Hi All,

I have always wanted bring out some personal mapping ideas and hoping I can share with you all. Therefore I have decided to learn DOD:S mapping. Hopefully I can contribute to the DOD:S community and make it fun and enjoyable day in and day out.

DOD:S mapping is fun, interesting, challenging and very additive. I have played DOD since the old DOD version and loving the game.

My maps are unique and based on more of different real life scenarios. I do concentrate a lot more on the game play then the visual concept. Please note none of my maps have overview mini map until final release version. Also it has 32 spawn points on all my maps.

Here is a listing of my DOD:S released maps, all of them have been tested on -=SS=- game servers:

dod_panzer_assault_rc2 (My 1st DOD:S map, better to be play on 20 players server).
dod_highroad_rc5b
dod_airfield_b5
dod_airfieldatnight_b5
dod_battleship_rc1
dod_lighthouse_rc3

Since I have so many maps, I decided to just provide the link and you Gents and Ladies can just go download the maps.

Free Download at www.ssdodclan.com/net1
*** index Download/DOD:S maps

Or you can download from the mapping site, forums...

If you have any questions and suggestions, please contact me use the forums or at kurt.panzermeyer@sympatico.ca or PM me at www.dodssclan.com

I'm hoping you guys will have lots of fun!!!

Enjoy & cheers, Kurt

Are there links to screenies?

Ya, I think I'd want to see screenshots first (isn't that a standard?). If you have the amount of free time to work on 6 maps at once, it's hard not to think what type of quality each would be.

dod_airfield_b5 (http://www.sunlitgames.net/images/dod_airfield_b5.jpg)
dod_battleship_rc1 (http://www.sunlitgames.net/images/dod_battleship_rc1.jpg)
dod_highroad_rc5b (http://www.sunlitgames.net/images/dod_highroad_rc5b.jpg)
dod_lighthouse_rc3 (http://www.sunlitgames.net/images/dod_lighthouse_rc3.jpg)

They all have high fps.
But at this point in time, aren't taking advantage of "sourcification".
Can't comment yet about the feel of gameplay.

Ahem.

These maps just aren't of a quality I can get behind. They look overly blocky and the texture choices are sometimes painful. There are no overlays or displacements, let alone an attempt at a 3d skybox. The vast open spaces aren't a good thing as you'll come to learn while mapping, for draw distances sake.

The problem with these maps is that they are so quickly put together that they pop up all the time. I like a fun map every now and then, like dod_risk, but all too often not enough effort is put into them, and this doesn't appear to be an exception. Try designing a solid, World War II esque layout (a bombed city or something), or do what I did and convert a map to DoD:Source.

Hi All,

Actually I made the maps for -=SS=- clan only, not sure how it would turn out, some of my maps have been running on the -=SS=- servers for 1 month or weeks and participation is huge. Some other clan members and leaders have contacted me to see if they can run my maps on their servers and asked why I didn’t release on the Day of Defeat forum. “DOD:S really need some more new maps and you have nice and fun maps, please release them”

Since I love the game and try to contribute to the community, so I decided to make some maps. Hopefully you guys will have fun… some people will like it and some won’t… If you feel the my maps are fun then go ahead run on your server, otherwise you can wait for better maps coming soon.

Most of the comments I received is unique and interesting, but fun, and keep their servers full. I focused on FPS and balanced game play to ensure high and low end users can all have fun. Also all classes of players can make a difference in the map. So it’s not bias to specific class of player.

Thanks Rosie for the screen shots!!!

Cheers, Kurt

Ahem, part II.

The arguement that will continue on for all eternity in this section: FPS vs. gameplay.

People act like these things are mutually exclusive: you can't have high FPS and gameplay? The fact of the matter is that when everything is said and done, the status quo is the official maps, and if people can't run them, they aren't going to play DoD:S. Now I'm not saying you have to make your map as detail-heavy as donner or argentan (since that's very hard given the optimizing challenges in the way), but hell, give it a try at least. Blank maps feel REALLY empty in Source. Some of them would feel empty in 1.3.

As for the statement, "People don't mind second class graphics, look at 1.3", let me say this much: this is Source. When I open Source, everything should look about the same throughout my game experience. Switching from a detailed map like Salerno or Donner to an empty map like the custom version of Chemille or Lighthouse tends to knock flow of the experience, sort of like popping out of character in a movie or something. When I open 1.3, I know what I'm getting. When I open Source, I know what I want, and maps like these ones interrupt the flow. I'm sure there will be more in this thread about how great these maps play and so on, but gameplay only takes a map so far sometimes.

Great job showing your support guys.

Kurt,

They all look fine for your first go at making maps. Keep at it, they will only get better. I have made several lousy looking maps that get a ton of play time on our 5 servers because the gameplay is good.

