SC2Mapster

Hey all.

My previous map file was found to be corrupted recently, but I haven't wasted any time getting started on a new project.

The current working title is "Ark", and the map takes place on an large tropical island, with the gameplay as a whole being a "Survival RPG" similar to "Island trolls tribes". There isn't much here now, but I'll post what I have. The first few shots are of what the island looks like as of yet, and the other shots show the general theme I am going for.

Make sure you check out the Workplace thread for additional info! http://forums.sc2mapster.com/resources/project-workplace/23248-ark-working-title-island-troll-tribes-remake/#p1

Heighting is 95% done!

The rough layout of the map is now pretty much hammered out. The rest will be mostly touch-ups as things go on.

Not much to comment on yet, but since you're working on a caribbean island, let me give you some applicable working music.

@Mozared: Go

Never played that game, but that music was awesome!

Anyway, I powered through the first island today. This will be a one of the starting islands for the two teams.

I think the texture work could use some touching up in some places, and there might be some minor work to be done, but this looks pretty much "finished" ;) atm.

I also just realized I think there are about 4-5 people, not including me, who are working on troll tribes remakes. I guess a little competition never hurt anyone, though.

Oops, didn't all fit! Here are the last few.

Any feedback/criticism is encouraged.

It won't let me edit my posts - I get a 404 page and picture of a kitten.

Here are two more shots of the map: the first is to illustrate the effects of scaling the trees up. This is to make them seem to loom over the character, making the island more "wild."

The other is a picture of the island with sunbeams. These weather doodads are mostly missing from the map at this point, and I'll add them in later.

One thing that bugged me while watching a video of Island troll tribes was that he ran around looking for lumber when there where trees everywhere so just keep gameplay in mind and not just the looks.

@SheogorathSC: Go

I heard the resource system was a bit of a pain overall. I'll try to overhaul that in a logical fashion ;)

It looks really nice hawkerhurricane! You've obviously spent a great deal of time making it look just right.

I'd personally like to see some waterfalls and pools of water in there tho, just to break up the green a bit.

-Debe

@Debe2233: Go

Your wish has been granted ;)

Also added in some wildlife to give people an idea of what it will look when it's done.

Perfect! :>

This looks great! I was thinking about making a troll tribes map after I finished my main project, but after seeing how many people are working on one atm, I think I'll try something else :P

@AnOddRadish: Go

I know :|

I think most are different though. I think most people are putting there on spin on the genre.

Alright, the second starting location is done. It may look close to the other, but the only way to get there is to take the loooooooong way around.

Might still need a touch-up in some places, as always.

My main issue with the terrain is that it looks a bit... generic? Sure most of it is great and all, but it lacks a bit of feeling. Every picture I enlarge gives me a feeling of "oh, it's an area of mountainous jungle on a tropical island". You've applied some variation through waterfalls, or those pure-rocky mountains, but overall... meh. It's a good basis, but it needs a bit of variation, really. Some focal points, maybe even a volcano in the centre (that can have timely eruptions for gameplay?)... Just something beyond "tropical jungle with trees, mountains, rocks and plants". This is the type of terrain that when I play it in-game, I have trouble distinguishing one part from another. I can't tell areas in the map apart.

Note that it's a bit thorough criticism though, overall you've done a great job - just trying to get it even better :)

@Mozared: Go

The volcano in the middle would actually make a lot of sense considering how most tropical islands are actually volcanoes...

@Mozared: Go

Well, I agree with you. And thanks for the compliment :) I was thinking of trying to incorporate some ruins into the terrain at various points, though I suppose that wouldn't help things too much. I like the volcano idea, I'm just worried about texturing. I currently have the following 8 textures:

Bel Shir Brush Bel Shir Grass Light Bel Shir Grass Dark Bel Shir Bricks Large Agria Dirt Xil Rock Cracked Xil Sand Xil Dirt Cracked.

I've used everything besides Bel Shir Bricks. Do you think it's possible to put a volcano together with one texture in place of Bel Shir Bricks with some doodad work?

Well, I've put a volcano together, but obviously there is still work left to do. I need to make sure I can integrate it into the terrain properly. Mozared, I think you're right - there were will be lots of ways to integrate this into gameplay. I was thinking maybe some rare minerals that can be harvested at a basin at the base of the volcano, with a periodic lava flooding.

I was also thinking of putting in small lava springs throughout, where the magma has bubbled to the surface.

Worked through the volcano a bit more.

Here are two pictures with/without rocks.

@hawkerhurricane: Go

Given your limited texture pallet, I would say that that's an excellent volcano.