Default CTF maps

So, @Geti has asked for suggestions for new maps to add to the default CTF map cycle. He's also like feedback on any current maps that need changing/removing.

If you know of a good map, post it and I'll add it to the list for review.

If there's a particular map that doesn't work/needs fixing name it (maps & names can be found in KAG/Base/Maps/CTF/Community), tell us why it doesn't work/needs fixing, and I'll add it to the list for review.

Please try to keep talk focused on specific maps & their design-- if you want to discuss general aspects of CTF map design please do that here.
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Suggested maps for the default cycle:

• Fell's ValleyMap
• Skinney's Typhoon
  
• Skinney's Crypt

Feedback on maps in need of fixing/removal:

• Spoiler: MillenniumBell

  
• Spoiler: Snatchmark

  
• Spoiler: Tresflags

  
• Spoiler: KoujiMap

  
• Spoiler: EjMap

  
• Spoiler: MonsteriCTF1

  
• Spoiler: MonsteriCTF2

  
• Spoiler: Rayne_Liquidate

  

 

I currently have two CTF maps posted in the Resources section that I would like to see reviewed.

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Resource
Download

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Resource
Download

Feedback​

Everything I type here is my personal opinion, this opinion is not meant to be an attack against the person or persons whose maps I am reviewing and providing feedback on.

Official​

Spoiler: MillenniumBell - feedback

A particularly fun map that could be even more enjoyable with a few changes.

​

Pros

Intersecting terrain levels allow for unique strategies to be employed.
Balanced amount of gold and trees for map size.
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Lack of stone, especially at the start of the game leaves flags exposed from the get go.
Lack of bedrock, elevated terrain can be completely removed making long games frustrating.
Uppermost elevated terrain makes bomb jumping and catapults far too powerful.
Tent too close to edge of map, the map's width could be increased to include more stone and trees without shrinking the combat area.​

Spoiler: Snatchmark - feedback

My favorite CTF map so far, my only complaint is the excessive amount of resources.​

​

Pros

Very balanced even with the asymmetrical terrain.
Good visual cues for where most resources are located.​

Cons

Overabundance of stone.​

Spoiler: Tresflags - feedback

Particularly enjoyable as an archer.

​

Pros

Good flag placement, requires builders to work together to cover them all.
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Lack of stone.
Lack of trees in starting zone, could use at-least 1 more.
Could use at-least 10 more blocks of sky.
Water is mostly ignored due to the elevated terrain above it​

Community​

Spoiler: KoujiMap - feedback

Out of all the CTF maps, even the kag generated maps I dislike this one the most. I would like to see it either massively reworked or removed.

​

Pros

None off the top of my head.​

Cons

Flag placement allows teams to bury flags making them nearly impossible to reach.
Overabundance of stone.
Overabundance of trees and lack of spacing between them.
Bison are a nuisance at best.
Water is mostly ignored due to the elevated terrain above it and the ridiculous amount of sharks.
Platform blocks that I can only assume were meant to be gold.​

Spoiler: EjMap - feedback

A very solid and unique layout that is plagued by random resource and bedrock distribution.

​

Pros

Unique map layout
Solid flag placement and layout​

Cons

Too much noise with resource distribution makes gathering more of a nuisance than it should be.
Bedrock is too randomly placed, it should direct the flow of where builders dig.
Random placement of underground water hinders digging and adds to the frustration of gathering resources.
Excessive amounts of gold doesn't reward teams for taking key points on the map.
Tents not placed on solid ground and too close to edge of map.​

Spoiler: MonsteriCTF1 - feedback

An absolutely fantastic map, this would be my favorite if not for a few shortcomings.

​

Pros

Simple layout allows for easy navigation
Solid flag placement and layout
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Excessive gold available in build area
Lack of bedrock near the first flag and water allows for almost impregnable fortresses.​

Spoiler: MonsteriCTF2 - feedback

Annother fantastic map from Monsteri, my cons are only minor changes to boost player flow.

​

Pros

Simple layout allows for easy navigation
Solid flag placement and layout
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Excessive gold available in build area
Tree's near first flag should be spread out and moved, they look out of place and hinder initial construction.
Bedrock on either side of the central lake should allow for tunneling to counter waterside towers.​

Spoiler: Rayne_Liquidate - feedback

An interesting concept for a map but one that I deplore playing. I would like to see this map extensively reworked or removed entirely.

​

Pros

Unique terrain​

Cons

Random smattering of resources with a complete lack of heavy stone.
Tent is far too close to the edge of the map
Excessive use of water without the bedrock to keep it contained or the space needed for naval warfare.
Terrain that is difficult to navigate especially in the middle.
Starting castle is an empty shell that is difficult to adapt into a working bastion, could use major improvements to layout.
Underground widely ignored due to ease of flooding (lack of bedrock) and no notable tactical or strategic advantage.​

This post will be edited to include feedback on other maps.​

 

Worthwhile suggestion, Contra. For all your discussing needs, please see here: https://forum.kag2d.com/threads/what-makes-a-good-ctf-map-discussion.16428/

{edit}
Also added link to OP.

 

A couple more reviews for maps currently in the default cycle.

