Community Cartographers Forge Contest Results

Community General Discussion
1

The Official Community Cartographers Forge Contest Results Thread

Homeboyd903 writes:

Welcome Forgers! The time has come to join us in celebrating our top 3 finalists from The Community Cartographers Forge Contest. In an effort to spread some additional love to our 2nd and 3rd place finalists, we’d like to share a few words directly from the map makers themselves. If you haven’t already checked out the full announcement in today’s Halo Bulletin, which includes a special feature with our Grand Prize winner, Lethal Exactor.

The Second Place Finalist - Q&A
Cedar Hill - By umd z

> Q1) What was the inspiration for Cedar Hill and its name?
>
> The inspiration was from putting pieces together and seeing what worked or not. For the name, I got it from a cemetary lol yes creepy…
>
> Q2) Why did you choose Multi-Flag CTF and Neutral Bomb as the best for your map?
>
> I picked neutral bomb and multi-flag becuase they play well and everyone enjoys those gametypes the most.
>
> Q3) Did you run into any difficulties during your map’s development? If so, briefly describe them.
>
> Oh yeah I did lol… I had to change my entire map deciding which objects to choose. Also, I lost my Internet connection the day I had to submit the map.
>
> Q4) If you had unlimited control of your map in the future (graphics and all) what would you do with it? What would it look and feel like?
>
> If I had unlimited control over graphics I would make it look more like a default Bungie/343 map (e.g. Tempest, Condemned, Anchor 9) and less forged.
>
> Q5) Tough question, but what would you change about your map if you were to re-create it? Phrased another way, what do you dislike the most about your map and how would you fix it?
>
> This is a really tough question. I love how my map looks, but near the sword spawn I wish I had made it with more space to avoid death traps.
>
> Q6) In your opinion, what would you say the most important aspect of level/map design is?
>
> For me the most important aspect of a map is that it has to be balanced and fun.
>
> Q7) If you could add a feature to forge what would it be and why?
>
> I would add a flat donut shaped object because it’s simple and easy to forge with.
>
> Q8) Is there anything you are looking forward to in Halo 4 from the information that we’ve been given so far?
>
> At first I wasn’t sure about Halo 4 because it was turning into Call of Duty but since 343 has been releasing more info I’m at the point where “I must play it now” lol
>
> Q9) Any tips for forgers out there reading this interview?
>
> Yeah take advice from people and don’t get frustrated.
>
> Q10) Is there anyone you would like to thank for the success of Cedar Hill?
>
> I would like to thank TuffJuice, JPeloquin218, AgentPaperCraft, Godzneighbor, all the play testers, and Obi Wan Stevobi <3

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The Third Place Finalist - Q&A
Timberline - By Eshcka

> Q1) What was the inspiration for Timberline and its name?
>
> My inspiration I believe was Halo 2’s Sanctuary. That was my all time favorite Halo map for many reasons. The simple structures, yet complex and elegant design had me playing on that map for hours. I wanted to design a map that had a similar feel to it, but of course make it bigger.
> For the name I wanted something simple that accurately described the map’s characteristics. I believe Timberline does that pretty well. The map is built near the boundary of Forgewold, where the trees become thicker. So that is how I picked the name.
>
> Q2) Why did you choose Multi-Flag CTF and King of the Hill as the best for your map?
>
> Those gametypes are classic favorites, most people (if in their right mind) enjoy playing them from time to time. I just wanted to pick something that people are familiar with, and enjoy playing.
>
> Q3) Did you run into any difficulties during your map’s development? If so, briefly describe them.
>
> Difficulties? Oh yes. Timberline is only the second real map I’ve made (other than mini game maps and infection maps), so their were all kinds of bumps in the road. My biggest obstacle was the center structure. I rebuilt it five or six times at least. It was, at first, a very large, three story tower that of course dominated the map. So every time I rebuilt it, I kept downsizing it.
> Weapon layout was difficult, mostly because I have had very little experience in that field. Every time I edited the map, I changed the weapon layout, until I found something that felt good.
>
> Q4) If you had unlimited control of your map in the future (graphics and all) what would you do with it? What would it look and feel like?
>
> I would want it to look similar to the second mission of Halo: CE Anniversary, “Halo” as far as the structures and landscape go, but older and overgrown, with a small stream and waterfall off the side of a cliff on one side, large boulders in strategic locations. I would want it to have a very classic and familiar feel, yet full of mistery.
>
> Q5) Tough question, but what would you change about your map if you were to re-create it? Phrased another way, what do you dislike the most about your map and how would you fix it?
>
> Well, the ground level is a little too cramped for smooth vehicle combat, and the pathways aren’t defined as well as they should be. I had to build my map around the terrine, and just try to do the best with what I had.
> The rocks made it difficult. I wanted to build the man cannon landing in front of the bases a bit bigger and easier to navigate, but I couldn’t move the rocks, so I used them. You still go from point A. to point B. when you need to. I would have built the bases a bit bigger and with more variation, but I was trying to keep my object count to a minimum.
> I would also rebuild my map where the terrine is more flat, and symmetrical, if there was such a place.
>
> Q6) In your opinion, what would you say the most important aspect of level/map design is?
>
> How would you decide which is the most important? Every aspect of level design fits together like a puzzle, if you’re missing one piece, it is incomplete. But if I had to choose one, I would say orientation. You have to know where you are, and where you need to go. But making your map with things people can quickly orient themselves with is very difficult when all the objects look the same.
>
> Q7) If you could add a feature to forge what would it be and why?
>
> If I could add a feature to Forge, it would be the ability to drag, rotate, and delete multiple objects, or groups of objects at once. There have been times when I have to move a structure a few feet, and I spend hours moving each object at a time. This feature would coop well with the “duplicate” feature in Halo 4, you could build half of a map, copy that have, rotate it 180 degrees, place it, and you have a complete, perfectly symmetrical map in half the time it would take normally.
>
> Q8) Is there anything you are looking forward to in Halo 4 from the information that we’ve been given so far?
>
> Real-time lighting for forge! Well and everything else to, but real-time lighting is very exciting to me.
>
> Q9) Any tips for forgers out there reading this interview?
>
> My tip for new forgers. Do not let the difficult objects of Forgeworld’s palette force you to build you’re maps differently than you envision. Every object can be turned over for a different shape and look. You can use just the tip of an object through a wall or floor for a jump or cover. You don’t have to use the whole object, and nothing but that object to make your map look and play better.
> Don’t be afraid to try new things. And if at first you don’t succeed, flip it upside down and try again.
>
> Q10) Is there anyone you would like to thank for the success of Timberline?
>
> I would like to thank A bLaM HoLe, and A Haunted Army for all of their help and advice, and all of the people I dragged through hours of relentless testing. I would have given up a long time ago without you guys to keep me motivated.

