DM-CBP-Arkanos[Final]
Map Info
	File Name dm-cbp-arkanos[final].zip Author ]BMR[VorLoN Gametype UT2k3 Deathmatch Date Added 11-05-2003 File Version 1.00 File Size 11.74 mb Player Count 2-2 Map Description Well, an older version accidentally got stuck in the Community Bonus Pack. This is a new version, complete with bug fixes and some minor changes, mainly for the MSU contest. Lightning could be better, but it`s ok. Set WorldDetail at least to High to see some decos. And don`t forget to play it with music, because Toxeens track kicks A.S.S. (www.toxeen.com) Review Rating 7.5 User Rating 9 Overall Rating 8.5
Review
Reviewer Twrecks Awe Score:  2.5/3 Date 04-02-2004 Build Score:  2.5/3 Review Schema Cast Score:  2.5/3 User Point:  +1 Overall Score:  8.5/10 I can frag with green eggs and spam! Brought to us by the same mapper who made the Nali City featured map: DM-Tree of Ages. VorLon ups his stakes with custom textures, cube maps, projectors and a load of new meshes in his new map DM-Arkanos. The custom music file ONP-Intruder.ogg is by Toxeen, other credits are given in the readme. I have also played the CBP version, most of my comments remain the same for the Final version. Because of its simple layout, some people have used this map for 1 on 1 action, afterall the rcommended player load is 2. Let me tell you, with 15 Player Starts this map really is better at the 3 to 5 range. There is room for more, but pick ups become scarce. One thing that is truely unique is the maps theme. If Dr Suess played UT2003, he'd be fragging here. What gives this map its special look is the abundant custom meshes, 59 in all. Very little BSP is visible through the map. What is there, creates strong contrasting shadows. The BSP, when looked at alone, reveals the map is comprised of one large room with a central structure, a lift shaft, and two smaller cubbies connecting some ramps. Sounds pretty basic, but then add all the mesh work and the detail level becomes increasingly complex. Plus terrain and a fluid surface to top off an already full tank, this map virtually spills over with eye-candy. The only thing saving this organized mess is a liberal dose of anti-portals. Even so, the number of mesh triangle rivals the larger maps in this pack. Each mesh is fairly optimized for poly count, however, there's just really a lot of them. It is a testiment to the game engine and new tech that this map plays at all. Given these facts, it is no wonder that the recommended player count is a low 2. More players incure a number of frame crunchers: projectiles, dynamic lighting from weapon fire, player shadows, all of which easily drags the FPS into the teens for an average rig of 1.2 GHz. One thing that comes off as garish for me, is the map's lighting, better than the original CBP map in small ways, only mappers will really notice the change(see last pic) While the rakish lighting may support the theme, the differences as to how the same light sources react with meshes and BSP is disturbing. Light sources next to meshes that don't have light maps just looks bad IMO. A projector compliments one of the maps windows, its image easily seen in the last pic. Projectors are one way around ambient lit meshes and avoiding light maps. A couple of the translucent static meshes are actually light boxes, similar to UT light boxes and cones, these fit the maps other unusual shaped brushes to simulate light streaming in. While this may look cool, having light shining in from every angle is far fetched and doesn't meld with the skybox used. I don't think believability was a major concern here, or atleast from the map's fantasy setting standpoint, so will let it slide. One item that was totally objectionable was the unexplained littering of loose tiles strewn throughout the terrain. No where are there breaks in the flooring to account for these extra pieces. Second, all the loose tiles are white, From a checkered floor? it just seems very unlikely. Regardless, the orphaned tiles do tell me that it's okay to make a mess, and go ahead, have fun blowing eachother up. While anyone can bag on Arkanos for its lack of realism, I have to admit it has imaginative charm. I bust out laughing a few times delving into TriggerProperties with event tags such as: "Ineedaxxxingnameforthismap" and "mycokeisout". I never did find out what they triggered other than a chuckle. The meshes are also very creative, the twisted square railing being a favorite of mine. I guess there will come a time that wrough iron fences will have in-game details such as this, maybe when video cards come with a gig of memory and a dual opteron considered average. Maps like this remind me that the impossible may not be far off. Poly counts have grown from an Unreal sub 200 for playability to over a UT2003 40,000. What I'm seeing is that more polys aren't always required to convey an effect, rather more polys add to the number of objects that can be visible at one time. Arkanos opens my eyes to this mapping style, where the tech is pushed to its limits, even in a small space. I can only dream of what mappers will do with even more in the years to come ( I hear rumors of 1mill plus, ouch )