IMO i'd rather have a fun, kick ass map that was all about gameplay than looking good. The stock maps have plenty of eye candy to go around.

Keep up the good work Kurt, and with each new map you make, your skills will improve, and the maps will look better.

Thanks for your effort!

Thanks Doc!!!

Cheers, Kurt

Originally posted by Apollo
"Focusing on high fps" = I'm too lazy to care. People who own DoD:S can run it, SO MAKE MAPS FOR DOD:S AND KEEP THE EXCUSES PLEASE.

this maps are his first work for source. he is learning, and getting used to the program. chill out especially if you have nothing constructive to say. mappers, such as myself, respect when people have something intelligent to offer, however, in this case, you are just being a jerk

you criticize the visual appearance of his map, however, it seems you were in the same boat at once
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/1530/dodinferno00898mu.jpg
did you even complete that map?

/burn

That screenshot was before I knew what a displacement or overlay was, probably where our dear friend Kurt is now, but after I took that I went back and reworked, reconstructed, and revisioned my map to its current point today (http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1889/dodfiammatab100016xy.jpg). It's not done yet either and still has more to work out, but when I look at the screenshots of Kurt's map I can't help but see a lack of quality, and only the want of quick satisfaction and no re-evaluation of his own work.

As for my actions in this thread, I feel they were a bit too insulting and not very insightful, so I decided to change that. My opinion stands that the maps look like 2-3 weeks of work for Kurt, but I prefer longer projects personally, although I'm rather sure my own project will be the longest of the long :/

Visuals isn't what makes a map great, though it helps. All comes down to gameplay. It's useless having a super nice looking map that looks on par with the official ones when it plays like utter crap.

Originally posted by Apollo
"Focusing on high fps" = I'm too lazy to care. People who own DoD:S can run it, SO MAKE MAPS FOR DOD:S AND KEEP THE EXCUSES PLEASE.

Yeah, that's pretty rude. your comment = "I'm too ignorant to be a nice member of society. People with a brain can see that, SO BE COURTIOUS OR POST NOTHING PLEASE."

Seriously. If you can't post something constructive, then just don't. It's pretty easy that way.

Also, way to post screenshots of your map in another mapper's thread. Classy.

I would give you the "learn hammer" spiel, but I see that you already are, in which case I would give you the learn manners/common courtesy/respect for your fellow man spiel, but I'm not sure if it would do any good.

:rolleyes:

though i'm not a mapper i would like to offer this point of view...

if eyecandy is all mappign is about, then why do people still play regular dod??? I for one don't play source because i think the gameplay is better in regular.

it is along those same lines that i am sure most people are willing to play maps that look a little 'hokey' as long as they are fun.

Perhaps I've been a bit overzealous, sure, and I noticed it which is why I stopped posting.

Eh, why not just apologize?

Anyway, Kurt is mapping!! I was wondering when you were going to get the bug. You have so many ideas you were just destined to pick the damn thing up yourself and start hammering away :D

Keep it up, take the helpful critiques seriously and ignore the rest. From one newbie to another.

Well I havent played kurts maps yet, only just read this, but to be honest some of the attitudes shown here have left me feeling angry. What is the point of having a go at a mapper who has just started learning the ropes. The point of forums such as this one is to encourage people to learn mapping and develop their skills.

Now that is the support that I like to see.

We're all behind you Kurt. Keep it up!

Thanks guys, really appreciating to see so much support from great friends!!!

One experience I like to share with you, after trying out DOD:S mapping and learning how everything works. Now I look at maps differently and I can now recognize the amount of time & hard work required.

It’s incredible the amount of planning and detailing required making a complete map.

Thanks again!!!

Cheers, Kurt

kurt, i don't know much about you other than your exceptional DOD and custom-content enthusiasm, but it's cool to see you've been bit by the mapping bug. looking forward to trying those, keep on truckin' !

One of the reason I hop on the boat to create dod-federation was to help mapper become better mapper. I would like, Kurt, that you come to dodf and let some of us help you become a better mapper by testing your map. Many of us that test have ton of experience.

For instance NOL Ripster ask me to help him optimize his map dod_solitude the remake. Well I been true to him but explain why and how to do thing. I think he appreciate our first meeting even if I did told him the truth about the current work he has done.


I hate to see someone that start a map and to see other discourage them from mapping. I rather help then bash I guess.

If you ever want us to test some of your map, we could give you constructive comment on how to make it better.

I personally rather see a mapper put more time into a map then releasing to many map that will never be finish. We see many map that just could be better but the mapper just leave them at beta stage and the map could have been so much better.

