DazRave

I think this is my fav entry. Reminds me of my `Medal of Honor: Allied Assault` playing days.

Update 4

I'm happy to report that I'm now collaborating with @That50'sGuy who is providing some very dandy props and textures for me to use in order to make the map really pop.

Can't thank him enough for spending time helping me when he also has his own map, Blossom, to think about! Make sure to check it out.

As for the map itself, I've started work on bombsite A which is a luxury jewelry store. Not much time has been thrown at this area yet however I wanted to share some update photos and announce the collaboration news.
 

In other news, during my research of the Mall that i'm basing this map on, I found a few unknown facts about it. Long story short... the local news picked up on my findings and reported about them.

You can read about it here

It's a good question and was one of the risks we knew about at the start.

So, the lower mall corridors has most cover provided by a combination of store kiosks, advertising boards and other usual mall furniture. Taking inspiration from a lot of 'mids' from other CSGO maps, there will still be relatively long lights but not so much that it's impossible to advance.

The higher mall corridors are extremely open, if there's a competent sniper in the correct position then without flash bangs or smoke it will be near impossible to run down. However, where there's high risk there's reward, as it's the quickest route to both bombsites.

Another factor is the time it takes to get into position for snipers. CTs and Ts both start at the end of a mall corridor with a 90 degree bend separating complete line of sight. Both teams would arrive in the middle at roughly the same time if they were to charge at each other. Both teams also have 2 alternative routes they can take to advance towards the bomb sites via accessible stores, mall service areas/corridors and a cinema.

I think this is my fav entry. Reminds me of my `Medal of Honor: Allied Assault` playing days.

I wanted to publicly apologise to your teammate and you. I didn’t intend to criticise your entry rather bring up what to me seems a flaw in the contest rules.
I did btw praised the transparency and I must only praise the persistence in working on a project for this long.
Also want to clarify that I didn’t say you came up with a cunning plan four years ago to enter today, that’s of course impossible. At first glance it was my impression that you posted maps from the two different workshops –since the map appears on both– I can see it was not the case.

As much as this map is absolutely incredible, like seriously amazing with a timelapse to-boot, I agree with @Ynel.

As much as this map is absolutely incredible, like seriously amazing with a timelapse to-boot, I agree with @Ynel.

As much as this map is absolutely incredible, like seriously amazing with a timelapse to-boot, I agree with @Ynel.

I mean.... Yeah, this map wasn't 'released' to the public (only some playtest videos), but this map was almost done in January... And that was a long time ago, not sure how I feel about it, becosue you had so much more time, for everything... It just simply wasn't out in the workshop. (And they started working on it, in decembot of 2015 )
And don't get me wrong, what you did, is absolutely stunning, and you deserve to win this competition, it just feels unfair.

The past months we have been fixed every known problems of Zenith. I published the latest update today so at this point I consider this project complete.
The detailed lists of fixes can be found under the change notes tab:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/changelog/1855652898
 
For some extra media content I planned to record progress with moving cameras back in 2016 when our beta series has started.
In the end I saved 253 vmf files all together. Each of them were cleaned, optimized (too detailed brushwork because of proxy porps) and received the camera set.
The most interesting part of this was to place the cameras and plan their movement in a way so that they won't clip thorugh the walls causing a black screen. (even in the early alphas when the geometry was morphing the most)
It's meant to impress as a video first, so if you want to observe the details more don't forget to adjust the playback speed : ) Enjoy!
 

Update 5
So yes, it's official. I'm on the team!
Some progress has been made on the jewelry store, and the upstairs movie cinema has started progress.
The cinema is primarily inspired by the looks of GTA Vice City, I just love that game's atmosphere... Also, those movie posters are all references to maps I'm working on. Thought that would be funny.
B-Site has also had progress made, it still needs some proper TV models, but those are coming up!
Lastly, the first of a few service corridors has been created. There will be more to come.
 

Update 4

I'm happy to report that I'm now collaborating with @That50'sGuy who is providing some very dandy props and textures for me to use in order to make the map really pop.

Can't thank him enough for spending time helping me when he also has his own map, Blossom, to think about! Make sure to check it out.

As for the map itself, I've started work on bombsite A which is a luxury jewelry store. Not much time has been thrown at this area yet however I wanted to share some update photos and announce the collaboration news.
 

In other news, during my research of the Mall that i'm basing this map on, I found a few unknown facts about it. Long story short... the local news picked up on my findings and reported about them.

You can read about it here

Yeah that makes sense.

I appreciate the post and clarity brought. Thanks

That's not entirely true. A lot of these assets (including Yanzl's) are free for non commercial use only. I doubt anyone will be upset if you're just submitting your level to be part of the contest, but if there's any chance of you winning money in this contest with someone elses assets, you would probably want to talk to the asset creator beforehand, unless the assets are specifically licensed for commercial use.
 
 
Custom assets aren't just set dressing that some artist will make for you in return for prize shares, usually. Environment art is just as much part of a map as is level design.
People have different strengths and both aspects require a lot of work hours so most experienced people here will gather in small teams and split up the work to get the project done in time. If environment art isnt your strong side then ideally you should look for a partner to share your project with who can deal with that side of things. Though a single person can still manage on their own. The best example of that would Biome, the winner of the last contest.