Map Comments
Obi-Wan 11-05-2003 11:09 AM MST Rating: 9   hell yeah!! great map! looks beautiful and flows like a banana! Hourences 11-05-2003 02:19 PM MST Rating: 8   best of cbp has atmosphere, style, and custom content and i really like the big window you got somewhere Gnome_Boy 11-26-2003 07:33 AM MST Rating: 9   Absolutly stunning visuals AND smooth, its quite rare when you get that, but are you sure this is the "final" version? cos i noticed some iffy bits which are an invisible wall and two flak cannons spawn in the same position? but it doesnt stop me thrashing the life out of bots! :P lol Vorlon... :D Manticore 11-05-2003 11:12 PM MST Rating: 9   Plays well. Looks good. Speaking of fixes, this is a message for other CBP mappers. BR-BreakLimit has loaded up without the static mesh for the falling water. CTF-Betrayal has loaded up missing heaps of textures. Either I got a bad download of the Umod or I'm missing some tex files. It would be appreciated if both these maps could go up singularly on this site. I would really like the relevant textures. They look like great maps to play but the old default texture is ruining the look of both of them. As for CBP generally? Great job! ]BMR[VorLoN 11-06-2003 07:45 AM MST   " but are you sure this is the "final" version? cos i noticed some iffy bits like an invisible wall down the center of this slope and two flak cannons spawn in the same position? " No I`m not sure, but I needed a different name :D Never seen those two flaks before, this really pisses me off :/ Aggressor 11-07-2003 04:43 PM MST Rating: 8   Ohohoho, I praise Vorlon for making an excellent map, thus providing me with some amount of will to complete my own works. Sometimes you just need the push... Koveras 11-08-2003 04:25 PM MST Rating: 8   my favorite out of the pack LIM 11-26-2003 11:11 AM MST Rating: 10   Freaking beautiful. I'd go 9.5 on this but round it up for the twisty, unreal *cough cough* look of all the metal and stonework. Damn nice work from all the maps in that pack too btw! Much thanks for the hard work and for hefting it all to us for free no less. /bow Homeslice 11-30-2003 02:39 AM MST Rating: 9   This is sheer brilliance! It's got it all - good theme, gameplay, flow, everything! This is very much a reason I'm keeping UT2003 on my hard drive now! This is an example of why VorLoN is one of the most talented mappers ever (IMO). Great work! slinkfinger 12-09-2003 11:37 AM MST Rating: 9   Great map its beautiful, good gameplay, great textures and static meshes all in one PERFECT!!! Riz 12-10-2003 01:51 PM MST Rating: 9   cbp maps just suck imo but this was the best by a long shot, only decent map in the pack Shao 12-10-2003 03:36 PM MST Rating: 9   Quick comment: is was just beautiful , Download this map now! LuiMo 12-30-2003 05:58 AM MST Rating: 10   What a beautful little gem. Has awesome visuals and flow. The style and the kickin music (I`m pretty sure I heard that one before) reminded me of the good ol`Unreal days. This one will stay on my HD for a looooong time. Download now, cause this map r0xx0rs you. AcIdPhReAk 01-14-2004 05:46 AM MST Rating: 10   woohoo! please more of theese stuFF :D nice work dude ^_^ Resident 01-14-2004 09:18 AM MST Rating: 8   Yeah, this map is great. Smooth, fun and very nice graphics ... and it has a very original theme. Player 04-02-2004 01:03 PM MST Rating: 7   7.5 actually. I have to agree with Riz... This is the only decent map in the whole pack. Mister_Prophet 04-02-2004 04:29 PM MST Rating: 8   This was my favorite. Arakon 04-03-2004 03:37 PM MST Rating: 9   awesome map, good looks, very well used ambient sound.. you can almost always figure out where the other one is hiding. works really well with 3 people too.. the "buggy" version (didn't really notice any) already gave me hours of fun playtime with friends. TheGreatWill 04-03-2004 10:37 PM MST Rating: 9   I have to say that this is a very good 1 vs. 1 maps. Not only does it combine lovely textures and architecture, but it flows well without any dead ends, yet is big enough to hide in certain places, but small to get around quickly. This is the fixed version, and it certain earned its place in the CBP. slaskan 04-05-2004 06:46 AM MDT Rating: 8   well this was a great map i must say but plz u put two flaks on each other that doesnt look grat erase it plzz Theseus314 04-10-2004 10:33 PM MDT Rating: 9   Awesome map, in my opinion this is as good as it gets. Shadowlurker 04-14-2004 05:44 PM MDT Rating: 9   In a strong pack, this map stood out from some of the maps that were simply good. It has character, and a good feel. It's something that a map either has or it doesn't - you cant aim for it, because it just happens. You can be as critical as you like and try and break down a maps score, but really, it's all in the feel of a level.