Mapcore is now holding a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Mapping Contest for original 5v5 bomb defusal maps AND hostage-rescue maps, powered by FACEIT!

Mapcore's Veteran Judges will be joined by CS:GO Guest Experts such as The WarOwl, Moses, Sadokist, DDK, James Bardolph, and Anders Blume!

How to Enter

Post a "Work In Progress" thread in Mapcore’s Official Event Forum!

When you're ready, update your WIP thread with a link to your playable map's Gamebanana.com and/or Steam Workshop page.

Your thread + playable map constitutes your entry to this contest!

Submission Deadline

Your playable map must be entered by NOVEMBER 30, 2017 at midnight Pacific Standard Time (PST). 

Judging Procedure

Mapcore Judges

FMPONE -- @FMPONE
Puddy -- @puddpuddpudd
TopHattWaffle -- @TopHattWaffle
RZL - @RizzToTheIzzle

Guest Experts

Anders Blume -- @OnFireAnders
James Bardolph -- @jamesbardolph
Daniel "DDK" Kapadia -- @followddk
Jason "Moses" O'Toole -- @OnFireMoses
Matthew "Sadokist" Trivett -- @Sadokist
WarOwl -- @TheWarOwl

Mapcore will announce Contest Finalists on DECEMBER 10, 2017

To determine 10 Finalist maps, Mapcore Judges will rate Contest maps according to the following 100 point criteria, with all ratings tallied and given equal weight, and any ties broken by our Guest Experts: 

40 points: Fun Factor (how well-designed is the map)

40 points: Visual/Thematic Presentation (how aesthetically sophisticated is the map)

20 points: Overall Polish (bug-free maps; maps with Soundscapes; maps which run smoothly; other determinations relating to quality)

Finalist mappers will then have one month to make changes based on community feedback.

(January 10th deadline to qualify for TOP 4 — submit by 11:59 PM EST)

Top 4 Contest maps and the Grand Prize Winner will be declared in JANUARY, 2018

After one month has passed, Mapcore Judges and Guest Experts will rate every finalist map according to the same 100 point criteria above (Fun Factor, Visual/Thematic Presentation, Overall Polish), with all ratings tallied and given equal weight, and ties broken by Puddy.

Mapcore will then declare the Top 4 Contest maps and our Grand Prize Winner!

Contest Prizes

Top 4 Contest Maps receive:

Eternal Bragging Rights

A Spotlight on Mapcore for 2 months (linking to each epic WIP thread)

A Monetary Prize ($5,000 for First place; $3,000 for Second place; $1,500 for Third place; $500 for Fourth place)

Map added to FACEIT platform for a time, playable for all users!

**NEW** Special Valve prizes! (CS:GO/Valve merchandise)

Contest Rules

1. Entry into this Contest is free of charge for all.
2. Your entry must be a playable map for the PC version of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
3. Remakes (maps of the same name and design of an existing map released for public download), sequels (e.g. de_dust3), and spiritual successors (new name for an old layout) can NOT be entered.
4. Maps that were under creation prior to the announcement of this Contest can be entered, as long as a complete map version (layout and art) has not been released for public download.
5. Map entries must be submitted to the Steam Workshop and/or Gamebanana.com, as well as the Mapcore WIP forum before the deadline.
6. Map authors are free to share their map on any other websites or services they wish, however the map must remain free to download.
7. Multiple map entries are permitted, however each entry will be judged for its own particular quality.
8. Map entries created by teams are permitted, however entrants will have to agree how to split any prizes awarded prior to prize claim and dispatch.
9. Changes or updates to Workshop maps will not be considered after November 30, 2017 (for Top 10) and January 10, 2018 (for Top 4). Do NOT update your Workshop map after the deadline.
10. Mapcore forum rules must be obeyed.
11. All custom textures, models, etc. must be embedded into the map's .bsp file (FREE TUTORIAL AND TOOL). Assets must also comply with Steam Workshop guidelines.
12. Map authors must be able to accept cash payments. Winners of hardware and physical products will be required to provide a valid shipping address.
13. Judges, Experts, and individuals associated with organizing this contest CANNOT enter nor provide material assistance to map entrants.
14. If a Finalist entry is disqualified due to violation of these rules, all applicable winnings will be directed to the next highest-rated map.
15. Void where prohibited. 

Contest Eligibility

1. Participant eligibility: This Contest is open to any individual, or teams of individuals, provided they comply with the following:

• Participants must not be an Employee or Official Staff Member of the “Organizer” (Mapcore) or “Sponsors” (FACEIT).
• Participants must not have taken part in the preparation, judging, or official announcement of this Contest.
• Participants must not be a direct relative, spouse, direct employee, romantic partner or business partner of any of the above.

