Map Discussion

[Tab3076]

Let's talk about maps!

Frontlines

Icy Village
Moskow
Silent Town
Jungle
Sevastopool

Assault Zones


Snow Fields
Trainyard
Nijmegen
Road to Langres
Dunverde
Frozen Rive
Reloading Point
Winter Hills
Tramway Depot
Workshop
Farmstead
Heights
Kanawa Mine
Farmland
Bocage
Fragtown
Dead River
Kasserine Pass
Bazerville
Town
Lakeland
Suburb 2
Village
Grand Suburb
Forest
Fields
Rustle of Sands
Hills
Hunting
Dubovka
Ostwind
Desert Walk

Alright, so that's the list. Discussion time!

Overall, I think most of the maps are too small and often times the spawning positions some what awkward. Another thing I significantly dislike is the abundance of maps that have a single center point, this usually creates an "artillery-fest" and just aren't plain fun to play. Though, I will say that I really enjoy Ostwind, that's a fantastic map. Props to whomever made it.

[Ragga]

I agree with you... the maps are not just too small, but I think what would really help is to make them a bit wider; I still find it somewhat challenge'n to really flank a position. With some width, it will be easier to move around a defensive position - or they could make the victory point not too close to the edge of the map!

I like that there are alot of maps, but hope that a good "map editor" comes with AS, but more so... that we have a few map making contest, with winning maps placed with a patch for all. In essence, map ballance should not be too big of an issue - it isnt like CoH where there were resource points.

[Hartmann]

Play them with less players, I doubt the sizes will or even can be reworked. Don't forget that these maps and their sizes were made for vanilla, not AS. Supposedly default map sizes will be adjusted later during development. Their are obviously also more new maps that will be released with the game then what we have now.

[Tab3076]

Play them with less players, I doubt the sizes will or even can be reworked. Don't forget that these maps and their sizes were made for vanilla, not AS. Supposedly default map sizes will be adjusted later during development. Their are obviously also more new maps that will be released with the game then what we have now.

Heh, if you check out the actual .list file you'll see some new map names, and even more front lines maps.

I will say that I think they should just remove some the less played maps, no point in having them at all.

[Zeke Wolff]

Why remove something that has already been made and completed? The mappers has already made the maps and thus, the time and money has already been spent, so why not include the maps? Even if you doesnt play them often, perhaps someone else favors them more than the "most played maps"?

~Zeke.

[Minenfeld!]

Maybe because it's confusing to new players? Maybe because the least played maps aren't all that well suited to Assault Squad?

[Tab3076]

Maybe because it's confusing to new players? Maybe because the least played maps aren't all that well suited to Assault Squad?

Exactly.

It's quality not quantity. And have a bunch of bad maps to choose from isn't something that's good for the game either.

[ZEBCEB]

Stick a "Vanilla MoW" sticker at them,. then folks know it's a "old" map, same as the "Custom settings" RED warning.

Or, stick "Assault Squad" on the new maps.

- ZEB

[Uberscooby]

There are alot of maps to get used to as in 3v3 ect you only get to play in a part of the map. So yeah I'd agree that its Quality over Quantity, but at the same time new maps are great for those who play tons as it helps keep the game fresh. I still haven't played on all the maps and haven't come close to knowing all the areas on the maps I have played on.

I really don't like maps with fixed defences and would like to see more maps with the flags equal distance from either sides spawning to.

Big maps vs small maps well I like one size up as its not too big to get lost or spread yourself too thinly. Bug maps where you have to truck in man packed guns and infantry adds another dimension to the game.

[triumph]

Why remove something that has already been made and completed? The mappers has already made the maps and thus, the time and money has already been spent, so why not include the maps? Even if you doesnt play them often, perhaps someone else favors them more than the "most played maps"?

~Zeke.
Extras can some times detract from a product overall. You want to streamline as much as you can to ensure the user can get to the optimal experience as soon as possible.

