CTF Documentation on Design Process?

From the masters over at Id Software, more specifically, Paul Jaquays. Old, but the principles haven't changed. Compiled and added to by Method:

Quote

CTF LEVEL DESIGN TIPSThanks a lot to Paul Jaquays for providing his CTF tips. INTROI played several CTF games, such as Kingpin's Bagman, Q2 CTF, Q3 CTF and D3 CTF. While playing and looking through D3 CTF maps by Threewave, I noticed that their maps have several things in common. COMMON THINGS- The maps are symmetrical- Bases have spaces for Flag Carrier to hide- Security Armor is usually placed near the flag room- The donut-shaped areas are common throughout the maps- Machineguns are usually placed near the flag- The color of the flares and CTF decals indicate the bases- Bases have 2-4 entry points Note: Donut-shaped area is a room with a pillar or a column in the middle of it. PAUL JAQUAYS' TIPSo Keep maps symmetrical. Even if you can design an interesting non-symmetrical map, players will always believe that the maps are imbalanced and will favor a side. The big terrain map that Xian did for Q2 CTF is a classic example. No question that it was fun, but I always felt that Blue had a map advantage. o Mark paths in and out of bases. Nothing is more frustrating than being constantly turned around inside a map and becoming disoriented. o Plan out areas for strategic defenses. o Strike a balance between defensibility and indefensibility for bases. A base that has to be assaulted by teamwork to succeed is much better than one that leaks like a sieve ... too easy to get into or out of. o Work in variety of play experience in maps. My CTF maps in Q3A and Q3:TA were the only ones with swimmable water in them. Made them different from everyone elses. o Think in terms of memorable play experiences. o Don’t be afraid to include hiding places. The Q2 CTF maps had great hiding places in them. The Q3A maps did not ... no place to hide. o Keep map size down. Unless BIG is the memorable feature of a map, don’t make the distance between bases overlong. Fast games are more fun than interminably long races between bases. o Be careful about making a map that is too sniper friendly. If a good sniper can dominate a map, no one on the other side will have fun. o The best sniper roosts should also be the most vulnerable positions to maintain. o Keep players supplied with ammo, but hungry for armor and health. o Assault and return routes should intersect frequently.

I just wanted to add to this thread - no advice at all - just that, CTF is the most fun game mode, when played with two equal teams. Especially in Quake, Unreal, Team Fortress and Tribes.

Uhm... take a look at CTF maps you like, get some inspiration, think about layouts and start experimenting? Don't think you need a book.

What Puddy said.

If I were you, I would check UT99 and UT2k4 for some of the best and iconic CTF maps. Play some of them then engage your critical eye to examine what makes them enjoyable and work so well. Beats any book

I'm making a CTF map at the moment so I'm curious about this topic too, if anyone have more links to share?

Personally I try to keep the map centered around these rules:

- Keep a main route between both flags, this is the most important route where most of action will happen.

- Add a few flank routes, these should be simple and a bit harder to get into.

- Litter the main route with shortcuts (with a trick/rocket/double jump etc). It should be hard and fun to run the flag properly. Don't do too much because it shouldn't be unfair to run after the flag capper.

- The flagroom is the most important part of the map, make sure it's easy to hold with a few chokepoints (around 3/4), with enough variation in heights for defenders. (well, badlands, gorge)

- Make a well defined middle with the two ennemy "bases" clearly visible and distinct from each other. Sometimes if the middle isn't too well defined, it can be confusing as to where the boundaries of your team are. It should be open, fairly simple, probably set on the outside. (2fort, well, facing worlds)

- It's best if the flag can be capped in a swift swooping motion from your spawn all the way to your capture point. This is more true on Quake/CPMA or Tribes style of games, at least a game based on momentum.

- It's best if defenders can see incoming attackers, to prepare their defense. You can add a window near/in the flagroom/spawnroom which overlook the main route. This can lead to optimization issues, so be careful. (sniper nest in well and 2fort, thunder mountain spawn)