January Mapping Contest - $50 prize!

[Duffers]

Mkay, so I was working on it a little tonight, and I asked Fractal_ to take a look at some screens of it to tell me what he think. But hell, I think I might as well post them here as well.

Note: This shit be rough. The floors need to be cut for lighting. etc.

http://i25.tinypic.com/2958o3n.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/25atc1z.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/efrq8j.jpg
http://i26.tinypic.com/qqc19t.jpg
http://i28.tinypic.com/2mdl9ih.jpg

[Tigger]

I'm working on a map that might be done in time for the contest.

Am I allowed to post the map as a WIP for feedback, and then post it to the contest when I'm done?

[msleeper]

Tigger wrote:

I'm working on a map that might be done in time for the contest.

Am I allowed to post the map as a WIP for feedback, and then post it to the contest when I'm done?

You can upload your map, but that upload will be considered your entry. IE, you can't make changes to it after people play it, and re-upload an edited version for the voting.

EDIT Also, check the first post. By request, the contest has been extended one more week. Contest now ends February 10!

[Duffers]

Random screens because I can.

http://i30.tinypic.com/167la8p.jpg
http://i27.tinypic.com/2uqosbc.jpg
http://i32.tinypic.com/vyw3mu.jpg

[Aldéz]

Not sure how to name the zip/rar file (contest0108_<your name>_<map name>). Does <your name> mean my full legal name or the forum name? Does <map name> mean the file name of the bsp or the name (title) of the map?

[msleeper]

Aldéz wrote:

Not sure how to name the zip/rar file (contest0108_<your name>_<map name>). Does <your name> mean my full legal name or the forum name? Does <map name> mean the file name of the bsp or the name (title) of the map?

contest0108_aldez_bspname.rar

[limagic]

Will the poll be on this thread and Will it be judged via the public or the moderators.

[msleeper]

There will be a seperate thread for voting, and voting will be open to all registered members.

[Riven]

Well, I finally have something to show, I think it will be ready in time:
WIP01
WIP02
WIP03
WIP04

[Nameless]

http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=161

This is the my map entry! Its short I wanted to be able to complete it before the deadline, but I didn't want to sacrifice quality, so I sacrificed quantity (remind anyone of the original Portal?). I am still very new to mapping and many of the things on this map were personal firsts.

I hope you guys like the map, this was meant to be a learning experience so any constructive criticism will be appreciated

[Mr. Happy]

Just so you know, TigerDirect is evil evil evil bait-n-switching charge your credit card when they dont have it in stock company that shouldn't be supported in any way.

On a lighter note, can't wait to see all the finished entries and vote!

[msleeper]

Wow thanks for the input, I might change that around to something else then if that's the case.

[Hober]

Mr. Happy wrote:

Just so you know, TigerDirect is evil evil evil bait-n-switching charge your credit card when they dont have it in stock company that shouldn't be supported in any way.

That is completely fucking false. I've been getting bargains from them for about five years now. They have a store in my area and I check them first for any part because they have very good deals. I think my computer is composed of parts constructed either from old parts I had laying around, stuff I got for free, or stuff I bought from them.

[Cyclone]

Nameless wrote:

http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=161

This is the my map entry! Its short I wanted to be able to complete it before the deadline, but I didn't want to sacrifice quality, so I sacrificed quantity (remind anyone of the original Portal?). I am still very new to mapping and many of the things on this map were personal firsts.

I hope you guys like the map, this was meant to be a learning experience so any constructive criticism will be appreciated

Whenever I quick-load on your map, I crash to a black screen; quick-saving works fine. Please endeavor to fix this, as it makes it hard to play. Quick-loading has become something of a reflex for me when things don't go right, plus, it just isn't good practice to have a map not work.

That aside, here are my thoughts:

Pros:
+ Cool idea. Yes, I have seen something like this before, in the last contest as a matter of fact, but it hasn't, to my knowledge, been implemented this smoothly before.

+ The BTS (Behind the Scenes) area was cool, nicely laid out.

+ Nice use of GLaDOS voices.

+ Good difficulty; made me think without making me pull my hair out in frustration.

+ Very Aperature-ish - felt for the most part like I was in a proper test chamber (except for the below cons). You had cameras, a proper entrance sign (I hope you go on to make chambers one through five!) and observation rooms, which I always like to see.

Cons:
- Quick-loading is glitchy for some reason - crashes me to a black screen. See above.

- One ball-and-catcher puzzle is a little short.

- Seriously, one puzzle?!

- Look at the the first area, around the elevator and ball launcher, where the floor meets the wall. There's something weird going on, like I can see out of the level. I don't know if you did it on purpose or not, but I don't like it.

- The button timers seemed a tiny bit short - maybe add another second or two, depending on what others think.

- If you press the button to release another orb before the first one dissipates, weird stuff happens.


Overall, it's a good entry. Not perfect, but it has promise of good things to come, and I'd say you have a decent shot at winning. That said, you're the only entry so far, so you've got my vote.

[Darksoul]

There's no way my map will be ready for the tenth, but I will surely show it, contest or no contest.