Author: uNity
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I've recently been forced to underclock my system due to heat issues, resulting in a most unfortunate situation: I can't play Assault anymore, as my computer simply can't handle the strain. I have, however, been able to think about a few things, namely what I'd like to see in future Assault maps. Now, you might say Assault isn't competitive, and ask why am I writing about it, and the answer is pretty simple: Assault is fun.
It's so fun, in fact, that most players don't even notice how rapidly they improve while playing Assault. The game type is so frenetic, so relentless that players are forced to remain on their toes and develop very keen reflexes. There's action all around you, and once you learn to keep up with it all, that skill translates very well to the "normal" gametypes, like TDM and 1v1. You might not be improving strategically, but chances are your aim will get much better, as well as your reflexes.
Anyway, back on subject: Assault carries with it an insane amount of possibilities, and it's time someone tapped into the infinite well of originality and came up with something new and exciting. I'm not that person, since my system doesn't allow me to create maps (the editor was obviously not made to be run in 800x600), but I do think I've got some good ideas. So, let's get to it.
Attack From Both Fronts
This idea is actually pretty simple. The map would basically be somewhat small in the horizontal plane, but reaching quite high on the vertical side. At the attacker's spawn point would sit four Raptors (with tweaked HP of course, something like 500).
The four Raptors would have to scale the large Tower, which would sit in the middle of the map, destroying three protective shields (or Power Generators, or what have you), each progressively higher, allowing them to land at the top of the structure. Once they've landed, they'd have to destroy the final generator, which would allow them access into the Tower, and the Core.
The foot soldiers would have to infiltrate the base of the Tower, guarded by pretty much anything, destroying (you guessed it) 3 large Metal doors to progress. Once they destroyed the final door, they'd have to hack two computer panels to open the BFD (Big Fucking Door), allowing access to the Core.
The general idea is that both objectives are equal, in the sense that once either side (foot/raptor) had reached the Core, the entire team would then spawn at the new location. One would be low (foot soldiers), while another would be higher up in the Tower (Raptors).
Once inside the Core, attackers would have to destroy it by first hacking two more Computer Panels (each far away from the other), which would remove the protective shield around the Core, then destroy it.
I don't feel I need to cover defenders much, since it's pretty simple. They'd need turrets to cover each Generator (vs the Raptors), as well as alcoves for foot soldiers to shoot from. The rest of the map would mostly consist of on-foot action.
Manta Race
This idea is simple at heart, but might be a bit more difficult in execution. Basically, you'd have a map with very little elevation (only small ones for various manta related jumps), but very, very long. It'd consist of five or so "legs", or parts of the race.
Attackers would spawn with four Mantas (with tweaked HP, of course, around 400). The Mantas would have to cross various landscapes in progressively difficult fashion. For example:
- First Leg; Defenders have Scorpions and spawn with Link Guns and Miniguns.
- Second Leg; Defenders have Scorpions, one Manta, and spawn with Link Guns and Shock Rifles.
- Third Leg; Defenders have Mantas, one Hellbender, spawn with Shock Rifles and Miniguns.
- Fourth Leg; Defenders have Hellbenders, one Tank, spawn with Lightning Guns, Shock Rifles and Miniguns.
- Fifth and Final Leg; Defenders have two Tanks, Spawn with Shock Rifles, Miniguns and AVRiLs.
Of course, these are just examples, and much testing would be needed, but I like this idea very much. As for the infantry, those who don't have a manta, well, there'd simply need to be a few jumppads thrown about, ala AS-Junkyard, to help them reach the more advanced spots and help take out the enemy vehicles/defenses.
Prison Break
This idea would probably be hard to pull off correctly, but I absolutely love it. The attackers would be prisonners attempting to escape, while the defenders would be, duh, guards. This map would be entirely on foot, but it has an original twist:
The prisonners (attackers) would spawn only with a shield gun.
Now, now, don't worry! They could of course pick up the weapons of the guards they kill, and they could use the shield gun's secondary function to protect themselves until they get close enough to bludgeon the defenders. The Shield Gun damage would need a bit of tweaking, so that one hit would kill, just so it's not completely impossible.
The defenders, on the other hand, would only be allowed double assault rifles, miniguns and snipers rifles, with one or two Flak Cannons spawning every 20 seconds or so. For one, this keep the "real" feeling of the map, and actually makes it possible for the attackers to overtake the defenders. Probably wouldn't happen with Shock Combos and Rocket Launchers around, uh?
Anyway, it'd be a really short map, where attackers would first need to break out of the prison block, then the actual building and finally out of the courtyard.
Like I said, it'd be very hard to pull off, but man, would it ever be challenging and fun.
Bomb da Planet
This is actually the simplest idea I've ever had, but if executed correctly, it'd be so great I'm almost giddy thinking about it.
The concept: A final raid on a Skaarj outpost.
The attackers (human raiders) would spawn on a (very) large ship, hovering above the Skaarj outpost. There'd be a few Raptors, a few Mantas, maybe one or two Tanks, all sitting in the docking bay, ready to be dropped on the planet and commence the attack. The Skaarj (defenders) would have various defensive outposts (each would be a spawn point), with Turrets and various weapons. They could, and probably should, have an Ion Cannon (The big damn thing from AS-RobotFactory), hell, maybe even two.
The catch is, there would only be one main objective: destroy the "source", much like an Onslaught Power Core, except with a ridiculous amount of Health. Something like 30,000. A constant battle would ensue, guaranteed to bring forth much hilarity and merriment.
Conclusion
As you can see, these are just basic concepts. I didn't go into the storyline or the look and feel, and I don't intend to. Mappers need some creative liberty, you know? I'd sure as hell love to see these maps made, though, and if I ever fix my borked system, I'd play them like mad.
On another note, even if these maps don't get made, I do hope they'll spark the creative process and, perhaps, give a few people some great ideas.
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