OCTOPLEXITY
by OctoDeath

This is my map Octoplexity. It is a symmetrical map designed for all gametypes, but I feel that it currently works best as a FFA or Team Slayer map. As of now the map isn’t completely finished, support still needs to be added for CTF, Assault, etc.
I’m posting this now with the aim of gathering feedback on the overall design of the map, how it plays and to see what suggestions for improvement I receive. The map uses all of Foundry, including the two bases. Forging techniques I’ve used are Save & Exit, Interlocking and a little Geo-merging.

I am quite proud of this map, I feel it offers some fresh and exciting gameplay and has some interesting features. Below is an outline of the map and then a more detailed look using screenshots.

Put simply upon first spawning there appears to be two routes around the map from behind each base. Take the lower open box and be led around the outside of the map to the rear, or take the stairs up to the top box across the bridge and into the centre of the map.

Once inside the centre of the map the player has access to the two lower rooms, the overshield, they can take the higher walkway up to the Spartan laser and can drop down to the bottom of the rear structure. Players who take the lower box route around the map join the arena from the back, and have access to the lower rooms as well as the rest of the map.

The centre has a number of ways in, out and around which also includes the map's teleportation grid

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Overview of the base walls, the open boxes that lead into the map, the bridges and the top walkway

This is the central arena of the map. Behind the shield doors is a room containing a sniper rifle and a doorway that leads towards the back of the map.

Here is the route described as if you take the lower exit from behind the base. The player goes up the stairs into the U-bend corridor, is exposed to fire in the fence box and then is led out the other side to the back of the map.

Behind the fusion coils in the above picture is the room containing the sniper. This room (below) will also contain each team's flag and bomb. To score the flag/bomb must be carried to the capture point behind the base wall

To protect yourself from harm when running through the fence box why not use a handy regenerator?

One of my favourite things in Foundry is the ability to shoot through fence walls and boxes. Amazing!

Here's a quick run through of weapons & equipment:

Assault Rifle x4
Battle Rifle x 6 (Run time max 8)
SMG x4 (2 pairs)
Plasma Rifle x2 (1 pair)
Spikers x2 (1 pair)
Magnum x2
Needler x2
Sniper Rifle x2
Spartan Laser x1
Shotgun x1
Energy Sword x 1
Plasma Grenades x6
Frag Grenades x6
Overshield x1
Powerdrain x1
Regenerator x2

Weapon respawn times seem about right after playtesting. The sword and shotgun are there to counter one another. I chose to include the Laser instead of Rockets as I consider laser kills to require a little more skill (plus it's possible to shoot through fences).

I have listened to what people have said about grenade placement and I think that they're placed really well.

One thing I'd like to add is the map's sightlines and cover. There are a number of spots where it's possible to see and shoot from one end of the map to the other, but not necessarily able for the player to walk from one end to the other. I like this dynamic. For example:

There a few things I keep in mind when forging a map. I want it to be aesthetically pleasing, and therefore techniques such as interlocking are important, but I also want it to play well. The Foundry palette isn’t the most pleasing to look at, so what I’m interested in is creating a space that suits the environment, one that looks like it fits in with the look of that giant warehouse. I hope I have created a map that does this.

Octoplexity is a complete rework of a map I posted to these forums back in January. The map was Complex 09A – Sidelonged, it was an asymmetrical map, it had many of the features that Octoplexity now has but had many flaws, (no interlocking for starters). I hope that you guys enjoy what I’ve been working on these past couple of months. I look forward to reading your feedback.

Remember this is a work in progress, let me know what you think, and I'll get a version 2 posted as soon as I can!

Just one last thing, I've negated to mention the teleport system that the map uses. It's hard to explain how it works and it's even harder to take screenshots of how it works. A teleporter lives behind each bases, give them a try, and please let me know what you think!

DOWNLOAD OCTOPLEXITY HERE

For anyone interested enough to compare, my original map (Complex 09A - Sidelonged) is here