Idemark's Tower

[jon50559]

This is the map based on my topic of the same name in the writing sub-forum.
http://www.msremake.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=8086

I will continually update this first post with new updates/pictures.
I've been mapping a lot the past few days and have some screenshots to show for it!
Comment with thoughts/opinions!
(UPDATE: 6/26/10)
(UPDATE: 7/22/10)

 

[Crow]

Very cool!

If I might suggest, that rock wall in the last pick needs some varience in height, if you wern't planning on doing that already.

 

[jon50559]

Oh for sure, that's just a block I still need to lay out triangles and VM that whole side.

 

[jon50559]

Top post updated with pics!

EDIT: To do list - LIGHTING!

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

This map.. is beautiful! Tested it ingame, I was shocked at how atmospheric and aesthetic it was! I am totally looking forward to playing this map in the future!

 

[FER]

[retardation]OMG liek source!![/retardation]

Seriously, it looks way too good.

 

[Age]

Beautiful.

 

[PBarnum]

Looking really good! Don't slow down and get this map done.

 

[CSS]

Keep it up this is looking cool. I'd stretch the water out a little bit more though (waterfall pic)

 

[jon50559]

Some screenshots I uploaded to my photobucket account awhile ago, from a successful test compile!
(TOP POST)
Criticism is welcomed.

 

[zeus9860]

Fuck yeah, its looking good! Now i want your map to be ingame

 

[PBarnum]

**** yeah, its looking good! Now i want your map to be ingame

QFT! Looks amazing Lock, keep it up!

 

[TheOysterHippopotami]

Those golden symbol things look really bad imo.

 

[Age]

Those golden symbol things look really bad imo.

I actually kinda thought the same thing, but aside from those, sex.

 

[ceriux]

i think this all looks pretty amazing very VERY! nice job! but the only problem i have is this shot: http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb25 ... er0005.jpg other than that.very nice looking. ( the reason i dont like that shot so much isnt cause its mapped bad, it just kinda doesnt flow it sorta just ends. )

 

[jon50559]

I've been planning on taking out those stupid star-ish things, can't think of a light source to use though. :?

And the shot you mentioned ceriux, it doesn't suddenly end at all, that was taken from a bad angle, but there's another smaller waterfall there with cliffs too.

 

[ceriux]

oh cool =) very nice then. try and be just as creative with your light sources as you have your map im sure it'll end up looking amazing irraguardless.

 

[TheOysterHippopotami]

I've been planning on taking out those stupid star-ish things, can't think of a light source to use though

Wouldn't the sun be the light source?

 

[jon50559]

I want to keep those perty blue-tinted lights in though

 

[The Man In Black]

The sun isn't a good light source when you're underground, in a building, or it's night >_>

 

[PBarnum]

I like the star things only because they aren't copied from another map (I didn't check on this so if I am wrong, then disreguard)

But you definitely want another light source in there, not just the sun.

 

[Jelly]

Maybe 'mirrors' that reflect the sunlight?

 

[ceriux]

Maybe 'mirrors' that reflect the sunlight?

hmm not a bad idea actually... maybe during the day on the map it reflects the sun and the lights glow yellow, and during the night it reflects the moon and then they reflect blue? is this possible can a trigger or something be set up to detect the day/night cycles?

 

[jon50559]

EDIT: Forgot to say this is will now definitely be a free-roamer.
Ooh where be this? Ooh the mystery...

 

[J-M v2.5.5]

Comments and criticism:

1) The ceiling: I can't really tell if that's a dome or not but if it is, I suggest you use some texture with a circular shape/pattern to show off your dome. It'll look much better. Try the texture jumppad1ap or something similar, if you have it.
2) I can hardly see what's going on but the gate texture just doesn't seem to fit. It looks kind of ugly to be honest. I suggest something along the lines of {ms_mtlgate01.

1) What exactly is going on here?
2) The walls of the fortress are kind of bland. Now I see you're trying to add some detail by adding windows and (presumably) pillars, but the texture you chose to use for the pillars isn't really convincing. You should try avachurchpillar, wall_803, wall_805 (maybe upscaled) or something similar.
Other things you can do to detail the walls:

• Put some plaques on the walls here and there. Search your texture collection for plaq and I'm sure you'll find something nice.
• Place some flags/banners on the walls here and there. Search for rug and banner to get some nice results.

Other things you can place in the courtyard, on the grass:

• Some wooden dummies and archery targets.
• A well.
• Some crates and/or barrels. Maybe a wooden cart, too.

3) A marble border enclosing a patch of grass? That's just weird. A good stone texture will probably make it look much better.

1) The door texture you are using here is obviously meant for rectangular brushes. The texture just doesn't 'follow' the shape of your door, as you can clearly see, and that's why it looks awkward. Either use a different texture or reshape the door. Also, adding door frames is a subtle yet great way to detail your map.

1) The fortress looks broken and decayed everywhere, yet you chose to use one of the 'cleanest' tile textures available for this courtyard. It isn't very convincing. I suggest you find a tile texture that looks much more broken/worn.

The last five screenshots and the one you posted on page two look good/great, though! Can't say anything about those except for "good job thusfar", basically.

And last but not least: Good thing that you're turning this into a free-roam map. I personally could not care less if it were to become another boring linear grind fest. Keep it up!