My first UT2k4 level

[The-Rack]

Well, I've made a Bombing Run level of sorts for UT2k4, and it's ready for public consumption! See the info below for what it's all about. If you want to give it a try (and maybe give me some much appreciated feedback) either post your email addy here, or email me (mrack@nycap.rr.com) using the subject "GIMME CUTTHROAT", and I'll send it to you. It's all in a small .zip file... shouldn't be too large for anyone's email to handle. Cheers!

Title---- BR-Cutthroat
Mode----- 1-on-1 Bombing Run
Author--- Michael Rack
Email---- mrack@nycap.rr.com

INTRO:

Cutthroat is a custom Bombing Run map for Unreal Tournament 2004 with some significant differences from standard Bombing Run matches that you'll need to know going in. For starters, this is purely a 1-on-1 game; anything more results in too many guns on the field. This is also meant to be a high-scoring competition (suggested: 42). Other differences include the existance of only one goal (which can only be shot at; you can't run the ball through), an immediate "face off" at the beginning of the round, and a rotating ring obstructing the goal. Below you will find more detailed directions to setup, face off, and play Cutthroat. Enjoy! Please send feedback to mrack@nycap.rr.com or I'll never learn! av_wink.gif This being my first complete UT2k4 level design, I would appreciate it if everyone could refrain from throwing any objects at me larger/heavier than a golf ball. Thank you!

If you've worked w/ custom maps before and you don't like reading, words, .txt files, instructions, and/or have a goldfish-esque attention span, perhaps the best way to get a feel for Cutthroat, is to watch the AI go at it for a while by spectating a match.

SCOPE:

My goal with this map was to gain experience with the Unreal Editor, and create a Bombing Run map with an emphasis on consistantly shooting the ball.

LAYOUT:

This map starts each player next to a jumppad which launches them to the ball. You'll want to grab it ASAP, but so will your opponent, so you may need to employ some "intimidation" tactics from the start. Once you have the ball, you'll naturally be looking for your goal. In this case, one goal accomodates both teams, and it can be found in the center of the arena. Note, the only weapons on the map (beyond default equipment), are Flak Cannons (unless you use the instagib mutator, in which case you'll have one-hit-kill shock rifles). These can be found in weapon lockers conveniently located next to the jumppads, such that you may land on one after going up for the face off.

RULES:

Hit the jumppad to launch yourself up to the ball. If you grab the ball, head to EITHER side of the arena to shoot at the elevated goal (you cannot run the ball through the goal under standard conditions, but you can shoot at either side). Time your shot carefully though, or the rotating Goal Retainer (GORE) will kick your shot away. If your opponent has the ball, kill him/her before they can get a shot off, and they'll drop it. They won't be gone long though, as they'll respawn in the face off area and be firing cannon balls at you in no time. For those of you going for the slam dunk w/ Low-Gravity and Quad-Jump mutators enabled, be warned: The GORE is only "mostly" harmless... mostly...

SUGGESTED MUTATORS:

Instagib (crack-shots need not apply)
Super Berserk (do not use while drunk, hallucinating, or on speed)
Low-Gravity and/or Quad Jump (Dunk at own risk; Low-Gravity can confuse the AI somewhat)

KNOWN ISSUES:
-No preview screenshot or description
-Twitchy AI when Low-Gravity mutator is in effect
-Ball may become lodged in rotating ring (it can often be shot free, or will reset after a few seconds)
-Bots have obsessive-compulsive neurosis and may hit both jumppads before proceeding with game

[NO2STARFORCE]

Yay!

[enfestid]

WE WANT SCREENS, WE WANT SCREENS! av_razz.gif

Use photobucket or IMGSpot.com av_razz.gif

[The-Rack]

Now, I can't promise this will work on even YOUR Xbox, Alexander! av_wink.gif

[OmegaBob]

Linky plz? If good, I'll add it to the official server.

