Recommended gametypes: Team Infinity Slayer, Capture the Flag, Extraction

Hello everyone, I'm back to post my first map on FH since Bunker Hill on the tail end of Reach. So, what is Panic Station? Aside from being an awesome Muse song, it's also a pretty cool map. The initial idea I had for this map was to make an asymmetrical, room-based, single-atrium, 4 'hog map. I wanted to take what basically looked liked a 1v1/2v2 map, and blow it up to work with 'hogs and big team games. Of course, it was never that simple. As I designed the map, it evolved to what it is now. It keeps the feel I had wanted from the start, but obviously isn't just a 2v2 map on a big scale. A lot of time and thought was put into the design of the vehicle paths. Warthogs can go almost anywhere, and have two options of where to go at any given time, never being funneled down a path. The warthogs also get to use the upper level of the map, making for a very interesting and dynamic experience when in a vehicle.

Panic Station has also turned out to be a spiritual successor of S in many ways. The gameplay is quite different, but relates back in a large number of ways. Like on S, warthogs are thought of as precision weapons. A good 'hog crew can be very effective, but the vehicle isn't quite a game changer. If your team isn't controlling the map well enough on foot, the warthog won't change that. The map's design makes warthogs very fun to drive though, and essentially provides for more exciting gameplay -whether on foot or in a 'hog- than what players enjoyed on S. The gameplay is much more varied, but because of this the balance isn't as precise.

As a player on foot, Panic Station is a very interesting map to play as well. The map provides a lot of verticallity, with lots of opportunities for interesting shootouts. A player on foot always has a lot of options at his disposal. Sightlines are long at times, but very controlled. Like with everything else on Panic Station, this is by design. No matter which precision weapon you chose to spawn with, you will feel right at home. No, the DMR isn't the king of every shootout here (I'm looking at you, Ragnorak). In short, the infantry experience on the map is just as refined and enjoyable as the vehicle experience is.

Panic Station was a joy to design, build and test. I'd like to thank everyone who helped in the latter. These people include MockKnizzle008, Flying Shoe ILR, Warholic, PA1NTS, and a huge list of names that I can't spout out off the top of my head, including several members of the TCoJ. Thanks guys!

"Panic Station" (Competitive) - YouTube

Enjoy the map!