[SP] Stairway to Turret Heaven
Here's my submission for the summer mapping initiative. Couldn't get through the server for the deadline so I'm just uploading it in the general category. A clean/BTS map, with low-medium difficulty puzzles. Most seasoned mappers will probably notice that this hasn't been properly optimized; I apologize, I just ran out of time. Anyway, I had a lot of fun playing with the visual styles, and hopefully you guys have a bit of fun playing it!
1.1 Update:
- Fixed two design errors that allowed the player to bypass the turret area completely
- Minor graphical enhancements to turret room
- Fixed a design error that allowed the player to use an excursion funnel to get outside of the playable map area
- Full VIS complile
Known problems:
- Some players might want better indicator decals for the first area. I didn't add these but if someone wants to put them in, the .vmf is available.
- It may be possible to fall outside the playable area without triggering the player death in the first area. This is most likely near the outside of the factory area. I was unable to replicate this myself and so didn't do another compile yet, but if there's any reason to make a v1.2 this will be on the list of things to fix.
- There is an erroneous 'nodraw' texture visible in the elevator shaft. Only noticed after the last compile; this too would be fixed in 1.2 if necessary.
If anyone wants to use the .vmf, feel free!
-Gadz
File Name: sp_stairway_to_turret_heaven 1.1.zip
File Size: 4.23 MiB
Click here to download Stairway to Turret Heaven 1.1
Decent map. But
Thanks for finding the exploit, I'll take that solution out with the next version 
There's a bug with the thermal beam, where you can put it up and go out of the map
You must be talking about the first area? I must have missed clipping some areas, thanks for the feedback!
(If anyone here plays TF2, I also made a map for that game called "Snofort" where you could get on top of the skybox with a well placed rocket jump...I think the part of my brain that does level boundaries just must not work right 
)
Also in the turret chamber you can
Thanks all for the helpful feedback I've got a version done where the solutions/glitches described above are no longer possible, and I had the time to run a proper full VIS as well. Once file editing is restored I'll put up the new version for anyone interested.
Also, if you have a good idea to modify the level somehow, or you want to use it in your own pack/mod, feel free to make changes to the .vmf. All I ask is that you give some credit for the original work.
Cheers!
-Gadz
Map split between considerable Wheatley looks and unremarkable industrial tidbits, reminiscent of HL2. Gameplay wise, it's all quite uninteresting and dull until the very last spark of liveliness in the finale.
Bug: falling below doesn't kill you.
The ceiling skip to the exit is still avail so I can only give a 3...thanks for mapping.
Loved the map. I would wish some additional cues to the light bridge and the box button. Took me a while to find them.