actually I still use nems to create the grid of displacements, math aint so bad I just dont like the way things come out on it for actual displacement work. NW was originally going to have 2 refs on the top of the plateau but when I made it it just didnt feel right, so I split them up. middle being made to one ref is easy enough and makes sense, the current layout was more for the shallow water middle with the bridge going across it. but since we dont have that any longer switching the middle to one ref would probably be for the better. this is actually the original concept layout, desert with ruined city and all. But we simply decided against it.
rofl, commie doesnt like my artz work :p anyway ive switched all the mountains out to seperate displacements instead of heightmaps (like tropics mountains). And made just one ref in the center. currently covering the mountains with player and vehicle clips to keep naughty commies out.
lol...good point. the horrible light blue could be an underground nuclear construction facility....with a flag to cap of course.
Beta 2 has been released. It is available for download in the original post of this thread. I've asked an admin to rename the thread to emp_frozensummit_b2 when he's not busy. Enjoy. Thank Keef for b2, I haven't touched Source SDK in a week, lol.
I really like this map, although I think I will like it less with 'emplacement' mountains and clipping planes.
mmm, I dont really get what you mean. Can you elaborate? I dont really have a set goal or idea of what this map is to be so if you got an idea ill hear it.
I just like it the way it is. (no bridge) I thought it was finished. I'd just stamp it as done. The game play seems to be balanced and has variety. I don't think empires maps need any special or elaborate concept behind them. I think as is it's a very solid map. I like the height-map hills because they look more realistic with the snowy theme, and because navigating the terrain adds variety that would be lost if they were just basicaly elaborate looking pillars.
I would suggest changing the texture on the hills to a rock/snow blend, just to add some contrast. Otherwise, this map is pretty damn good.