Mapping Contest Discussion Thread - November

[Yekyaa]

Maybe I'm thinking along the lines of advanced 16...
If there isn't a box dropper for redistribution, maybe you should
just be REALLY careful. On the other hand, that stage REALLY
got on my nerves when it required me to do some intricate jumps
with tosses that didn't always make the mark... I reloaded that stage
SOOOO much. Luckily it was really small though so it was quick.

Definitely voting for auto-save reversion on this one... Now, how to do
that in my map so I can check for things and then if it screws up like a trigger
that will (instead of spawning a cube) restart the last autosave... without
autosaving.

[youme]

Korjagun wrote:

In other words, it's possible to both have our cake and eat it, too--that is, assuming it's not a lie in the first place.

your apple is a lie

[taco]

Korjagun wrote:

On the other hand, Portal players are used to being given a new cube if we lose our first one, so respawning it isn't a problem. In other words, it's possible to both have our cake and eat it, too--that is, assuming it's not a lie in the first place.

Not WCC's though - if you are going to use replaceable cubes, use storage cubes.

It is a COMPANION cube and it should accompany you thought the ENTIRE level.

[espen180]

I prefer the autoload solution, but I'd also prefer GLaDOS informed me of my failure first, so I wouldn't think "What just happened?" afterwards.

[youme]

espen180 wrote:

I prefer the autoload solution, but I'd also prefer GLaDOS informed me of my failure first, so I wouldn't think "What just happened?" afterwards.

That sounds like a reasonable solution. when I said that the map should provide players with the equipment needed I was including things like this too.

what I was trying to say is you should never have to suicide to continue.

[msleeper]

I more or less agree with what taco said. Me and espen and Mapster could lawyer it up and write a whole paragraph on what is and is not allowed, but I really would like the rules to be as minimalistic as possible, so that we're not forcing people to create basically the same identical level.

As taco said, the spirit of the challenge is to create a bond between you and your CC, and not look at it as just another dispensable cube that you can trial-and-error by accidently (or purposly) throwing into a fizzler or some poison water. I really don't want to have to lay down the law about exactly what is and is not allowed; we're all smart here, and when you read the title Companion Cube Challenge and read the rules about being forced to use it, you know the direction the map should go in and whether or not something breaks the mold about what defines a CC map.

All of that said... No, a map should not have an area or puzzle where the player can easily or willfully destroy her CC. As I said above, I'm not trying to inhibit creativity, but I think that being able to easily destroy the CC would diminish the bond the player is supposed to feel towards her cube.

As for using a standard Weighted Cube... The short answer is yes, go ahead and use it.

If you have a great puzzle idea, and it would absolutly require the player to use more than 1 box, then sure go for it. But remember, this is a Companion Cube challenge, and when it comes time to vote, I am going to ask that people vote not only on which map was the best, but which map followed the concept of a Compaion Cube map.

[Yekyaa]

The portal stage 17 had no fizzlers or goo except for a single fizzler at
the end behind a door that ONLY opened once you "euthanized" your
companion cube. I think this kind of sets the tone in the first place.
the only case where the cube could've been lost was if you left it on top
of the steps and walked away from it, you could get back to the beginning
to get a second one, but very few people realized this.

Just a thought. ^^

Discuss.

[theprogram00]

What I am aiming for is a map in which it's impossible to destroy your cube, however you can accidently drop it down from high ledges. All this does it force the player to foillow the cube and restart the last challenge for being careless with their cube. Currently there is no way in my map for you to get the cube stuck in any place, so thing's are looking good so far.

I think this is the best method, plus it saves on having to build a box dispenser.

[espen180]

Didn't the rules state that only one cube generally could be used? Eh.

Your honor, I lay forth a suggestion for aforementioned paragraph.
Please take as joke if not accepted into rules. Please change if necessary.

§ 1.1 Aperture Science Weighted Companion Cube

a. The player must not be set in conditions or surrounding that allow or tempt destruction or otherwise loss of Weighted Companion Cube.

b. A map must have one (1) Weighted Companion Cube available at all times.

c. A map's allotment of Weighted Companion Cubes must not surpass one (1). A map can distribute new Weighted Companion Cubes when certain conditions are met.

i. The player has been forced to leave Weithed Companion Cube Behind.
ii. The player has in any means lost his/hers Weighted Companion Cube
d. The player must be forced to destroy the Weighted Companion Cube at the map end.

[Hober]

Because of b and c, why is a necessary? If they do (accidentally) destroy the cube, they can have another one.

[espen180]

It's called a paradox.

[msleeper]

That's why I love my mods.

[Shmitz]

The problem one would face with having both a WCC and a WSC is the mapper would have to be extremely careful to ensure that the player could not leave the Companion Cube behind and instead take the Storage Cube to the next puzzle. It could be done in theory, but it'd probably be harder than it's worth.

[Artesia]

not really hard... make a hole in the wall where you can throw a cube through to open the door. You don't see where the cube lands. name the CC differently then the other boxes. make a trigger to open the door that only accepts the companion cube. If you throw a storage cube it, make a portal cleanser that filters the name for just the boxes, play a glados message saying "invalid weighted storage cube detected"

after you get the door open, there is a fizzler, after which you are reunited with your cube

[Lorithad]

Yeah, I just think having a fizzler that doesn't destroy the WCC after every chamber that has other cubes in it would work out quite well.

However, it might be confusing to some people that a fizzler allows the WCC, but doesn't allow anything else. Perhaps if a different fizzler type was introduced that looked slightly different that allows just WCC's.

I'm sure if it was made availible for public use, it would be a favorite in the WCC contest(s).