Custom maps

[primesuspect]

I really like stronghold

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/117998.html

I've played it several times, and I think the quality is up to par with retail maps. Do you guys think we should add it?

[RyderOCZ]

Glad you posted Prime.

I spent about an hour yesterday searching for nothing but servers with custom maps.

Then also found this thread: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=606962

I like capture the flag personally and there are about 8 options besides 2Fort in that list.

There are screenshots and everything, along with links to download the maps so you can add them locally and do a bit of looking around.

Let's decide and add a couple to our server :D

[TBonZ]

Yeah, I've played it before, definitely give it a try!

[fostic_popcorn]

Two thumbs up for Stronghold!

I'm personally a huge fan of Castle (http://tf2.whiskey-town.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8). The aesthetics are just really pleasing to me as opposed to the usual desert/industrial/desert industrial enviroments out there. Also, it plays Mario music at certain points in the game, which is a winner for me. *laughs*

If there is one map I would NOT recommend, and do so in giant red font underlined and italicized, it would I feel be cp_lazytown. Possibly I'm a bit biased, as I once had a stalemate in that map that went on for the better part of two hours or so (which only ended when our entire team got fed up and went all heavies and started punching people). It could have been the people playing, but any map that involves that kind of lengthy and ridiculous stalemating should be locked in a barrel and thrown to the bottom of the sea. (In this I also vaguely include 2fort, which annoys me because it's quite feasible to do nothing but turtle in your Intel room with engineers.)

Also cp_lazytown, when I was playing it at least, was really poorly optimized and had certain areas that would lag you graphically whenever you walked through them. That area specifically being right outside our spawn base, which was quite fantastic really.

Anyhow there's my 2cents for all it's worth! >.>

Benif

[Black Hawk]

Been wondering something about custom maps. Do the designers take into consideration the different abilities of each class when they make the maps? Like high places for demoman and soldiers, sniper spots, tight corners for pyros, stuff like that? I've played some that just flat out suck.

[RyderOCZ]

Holy crap that stronghold looks like you could get lost in it.

You could have 40 players on that map.

[primesuspect]

No, it's not nearly as big as it looks. I've played it several times, it's fun.

[NiGHTS]

I was actually going to recommend we don't use Castle simply because it has the tendency to become a sniping whore map. We could certainly try it out, though.

Stronghold looks fun, why the hell not!

[Hawk]

Played Stronghold a bunch of times and it has multiple routes to the enemy territory. Which is nice. Also, the map plays well with full teams. I like it.
Castle wasn't bad. Played that quite a few times too. It's playable.
I agree with the lazytown assessment. No love here for that map.

[Hawk]

Cool map place Ryder. They have most maps too.
Found another place you can get a bunch of the custom maps.
Lot of the new maps out also, as far as I know.. tfportal.de/downloads (http://www.tfportal.de/downloads.php?dir=24#dls)
I played a map called powerhouse which was pretty cool. There's lots of thumbnails out there if you google it. If you want to see the layout.
Objective: Activate your security shield at the Powerhouse, only one teams shield can be active at any time!
While the enemies shield is down go capture their intelligence.
The guy who made it is still working on making the design/gameplay better too.
So, There will be updates to it.
I'm going through all the custom maps I've played and will post about more when I get to know them a little.
The one CTF Mine 4 looks like a cool one. I like the thumbnails at that site Ryder. You can at least get an idea of what the map looks like.
Played CTF Mach 2 a bunch of times and it's definitely a keeper.
Multiple routes and attack spots for all classes in the game.

[Hawk]

