Expanse

TheEpicCiabatta · 01-10-2009

Current version: v1.3

My map started a very, very ambitious dream: to combine elements of maps from two of the greatest competitive shooters of all time, Halo:CE and Shadowrun. As you will see from the pictures, the map has come a long way from its original design, which had a bunch of good ideas, but no solid foundation. With the help of a few different people, the map slowly evolved into what it is today.

Expanse takes influence and inspiration from several different maps, mainly Prisoner, Hang 'em High, and Pinnacle, but despite this, it still manages to be its own map that both looks and plays great. The multiple sprawling catwalks and balanced high points create fast-paced, intense, and competitive gameplay. No "lazy" cover is used, as the map geometry itself serves to provide cover and block lines of sight, which are numerous and yet limited at the same time to give the map a less open feel. Top control is vital, and yet all powerups and power weapons are placed low and spread across the map, promoting heavy teamwork and roaming setups.

Gametypes:
- Team Slayer
- Oddball
- King of the Hill (hills spawn top mid, custom graveyard, camo graveyard, and C2)

Weapons:
6 BRs - 10 second respawn
4 carbines - 90 second respawn
1 sniper rifle (1 extra clip) - 150 second drop spawn, spawns at S2
1 rocket launcher (1 extra clip) - 180 second drop spawn, spawns on rocket ramp
1 custom powerup - 120 second respawn, not spawned at start, spawns back custom
1 active camo - 120 second respawn, not spawned at start, spawns in camo corner
6 frag grenades - 30 second respawn
6 plasma grenades - 30 second respawn

Pictures:
Main areas of the map and objective spawns only - for more pics, check the callouts section.

Top mid:

Sniper tower:

Rocket corner:

Custom corner:

Camo corner:

Graveyard:

Ball spawn:

Callouts:

The link to the map can be found here. Keep and eye out for updates, and be sure to leave feedback on the map.

phillipinoJ · 01-10-2009

This is a nice map. The interlocking is smooth and its not that open. It actually works really well for a mlg map. The only conflict is that you could add a little more cover ex. wire spools and crates. You should also put something to hold the dumpsters from moving to make it a true mlg map. Nice job though I really have high hopes for this map.

TheEpicCiabatta · 01-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillipinoJ

This is a nice map. The interlocking is smooth and its not that open. It actually works really well for a mlg map. The only conflict is that you could add a little more cover ex. wire spools and crates. You should also put something to hold the dumpsters from moving to make it a true mlg map. Nice job though I really have high hopes for this map.

The map geometry itself serves as cover. Pillars and walkways help block lines of sight, making free-standing cover unnecessary. Also, dumpsters can't be knocked over by anything that's on the map. Thanks for the feedback, though :)

Adelyss · 01-10-2009

Amazing my friend showed me this map only like two hours ago...and to be honest It looks and plays MUCH better than Regicide. To bad you couldn't of had this map done in time for the v6 MLG.

Anyways onto the map...I looked around on it in forge and I only found one problem...a slight tilt in a stair geo but no worries considering you must of took months to complete.

DeathstarsOG · 01-10-2009

Please add wire spools, crates and trucks for pointless random cover on the bottom floor. Will give better review when your map is complete...........

OK, seriously a great map. Hill/ball/slayer all run very smoothly. There are a little rough spots that kinda throw you in the air but other than that a very enjoyable map to play on. Hopefully all the new asyms will get peoples ideas moving about MLG design and how they don't all need to be Amplified/Onslaught knock-offs. Great job.

Oh and 4.9/5. Would've been 5/5 if you had truck.

AMidgetAndAClub · 01-10-2009

Ok. I didn't actually "play" on this map. Mainly because I didn't have anyone on I felt like playing with. So I loaded it with "MLG FFA" settings and ran around it by myself. You know, throwing nades shooting at pretend players to check lines and committing suicide to check spawns.

I love the lines. Cover is not necessary. The map geometry works as you stated. My only issue is, when I set it on teams and played around by myself, whoever spawns by Camo can have their pick of map control. At least it seamed that way. I would like to see Camo and OS moved to either side of the middle of the map, and Snipe and rockets moved high and low in the middle. Rockets down low of course.

I love the LoS. And nade points are amazing. Oh, and the "Gay Corner" really is gay. :p Can you block that somehow?

Snip3rs Creed · 01-10-2009

WOW! This looks really nice, the asthetics looks amazing and the interlocking/geomerging is masterful. Great idea with the tilted pillar it looks awesome.5/5 and I think this might have a shot at getting featured. Keep up the good work

DeathstarsOG · 01-10-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMidgetAndAClub

Ok. I didn't actually "play" on this map. Mainly because I didn't have anyone on I felt like playing with. So I loaded it with "MLG FFA" settings and ran around it by myself. You know, throwing nades shooting at pretend players to check lines and committing suicide to check spawns.

I love the lines. Cover is not necessary. The map geometry works as you stated. My only issue is, when I set it on teams and played around by myself, whoever spawns by Camo can have their pick of map control. At least it seamed that way. I would like to see Camo and OS moved to either side of the middle of the map, and Snipe and rockets moved high and low in the middle. Rockets down low of course.

I love the LoS. And nade points are amazing. Oh, and the "Gay Corner" really is gay. :p Can you block that somehow?

The part in bold, how the fuck does that check spawns?

HITtheLIGHTZ · 01-10-2009

This is one of my favorite asymmetrical maps to date. The structures and layout are really unique, and the gameplay pacing is fast without being chaotic. I actually prefer TS on here to Regicide TS by a bit as I feel the larger structures are more balanced and more connected (nothing against Regicide though).

Anyways I would recommend this map to anyone, not just mlg players, because of how unique and inspired the layout is, and how well everything ends up working.

Great job, plus rep on a different forum.

TheEpicCiabatta · 01-10-2009

Thanks for the replies everyone. OP has been updated with a link to version 1.2. The map has been updated to be unbreakable ingame.