Map do not need to meet all the eyes candy that Valve standard has. But at the same time maps that are not somewhere not far behind, do discourage newer player that just bought DODS. We all know DODS is not as popular as DOD once was. So in a way if we love this game we do, us custom mapper, need to put some sort of quality out there to get those new to DODS to stick with us.

Since all your six map are in beta stage, this mean they are not finish. I really would like to help you out in anyway I can so that the final version would be popular even if they do not have all eye candy some want. I am sure this is possible when ppl collaborate and be please to help you learn the in and out of hammer and making maps.

Many mapper come to me because I am willing to help out. Ask Dirty harry that was ready to throw dod_battlebridge away because the map was not playable. Ask Jake that ask me ton of question and got ton of answer from me. I am sure Ripster can probably say the same thing later on since we started to collaborate.

My only goal is to have HIGH FPS map with a nice touch to it. Both live very well together and please more ppl. Now I have seen nice map that play well on my computer but are so poorly optimize that low end system complain all the time. To me those map hurt the game much more then any other map.

For instance I walk dod_solitude and the map do have a good visual level. but performance wise it's not currently working. To me to see a mapper to come and ask for help, it's precious because I know the community will love this remake and will not complain about it not being on source standard and I know it can be optimize to be playable in lower end system.

I have not check your maps yet, because reading this thread I felt I needed to chip in. I love to see new mapper and I have been following all you did for the community Kurt. I do appreciate it and never will turn my back on all those that make the custom world a better one.

At the same time since you are so committed and now that you started to map, I really would like to offer my help to you. We could meet one time on dodf Teamspeak server and discuss how I could help you.

I guess my point is that I agree all map should have acceptable FPS but they can all have a certain visual attraction that does not hurt FPS. In the end they do make better map. I willing to help you and many other mapper that I have help also help out on DODF. All you need to say is yes I want to get advice and I will put the time and effort to help you become a better mapper.

I will now go download those map and look at them and please don't let bad comment stop you from mapping. Any effort should not be condone but encourage instead with positive comment. Once I look at the map I will probably install some in 907th servers to see how they run and can then later post feedback.

Keep up the good work ;)

Originally posted by -=SS=- Kurt

One experience I like to share with you, after trying out DOD:S mapping and learning how everything works. Now I look at maps differently and I can now recognize the amount of time & hard work required.

It’s incredible the amount of planning and detailing required making a complete map.

Thanks again!!!

Cheers, Kurt

at last a light shines, lets hope it shines further than you.

yes there is a LOT of work goes into making maps.

ps
keep it up m8:carrot:

You're doing good Kurt, look like interesting maps. A bit a practise and you will start wipping up masterpieces. Only thing i would suggest is to play with textures a bit more and see which ones fit together the best. Also just be careful with scaling them. Otherwise good work :D

I'm just tired of hearing the "gameplay is everything" argument here.

Here's how it works:

Gameplay: 50%
Looks: 50%

And seriously, people wouldn't be interested in DoD or ANY new WW2 game if it looked like crap with blocky graphics, even though the gameplay would be totally awesome.

To sell your map, or rather, make it popular and downloaded a lot, you need a nice shell, and the contents will just follow. Without nice looks, you'll be losing a LOT of potential players, as harsh as it may sound.

Also, a lot of people play classic dod because its free.

I wouldn't apply a percentage basis to their value! :D But they both surely play a huge role.

We are emotional beings, constantly being pleasured or pained by stimulus. HDR, anti-aliasing, high detail models... textures ... and let's not forget about the amazing sound engine in dod:s - it all becomes part of the experience and adds to what we call "fun". To act as if we are "seeing past it" is pretentious and unrealistic.

Actually I still might put gameplay before aesthetics because I'd play DOD 1.3 before a new XBOX 360 game with <3<3<3<3 gameplay. But I'd still choose dod_donner over dod_stupidname any day.

The way I see it the really good maps don't exist if we fail to nurture our future mappers, and appreciate their efforts regardless whether it's a masterpiece or not. Constructive criticism is one thing, but it's beyond me why people get so upset over the little things.

Gents,

DOD:S is only a game, a gaming cyber world…

Just something to think about: If you go to a restaurant, would the food taste good? I guess you won’t know until you try it. Some would like it and some won’t. It doesn’t mean the most expensive and best looking food will always taste good. The restaurant tries their very best to serve you great food that you can enjoy… right? Would you have Macdonald’s everyday? Or you want try something different?

You have chooses over different brand of cars some people might like Toyota, BMW or GM cars, but some might not. Other people like trucks and some like little smart cars. Why? Its freedom of chooses…

DOD:S maps are the same… Here is gaming community we are having fun playing a game we love very much and the friendship is real. If everyone tries to contribute a little then we can make the community better.

Regards, Kurt