Another nice site to look at thumbnails and get downloads of new maps..
fpsbanana.com (http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/games/297)
Seems they may have a few the others don't.
Played CTF Firmbases. Not a bad map. Playable. I think a few of us have played this together.
CTF Floodzone -- Mehhh, I definitely didn't care for that one.
Seemed it's just to sniper heavy.
CP Wolf wasn't bad. Gives you multiple routes for all gameplay. Playable. Bunch of us have played that one.
CP Crazed Acre-- I didn't care for that one. Too many choke points where you can't get through the map.
CP Rooftime... That map just plain was bad for choke points and hard to maneuver/move over to enemy cap points. Catwalks and such. Enemy could just shot you off the building most of the time. Or you'd fall off the roof trying to get over to other side.
CP Rats alpha 1 & 2-- There's some fun to be had in these maps even though you better be careful maneuvering around or drop to your death. Or at least lose most of your health. There's potential for snipers to overwhelm the map but it's still playable and fun. You definitely have to learn the map to play it.
There's one map that was all snow covered mountains that I didn't get to play very long but seemed like a cool big map. It was CP orientated. From the short time I was in the map it was fun. Seemed to be another sniper haven map too though. Very open. When I played there was only 2-3 people on it, checking the map out.
These are just my humble observations of maps I've played friends.
So, Don't be afraid to give us your input on these and other maps you've played too.
Some of you may like many of the maps that I don't but thats what this thread is for.. Discussion and debate on new maps.

[Shorty]

Nice options for custom maps Hawk.. good work mate :D

Over to teh server overlords to sift through them ;)

[TiberiusLazarus]

I personally like stronghold. I think it was the first custom map I tried. There are definitely some interesting places on that map that make for a good time. Plus we need more ctf maps. Haven't really looked at many others. The ones I have looked at weren't great, but I'm willing to give any map a try.

[Hawk]

Nice options for custom maps Hawk.. good work mate :D

Over to teh server overlords to sift through them ;)

Thnx Shorty,
I've been having fun just checking out custom maps at all the different places that have them.
Then I look for them on the TF2 servers to get in a little real time on them for evaluation. It's a blast.
I'm having a nice hot cuppa right now while getting ready to go check out some of the custom maps.
Hey Shorty, Don't forget to accept my friend invite so we can see each other while playing TF2.
I sent it already so you should have it listed in your steam control panel.

[Crazy Joe]

I have a question. Once I download a new map, where do I put it? I haven't been able to find the location for my maps on my computer anywhere... I even tried searching for the .bsp files and can only find the one I downloaded.

[Black Hawk]

http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Team_Fortress_2

Maps should be extracted to your /Steam/*account name*/teamfortress 2/tf/maps directory.

[CB]

After several nights of observation, I think that all of the custom maps should be removed from the regular rotation. It simply kills the server every time one of them comes up... :/

[NiGHTS]

How many {IC} were on at those times?

I've seen a few custom maps start with 6 of us on, and within 15 minutes we get a pretty healthy public showing. I know that I personally will be more inclined to join a server with 12-14/24 people on that has a custom map running. "There must be something good about it, look at all the people in it."

[Black Hawk]

How many {IC} were on at those times?

I've seen a few custom maps start with 6 of us on, and within 15 minutes we get a pretty healthy public showing. I know that I personally will be more inclined to join a server with 12-14/24 people on that has a custom map running. "There must be something good about it, look at all the people in it."

True, but the wait time for downloading kinda sucks. A new map yesterday took over 5 minutes to download and load. Others give up and find another server.

[NiGHTS]

Yeah I wanted to comment on that, too. Our downloads are painfully slow. That reason alone is going to prevent people from playing. :/

[CB]

A custom map is fine if there are a dozen or more IC guys, and we all want to play the map together, but when there are only a few of us, and we're relying on the public to fill enough slots to make it fun, the custom maps don't seem to work out.

[TBonZ]

I wonder if there is a setting in the server cfg that throttles bandwidth on the downloading of maps?

[Hawk]

I wonder the same thing as TBonZ ^^.
Seems funny that the server wouldn't DL as fast as others that are on Steam.
I've loaded custom maps from all different servers and never waited more than approx a minute to get it. And the minute ones were big maps.
Then again I haven't had to DL any maps from our server, because I had already DLed them from other servers.

[NiGHTS]

A custom map is fine if there are a dozen or more IC guys, and we all want to play the map together, but when there are only a few of us, and we're relying on the public to fill enough slots to make it fun, the custom maps don't seem to work out.

That would be a perfect time to change the map to get the public to join, then. PM Prime for the rcon password.

