aoc_citadel - my first map :o

[orm]

This is the first map i've ever built in Hammer so im looking for some good constructive critism . I am fairly new to mapping, only starting a few months ago and spent that time playing with source sdk and getting to know the tools.

This map is for a mod called Age of Chivalry (http://www.age-of-chivalry.com/). It is somewhat based on Masyaf (the castle in Assassins Creed), Its still heavily in the WIP stage.

Eventually this will be part of a large scale siege map with the castle perched high up on rocky cliffs, I have still to build the siege field area and the interior of the citadel itself.

the texture tiling on the large flat surfaces will be fixed eventually as there will be much much more detail on all of the walls to break it up. the lighting and skybox is also just a placeholder.

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[Mr. Chop]

That's just about the most awesome castle I've ever seen in Source. I can't wait to see it finished.

[longshanks]

Fantastic! Can't wait to play it!

[Sacul15]

Looks pretty awesome. My only criticism is that those rocks being there seems odd. I think it would be better off without them, just to give it a "clean" feel.

[undertone]

Looks pretty awesome. My only criticism is that those rocks being there seems odd. I think it would be better off without them, just to give it a "clean" feel.

I think if it looked more like the castle was built right into the rock it would look better, but now it looks like the rocks are built into the castle, and that looks strange.

[Duke Nukem]

first map? unbelieveable awesome!!!

[orm]

Looks pretty awesome. My only criticism is that those rocks being there seems odd. I think it would be better off without them, just to give it a "clean" feel.

I think if it looked more like the castle was built right into the rock it would look better, but now it looks like the rocks are built into the castle, and that looks strange.

Once i build the siege field outside the castle the environment in the castle will make more sense. The castle itself is built on a big rocky cliff, so i wanted to keep the rocks inside to keep the link as the player progresses through the level. It also helps me breaks up some of the large flat walls which helps avoid texture tiling etc.
Also the rocks that are there right now are just model placeholders. Eventually they will completely re-done with displacements and (fingers crossed) will look far more integrated with the castle itself.

Thanks a lot for all the crits and comments, im taking them on board and ill get some more pictures up shortly of my progress

[Sacul15]

Ah, in that case good work and good luck. I am very excited to see the final product.

[Mr.Unreal]

Is that really your first map? Looks damn nice to be your first.

Nice start and I'm looking forward for more. Keep up the good work!

[dark_veil]

looking smooth so far dude! well done!

[waisted menkey]

That's just about the most awesome castle I've ever seen in Source. I can't wait to see it finished.

agreed. excellent castle architecture!

[orm]

Managed to spend a little more time on this over the past few days. Ive nearly completed the courtyard area and have moved onto the citadel interior.
The interior itself is still a very early WIP but it gives you a good idea of what it will look like inside the ground floor.

1. Citadel Detail


2. Citadel detail closeup


3. Citadel interior


4. Citadel interior


5. This is a very very very rough start on the siege field. I thought there could be an issue with gameplay due to the gate being too difficult for the Agathians to defend. The idea now is to have an outer tower linked with a bridge to the gatehouse. Hopefully this will make it much easier for Agathian archers to defend the gate area. There will also be a way for melee players to get onto the siege field without falling from the towers and taking damage.


Hope you like how its progressing

[Kodox]

You get my vote for best castle designer!

[Vilham]

looks very awesome, especially the arches

[orm]

Couple more shots of some progress today, should give a better idea how the exterior and interior will look.