dm_detritus_v2

Something went wrong with the lighting, as there seems to be no bounce at all. Most of the shadows are pitch black as if you had compiled a fast RAD (after a bad VIS compile maybe?)
The layout works, but the visuals (and maybe ambience sound) need more work: Besides getting the light to compile right, you could use some more colors besides the usual whites and yellows, or at least make the white lights a bit more blue and the yellow ones a bit more orange.
Texturing seems ok in most places, but some of those textures (inside one of the buildings) where made to tile only horizontally and look bad when the bottom of the texture appears again on top. I would also change the tiles on the stairs, as they don't fit perfectly and end up being cut.
That's all I can say for now. It definitely has potential!

Thanks for the comment.

I think the lighting is error-free. The reason the shadows are extremely dark is that the ambient light is so dim. It is, after all, a night map. At least it looks fine on my computer.

I appreciate the suggestions, but I think I'm finished with this map. My wife will be coming back tonight (from a trip to her parents), and I have a grueling work schedule next week.

Thanks anyway.

eugh. I remember the days when i was PMing you, absolutely begging you to release more maps.

Bloody fool i was when i told myself I'd give them all in-depth reviews. Bloody fool.

I kid of course. downloads and buzzes Livewire simultaniously
LET THE PLAYTEST BEGIN!

I would love to watch a playtest video again!

Oh the Mighty Kasperg.

Please allow the humble satchmo bow down to you!

You're so right with the lighting error. I found a leak in the map that prevented light bounce calculation.

I also changed the textures for the stair steps. I changed some of the weapon placement and added more cosmetic improvements. I left the lighting as is though.

Thanks a million!!!

It looks much better now. Now light bounces the way it should, and the floodlights make interesting effects getting into the buildings.

I made some screenshots in Snarkpit style with some architectural observations you can use in the future. They don't really affect the gameplay.

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5089/dmdetritusv20001ur4.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/2058/dmdetritusv20002iy9.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/5811/dmdetritusv20003fo9.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/8765/dmdetritusv20000uw7.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1857/dmdetritusv20004ht5.jpg

Thanks, Kasperg.

I concur with all of your assessment. In fact, I share some of your ideas even before you suggested them.

I agree with the single-point intersection between two architectural elements. I think it looks better if the triangular supports extend out a bit further.

The brick ceiling supports are unusual, but I elected to texture them that way because it looks cooler. A concrete texture doesn't stand out as much from the decorative plaster ceiling.

The construction material of the taller building is strange, but I actually have a story in mind when I made it that way.

The section of Ravenholm for this map is the more upscale neighborhood. It's close to the City Hall (where the demolished skeleton of the building is visible through the heavy metal door).

That taller building used to be the mayor's mansion, but it has been destroyed during the Seven Hour War.

Squatters have built on top of the brick foundation, in addition to the adjacent metal shack and wooden structure. It's a town that has seen better days, and the various phases of construction are represented by the increasing dearth of good building materials (from brick to metal to wood).

This transition of material suggests the squalor of the current state and conveys a somber mood.

Seems reasonable.
In that case, perhaps it should look a bit less rigid and perfect. Maybe different metal parts, something to make it look more improvised and rushed instead of looking so correctly assembled.

About the beams, you could always choose any color to paint the concrete!

Overview of the entire map:

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6507/dmdetritusv2overviewcw9.jpg

i've been trying to play for ages, but hamachi keeps bleeping up.

... and i make a point not to rate a DM map without having played it with others.

Thanks, I appreciate your dedication to quality reviews.

I'll be patient.

Make sure you got the latest version (v2) when you play.

dm_detritus_v2
by Satchmo

Architecture - 6
Texturing - 6
Atmosphere - 8
Lighting - 7
Gameplay - 8

Overall - 70%
A solid piece of mapping with only the occasional let-down.

Also, put a playerclip above the well, or raise the water level. You can fall down, but can't get back up.
Architecture is quite blocky in several places, and texturing is often bland and repetative.
The quality of the interior sections is very notably lower than the outside and this brings down the score of a map which could easily get in the high 80 percents.

Video playest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WmlBrY9ZCY

Aw! Thanks Hunter.

I'll check out the video right now.