What is Accelerated Arenas?
This is a new speedmapping community project made to introduce new mappers / singleplayer mappers to deathmatch mapping!
This set is to be constructed of maps from people who are new to deathmatch mapping. This can include mappers who have made a handful of deathmatch maps prior, but it is brand new DM mappers I am primarily looking for.
This is intended to be a fun way to quickly try out a new genre of mapping - rules are not very strict, and I've tried to arrange this to allow as many people to participate as I can.
If you've only made singleplayer maps before, or have never made a map before, welcome, you're exactly the type of people I'm looking for! If you've made a few DM maps in the past, but want to try your hand at making a DM speedmap / practice making more levels - that's also great - I'd love to include you as well!
This set is not going to have a pre-set amount of map slots. I will take as many submissions as I am given, and submissions will be added in the order they are submitted. I will give a hard deadline once I begin receiving the first levels.
I'll get into the rules in just a moment (they're very simple) but here's some important technical information, first:
IWAD: Doom 2
Targeted sourceport: Zandronum.
Accepted map formats: Zandronum: UDMF, Boom, limit-removing D2.
Resource packs: GothMash + Doom 2
Resource pack download link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/ibzla9pfvlas1r4/GOTHMASH.WAD/file
Skies: Mechadon's Box o'Skies v3.
Skies download link: https://www.mediafire.com/file/z69eyws7yzzw2az/boxoskies-v3.zip/file
Jumping is allowed - but you do not need to incorporate jumping into your level if you don't wish to.
I am allowing for multiple map formats to be used, as I didn't want to force anyone into having to work with a format they are unfamiliar with.
Zandro:UDMF, Boom, and limit-removing D2 are all allowed. While Zandronum can feasibly run maps of other formats too, please keep it to the 3 selected formats above.
RULES:
1) A strict 3 hour time limit. Your map must be made from beginning to end in 3 hours' time. You are NOT required to record or stream yourself.
2) To participate, you must be new to deathmatch design. If you haven't made a DM map before, that's great - I'd love to include you. If you've made some DM maps before, but want a chance to improve / practice making a new DM map - I'd also like to include you.
Essentially, this is open to anybody who doesn't consider themselves experienced in deathmatch mapping. If you're new to the scene that's great, if you've only made a handful of levels prior, that's also great.
3) 100% symmetrical arenas will not be accepted. Symmetrical rooms are fine, but your entire level cannot be symmetrical. Any completely symmetrical level will not be accepted.
4) Maps can be of whatever size. Small duel maps are fine, larger FFA maps are also fine.
5) All deathmatch starts must be on a weapon. Pistol-starts are not allowed in this set.
That's it for the rules!
I've recently began streaming my mapping sessions on Twitch - I've decided to use my most recently completed speedmap as the beginning map for this pack.
Here is a VOD of me completing the first deathmatch map in this pack from beginning to end in 2 hours, 26 minutes:
Mapping starts at 0:3:50 and goes to 2:30:08.
Remember, you are NOT required to record or stream your mapping session, that is not necessary - I'm just including this as an example.
MAPSLOTS:
1) Keep of the Damned (by Arrowhead)
2)
Here are some great resources for people new to deathmatch design:
Decay's great multiplayer mapping guide:
Doomkid's video on deathmatch design:
You can also reach out to me directly if you have any questions about DM design - I'll try my best to help you out!
DISCORD SERVER:
I've made a Discord server recently, (Arrowhead's Arenas) in preparation for a simple community project like this!
I intend for this WAD's development to mostly be discussed there. However, if you don't have Discord, or don't want to use it, I don't want to exclude you!
This thread will also be a hub for this project - feel free to post your map here, too, or any questions about DM mapping you may have.
Discord Invite Link:
https://discord.gg/PBwDYdw8
When submitting a map, whether here or on Discord, please ping me directly when doing so.
All maps will be accepted in this project, provided they follow the small set of rules listed above.
Please include what you want your mapname to be, as well as the name you wish to be credited by.
Also, if you have a specific MIDI you wish to use, you can either link the MIDI directly, or tell me the name of it + the composer's name.
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So yeah, this is my first attempt at something like this - I thought at first of just leaving the gates open fully, and accepting maps from veteran DM mappers too, but I think it will be more fun to try to introduce this type of thing to people who are new to it, or relatively new to it.
I'll keep this thread updated the best I can - remember, you can always reach out directly to me w/ any DM mapping questions!
:D