Community​

Spoiler: EjMap - feedback

A very solid and unique layout that is plagued by random resource and bedrock distribution.

​

Pros

Unique map layout
Solid flag placement and layout​

Cons

Too much noise with resource distribution makes gathering more of a nuisance than it should be.
Bedrock is too randomly placed, it should direct the flow of where builders dig.
Random placement of underground water hinders digging and adds to the frustration of gathering resources.
Excessive amounts of gold doesn't reward teams for taking key points on the map.
Tents not placed on solid ground and too close to edge of map.​

Spoiler: MonsteriCTF1 - feedback

An absolutely fantastic map, this would be my favorite if not for a few shortcomings.

​

Pros

Simple layout allows for easy navigation
Solid flag placement and layout
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Excessive gold available in build area
Lack of bedrock near the first flag and water allows for almost impregnable fortresses.​

 

Thank you very much, Skinney. :)

Anyone else got any thoughts/criticisms to offer?

 

You're welcome, I wish more people would post their criticisms and concerns. I hear enough complaints about maps in game, I find it odd how so few people will take that vocal opinion and move it onto the forums where it can be constructive.

Community​

Spoiler: MonsteriCTF2 - feedback

Annother fantastic map from Monsteri, my cons are only minor changes to boost player flow.

​

Pros

Simple layout allows for easy navigation
Solid flag placement and layout
Good visual cues for where resources are located.​

Cons

Excessive gold available in build area
Tree's near first flag should be spread out and moved, they look out of place and hinder initial construction.
Bedrock on either side of the central lake should allow for tunneling to counter waterside towers.​

Spoiler: Rayne_Liquidate - feedback

An interesting concept for a map but one that I deplore playing. I would like to see this map extensively reworked or removed entirely.

​

Pros

Unique terrain​

Cons

Random smattering of resources with a complete lack of heavy stone.
Tent is far too close to the edge of the map
Excessive use of water without the bedrock to keep it contained or the space needed for naval warfare.
Terrain that is difficult to navigate especially in the middle.
Starting castle is an empty shell that is difficult to adapt into a working bastion, could use major improvements to layout.
Underground widely ignored due to ease of flooding (lack of bedrock) and no notable tactical or strategic advantage.​

--- Double Post Merged, Oct 7, 2013, Original Post Date: Oct 6, 2013 ---

The more I play the more I think KAG would benefit from a no-build zone at the top of the map that would extend down X pixels. I think this would limit player interaction with the black area(the top of the map where blocks get bugged out and sprites get overlayed with solid black).

 

Just as a reminder, please keep all discussion of maps (as opposed to feedback on particular maps) here. Ta. :)

 

Since this is like the only map I actually like, I thought I might let you guys critique.

https://forum.kag2d.com/threads/catigernus-ctf.16451/
The images for the map, etc are on the thread. (Posted in resources.)

~~~

Spoiler: Critique.

https://forum.kag2d.com/attachments/gurin0-png.28212/
A fun challenging CTF map with one flag per team, lots of stone on bottom of map, and a tonne of trees. ;)
Pros:

1. Easy Navigation
2. Shows where mats can be found.
3. Middle can be taken, but very hard to hold the point.
4. Not "capture middle 2 win", type of map.
5. Balanced terrain.
6. Flat terrain for 1v1.

Cons:

1. People can easily cover the flag with stone.
2. Camp at flag. ~ (I mean by building a fort in the little mountain at the spawn(s).

(Can't think of more off the top of my head)

ToDo:
I might be updating my map. ~ Change the mountains at spawn a little. So people can't so easily bury the flag. (May change tent position.)
Also, decrease the amount of trees.

UPDATED:: https://forum.kag2d.com/resources/catigernus-ctf.41/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
https://forum.kag2d.com/resources/ctf-drifter.30/
Would like another to be critiqued'. (It's good for feedback, etc.)

A two-flag-per-team CTF. With floating either side, and a collapse ancient temple in the centre.

Spoiler: Critique

Pros:

1. Flat areas for 1v1
2. Tunnelling starters in the temple.
3. Water for drill cooldown(s)
4. Alot of stone for long games.

Cons:

1. Alot of stone (minecrafters, i suppose.)
2. Can't think of more off the top of my head. (Atm).

Updates/toDo: may be fixing the temple a little. Fix 'thick stone' placement to look a more satisfying.
Maybe put a solid block under-neath the tents.

~
Cheers.

 

Each block of gold represents 20 gold, you have 16 blocks (320 gold) that are easily accessible, 15 blocks (300 gold) that take a little more effort and 4 blocks (80 gold) that are a waste of time. Combine all of these values and you have a total of 700 gold available just in the build area at the start of the game. Now I agree that Catapults, Ballistas, Warboats and Tunnels are key in these larger maps to win however they should not be so easily accessible from the get go. How gold is distributed in this map, teams don't have to make any choices regarding what shops they start with due to the supply of the resource. Not to mention there is little strategic advantage to securing additional gold available in the center of the map.

Regarding resource decay and other CTF issues you can discuss them here!

 

I changed my CTF map (https://forum.kag2d.com/resources/ctf-cantice.55/), didn't know where to post it before updating the resource.

feedback will be appreciated