Thanks gentlemen!

Be sure to stop by and check out the winner’s maps yourselves!

3

I really thought my map had a descent chance. It was unique.

Oh well. Congratulations to the winners.

4

Congrats to all the winners! I’m pretty satisfied with them myself.

5

It was a long, but fun ride folks. A great congratz to the winners of the contest. :wink: Feel free to congratulate each one of them while we stop by and drop codes for things for you guys to enjoy.

Oh hey… look what I found:

7CJDH-Y994C-KCQPX-TG933-DJHDZ (Energy Sword Avatar Prop)

6

> It was a long, but fun ride folks. A great congratz to the winners of the contest. :wink: Feel free to congratulate each one of them while we stop by and drop codes for things for you guys to enjoy.
>
> Oh hey… look what I found:
>
> 7CJDH-Y994C-KCQPX-TG933-DJHDZ (Energy Sword Avatar Prop)

Woo-hoo!

7

Congratulations Lethal Exactor! I had a blast when we tested your map, I’m glad they know a great map when they see one!

And congratulations umd z! I never got a chance to play your map, but I can now! :slight_smile:

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Congratulations to all of the winners, especially Lethal for winning Grand Prize. I’m just glad that I could be a small part of the testing process with so many other creative and talented forgers!! It’s Nice to see that a fellow Blueprint Member was the Grand Prize winner after all, and Thanks for mentioning and representing all of us man!

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crossdraught? really? that map had a lot of issues from the start that never got ironed out propery and the object use was bad, doesn’t evens upport single without FPS and never played well, -_-

the other 2 were good choices though.

10

So I heard you guys like codes so I haz a female suit for those who don’t mind Avatar cross dressing. :wink:

6WGGD-6K7GT-K8XPP-JT8XJ-PYC9M (Female Master Chief Avatar Armor)

11

Congratulations to the winners!

A very special shout out to the Active Community Cartographers who worked so long and and so hard for the community to get maps into MM and this contest.

12

Congratulations mates :smiley:

13

> Congratulations to the winners!
>
> A very special shout out to the Active Community Cartographers who worked so long and and so hard for the community to get maps into MM and this contest.

Ditto! Also congrats to the winners.

14

congrats to Lethal Exactor for first place and congrats to Eshcka for third place. oh also thanks to all the cartographers :slight_smile:

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Shall we celebrate with some pink needles? Their like Popsicles I hear.

V4YRG-7TFCG-C9TTP-DJDDD-DT9RZ (Needler Avatar Prop)

And don’t thank us… thank you for the content you guys create for matchmaking to better the experience of all. It isn’t about the personal glory, it is about the improvement of the community experience as a whole.

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> S
>
> V4YRG-7TFCG-C9TTP-DJDDD-DT9RZ (Needler Avatar Prop)

this shall go nicely with meh red spartan helmet, thanks :wink:

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Congratulations to the winners! The choices definitely were not easy but these three truly were the cream of the crop. It has been a pleasure working with all of you active Forgers that give us purpose and motivation to continue doing what we are so privileged to do with the Community Cartographers program. We’ll keep a close eye on the winners and the others that really stood out. Keep checking back with this thread from time to time as we want to continue to show you guys how much we appreciate all the work you put into these kick–Yoink- maps.

Thanks

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> Congratulations to the winners! The choices definitely were not easy but these three truly were the cream of the crop. It has been a pleasure working with all of you active Forgers that give us purpose and motivation to continue doing what we are so privileged to do with the Community Cartographers program. We’ll keep a close eye on the winners and the others that really stood out. Keep checking back with this thread from time to time as we want to continue to show you guys how much we appreciate all the work you put into these kick–Yoink!- maps.
>
> Thanks

thats a joke right? 2 out of the 3 winners didn’t even fit the criteria and one of those people had help from the CCS giving him inside information on what you guys were looking for which is an unfair advantage.

… yes, i’m dissapointed.

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Congratulations to the winners! Great contest and great prizes, Community Cartographers! Hopefully we get to see a few more community maps put into Halo: Reach Matchmaking before Halo 4.

20

Congratulations Lethal Exactor, umd z, and Eshcka!

Hopefully we can have another great contest with Halo 4. And maybe not so late in it’s life :slight_smile: (Not too early though either) I’m looking forward to what everyone can come up with in forge 3.0