Valve and TF2maps.net have put forth a challenge: design a new map with a “dynamic payload element.” What’s a “dynamic payload element,” you ask? That’s up to you to decide, and therein lies the challenge.
Obviously, if Valve or the map makers at TF2maps.net told you what a “dynamic payload element” was, they’d be doing your homework for you! These guys want you to come up with a new way of playing payload. Here’s what the site’s staff has to say about it:
“Any sort of payload gameplay element that involves moving, turning, lifting, teleporting, cloning or turbo-boosting the payload cart is in my opinion okay. You more or less have completely free hands here to exercise your creativity for what can be done as a interesting feature in a [sic] otherwise uneventful and simple payload map.”
Read the full post for complete rules, as well as a link to a handy countdown clock to the contest’s April 30 deadline. First, second and third place winners will be chosen, with in-game medals and other prizes to be announced later.
Remember, the level can be either a standard payload or payload race. Would-be designers in need of inspiration could look to TF2’s Hightower map, the first to include a vertical portion in the race, or Pipeline, where sloping tracks mean an unattended payload cart will roll back to start. Now get map making!
