Update (11/8/09): Due to Atlas restrictions, Messiah has been renamed to Carceral for Conquest in Matchmaking. It's still the same map, but has a different name now. Be sure to support Conquest in Matchmaking!

Description:

"Going deeper into The Brig will only bring you closer to your demise."

About the map:

What started out as a little project on the side while I was working on Project Zodiac became a full fledged map pushing my forging skills further than any map I've done to date. Originally I was going to release Project Zodiac first (still in production) before releasing Carceral, but of course things change and here we are with the long awaited Project Conquest that's been in production for the last 3 weeks.

Carceral is a change for me considering my previous work was nothing but competitive maps. This proved to be a challenge because not only was this my first map that caters to only one gametype, but I had to do some research on the gametype itself in order to get a grasp on how to make Carceral work for conquest. My decision was to keep what makes Conquest successful and yet make a layout that's different. I didn't want to make another U map or letter, so instead I created a layout that hasn't been used before.

This early concept picture I drew during a slow day at work clearly shows my plan of attack. The areas are colored based on their respective teams (red and blue). However the areas in purple are places designed for aesthetic purposes and are inaccessible without going into Forge. I wanted to give people the feeling that you're not on rails even though you are, so creating extra rooms in the prison along with a window for the upper hallway gives the map life and reduced the feeling that your "going through another long hall". Now don't get me wrong, the most successful Conquest maps are going through a long hall, but I wanted to make the theme for mine interesting and convincing.

You will still find the same classic Conquest gameplay here, and the weapon set is heavily influenced by Conquest maps such as Artifacts, Rally Point, and The Cellars. Taking a page from these maps along with the Conquest tutorial and a few pointers from AZN FTW, I laid out the weapons at certain areas of the map that makes it fair, balanced, and fun. While the map can support up to 16 players. It's best played with 8-12 (4v4, 5v5, 6v6).

Without further adieu, let's take a look at why Carceral should belong in your hard drive:

The Territories:

Territories are designated as follows: Red team gets even numbers (2, 4, 6), Blue gets odd numbers (3, 5, 7), and "The one" territory being neutral (1).

Red 6

The starting point for red team and where all the power weapons reside. If you had the ability to open the door that is in red's starting room, it would lead you to the purple shrine room in The Brig II (hence the purple light emitting in this room).

One neat thing you will find at Red 6 is a window that overlooks "The One" territory and Blue 7. Of course, the other team can see the same thing through their window as well. Don't plan on taunting your opposition too long as you have territories to claim and spartans to teabag!

Weapon set:

(weapon name) - (amount/clips) - (respawn time)

Sniper - 1/1 - 60 sec
Brute Shot - 1/2 - 45 sec
Spike Grenades - 2/na - 45 sec
Carbine - 1/2 - 45 sec

Blue 7

Blue 7 is the same layout as Red 6 but the only difference (and the reason why I'm even mentioning this territory) is Blue team's starting door. Where it leads to is currently under wraps right now, but let's just say you'll find that answer out in a future map.

Weapon set:

Same as Red 6.

Red 4 / Blue 5

The second territory for both teams is nestled on the ramp leading to the lower level. Should your opponent get to this point, the high ground along with falling back into your starting territory may save you. It also holds two sets of dual wieldable weapons that caters to those who like to go in guns blazin.

Weapon set:

(weapon name) - (amount/clips) - (respawn time)

Plasma Rifle - 2/na - 30 sec
Brute Spikers - 2/2 - 30 sec

Red 2 / Blue 3

The smallest territories in Carceral also happen to be very active battlegrounds. This is where you'll be seeing the other team for the first time and is great place for your sniper to fire a few rounds. However he/she must constantly be on the move as the other team will make use of the column to avoid sniper and rifle fire and prepare to invade the center territory. A BR settles on the colored column along with a few more dual wieldables and a plasma grenade behind the cameraman in this picture.

Weapon set:

(weapon name) - (amount/clips) - (respawn time)

Battle Rifle - 1/2 - 45 sec
SMG - 1/2 - 30 sec
Plasma Pistol - 1/na - 30 sec
Plasma Grenade - 1/na - 60 sec

Facing Blue 3 (UPDATED).

Facing Red 2 (UPDATED)

"The One" territory

Just like any conquest map, this is where most of the battles will take place and is the "make" or "break" territory. Things go downhill if your team is unable to maintain control and it only adds more pressure for the next round. In regards to ammo, you'll only find a set of pistols at the entrance of each hall that may save your ass if you run low on ammo. Oh and if you have a few seconds, be sure to check out the aesthetics.

Weapon set:

(weapon name) - (amount/clips) - (respawn time)

Magnum - 4/2 - 30 sec

Inaccessible areas:

As I've stated before. There's a few areas where you can look at but can't touch. The reason for adding these areas is for aesthetic purposes only and to make the map more convincing. I wanted the player to look at these areas and say: "Wow, this doesn't feel like I'm in the crypt" although most of you will scream "WTF WHY KAN'T I GET TEH HAMMERZ OR GET IN THA CHOPPA! THESE ROOMZ R POINTLE55!!11111one!eleven!!!" Regardless of your opinion, they are here to stay.

This room seems to house a few vehicles along with a weapon that would just ruin the conquest experience. Luckily it's only here for show. Also from looking at this pic there seems to be a ramp going up. A possible way out of this prison? Who knows.

Just another angle of things you wish you had.

Of course there's also the prison cell and hallway blocked off by a prison door. After several tests all I got to say is "Good luck trying to get out of this bad boy". You might as well just shoot the fusion coils and move on.

However I could just for once give you an angle a spartan would never be able to get:

Popcorn anyone?

Videos:

YouTube- Halo 3 Carceral Video Walkthrough (Conquest)

YouTube- Halo 3 Carceral Conquest

Pictures:

New or old version. Your face will still be sniped off.

The Push

Action between Red 2 and Red 4.

3 vs 1? I don't think so Tim!

"I always feel like, somebody's watching meeeeee"

Making out with the aesthetics will not increase your chances of winning (sorry AZN).

Download Carceral here
Download Conquest herehttp://www.bungie.net/Online/Halo3UserContentDetails.aspx?h3fileid=69304085

Special Thanks to:

- Everyone who helped me test this map out. You know who you are.
- AZN FTW for giving me the green light after doing some fine tuning.
- My boredom.
- Your mom.

- .Timothy