2. Legal Age: This Contest is open to any individuals who meet the above “participant eligibility” criteria. In the event that a participant who has not reached the legal age in his/her state wins one or more prizes, he/she must provide contact details for the legal guardian who will claim the prize(s).

Prize Disclaimer

FACEIT will be providing/sponsoring Prize revenue. Mapcore assumes no responsibility.

THANK YOU to our AMAZING COMMUNITY!

And to our INCREDIBLE Sponsor:

https://twitter.com/FACEIT

At Mapcore, we believe in empowering the mapping community.

We hold contests in order to reward and encourage mappers on their journey to success, and because we love maps. With an amazing partner in FACEIT, we expected unprecedented participation and enthusiasm from CS:GO mappers, and you all certainly delivered! We want to thank EVERYONE who participated for creating such wonderful levels, especially our Top 10 Finishers!

It is now our privilege and honor to declare 4 Grand Finalist Maps.

4th Place

Kaizen

by Andre Valera, & Jakuza

Prizes:

Mapcore Spotlight

Eternal Bragging Rights

Added to Mapcore's FACEIT Hub

Special Valve Prize

$500!

Steam Workshop:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1216362919

3rd Place

Studio

by ZelZStorm, TanookiSuit3, & Hollandje

Prizes:

Mapcore Spotlight

Eternal Bragging Rights

Added to Mapcore's FACEIT Hub

Special Valve Prize

$1,500!

Steam Workshop:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1204635926

2nd Place

Abbey

by Lizard, & thewhaleman

Prizes:

Mapcore Spotlight

Eternal Bragging Rights

Added to Mapcore's FACEIT Hub

Special Valve Prize

$3,000!

Steam Workshop:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1215935299

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Biome

by jd40

Prizes:

Mapcore Spotlight

Eternal Bragging Rights

Added to Mapcore's FACEIT Hub

Special Valve Prize

$5,000!

Steam Workshop:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1224923995

~~~Thanks to: our lovely guest judges, FACEIT for their incredible teamwork, and Valve for contributing to our prize pool.

Last but not least, THANK YOU for making this another special 'Core event!

"May Hurg guide you..."

Ok so there's this point on the rules page:

On 5/23/2017 at 12:51 PM, MapCore said:

Changes or updates to Workshop maps will not be considered after November 30, 2017 (for Top 10) and January 10, 2018 (for Top 4).

 

Idk about you, but I read that has:

"We will not judge the map based on updates you do after the deadline."

 

Not: "You will get disqualified if you update your map after the deadline"

 You could almost say that this wording encourages updating the map, it almost sounds like "You can submit updates all you want - we just won't look at them." - Reassuring us that it won't impact anything.

I am "disappointed", to say the least - especially because I think Opal would have had a chance of making top 10. Having my map actually being analysed, and placed 11th would have felt SO MUCH better.

I'm not sure if I want to participate in another contest like this, when I put my heart and soul into a project every single day for six month, only to get washed away based on a coin toss, of whether or not I figured out that a rule doesn't say what it's supposed to say!

I can't pump in all my resources into something and get hosed based on an external factor. That's a just terrible waste.

Heck in October I even took a week off from my job entirely for this contest, in order to sprint for 9 days full-time with a strict schedule.

If one of the judges would have PMed me to say - "Huh dude- What's going on? Why did you update your map? This is not allowed!" I would have sent you a backup version from the day of the deadline, with timestamp proof. 

...Now I don't want this to be a rant, I just had to unpack all the info, so we can fix the problem. I want this to be constructive.

Aside from that, I think the contest was fantastic, and I love the maps we've built.

I'm sorry if this post feels like negative energy - but I want to turn it into positive.

Honestly. 

Mike

Mapcore's Mission:

Mapcore contests earn mappers thousands of dollars, promote their work, and provide a well-deserved platform for their excellent levels. Teaming up with FACEIT, we've offered contestants the biggest mapping contest in Counter-Strike history!

Thanks to FACEIT and to all participants. Your combined efforts are part of a long journey of growth and practice. At Mapcore, we intend to hold more contests and continue being a positive, engaging, helpful environment for all members seeking to improve and grow.

What's Next?

In one month, 4 of these 10 maps will be selected as Grand Finalists by our Mapcore Judges and Guest Experts! We look forward to seeing all of the community feedback, iteration, and improvements awaiting these brilliant maps.

Rules:

Click here to read full Contest rules. Reminder: Grand Finalist maps receive exciting prizes and will be officially featured on FACEIT. 

TOP 10 FINALISTS:

*In Alphabetical Order

I made a collection of all maps from the contest. http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1217452959

No spam or advertising. Just want to help a bit. ©

If i forgot to add someone, plox, let me know.

I will start with my so far unnamed map.