Tayari
By Paranoia UK

Introduction

Tayari is a small competitive map constructed over the Alaska area of Forgeworld. The map is primarily aimed a 1 v 1 gametypes but has been optimized to support 2 v 2 as well. It has a slightly different set up for FFA and Team gametypes to ensure that it plays well on either of the two. Tayari is the smallest map I have created on Forgeworld and has gameplay similarities to many of my Halo 3 maps.

Designing and Building

As always I have tried to make the map unique and different to many maps being created right now. I have used a combination of vertical coliseum walls and 2 x 2 inclines to create a unique looking floor. To enhance this I have used only one type of block to create the various walls and structures seen in the map. I think the colors and textures of these three objects compliment each other well and give the map more depth in terms of aesthetics.

Tayari has been built without prior designing or even much thought. When I started making the map my only aim was to create a nice floor plan using the blocks mentioned above and then to build up a map using similar colors and shapes. In many ways I wish I had thought it out more prior to construction as it would have saved me a lot of time. The first draft of the map was built over the water by Paradiso. I had completed all of the floor, the walls and buildings and was starting to put the rails around the sides. At this point I was not happy with the map. There was something missing, the main courtyard was too open and there was not enough LOS blockers separating each side.

To remedy these issues I decided to start building the map again, this time over some land so that I could have a tree in the main courtyard. Doing this not only improved gameplay with the LOS Blocker but it also improved Aesthetics and injected some much needed color into the map.

Tayari has a feature new to one of my maps, a Teleporter. Normally I hate them, in fact I can only think of one map which I have ever used one in before. However I decided to put one in as I had recently come up with an idea which will give the teleporter, and the map, a nice little twist. It is basically a telepit. At both sides of the map there is a grey square, although it looks solid you actually pass through it. Hidden away under the square is a Sender Node, Receiver Node and Shield door set up so that when you fall in one square you pop up from the other one, Mario style...

Other than the points mentioned above the map is pretty standard. It has my standard weapon set up, minus the rockets, and is setup for most gametypes (more information on this below). If I were to make the map again I would probably put less focus on aesthetics and use the extra budget to expand the map into Team Slayer territory.

Testing and Feedback

Tayari has had about two hours of testing on a few different gametypes. For 1 v 1 I found regular slayer to be the best fit. 2 v 2 is a blast on a few different gametypes, Team Slayer, Headhunter and Oddball are all very enjoyable. I tried the map out on Forgehubs 'Throwdown' gametype just to see how it was. It played fairly well but not well enough in my opinion. Having already submitted a map in the contest, which was better than this, I decided it would be pointless including Tayari also.

From information gathered from the testing a forge through's with various friends there were some minor changes made but nothing too drastic. The Concussion rifle was removed, two health packs removed, waiting on the snipers reduced and them some minor layout adjustments.

Thank you to everyone who helped me test the map and anyone who offered advice and suggestions.

Weapons and Gametypes

Tayari is set up for the following gametypes.

Slayer
Team Slayer
Headhunter
Oddball
King of the Hill
Capture The Flag
Juggernaut

As mentioned above Tayari has different weapons for both FFA and Team based games. In short the Team Based games have more firepower. Although the changes between the two are rather small I felt it necessary in order to promote good gameplay. An interesting bi-product of this comes when playing 1 v 1. Playing it on regular slayer gives you the watered down setup but if you are the type of player who likes the added fire power simply set it to team based 1 v 1 and you have access to more weapons and ammo.

Weapons always on map
2 x Assault Rifle
4 x Designated Marksman Rifle
2 x Magnum
2 x Plasma Pistol
2 x Plasma Repeater
4 x Plasma Grenade
Extra weapons when in FFA
2 x Sniper Rifle - Small Clip Size
Extra Weapons when in Team Based
1 x Plasma Pistol - Takes total for map up to three
1 x Shotgun
2 x Sniper Rifle - Medium Clip Size

Outro

Overall im very happy with Tayari. After I have finished my other projects I will probably forge Tayari's big brother. A similar map but built for 8+ players.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Please feel free to download, comment, rate and enjoy. Any and all feedback / criticism is always welcome. Thanks