[Hawk]

Like now.
Rolleggroll & I were playing early this morning.
There were only 2 of us so he changed the map to Duel-Duel and it's been stuck there ever since. Because I don't have the password.
I PMed prime for it, but he must be out and about today.
At least not online.
I've been playing on other servers all afternoon now because no one or only one or two people come in for duel-duel.:rolleyes2

[SPIKE09]

8 on it now inc. Tbonz still playing duel to duel

[NiGHTS]

Like now.
Rolleggroll & I were playing early this morning.
There were only 2 of us so he changed the map to Duel-Duel and it's been stuck there ever since. Because I don't have the password.
I PMed prime for it, but he must be out and about today.
At least not online.
I've been playing on other servers all afternoon now because no one or only one or two people come in for duel-duel.:rolleyes2

;D

[Lincoln]

Is duel-duel in the rotation? :wtf:

[TBonZ]

Is duel-duel in the rotation? :wtf:

It seems to be, it was up when I joined this afternoon with no other clan mates around.

[primesuspect]

It's not in the rotation. The rotation is back to normal maps. The others are available upon request:

CTF_Stronghold
CTF_Turbine
CTF_Snofort
CP_Warpath

[Hawk]

Hehehe, Snotfort's pretty cool too.
I call it that because once you get inside the enemys fort/intel area you get the snot blown out of you!
Only one way into the intel room and it's a very closed area leading to it..
I played with a pretty good team on one server where we got through and captured the intel 3-4 times (forgot how many needed) in 15-20 mins for the win.
Lots of fast action on that one.

[primesuspect]

There are two ways into the intel room :ninja:

[Hawk]

Maybe I was playing an early version of snofort.
Or maybe I was only seeing/ going in through the one entrance.
I'll have to check that.

[primesuspect]

The "back cave" leads to a ceiling duct that drops right on top of the flag :)

[Hawk]

When trying to load snofort on server it says no such map exist.:(

[TiberiusLazarus]

The "back cave" leads to a ceiling duct that drops right on top of the flag :)

Maybe he meant there is only one way to get out of the intel room (that narrow hallway), unless a soldier could rocket jump back into the duct :confused:. Once you get through there there are a few ways back to your base.

@Hawk
I think you have to use the exact name of the map (if you are then I have no idea). I think the name is ctf_snofort_final or something like that.

[Hawk]

Thnx JJ, That did it.

[primesuspect]

You can use rcon maps * to see the full names of the maps

and yes, you need the exact name, so cp_warpath, ctf_stronghold_b5, etc.

[the_technocrat]

anyone found a map editor yet? How are these maps being created?

[Hawk]

You have to DL the (Source SDK) in your (Steam Tools) section and then open up the Hammer Editor and then select TF2.
Here's a link with lots of tutorials on TF2 mapping, modeling, compiling, etc. --
www.fpsbanana.com (http://www.fpsbanana.com/tuts/games/297)

[rolleggroll]

Like now.
Rolleggroll & I were playing early this morning.
There were only 2 of us so he changed the map to Duel-Duel and it's been stuck there ever since. Because I don't have the password.
I PMed prime for it, but he must be out and about today.
At least not online.
I've been playing on other servers all afternoon now because no one or only one or two people come in for duel-duel.:rolleyes2

lol. my bad. I thought it would just change after a while.

[GHoosdum]

Can you post the direct server links for the other maps? I only downloaded warpath and stronghold, then had to stop last night when the server switched to sno fort because I didn't have the map.

[primesuspect]

fpsbanana.com is where I get all of them.

[Hawk]

That's where I get all my customs too.

[Winfrey]

I know we got sno_fort and warpath and stronghold but what other maps do we have?

[rolleggroll]

we got duel_duel2. its basically an arena where one team tries to spawn camp the other.

[NiGHTS]

...that should be used by having everyone line up against a wall or sitting and watching from spawn as people come out one by one to duel.

It would be kinda cool and fun if we could make that work one night.

[primesuspect]

We also have ctf_turbine, which I've only played a couple of times, but liked.

you can issue rcon maps * to see what's available.

[Winfrey]

Is turbine re-make of the UT map turbine? Cuz that would be sweet...

[TiberiusLazarus]

...that should be used by having everyone line up against a wall or sitting and watching from spawn as people come out one by one to duel.

It would be kinda cool and fun if we could make that work one night.

