Gauntlet

The fifth beta is now up.

Gauntlet is a linear 3-point A/D CP map set in an undisclosed alpine location on a cold, wet fall day.

I sought to add a dynamic element to this map in the form of a train that regularly tears through a small mountain pass in the middle of the map. The train allows teams to quickly move reinforcements and less mobile classes to move in-between elevated positions. When blu captures point A the train no longer has flat beds to give red quick transit to A. Red is forced to climb the point C tower to jump on the boxcars if they wish to ride the train. When blu captures point B the train starts going the other way with a single boxcar making it difficult for red to use the pass anymore and forcing them to start defending it.

I hope that this map will encourage a good mix of direct combat, flanking, and offensive engineering. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Alpine rocks created by VelvetFistIronGlove. Found here: http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?ltr=A&t=3367

[Om nom nick]

This map looks nice however some areas do need tweaking slightly. For example the texture on the bridge that the train passes over shouldn't be rock, it doesn't look right, and some cliff walls in screenshot 1 could use abit more love

Apart from that I like the idea and it's looking nice!

[Cylence]

Hey, thanks for the input. I'll keep those in mind when making the next beta. A little detail on the cliffs wouldn't hurt but, I'm kinda partial to the bridge. I think I will find some pictures of cobblestone bridges to aid in the design of a more aesthetically pleasing bridge.

[Evang7]

I really like the concept with the train. Looks a bit small, but very inventive.

[JMRboosties]

are those rocks in the first screen custom props? if so where did you download those?

[Cylence]

Originally Posted by JMRboosties

are those rocks in the first screen custom props? if so where did you download those?

They were created by VelvetFistIronGlove. I have added a link to the description.

[Cylence]

Behold the splendor that is the cobblestone bridge!



Admittedly, my bridge has quite a ways to go. The main things that are needed are the block arch and a smaller cobblestone texture. I'm a little worried that my bridge doesn't have enough space between the rails and the top of the arch to be able to incorporate the arch blocks.

[Cylence]

Here is my first attempt at making a better bridge.



It is definitively more believable than my first bridge. I reworked the structure and made both the textures on the main body of the bridge and the arch.

This is my first experience making a texture. I used despeckle and pallet brush on a base texture and then made it tile via offsetting and using a layer mask. I would appreciate any critiques or suggestions about the texture.

[Cylence]

Thank you to everyone who played and commented on my map on game day. I took notes and reviewed the demo and have several ideas for improvements.

I plan on:
1. adding in some warning lights and bells akin to those in Well
2. shortening blu team's spawn (for point A at least, I perceived a decent balance in the battles for B and C)
3. slowing down the trains a tad to allow easier access to the trains and through the pass
4. seeing if I can replicate and fix the "phantom train" bug (it might be caused by high ping)
5. adding some detail in areas I'm pretty confident about



In the department of detailing, I feel my bridge is coming along nicely. This will probably be the version that goes in the next beta:



Feel free to post any suggestions.

[absurdistof]

I like the new bridge textures!
But(lol): I think if there was a lip where the sides of the bridge went above the tracks, textured differently, that would be nice.
Also, if you could do something with the walls next to the first opening that would look a lot better, i.e. add another one but barred off.