Developer Journal: Crazycarl
Posted 1 decade ago Level Optimization / Clean Up
Well, now that 2.1 is wrapped up, we're already thinking about the next patch. And the next one, and the next one...
I used to hate collaborating or fixing other people's maps. I'm kind of particular about mapping, so when I look at a map file and something's not the way I like, I have to fix it. But since joining FF, working on other people's levels is a big part of what I'm doing. Maybe it's the fun of getting to play with the official levels, or learning from the techniques of the skilled mappers that worked in FF before, but I'd rather do that than build my own maps.
In 2.1 my main project was Dustbowl and the HDR update. Now I'm taking on ff_palermo. The number one complaint on that map is the extreme yellow lighting. So changing that was the first task. Once you change the sunlight, sky and fog to something more appropriate, the difference is pretty striking.
Once I have a map open I can never change just one thing, so I went through to change whatever architecture I didn't like. There are some changes to textures and geometry, and I even made a few new models to add detail to the level.
But it's not just aesthetic changes. Every map has a list of bugs and improvements that people want, so I considered each one. For example, all the beta testers complained that defenders spawn too far from the point they are trying to defend, so I moved those spawn points up a bit. I think it's hard to tell exactly what effect such a change will have on the balance of a map, so I'll submit it for a beta test and see what happens!
Discuss on the forums → View all developer journals I used to hate collaborating or fixing other people's maps. I'm kind of particular about mapping, so when I look at a map file and something's not the way I like, I have to fix it. But since joining FF, working on other people's levels is a big part of what I'm doing. Maybe it's the fun of getting to play with the official levels, or learning from the techniques of the skilled mappers that worked in FF before, but I'd rather do that than build my own maps.
In 2.1 my main project was Dustbowl and the HDR update. Now I'm taking on ff_palermo. The number one complaint on that map is the extreme yellow lighting. So changing that was the first task. Once you change the sunlight, sky and fog to something more appropriate, the difference is pretty striking.
Once I have a map open I can never change just one thing, so I went through to change whatever architecture I didn't like. There are some changes to textures and geometry, and I even made a few new models to add detail to the level.
But it's not just aesthetic changes. Every map has a list of bugs and improvements that people want, so I considered each one. For example, all the beta testers complained that defenders spawn too far from the point they are trying to defend, so I moved those spawn points up a bit. I think it's hard to tell exactly what effect such a change will have on the balance of a map, so I'll submit it for a beta test and see what happens!