That would be some good times. But we would have to get it to work. Maybe have everyone who is not fighting go spectator? We should try that tonight :confused:.

[Hawk]

Here's a few more fun maps I've played...
DL and try them out.
I think you can get most of them from fpsbanana.com/maps (http://www.fpsbanana.com/maps/games/297)
ctf_scorpion_v3
ctf_plateaus_b1
cp_snowbridge_thallus_2
ctf_turbine_v3
pu_jinxed_b2
cp_toy_fort_beta2
ctf_smooth_b2
ctf_lulz_v2
cp_iceworld_beta_v2

[the_technocrat]

You have to DL the (Source SDK) in your (Steam Tools) section and then open up the Hammer Editor and then select TF2.
Here's a link with lots of tutorials on TF2 mapping, modeling, compiling, etc. --
www.fpsbanana.com (http://www.fpsbanana.com/tuts/games/297)

cool thx! I'll see if I get some time to play with this - any requests?

[CB]

cool thx! I'll see if I get some time to play with this - any requests?

Ship-to-ship CTF on the high seas.

[Winfrey]

Did you guys see cp_castle? It looks really good.

cp_horus_b2 looks good too.

[NiGHTS]

That would be some good times. But we would have to get it to work. Maybe have everyone who is not fighting go spectator? We should try that tonight :confused:.

My idea would be to have everyone be scouts. Have them meet in the middle, pace off ten taps of the W (or up arrow, if you have a G, an M, and a Hoosdo in between), turn, and shoot the hell out of one another using the pistol until one dies.

Either that or we up the damage on that specific gun for that map (which probably isn't easy) and have a one-shot kill.

...this as well as various melee duels.

[Winfrey]

^^^^
Nights 666th post:eek:

[primesuspect]

DEVIL HORNS!

[Hawk]

http://digilander.libero.it/le.faccine/faccinea/computer/00330018.gif

[Winfrey]

jj, Idiot_Slayer, my roommate(afro ninja) and I were checking out some custom maps. We played ctf_ahopheus_b1, melee_ringking, and koth_twisted_v3. Melee is kinda fun because you only can use your melee and the cap point is a boxing ring. ahopheus is crazy with low gravity but isn't very good. Koth was pretty sweet especially with small amounts of people.

Not sure if any should be added to the rotation though.

[CB]

Is there anyway we can add an 'always vote' system sort of like UT2K4 servers almost always did?

We could include whatever maps we wanted, and they would only run if they got a majority vote at the end of the previous map.

[TiberiusLazarus]

jj, Idiot_Slayer, my roommate(afro ninja) and I were checking out some custom maps. We played ctf_ahopheus_b1, melee_ringking, and koth_twisted_v3. Melee is kinda fun because you only can use your melee and the cap point is a boxing ring. ahopheus is crazy with low gravity but isn't very good. Koth was pretty sweet especially with small amounts of people.

Not sure if any should be added to the rotation though.

We also did a couple others. cp_horus_b2 (really cool egyptian themed one with some nice areas and back paths to flank the points), cp_toy_fort (a toy themed area), and cp_castle (weird) are the ones I remember. I'm thinking of spending some time trying to figure out the hammer editor, who knows.

[Winfrey]

cp_castle was a dustbowl style map

[Thrax]

cool thx! I'll see if I get some time to play with this - any requests?

McKinley2WF (Quake2 Map)
Cancer2WF (Quake2 Map)
Acid2 (Quake2 Map)
Pray4DeathOGL (Quake2 Map)
0Fear (Quake2 Map)
Goodspeed 2000 (Quake2 Map)

All of these are designed for multi-class CTF. They are amazing.

[UPSWeezer]

es_happycow
Blu team tries to escort a cow to the Red base where he can eat all the grains he wants. Red defends. Best map of all time.

There are other escorts maps but they are too small and crowded.

[CannonFodder]

HAPPYCOW ROCKS YOUR SOCKS OFF.

[primesuspect]

Where the hell do I get this map? Google doesn't give me a download link, only discussions about it

[UPSWeezer]

http://www.hlportal.de/?site=files&do=showfile&file_id=901
I think this will do it...:D

PS: I googled "tf2 download es_happycow"