And a good thing to do in this case would be get feed back for them now, rework the useless maps, and then sell them by way of micro transaction later. You'll make more money ^^

So anyway here is my list of the best for what sizes so far. I split the maps into two groups and first list the player setting. The useless maps are not mentioned. I've added a comment to each map.
-------------
1v1: I don't think the game is made for 1on1 really. But even though I feel that way I still tried to play that mode to see if it had a chance. I found all the 1v1 listed maps are poorly sized and have an abundance of white. I'm sorry but snow is not something that is easy on the eyes realistic or not.
So looking at the 2v2 maps I feel that these are good:
Farmstead
Heights
Trainyard

Dead River and Farmland might be fine too.


2v2, the setting where the game starts to really shine. It’s also easy to get a 2v2 and it doesn’t hurt so badly if someone has to GG-out of the game due to whatever real life throws at them. The game has some great maps for 2v2.

Top Choices:
Farmland ( a tight and well balanced map. Flanking requires good timed pushes.)
Suburb 2 ( wide urban mix map. 2v2 offers lots of flanking room)
Town (Also fine for 3on3. Some players report lag due to it being an urban map)
Village (Vertical map with a focus on the center.)

Secondary Choices:
Forest (I think it’s a bit big for such a small unit count but it's a fun map)
Bazerville (I dislike the large hill part of the map, the rest I like)
Frag Town ( I dislike the air field half of the map. I think the other half is brilliant)
Kassrine Pass (This map has some terrible issues with steep hills and AT guns.)
Ostwind (Many people don’t like the hills or trenches. I can say i've had some decent small games on this big map)
Heights (very cramped but it can be cool to mix things up. I think spawn points need to be changed.)


----

3v3. Big fun if people aren't on a sega or a toaster. If you all can communicate some amazing stuff could happen.

Top choices
Hunting (PERFECT 3V3 MAP so far. I could only suggest movement of 2 flags to be more contestable)
Town (It will feel more cramped, less chance for light vehicle action. More chance for a guy playing on a toaster to make the game fail. You’ve been warned. Besides that, great fun.)
Lakeland (I think the trains should all be removed or peices that don't allow entry except for the locomotive. Besides that it's a nice map)
Fields ( Pretty good map)
Forest (The spawn areas have issues with pathing, if they were cleared of the fluffy junk it would help a lot. Besides that it's a great map)
Rustle of Sands (Desert map. Pretty cool for Brits vs German themed matches ^^)

Secondary Choices:
Road to Langres (I hear a bunch of complains about the terrain. I'm not a fan of the river being there. Seems to really isolate the flank when you need to path though the bridges)
Grand Suburb (I think that the flag positions are off in certain areas. With some slight changes it could be an EPIC map much like suburb 2)
Hills (Not a fan of the terrain but it can be good to mix things up)


-----
4v4 and beyond. The game just isn't really balanced for this and a lot of stuff will pop up like a spam of tanks that just decimate what the game is trying to go for. Also the map pool is really limited with the following being the only decent options:
Dubvoka
Hills
Grand Suburb



----
The number of points to capture based upon player count can some times ruin a map. I think that a 2v2 on a map like trainyard or Farmstead could be played with just 3 points to fight over and some altered spawns. I also think that some other maps could work well with lesser points for a certain player count.

Also some maps just need a lot of junk removed from the spawn areas to help pathing and control issues. It's just the focal points of the maps that need to look nice. I really don't need a large pipe or a wall that will never be used sitting in the way of my units near a spawn when all the battles happen towards the center.

[Hartmann]

Pretty much, I also agree that bad maps should be thrown out. Though their aren't really any maps which stand out as specifically bad (if you don't look at poor default player numbers). Except for one in my opinion, which is Kasserine. This map has serious issues both in terms of balance aswell as the ability of AI to find its way around. vehicles that are ordered to move any distance across this map frequently cancel their move orders after getting confused by the many rocks and steep slopes.

One of the spawn point for instance has a steep upward slope littered with rocks towards their nearest capzone, while the player on the other side has a flat surfaces and a road towards the same area. This maps should be seriously looked at, simply deleting the rocks in the fighting areas (90% of them) would make it a cool map to play I think, as the huge height differences across the map make it unique in the map list.