[The-Rack]

Originally posted by enfestid:
WE WANT SCREENS, WE WANT SCREENS! av_razz.gif

Use photobucket or IMGSpot.com av_razz.gif I'll get on that when I get home. There isn't much to see... small map, and again, a first effort with some lessons learned that couldn't be applied without starting over. But, I am functionally happy with it... aesthetically it's... well, I'm sure mom would put it on the refrigerator, anyway. av_wink.gif

Basically, it's 99% Abaddon Architecture, tall octogon w/ goal elevated in the center, surrounded by four pointy crescents. Its got some static meshes, but not much... wall panels, ceiling panels and tubed-up freaks... hell, I was happy to get the bots moving! Bloody jumppads! I swear those things are bot-crack!

[enfestid]

Sounds cool to me av_smile.gif

[The-Rack]

Originally posted by OmegaBob:
Linky plz? If good, I'll add it to the official server. Ironically enough, I have no webspace... never had a need. I can email it to you. However, being a first effort, I doubt it's avault server material, not to mention it's one-on-one, so...

[NO2STARFORCE]

Originally posted by Michael Rack:
Now, I can't promise this will work on even YOUR Xbox, Alexander! av_wink.gif lol!

Dont be so sure.. there is probably some software that lets me remote control my pc from my xbox, and relaying the video feed over LAN.. av_smile.gif

[OmegaBob]

Rack: no need to email it to me or to host it yourself.

Just submit it to any of these map sites:
www.unrealplayground.com (http://www.unrealplayground.com)
http://nalicity.beyondunreal.com/
www.ut2004maps.com (http://www.ut2004maps.com/)

You might want to specify whether or not this is a beta or final, etc, in the map name. (makes it easier if you make changes -so that there are no conflicts with different map versions)

Also, you can see how many people d/l your map... but be prepared for people to comment on it (esp in NaliCity).

[ July 07, 2004, 02:12 PM: Message edited by: OmegaBob ]

[OmegaBob]

Small BR maps are lots o fun, esp when compared to those pointless large maps which make BR more like a CTF-mod match.

My server only features these small BR maps. If your map is too small for my max player count (8), then consider making it a little larger (I still need to test it)

Feel free to jump into my server to check out the BR maps (for pointers or tips). If the rotation isn't on a BR map or you are pressed for time, here are some of the maps featured:
BR-Templus2k4
BR-Cutless (2k3)
BR-DRD-Flarized_v2 (2k4)
BR-Fragball-=SPP=-V1 (2k3)
BR-Stadium2K4
BR-Hockey (2k3)
Most of these maps can be found on the sites above (note that some 2k3 maps work with 2k4).

[The-Rack]

I'll check those out and post a link here when I have one. I'll send emails to anyone who has already sent me one though.

[OmegaBob]

I can't wait to check your map out! av_biggrin.gif

btw - if you like the BR gametype, you should use this mutator:
BR PassMe (http://www.multi.fi/~mattbeck/su/mods_mutators.php#3)

-In bot matches, you can signal to a bot when you want them to pass and they will if you or they are open.

-In MP matches, you can signal to your teammates when you are open.

[The-Rack]

Sweet! I could use that mutator! Though really, I've been playing more in the editor than the game lately, and that's in the midst of NWN, Paper Mario, Xbox Live, and a host of other games... TimeSplitters 2, R-Type Final, Armed and Dangerous, Steel Battalion I have YET to play beyond the 4th or 5th mission! Christ, I still have to play XENOSAGA... now how the hell am I supposed to fit THAT in!?! Chronicles of Riddick, somehow I feel the need to replay FFX...

BEING A MULTIPLATFORM GAMER W/ AN INTEREST IN ANY KIND OF MODDING SUCKS!!!

Oh, did I forget to mention the old-school stuff? FF7, FF8, FFT, Brigandine, Master of Monsters (Genesis)... I have games running in ALL of these and more! I've been considering dropping RPGs all together, just for the sake of time! Oh, but Temple of Elemental Evil (for all its problems... ToEE is classic, I gotta play THAT), Hordes of the Underdark... Underdark, man, Underdark! And Fable... give up Fable? And FFXII?

