What do you think about linear maps?

[CaptRio]

I was wondering what do you guys think about linear maps....

I think they're great, especially with "only" 32 players and an engine that allows the game to have huge maps!

They concentrate the players making the firefights longer and much more intense.

I'd like to know also, from the map makers what are their plans to the near future.

 

[Shortstack]

Hmm I think in public play more linear maps could really add to the intensity.

 

[SasQuatch]

I was wondering what do you guys think about linear maps....

I think they're great, especially with "only" 32 players and an engine that allows the game to have huge maps!

They concentrate the players making the firefights longer and much more intense.

I'd like to know also, from the map makers what are their plans to the near future.

The linear maps are a proven design for this game type, so we will defenitely have some more of these in future level designs. So yeah, I like them as well, especially in a mix with other designs.

 

[[CoFR]BeerHunter]

One of the things I disliked about DoD was it's overabundance of linear maps.

They leave so little to the imagination and no tactics are involved. Just a massive DM game. HEllishly worse if FF=OFF

I see from the voting there ae quit a few in favour of these things. Suppose that's the price of popularity and th migration from these types of games.

Ah well , can always just leave the server when they come up (what I did with Avalanch and Anzio in DoD) or better still , if I had my own server I could just simply pull them from rotation.

 

[DudeWheresMyTank]

One of the things I disliked about DoD was it's overabundance of linear maps.

They leave so little to the imagination and no tactics are involved. Just a massive DM game. HEllishly worse if FF=OFF

I see from the voting there ae quit a few in favour of these things. Suppose that's the price of popularity and th migration from these types of games.

Ah well , can always just leave the server when they come up (what I did with Avalanch and Anzio in DoD) or better still , if I had my own server I could just simply pull them from rotation.

just curious, you want to explain why you consider anzio a "linear" map? there are so many opporunities to flank and you can take objectives in any order.

an argument can be made for avalance since it's so damn hard usually to cap the last objective, but anzio is not linear by any definition

 

[DirtyRat]

conquest gametype and linear gameplay always go well, defo my preferred map type

 

[Yoshiro]

Personally I like a good mix. It is all about options, but not to many options (ask epic about this one)

 

[[CoFR]BeerHunter]

just curious, you want to explain why you consider anzio a "linear" map? there are so many opporunities to flank and you can take objectives in any order.

an argument can be made for avalance since it's so damn hard usually to cap the last objective, but anzio is not linear by any definition

Anzio : each side has 2 exits from their spawn then head either to the bridge (out of Axis spawn) or to the court yard (Allied spawn). Quit easy to choke these areas and very predictable.

But , in giving it more thought , did the original poster by "lineal" mean objects have to be taken in a specific order but can be attacked from any angle (I like) or simply that to take an objective there is only one or two routes that can be followed (is in DoD Caen , Anzio , Avalanch etc.) which is what I really don't care that much for.

 

[[TW]DrGuppy]

I have to agree with SasQuatch. For 32 players max linear maps (Odessa, Konigs, Baskova) work really well because they concentrate the fighting and never make you feel alone or lost. Keep in mind that linear maps don't have to mean just one route to the objective! On KonigsPlatz for example the map is spread out enough that you can flank the enemy but the capzones are still in a perfectly straight line.

I'd like to know also, from the map makers what are their plans to the near future.

I'm currently working on a linear combined arms map called RO-LeningradStreets. All the fighting occurs along one main road (Nevsky Prospect, 6 lanes wide) with quite a few enterable buildings on each side. To cut down on the linear feel of the map while still keeping the fighting concentrated I have my objectives in a zig-zag pattern that forces players to constantly cross the street. Additionally the objectives are on different height levels (roof, basements, 3rd floor, etc.) to keep things fresh. I'm hoping to start a new thread with screenshots and a big description in the Level Design forum this weekend, stay tuned.

 

[CaptRio]

I'm currently working on a linear combined arms map called RO-LeningradStreets. All the fighting occurs along one main road (Nevsky Prospect, 6 lanes wide) with quite a few enterable buildings on each side. To cut down on the linear feel of the map while still keeping the fighting concentrated I have my objectives in a zig-zag pattern that forces players to constantly cross the street. Additionally the objectives are on different height levels (roof, basements, 3rd floor, etc.) to keep things fresh. I'm hoping to start a new thread with screenshots and a big description in the Level Design forum this weekend, stay tuned.

Wow! Sounds great mate!! Cant wait to see the first screenshots

 

[Jet Black]

Non-linear maps can really hurt some games. Battlefield 1942 / Vietnam are prime examples. When your team is obviously clicking, and you push your way to the enemy's front door, how does it seem to make sense that a single player sneaking around back should be able to capture points 'behind' your line of attack?

Now of course having some freedom to do things is important for variety, but having the fighting strictly on the 'front' makes it more entertaining and keeps everyone in the same place, rather than spread out across a map too thinly.

 

[Tak]

A) Not enough options. They're fun for what they are (meatgrinders! ) and I rarely turn one down, BUT, there has to be a mix. Like Yoshi said, it's all about options.

B) That sounds like a great concept DrGuppy, and wish you the best of luck with it. Can't wait to see it!
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[Piron]

Depends how you define 'linear'. If linear means maps like K

 

[gonzman]

The problem with DoD, more so DoD-Source is that all the maps are practically laid out in the same way, One main bending road to objectives, and one or two paths flanking around the center flag. Booooring.

 

[gunho]

The great thing about ro's maps they are linear maps but dont feel like them since there big and spaced out with freedom in the linear paths.

 

[myzko]

?? There are good linear maps and sucky ones.. ?!?!!?!?

 

[Heinz]

non-linear, like the new Orel tank map. brilliance.

 

[{Cap-Down}]

I'm currently working on a linear combined arms map called RO-LeningradStreets. All the fighting occurs along one main road (Nevsky Prospect, 6 lanes wide) with quite a few enterable buildings on each side. To cut down on the linear feel of the map while still keeping the fighting concentrated I have my objectives in a zig-zag pattern that forces players to constantly cross the street. Additionally the objectives are on different height levels (roof, basements, 3rd floor, etc.) to keep things fresh. I'm hoping to start a new thread with screenshots and a big description in the Level Design forum this weekend, stay tuned.

Man that map sounds great! I can see machine gun nests reeking havok on a confined map like that and snipers having a sudden abundancy of ideas. I want a thread on it NOW!

 

[Case]

Linear/Non-linear whatever really. For me a great map is one with recappable objectives. They ALL don't have to be recappable, but a key one or two recappable objectives can really make a map shine. The difficulty in designing these maps however seems to be avoiding constant stalemates. I think Kaukasus is a very well designed map because the Back Route is recappable. It leads to some really interesting counterattacks for the defenders and an aspect of defense for the attackers. Stalingrad Kessel is a great map for much of the same reason. The attackers have to be able to hold the Warehouse while coordinating an attack of the North Railyards and/or Assembly Hall.

 

[Llama]

I'm not voting (there isn't an 'a bit of both' option). Maps can be good with a mixture of non/recapable objectives, fully nonlinear, and can be good when completely linear as well. I think Odessa is a great map with the 2 sets of objectives which can make for some good matches.