[Finished] Voronezh (4)

[MonolithicBacon]

Although I've been a long-term follower of the Eastern Front mod, this is my first post. After creating COH maps for the better part of the last two years, I finally decided contribute to the mod, and although I'm still very rusty at adding loading screens and such, I am always very pleased with the aesthetics of the maps themselves, and wanted to see if anybody had any opinions or criticisms before I complete the map and consider entering it.

Here is Voronezh in heavy rain, heavily bombed but not utterly destroyed.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=1.png

The Southern Courtyard, open yet enclosed.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=2.png

The Eastern street.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=3.png

The Northernmost Railyard, shelled and restricting.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=4.png

City outskirts.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=5.png

Western countryside, around ten minutes into the weather transition.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=6.png

The City of Voronezh from above, South looking North.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=7.png

North, looking South.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=8.png

Eastern Outskirts.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=9.png

Minimap.
http://s56.photobucket.com/albums/g185/Daevie/?action=view&current=Minimap.png

Please let me know what you think! Of around 30 maps that I have created, this has been amongst the most enjoyable to build and playtest, and many thanks to the Eastern Front crew are due for allowing me to play this map with the Red Army!

[Max 'DonXavi' von B.]

On the first view, this looks like a well balanced and nicely made map. However I have the impression that the city itself lacks details regarding the ground texture. I'd like to see more splats and destruction. Other than this, I see good chances for the map to be passed on to the balancers.

[MonolithicBacon]

Thanks for the reply!

Looking back over the pictures I've begun to realise that it's very difficult to see any of the detail at the distance the screenshots are taken from, what with the bloom from the rain and the height of the fog, so I'll take some more "in-game" shots during the sunrise to show off. Besides that, I'll work on more detail in the city itself where there is less.

And as for destruction, I have to agree with you. Playing over the map with friends, we've sussed that there are fewer than four undamaged buildings (all in strategically unimportant locations), whereas every other building is at half health or lower. Take it from me, artillery down the main street is devastating. But personally I'd like to add more ruins, craters and decrease the health of the buildings somewhat, so I'll work on that and post some more pictures.

[Riggsman]

Good Job! New maps always welcome. Looking forward to see the finished work.

[donthateme]

Very nice. I only like a few of the current 2v2 maps, so its allways nice to see new ones... Map looks really cool. Like said, it looks like it needs a bit more destruction; Voronezh was occupied by the germans about 7months and heavily destroyed. Beside that, the map seems to have a lot potential. Well done.

[MonolithicBacon]

While I'm working on flattening the city a little, I took a few more detailed pictures of the texture work. If you have any pointers, let me know and I'll jump on it!

[Walentin 'Walki' L.]

The third and fourth picture seems to be quiet clean especially near the destroyed house. I would recommend to use some rubble barricades or rubble objects in general.

[Killar]

Still, looks very nice! Wanna play test

[GodlikeDennis]

As long as the map is appropriately sized it looks quite good.

[MonolithicBacon]

Thanks for all of the replies, guys! I'm working on beefing up the ruins as we speak. Somehow I completely neglected to place barricades (beyond sandbags), but I'm doing a little research as well, just to determine how "occupied" the city should look. Would it look better if it were being invaded (barbed wire and sandbags), or liberated (dragons teeth and hedgehogs)?

Anyways, I will pretty much spend the rest of the day working on this, so keep the suggestions coming!

Oh, and by the way, the map size is 768x768, of which 448x448 is playable.

[GodlikeDennis]

What's that compared to other popular 2v2 maps?

[MonolithicBacon]

McGechaen's War is 640x640 / 384x384 and Lyon is 704x768 / 384x448.

It makes a roomy 2vs2 map, or if converted, an accommodating but perhaps cramped 3vs3.

[Killar]

Hmmm sounds like stalingrad railroad station. Lets see how this works out

The straight house line in the center maybe needs a cut so you can enter the center road from multible directions. Maybe just cut a building object out and simulate its ruins by other objects, but passable. A tank should have access thourgh it too so at least 5 squares wide.

[MonolithicBacon]

Although I understand where you're coming from, in play so far the central houses have been what has made the map. If you look on the minimap there are two parallel rows of houses spanning the centre of the map, which is split at a crossroads in the dead centre of the map. This gap at present is 17 squares wide and is virtually unobstructed. Besides that, the main street can be accessed at the north near the train station, as well as in the south at the main crossroads. There is also a little 5 block wide archway towards the north that leads into the central street, which is nearly impossible to see on the minimap.

Although I'm willing to add more access if it is absolutely necessary, at the moment I enjoy how it feels. It plays like a river map, with indestructible access to the other side of the map at specific points, except that you can also enter the "water" between the two sides at these points.

[Killar]

It plays like a river map

Thats the problem but lets wait at how it will play in the end.