2 on 2 is too many for my map, even. Ya see, I was going for a one on one kinda deal (ala Dr. J vs. Larry Bird), so that's what I got... everything has to be close, or it falls apart. With everything that close together, anything beyond one-on-one and it's ridiculously hard to even get a shot off. Maybe my next one will work, though. I'm still learning simple stuff... emitters, karma actors and such... the Unreal Ed is so amazingly huge! I haven't made any of my own static meshes yet, because there's just been no need! Man, seriously, if I ONLY spent videogame time on UT2k4, I wouldn't have to buy UT2k5 EVER! It's like having 100 of your favorite dishes for dinner... I want to make an Onslaught map, an Assault map, a space map, an Aztec Trap room map... and about 10 more... and I haven't even PLAYED all the maps yet! Yet this backlog of games... Sudeki only weeks away, Ninja Gaiden in August again, Front Mission 4 I haven't even touched... so much to do, SO little time... *dramatic Cartman voice* no time...

[frostBYTE]

^
|

the Rack is back to his old self av_razz.gif

[The-Rack]

I've submitted my map to www.ut2004maps.com (http://www.ut2004maps.com) I'll let you know when they post it, assuming they do.

Screenshots:
http://img4.imgspot.com/u/04/188/23/BRCutthroat1.jpg

http://img4.imgspot.com/u/04/188/23/BRCutthroat2.jpg

[OmegaBob]

Congrats The Rack! av_biggrin.gif

www.ut2004maps.com - The Rack's map (http://www.ut2004maps.com./modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownloaddetails&lid=636&ttitle=#dldetails)

I'll test it out tomorrow.

[H@H@]

Originally posted by Michael Rack:
Time your shot carefully though, or the rotating Goal Retainer (GORE!!!) will kick your shot away. av_eek.gif av_eek.gif graemlins/av_cheesygrin.gif

Looks interesting... Will try it out this weekend.

[The-Rack]

HEY! O-Bob knew before I did! I thought they were going to send an e-mail notification. Anyway, enjoy... let me know what you think. I'm particularly curious how it works for MP... I've only been playing w/ bots. av_wink.gif

[OmegaBob]

The Rack: I know everything!

Actually, I constantly check out ALL the major UT map sites for new maps for the server. I've d/l over 20 gigs of maps and played hundreds of them (many terrible - ugh). So that's how I knew your map was there.

* * * * *

My opinion of your map:

(I played with no muts on)

I like your concept very much. 1vs1 BR is an interesting idea. I'm really impressed with your bot pathing/AI, the bot did a great job playing, using the jump pads and scoring. Like the rotating ring that blocks the ball. Had fun playing it!

Some criticism (don't be mad):
1 - I don't like how the ball spawn point (or whatever it's called) is just floating out there. It should be sitting on top of a ledge or something. Also, didn't like how it was transparent underneath (looking up at it)
2 - I think the arena should be slightly larger (but not by much). This gives some more room for dodging, etc.

Some suggestions:
1 - If you are set on having the ball spawn point in the air, then maybe have the shape of the room like look sort of like a teardrop/raindrop, with the ball at the point and the goal in the circular area of the arena.
2 - If not that, then either made a ledge/outcropping for the ball OR maybe have the spawn point for the ball UNDER the goal.

I also tried it with 8 bots and wow that was hectic (in a good way). Unfortunately, there's no way this map can be used in MP unless the server is set to 1vs1 or 2vs2. If possible please consider making a larger MP version. My MP suggestions:
1 - Keep the design as is, except that the arena is now pill shaped with a blue & red goal at either end of the pill.
2 - Have the ball spawn point in the center of the map, possible on top of a pillar with your jump pads in place as before.
3 - Make sure that the distance from the ball spawn is long enough from the goal so that no one would be able to shoot it in from there (even when jumping/quad jumping from the ball spawn/pillar)
4 - More weapons/caches.
5 - Maybe some small obstacles (I dunno about this one).

