http://www.bungie.net/forums/posts.aspx?h3fileid=24637483

"an architect should focus on three central themes when preparing a design: firmitas (strength), utilitas (functionality), and venustas (beauty)."?

- Vitruvius, Roman architect, author of The Ten Books on Architecture

Final build is posted!! The links above and below will take you to the new thread at Bungie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR-ocL8TWjU

Here's a slideshow of everything if you want to skip the wall of text.

The problem with Foundry is that a majority of the maps made, even though they may be great, begin to all run together in the same "boxes and bridges" fashion and fall by the wayside. The challenge was not only to create something that could stand out and grab the eye, but to also create a map that could support a variety of gametypes and be continually playable. In short, something that would make one think, "Wow, I totally want to kill someone there. A lot.".

I built the map as symmetrically as possible, with a hovering platform for each side (A=Attackers, B=Defenders) and another in the neutral center that is only accessible from a mancannon elevator. All of Foundry has been utilized, so the entire map is playable, but with parts only available to you for a limited time (I'll come back to that). I tried not to overclutter things with excess scenery; instead I wanted to let the more unique designs stand out a little more and also serve as an orientation device.

Notice how I said hovering in that last paragraph. Now, at first glance, a lot of you are probably saying, "Great, shield doors. I hate shield doors."? Don't worry, I have a love/hate relationship with them too. But I love the way they look, and I thought of a way to incorporate them so they become more an overall part of the architecture rather than just a camping device. I wanted to use them in a way that would create an image of the platforms hovering above the ground and give some depth to the standard "floating base". And although the teleporter is necessary for the third octagonal platform, I threw a second one in to help give the sense that the larger green glow was actually generating lift.

On the ground, the center V-shaped "hallway" was just an idea that came to me during the countless hours I put into the making of Vitruvian. Just above it is where the Overshield spawns 90 seconds into the game, and this "hallway" gives you a little bit of cover from the hovering platforms when moving to and from the rear section of the map. On either side of this, there are small mini-bases? that reflect the layout of the window panels on their directly overhead hovering platforms. The center part of each is raised to either jump on or to crouch under, and there are weapons on each that encourage this. Moving outward from there towards the outer walls of Foundry, I added some limited cover that can lead you to the back of the map. This rear section is where the Defender base will be located for all asymmetric games (the Attacker base always stays the same). The bottom portion allows for some stealth-based maneuvering, and taking the stairs to the open second level will let you access the hovering platforms. The third level looks seemingly inaccessible, but believe me it is. Since the Rocket Launcher and the Active Camo/Energy Sword can be acquired from here, I didn't want to make it too easy.

I also created a timed event that includes the only vehicles on the map, the Mongoose (there are two). They are located in the side rooms of both main bases, but you only have 20 seconds to get them out into the playing field before the main opening is closed off. In response to some of the play-testing done (someone got trapped in there and couldn't commit suicide), I've allowed an extra 10 seconds to get yourself out through the side tunnel door before the room is closed off for the rest of the game/round. Bottom line, just don't hang around in there or else you'll be really, really mad. For asymmetric games, only the B-side Mongoose is available, so it's more of a race against time to get there. I did this so the Attacker wouldn't have too much of an advantage over the Defenders at the rear of the map.

As I said before, I made Vitruvian to be playable for almost all of Bungie's default gametypes: Slayer, CTF, KOTH, Oddball, Juggernaut, Assault, Territories, and Infection. For the symmetrical CTF games, the flag does not spawn at your base. Both the spawn and return points are located on the hovering bases that are accessible by the ramps. I did this to create more of a sense of urgency that I've felt has lacked, as I'm a player who likes to protect the flag. For One Flag, the flag spawns on the second level of the Defender base at the rear of the map, and the return point is located in the Attacker base. Assault has a similar layout, but the bombs spawn in the A and B bases. For Neutral Assault, the bomb spawns near the center of the map. With Territories, I set up the areas in a parallel linear fashion from each base, with the final area in the center.

For all of the symmetric games, the entire map and its weapons are at your disposal. With the asymmetric games, aside from the different Mongoose spawn, the shotgun and flame grenades will be unavailable to the Attackers in their base, so if you really want them you'll have to take the long way around to the other side (the tunnel is sectioned off).

Sorry for the wall of text, but I hope this at least gives you an idea of the level of detail and planning that went into the creation of Vitruvian. This started out as a map that I completely hated and called in question whether or not I should even continue Forging into something I'm very proud of and has been a real labor of love. If you enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed making it, I'll be a happy squid. Many thanks and all feedback and constructive criticism is much appreciated.

Download Vitruvian here!!!

Click HERE to read what's been updated.