!... this is one of the best maps i've seen in the skybubble so far, it looks so neat and the fact it works for nearly ALL gametypes is fantastic!... all i say is that it A. may be a possible feature in the future, and B. it will suit most people gametype wishes! 4/5

EDIT: lol i just noticed the spoiler

[Predicide]

Wow I'm really impressed with how far this has come since we played it a few weeks ago... considering how much I enjoyed it then. I like the way the death pit has expanded it's influence in various corners, the layout is way more interesting than it was. We gotta get some more games in when we're actually on at the same time someday.

[squidhands]

Thanks for the warm responses, guys.

Originally Posted by uF HaVoK

Now, i would like to know, does this happen to work for FFA, because i don't believe I have seen that many maps for FFA and i would very much like one ;p. Anyway, very nice forging skills, and it has to be good with over 14 hours of testing. shit.

Absolutely, this will play FFA games. I've run a few myself, and much fun was had by all. Yeah, I've invested a bit of time playtesting this, but even more time watching all the films from every. single. perspective. That gets tedious fast, but you learn better than anything else how your map plays. I can't recommend it enough.

Originally Posted by thesilencebroken

Squidy! This map is how skybox maps SHOULD look. This is quite refreshing when you sift through all the clones that sit in the forum currently. There honestly isnt another map that looks or plays like this one right now. You should be proud cause you made a map thats unique, sexy to look at, AND sexy to play.

I found myself using older dual weapons alot more on this map, such as the plasma pistol. Its actually very useful, as is every other weapon you've placed. You hit the nail on the head with this map in all aspects, and i really dont have anything negative to say. Some people didnt often travel the mauler route, but thats okay, cause when they did, i was there lurking and fuckin their shit up. :]

Aww, thanks silence! You make a squid blush!

Originally Posted by thesilencebroken

PS. Fuck Shad0w and his noob combo through the ceiling slats.

Yeah, but you have to admit, that was awesome. Totally used the way I had envisioned it. Film's on my fileshare, guys. Shad0w Viper is awesome and I'm glad he was on my team.

Originally Posted by Predicide

Wow I'm really impressed with how far this has come since we played it a few weeks ago... considering how much I enjoyed it then. I like the way the death pit has expanded it's influence in various corners, the layout is way more interesting than it was. We gotta get some more games in when we're actually on at the same time someday.

Actually, the layout has stayed relatively the same. I tightened up the floor in key areas where the interlocking was the most needed. Grenades can still get through some gaps here and there, but it's vastly improved. But yes, let's game together moar!

[WREX]

This map is soooo rad. These days when I'm looking through the Competitive and MLG maps forums, once I see that the map was made in the sky bubble, I look at the first screen, and from that point I can tell if the map is the same ol' kinda map that errr body makes, or if it looks unique and interesting.

Since I am actually commenting on this you might guess that I thought it was unique...you would be correct.

I do like this map a lot. Just has a lot of interesting Object placement, and is sexy(as stated in other users posts).

Anyways, nice job. I will def be on the lookout for more maps coming out by you.