rance said:
2 out of the 4(?) DLC maps are mid-sized slayer types
poo
Well, let's take a look at the maps, shall we? I mean, I'm known for not following the weekly updates right, so this should be fresh:
Jodrell Banks
The name 'Jodrell Banks' is taken from the Lovell Radio Telescope located at Manchester University. It has been described as a map which is good for 'Team Slayer with Swords and Snipers' because of the geographic layout [
10/12/2007]. It plays well with 8-10 people and has the potential to feature more players [
11/02/2007]. It is considered to be a favorite by both Frank and Luke, so it's definitely one to keep an eye - but not surprisingly, as some of the best all-round maps play at that size and are Team Slayer standouts.
Moonbase Alpha
The name 'Moonbase Alpha' refers to a base on a British sci-fi show called
Space: 1999 from the 70's. No size has been offered, but it was stated that it worked well with objective-based gametypes and Infection. Frank stated that this map was also a favorite of his [
10/12/2007].
John Carpenter's Prince of Dorkness
Taken from the
Prince of Darkness, an apocalyptic thriller from the 80's. This is a large-scale map which is covered in darkness and plays well with Infection [
10/12/2007]. Although it supports lots of vehicles, it doesn't need any for some unrevealed reason. [
10/26/2007].
Purple Reign
Ganked and altered title from Prince's 80's movie,
Purple Rain, the map is apparently symmetrical or semi-symmetrical and at first, it was disorienting - but with a new background element, the map's navigational design is less disorienting [
10/26/2007]. The map's undergone a series of changes which establish a bowl-like center where there was once just a hill and its lines of sight have been strengthened [
11/02/2007].
O.K. Corral
The name obviously refers to the infamous gunfight which took place in a small 1800's town in Tombstone, AZ. The map is still in its earlier stages. It is an assymetrical map that is said to have a warm, sunset feel, presumably due to the low-lying sun. It has trees and at the center of the map is a 'blown out structure' which holds the core of the maps combat. The map has multiple levels, catwalks and long lines of sight down alleyways where you can fire at enemies below [
11/02/2007].
Vandelay
If you don't know where the name came from then you should be shot. Shame on you. The map is far along in production and considered the simplest map from a geometry standpoint, as it is intended primarily for Forge machinations. The map appears to be a response to players looking to aggressively use Forge, as there are complaints about some of the limitations on other existing maps [
11/02/2007].
- All of the maps are said to be of high-quality.
- The maps fit well into the flow of matchmaking insinuating that they will be introduced into matchmaking relatively quickly.
- Two maps will cause a 'Three Mile Island scale pant-fill-disaster in the Halo community' which hints that them potentially being remakes of previous Halo multiplayer maps.
- Two maps are very large.
- Several maps are becoming close to finished, possibly referring to a holiday release pack.
My take: I think we have a fair number of large maps if we're getting two in the DLC. That makes the total four and five if you include Last Resort, which is definitely comfortable enough for BTB. I personally would not be terribly shocked to see Sidewinder, in some way or form in Halo 3. The sandbox and gameplay existing in Halo 3 already would work well with a map of that caliber and we know that the Ark had environments which would likely fit the bill (let's pray).
But enough about big maps, if you play Halo seriously and competitively, then it is likely you want small to mid-size maps and you want them to be symmetrical or at least semi-symmetrical for objective-based gametypes and great spawning justice in TS and I think the DLC fits the bill thus far. On a personal note, I'm excited about Jodrell Banks and O.K. Corral, simply for their description. I anticipate a Lockout in the mix somewhere, but I'll be hurt on a personal level if they change the geometry since I felt it was perfect.
The other maps look fine to me, but they are sorely in need of further articulation and possibly pictures. Now if I can just procure a gaming-reasonable monitor so I can play online. I took Halo: Combat Evolved in my bedroom (where my HDTV and 360 now reside, offline) and I jumped on it, M6D'n like mofo. I luv that gun.
any help would be appreciated.