Now... MAKE MORE MAPS! av_biggrin.gif
(maybe throw in an AV logo or two -hint hint)

[The-Rack]

Your feedback is MUCH appreciated! Particularly considering you've seen 20+ gigs of maps, FRIGGIN-A!

Yeah, I didn't like the whole ball spawn deally... I wanted it elevated with no physical obstructions, so that's what I got... I may yet find a solution, though. If I could just get rid of the base, I'd be happy. My original idea was to have the ball drop from the ceiling. av_wink.gif Sadly, it wouldn't move. Anyway, yeah, the ball spawn is lame... like I said, it's my first time, and I'm still learning a lot. Somewhere in the editor I saw just the ball, but I don't know if it really "works"... if so, I'd like to suspend it from a chain for the start, maybe. I'll work on it.

The bots were TOUGH. Getting them away from the jumppads was problematic, then I had to force them to the outside edge of the map to shoot, because they can't hit squat at a steep angle. The AI is still faulty, but it works. Try it w/ Low-G on (actually, don't)... the bot does nothing but translocate to the ball, and if it happens to grab the ball, it immediately fires in a random direction... odd! Some bots seem to do better than others, too... Frostbite seems like a natural. av_wink.gif

I think it should be larger as well. My VERY first map (egyptian themed deathmatch arena... not published) ended up way too big, so I kept this one tight. The crescents around the center weren't added till the very end, and they take up a lot of space as well. The main reason I added them was to prevent shots from the face off. (was I successful?)

I like the teardrop idea... that would be better! *smacks head* And like I said, one way or another, I'll fix the ball spawn.

At the VERY beginning I was thinking of this for a MP map (w/ one goal), but I decided to go the other way because I didn't have solutions to various problems I anticipated... I may be ready now though. And I have more ideas for that... goalies in a low-G zone, "penalty boxes", and more... we'll see how it goes. I didn't even try 4 on 4 on the current map... that must have been a bloodbath, lol!

I went w/ just Flak Cannons because... well, really because I just like them. av_wink.gif I love the cannon ball, it seemed appropriate, and the close-range nature of the map made it seem right... need to be able to kill quickly, or making a shot would be too easy I think. But yeah, if I go for your MP pill-shaped map suggestion, I'd certainly include more weapons. Actually, there's a lot I'd do in that case.

As for small obstacles, I have plans for that... plans which involve me learning about Karma (physics) before I can do anything. av_wink.gif

I also have ideas for some Onslaught maps... in space (probably won't work), indoors, and one that will be my masterpiece (if I make it that far av_wink.gif ). There will certainly be more to come, though it is time-consuming. I can't believe how easy the Unreal Ed is to use! THANK GOD(S) FOR 3DBUZZ! Fantastic tutorials... the first one saved me probably a week of mistakes I would have made!

As for an Avault logo... I'd need executive permission for that... hmmmmmm... I dunno.

[The-Rack]

OH, hows aboot this... new map. Bombing run, but the goals are shielded. You have to destroy the shield generator(s) before you can score, but it's situated such that only space fighters can get a shot at it. Brilliant? I like it... I like low-G bombing run in general. How to get the bots to know they have to do that, I dunno, but I think that would be neat. What happens to you when you enter a vehicle while holding the ball... I wonder...

Edit: Actually, what I'd really like to make is an invasion map where you lose if the beasts destroy an Onslaught power core...

Edit: What about a one-player onslaught map against monsters? I wonder if they would attack the nodes...

Or a Zero-G onslaught map in a sphere.

OH, I'd love to make dodgeball... Bombing Run w/ a ball that is deadly (and high-speed) except when at rest.

