Taking Advantage of Symmetry Options

[TrueDarkFusion]

Taking Advantage of Symmetry Options

Most people are dont know what the symmetry? option does, however it is very useful when your trying to setup a map to be played on any mode. You may notice that as soon as you set your map up for One Flag CTF, it becomes a terrible Multi Flag map. Using the symmetry option, you can fix these problems. If the option is set to asymmetric for an extra turret or crate you placed in a base, then that object will only spawn when your playing a game that is considered symmetric?

One Flag CTF is an example of an asymmetric game, because it is not balanced. A map designed for One Flag CTF will generally have extra defenses in the defending teams base, if these defenses are asymmetric? they wont exist in your Multi Flag game. By default all objects will spawn in all games because they are set to both. To find out for sure which maps are symmetric and which are asymmetric you just have to experiment to see which fits your mode. However, it is known that Team Slayer and Multi Flag are considered symmetrical and One Flag is considered asymmetric.

[Lance001]

This is definitely underused. A single map, when worked on, can suddenly become many different maps in different modes. I supposed the only danger is running out of cash or items.

[Fbu]

Unfortunately not many people create multi-use maps. They only make it for one game type only, so not many people take advantage of this feature.

I think AZN is making a multi-use map thou, looking forward to it.

[SniperTofu]

Its useful for some maps, but only ones without special stuff.

[Lance001]

I'd have to disagree, Sniper. Using huge crates, for instance, you can block off whole areas on certain gametypes. If you want to make things more hectic on a Zombies mode, you can just close off that area of the map. But if you want that place open in CTF mode, you just set the crates to "symmetry" only. =D

[AZN FTW]

This, put together with effective spawn placement is EXTREMELY difficult and takes time to plan out. Fbu... you are correct on the multi-use maps. Cottage and myself have put them together. There are 3 maps and 6 gametypes... all of which are compatible with each other. And the future ACMPs will feature more maps and gametypes that are compatible with these maps and gametypes.

Anyways back to symmetry... think about it this way. You want to incorporate a multi-team (up to 4 teams), defense teams, and offense teams. but you only have 20 starting points. You need to use 16 spawn points to cover 8 vs 8, 4 vs 4 vs 4 vs 4, etc. However the ones you placed are all equal distance from your focus point (say a tower). When you play defense vs offense you want defense to spawn closer. But you don't have the 8 spawn points to set for assymetrical defense.. you only have 4. Not to mention that you also have to priority spawn any points closest to the tower.. so they don't just appear at the defense points that were made for multi-team that are very far away and the takes the same amount of time as it takes for attackers to get there.

For the AZN Cottages that enable 4 teams I ended up with these combinations:

- 4 starting points Assymetrical Defense near the tower with a respawn area for priority
- 4 starting points Both(symmetrical and assymetrical) Defenders equal from the tower (with custom powerups only on assymetrical so any defense over 4 can speed toward the tower)
- 4 starting points Symmetrical Neutral equal from the tower
- 4 more starting points Symmetrical Neutral equal from the tower
- 4 starting points Both Attackers equal from the tower

Now as you can see what I do is very advanced and not your average forging stuff. I work hard to give people good maps. However I don't get much credit for it, cuz people don't actually see the spawn points and all of the work and thought it takes to make multiple gametypes work.

How many Forgers do you know that can make a map work for Multi-Flag, Single Flag, Territories, One-side Territories, KOTH, Infection, and soon to come, VIP, Juggernaut, Oddball, assault, etc? For most of you... just me. For the rest, a handful at most.

[Gravedigger5454]

I doesn't take to much time to setup all your maps for every mode, I don't why it's not common practice, what if someone doesn't download the gametype? You will soon get a message about how your map sucks, if it works for any mode, you won't, instead they'll come back and notice the gametype. If you follow this guide, it can help you to setup your maps to also support One Flag and Multi Flag at the same time, and then eventually every other mode, it does take a little extra time, but it's usually worth it.

[Rezzik26]

Bravo for introducing this topic, to the community. not many know of it at all. I myself am a asymetric kind of guy, working with infection maps and all, thanks alot for this post, this should help others on thier quest for the perfect map.

[SuperMarioLuigi]

Cool thanks.

[rusty eagle]

My upcoming map will be a perfect example of this.