Sky-WARD!
created by CK CUJO

Gametype Supported: 2 Team KOTH TOWER OF POWER!
Recommended Players: 8-16

Primary Path

For a more thorough look into this game including a back-story of Tower of Power (for those who don't know) and a history of the progress of Sky-WARD! I urge you to read this blog. For a quicker run-down read on.

Sky-WARD! is meant to be played in the same manner that the original Tower of Power played on Halo 2's Ascension. Though many creative licenses have been taken advantage of, the same basic concepts still carry through. There are two ways to the top of the tower where the hill is located.

The front way or 'primary path' takes you up the main mancannons, past the turret, and straight to the hill. Though this path is much quicker, it's a sure way to be annihilated unless the turret is un-manned, or manned by your team. The back way or 'secondary path' mancannon takes you to the lowest platform of Sky-WARD! forcing players to fight their way up against shotgun-wielding enemies.

Secondary Path

I managed to remove honor rules in regards to players hoarding the turret and ramp-camping by constructing what I call the 'turret trap/ turret limbo':

'Turret Trap'

'After much work, I have devised a clever way to keep the turret where it should be with what I call ‘Turret Limbo’. The turret is contained in a special box aimed right at the primary path. Once a player enters the box past the air lift (keeping the player from entering up to the hill again) and past the shield door (preventing the player from asplody-ing the instantly respawning lift with the turret) they are ready to rain destruction on the primary path. The player is now enclosed in a box that is open towards the lift to allow turret fire. In front of the turret is a teleporter that serves two purposes. One, it keeps the gunner from getting close enough to the opening to drop the turret from or throw the turret out the window. Second, it allows for the return of the player to the hill.

How does the player return to the game without the turret? Simple. The teleporter takes the player to the limbo where they'll be forced to make a decision: Keep the turret and hope they'll make a successful jump to the 'turret trap return' (which won't happen)... or lose the turret to make a successful jump to the teleporter to rejoin their team mates in control of the hill. A very clever design, but also very simple.

'Turret Limbo'

(disclaimer: -I have not yet seen this done but I suppose with the thousands of forgers out there someone's thought of it before. So, props to you for thinking of it first, but props to me for never having known otherwise.)' --taken from my blog

The Basic Rules

The game starts. Both teams are separated by distance and are placed in front of their respective man cannons to the top, one team at the primary path, one at the secondary path. The starting spawn points are placed so both teams can reach the top of Skyward at the same time, thus allowing the first skirmish of the game to take place at the hill. Respawn points are placed strategically around the map, but mostly on the ground to ensure the constant travel via man cannons and constant scaling of Skyward. These spawn points will usually be found in groups so as to prevent any kind of camping but also allow you to respawn in very close proximity to backup.

Two additional man cannons on the ground allow for a speedier trip to the primary path, which puts more focus on the 'quick' way up. When players feel lucky, know their team mates are in control of the turret, or are able to get the invis found en-route to the primary path mancannon, it's the perfect setup for a team to regain control of the top. For those who are able to successfully travel the primary path, you will find a ‘safe-zone’ where you can wait for backup so you can drop down on those in control of the hill.

Hill time can differ based on your preference but the gametype ‘TOP SKY' is by default set to 250 seconds. Default weapons are shotguns, and there are no shields or other weapons.

-This map has undergone approx. 10 different versions while on my quest to make this game 'honor rules-less".
- I have another version of the map that doesn't use the teleporters you will find along the primary path. In place of these, I had yet another man cannon to launch players to the safe zone but I found that sometimes this was host/connection dependent. While 95% of the time players had no trouble, the other times they couldn't quite make the jump. So for the time being I replaced this cannon with a teleporter to insure a perfect jump. Expect a Sky-WARD! v.2 with this fixed soon.
-You may notice some slight differences in some of the pictures posted, and what you'll find in the map. The difference are mostly aesthetic but some were also to allow a better flow while traveling.
-I have more pics in my file share at Bungie.net and 3 clips so you can see the game in action
-I'm always looking for more feedback and people to play custom games with!

Have fun!

*note- there are several ways to several of the platforms, provided you know how air-lifts work, and know how to jump. Keep your eyes open!

gametype: TOP SKY
map: Sky-WARD!

Please comment!