Appreciate the advice from the both of you @Roald/@JorisCeoen. Thank you for taking the time to write them.

I've made an advance towards the ideas you both have. The main mall areas will now (kind of) serve as a 'mid' and are the only areas that will be true to the real location.
A combination of accessible stores and service corridors are going to be the 'made up' parts and serve the biggest way to improve the flow and gameplay of the map. I've sketched out a layout that I'll attempt to block out over the weekend in Hammer. This should give me the very basics for a few games vs bots to see how far off I am from something that works.

p.s. thank you also for the kinds words.



Update 3

With the above in mind...

Main areas of the map will be:
Regent Crescent* (access to T spawn) Peel Avenue* (access to CT spawn) The Dome* ('Mid') Jewellery Store (Bombsite A) Security Control Room (Bombsite B) Key map features:
The Jewellery Store (A) is quick to access (for T's) but carries higher risk The Dome is three stories high and offers 'some' oversight into the Jewellery Store (A) Motion detected inside the Jewellery Store (A) will trigger an alarm heard in the Security Control Room (B) The Security Control Room (B) is on the 3rd floor and offers the most cover (* Parts loosely Based on real location)

Map sketch (Very rough)
 


The Dome Progress
 

Update 4

I'm happy to report that I'm now collaborating with @That50'sGuy who is providing some very dandy props and textures for me to use in order to make the map really pop.

Can't thank him enough for spending time helping me when he also has his own map, Blossom, to think about! Make sure to check it out.

As for the map itself, I've started work on bombsite A which is a luxury jewelry store. Not much time has been thrown at this area yet however I wanted to share some update photos and announce the collaboration news.
 

In other news, during my research of the Mall that i'm basing this map on, I found a few unknown facts about it. Long story short... the local news picked up on my findings and reported about them.

You can read about it here

Update 4

I'm happy to report that I'm now collaborating with @That50'sGuy who is providing some very dandy props and textures for me to use in order to make the map really pop.

Can't thank him enough for spending time helping me when he also has his own map, Blossom, to think about! Make sure to check it out.

As for the map itself, I've started work on bombsite A which is a luxury jewelry store. Not much time has been thrown at this area yet however I wanted to share some update photos and announce the collaboration news.
 

In other news, during my research of the Mall that i'm basing this map on, I found a few unknown facts about it. Long story short... the local news picked up on my findings and reported about them.

You can read about it here

Appreciate the advice from the both of you @Roald/@JorisCeoen. Thank you for taking the time to write them.

I've made an advance towards the ideas you both have. The main mall areas will now (kind of) serve as a 'mid' and are the only areas that will be true to the real location.
A combination of accessible stores and service corridors are going to be the 'made up' parts and serve the biggest way to improve the flow and gameplay of the map. I've sketched out a layout that I'll attempt to block out over the weekend in Hammer. This should give me the very basics for a few games vs bots to see how far off I am from something that works.

p.s. thank you also for the kinds words.



Update 3

With the above in mind...

Main areas of the map will be:
Regent Crescent* (access to T spawn) Peel Avenue* (access to CT spawn) The Dome* ('Mid') Jewellery Store (Bombsite A) Security Control Room (Bombsite B) Key map features:
The Jewellery Store (A) is quick to access (for T's) but carries higher risk The Dome is three stories high and offers 'some' oversight into the Jewellery Store (A) Motion detected inside the Jewellery Store (A) will trigger an alarm heard in the Security Control Room (B) The Security Control Room (B) is on the 3rd floor and offers the most cover (* Parts loosely Based on real location)

Map sketch (Very rough)
 


The Dome Progress
 

About

Backstory
 
Layout

Progress Updates
Initial progress update can be found within the first post
(Click an update blow to view)
Added roof section to main mall  Initial work on 'the Dome' (CT Spawn) and the map's backstory Planned main areas and initial map sketch Started work on Bombsite A, a Luxury Jewelers called Raven&Co.
Risks, Comments & Changes
 
Fun facts
 

Heh, that mall map ideas was actually 2 ideas.
1 was called Retail, set in an American shopping mall under renovation, it's still in the works but it's on hold because of the contest.
2 was called Dixon, this was is set in an abandoned Canadian shopping mall that's in a severe state of decay. It was originally thought up because of the contest, but it's too big a project to be done in the short timespan I have left.
I'm sure I'll get them both done one day though. And thanks for the compliments on the visuals, this map was the first that I really put a focus on identification 

I love how visually strong this map is regarding identifying where in the world you are just by the screenshots of the greybox. Now textures have started to be thrown into the mix it's really looking great!

P.s.
I swear I've seen a post on my forum travels recently that was from you about a mall map idea?

Bombsite A (the Jewellery store) I've not decided on yet. I hope it to be extremely glamorous at the front of store with big windows (and jewellery on display)  but the layout I've not even thought about yet.

As for Bombsite B, it's going to be split across 3 rooms with the bomb planting area split across 2 of them. It'll be an Office area, Control room (CCTV screens etc) and a server/generator room. The control room and server room being the bombable sites.

I'll have some time to actually block up these areas this weekend.

Seems like an interesting idea. Just out of curiosity, how are you planning the bombsites to look like? That's something I can't wait to see

Oh well, that's good news. I appreciate the heads up, wasn't sure if it was frowned upon to use someone else's (with credit) in a competition.