OR (if I may go completely mentally insane) an assault map based on the first level of Super Mario Bros! MWU HA HA HA HA HA!

Hey, has anyone made a Nali Warcow "vehicle" yet?

[ July 08, 2004, 02:15 PM: Message edited by: Michael Rack ]

[rktboy]

Michael, kudos to you for accomplishing this. I've wanted to do a UT map forever but just never seemed to get around to it. You've actually sort of inspired me a little bit.

Out of curiosity, are there websites that you can recommend that will help get me started? I'm looking for tutorials and "getting started" tips and the like.

[The-Rack]

web page (http://sv3.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/unr_main.php)

Check this out. On the right side in red, there are links to "classes"... I believe these are really just the tutorial videos included w/ UT2k4 DVD Special Edition on the bonus disk. These videos are all I needed... I haven't gone through them all, there's a bajillion hours of instruction. They start from square one, and... well, sufficed to say I can't say enough good things about them. So I'd say go ahead and register so you can download these. If you have the UT2k4 DVD SE, you already have them, so check out the bonus disk to get started. Look for "Level Design 101"... I believe there are several movies within this group that will give you everything you need to know. These videos demonstrate all the important little bits, like working w/ the grid, building in appropriate units (2, 4, 8, 16, 32... avoid using round #'s like 10, 100, so on), the fact that the UT Ed space starts completely solid (you start by cutting out your room, not adding floors/walls... you'll see), and beyond. They are THE bomb. Working w/ physics, static meshes, weapon design, vehicle design, bot navigation, movers (elevators), doors, triggers, cinematics, Maya... once I actually looked what was all there I *blank* myself! 40$, DVD UT2k4, Logitech wireless headset, Unreal ed, some kind of Maya Lite, all these tutorials... at 40$ I feel like crucifying myself in penance for stealing from them! Then again, the tin sucks. av_razz.gif I graemlins/av_wub.gif Epic! All hail 3DBuzz!

With these videos, you could concievably make a simple level in just a few days... maybe even one day if you know your stuff and push it.

[OmegaBob]

The Rack:

Whoops. I made a slight typo - I meant 10 gigs of maps. If I had d/l & tested 20 gigs, that would be thousands of maps - lol.

Low grav? Bots don't seem to use low grav very well.

Ball drop/launcher? There was a (god awful) map I played where the ball was launched into the sky. If I can find it, I'll post the link and you can d/l and check it out in the editor.

If you use the teardrop idea and/or a ledge for the ball spawn, make sure that something (maybe the pillars around the goal) is blocking the goal so that no one can shoot the ball into the goal from the ledge.

As for all your other (wacky) ideas av_wink.gif , you should really play on the AVault server. You might get some interesting ideas from all the maps I have on there. I have a mutator called InvasionEverywhere on 4 maps (originally had it on 12, but everyone complained and I removed them). With this mutator, Inv creatures are added to ANY map or gametype. Currently, I have this mutator running on 2 VCTF and ONS maps.

Also, there is a mod out there called "CarBall" (or something similar) which is BR with vehicles. I've never played this b/c I don't like mods (afraid they'd screw up something in the normal game).

Nali Warcow.... why'd ya have to bring that up.... graemlins/av_sad.gif

[The-Rack]

Edit: Oh, ONLY 10 gigs, huh?

Heh... I'm surprised no one has made the Nali Warcow! I was actually thinking about giving it a shot myself... but don't expect that any time soon. The big problem there is that while I can model, I've never texed anything... nor animated, but I'm pretty sure I can tackle that.

I think I'll practice a bit, and soon hop on the server so you can all shoot me in the face like I know you've all dreamed of. av_wink.gif

Hey, do you guys use the voice chat on the Avault server, or should I not bother?

[ July 08, 2004, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Michael Rack ]

[OmegaBob]

I always use voice chat -but only when there is someone I know on the server and if I have my headphones hooked up.

Sometimes I stop using it b/c I like to hear sounds from my 5.1 speakers.