[Tab3076]

Trimpuh

I'd agree, the map sizing is totally bunk. If were up to me I'd throw literally all the 1 v 1 maps out. They're much too small and you can usually hit the enemy's spawn with artillery quite easily.

2 v 2

Heights, is a really cool map. It's basic but the beginning of the game really shines with placement of infantry along with cobblestone walls, my only problem is that like most maps is a bit too small. It's very easy and quick to get to the enemy spawns and artillery place just behind the middle capture point can bombard the enemy spawn without a problem.

As for Farmland and Trainyard. I can't stand Farmland. The points are way too close together and the game most always ends up as some annoying artillery fest for the middle point. Farmstead is pretty cool, but again is a bit small.

Town an interesting map but with the buildings not showing transparency, it can become extremely frustrating to play. Suburb 2 is fantastic, but I wish there was more room on the sides and possibly some point re-positioning. Which is another problem.

Some of the point placement in some maps is kind of stupid, what's the point in trying to hold a flat, grass field that holds no tactical advantage? Anyway, I can't stand village. The outer points are incredibly easy to and the game revolves around taking the center which usually results in artillery spam and boring heavy-tank vs heavy-tank battles. Not fun.

Bazerville is a really well done map but it needs to be longer. The spawn positions are incredibly close to the CPs, but other than that I think it's fantastic. Fragtown is really cool, though again it's somewhat too small and certain positions can be rather imbalanced.

Hunting is incredible though, it's too small for 6 players and some the CPs are strange. Though, it's much too small for 6v6. Road to Langres is quite interesting, though I haven't played much of it at all.

Beyond 4v4, Dubvoka is pretty cool though again what's the point of capturing a barren field? Hills is kind of cool, though would be nice with more cover as it's somewhat pointless to make infantry.

Other than that, I think most maps need to be made larger, though most longer and it some cases the points spread out - vertically. Another thing that would also help is spawn placement along with more intelligent positioning of CPs. No point in capturing an open field.

[triumph]

you're not doing farmland right.
Also about surburb 2. See grand suburb.

[Tab3076]

you're not doing farmland right.
Also about surburb 2. See grand suburb.

And how do I do it right? :roll:

[Hartmann]

It's true that farmland can turn very camp. The side points are fairly easy to defend, one being on top of a hill, the other being on an island with a hill behind it. The you have one with some low hills in front of hit which make for perfect hull down positions, and a barn with an open field infront of it on the other side.

Eventually the middle buildings will be shot down and you got a gigantic open area in the middle for heavy tanks. Dunno if new CP has remedied this though, but I would guess not.

[Zeke Wolff]

The reason to why some of the maps might feel too small for MP is due to the reason that these maps were originally made for SP and then got MP "mission" files added. However, as 1vs1 maps I personally feel that those maps are OK and I also like to have 1vs1 maps included since it isn´t always you want to wait to people to arrive into your game, or perhaps you and a friend want to play a "private" battle. Still, if the devs finds it better to remove these maps, I wont lay awake and cry.

Fragtown in its current state is just - awful - the original map looked much better (even if it was a bit smaller though) and had a lot more cover added for infantry (stone walls etc). When Best Way asked for permission to use this map in MoW, they removed a lot of the cover and made it larger by the "lazy" method of just adding extra ground in the form of enormous plowed fields... boring.

~Zeke.

[Hartmann]

There are some 1v1 maps, and most 2v2 maps are more suited to 1v1 anyway. So that are quite a lot of maps for that really.

Yeah Frag Town is quite a nice map but it's just overcrowded with buildings on one side while lacking something similar on the other side. Would be nice to just get rid of the airfield and move half the buildings from the big town over there. So you'd have 2 towns half the size of the one we have now.

[triumph]

And yet it's so hard to protect it all at the same time.
The only time I could say that arty is bad is if you're facing the brits. Otherwise you worry about a mortar or out of desperation a neb. I don't know why someone would want to make craters for the enemy.
And when each team does get a heavy then if you switch to HE you're asking for it. So I still don't see a huge issue. It would be nice to have a wider flank but i'm fine with having one decent small map.


Tab, you don't get smashed by their poor choices.