The facility itself is enjoyable - I particularly appreciate the doodad layouts. However, the ground itself (particularly in the 2nd and 4th pictures) could do with more detail (in particular doodad placement and variety). I appreciate it's meant to be more barren, but I just can't help but feel that to play it, in it's current state, once you've left the base, or went to explore, would be slightly underwhelming. Now you've got to prove me wrong ;)
But yeah, not being harsh - just some constructive criticism. Overall, I really like the way this campaign is progressing and looking. Keep it up and keep us informed!
DeltaCadimus AuthorGood people. Colleagues. Supporters. Critics. Friends. We now approach the end. Not of the world, but of the beginning. The beginning of this thread, of the project which bodes all these maps I've shown you, comes closer to a close. Everything comes to an end, and, obviously, the start must end so the middle can take it's place.
After the final showcase, I'll close the thread, but I'll leave the forum open to further answers and comments and will go on secluded for the rest of the road on the Terrain issue. That's because there's nothing more new to show you: The remainder of the maps will be rather repetivite, despite the differences. By then, it will be data work, triggers, scripting and coding, which will be covered in a myriad of answers and questions. Unless there's something other I'd be pleased to show you, and by this I mean an extremely exceptional circumstance, I'll post no more additions after the last showcase.
But, enough of advising, as we must go on with bringing things to an end. Let's start this showcase with a reminder of a joke: Remember one of the comments I posted during WTE 107, the one which it'd deliver a HotS beta key to the winner? The comment as I recall was:
"Well, if you people excuse me, gotta get back to mine map- OOOPS! Almost let it out. Dammit!"
For people that can read between lines and understand the word game, yup, you got that right.
This pre-final map involves a mining complex. One of the several owned by the Kel-Morian Combine, not only on this particular planet, but through out the Koprulu Sector. Kel-Morians, after all, are about mining, greed, riches, mercenaries, shady deals, most things that concern the material desires and lusts of Man. I'm a stereotypical kind of judging person. I believe the criteria spoken encompasses the Kel-Morians and beyond, while Umojans encompass science, diplomacy and values, the Dominion are about strength, raw power and pig-headedness and the list goes on.
Originally I'd have planned for the mine to have five to six different height layers, as it orignally goes for most man-mined environments such as mines and stone quarries. But Blizzard remains with three (Excluding the deep/space layer) and that makes a mine environment quite a troubling challenge, forcing my hand on work-arounds and cutting corners. An ideal improvement over the current SC II editor and that over of Brood War would be, in basic terrain terms:
- 512x512 map size.
- 6 different height layers (Deep bottom, low, medium-low, medium-high, high, over-high).
- 16 terrain types' support.
Of course, as Jagger would say it: You can't always get what you want. Therefore, we make due with what we have, many times the best of it.
But, enough of this too. Let's proceed with the showcasing, before my final entry.
Every mine has a camp to monitor, watch and dump mined mineral wealth.
A mine crevice/canyon, where a mining expansion is possible. Notice I put the HUGE drill on purpose.
A mine entrance, which goes deeper into the mountain. Inspired by the first mission in Dawn of War II.
A mountainous valley and where a base will be.
A closer look into a small mine.
A closer look into the mining camp's entrance. Notice the watch tower used in WTE 107. Mine making and mine alone. No, I'm not joking with words either. XD
Finally, a passage view, with a skybox. Enjoy. :)
Well, this is it. The final entry will be hot stuff, REAL hot stuff, this I can promise.
I now leave you to comment and to have fun guessing and making word jokes too. Farewell and see you at the finals! (I ALWAYS wanted to say that...)
The Light will blind you. Step away from it!!!