Tactical Ops 3 Mod for Unreal Tournament 3 Spotlight on Mapping! news

This week we take a closer look at what the mapping team has been up to. Here is a quick update from the TO3 team's lead mapper:

"The mapping team has gone through many refinements over the last few months.  The system for designing maps has been streamlined and we as a team feel that the mapping projects are accelerating each week towards completion.  The TO3 team have tested each map for accuracy in scale and feel.  You should "feel" these results immediately when you first play the game.  All map projects have been approved using this scaling as well as approving new themes for your favorite maps.  Basically, the Level Designers are just adding their textures and meshes.  Then we will prepare for lighting, atmosphere and testing for bugs."

-Calichusetts

Here are some progress reports from several of the major projects under way:

Complex
Authored by Calichusetts
Texture Artist: Skull

The map is making major progress.  For those who played the beta versions of TOC, you know this is a fast map.  For those who haven't, don't worry, there have been so many changes and "face lifts" that its like a whole new map!  This map will place players in the middle of the Appalachian Mountain Range.  Here, terrorists are trying to infiltrate a top secret government building.  United States special forces are their to eliminate the threat "at all costs." 
Be prepared for fast and close combat anywhere inside the building.  I made sure there are at least three points of access in any room so no where is safe for too long.  If there was a motto here, it would be "control the roof, control the game."  Now the roof is no easy task to maintain, all sides are open to nade attacks and two rooms on either end will have you guessing where your enemy will emerge. Good luck and see you in my sights!

Rapidwaters
Authored by: Janis 'Flux' Bode
Recreated by Laky
Modeler: Jonathan
Texture Artist: Jonathan

The latest remake of one of the most famous TO maps is well under way. With a dank and moldy atmosphere the map has as eerily quiet feel. The setting is Hoover Dam on the border between the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada. The historic monument is now deserted but for a few unfortunate tourists taken hostage by a radical group threatening to destroy the dam.  Fearing the worst, a team of Navy Seals has been dispatched to infiltrate and secure the site. The goal of this map is lightning fast game play in a compact but highly detailed environment.

Trooper
Authored by: Peter 'Andirez' Andries
Recreated by Venom

Venom is hard at work creating a new "feel" for Trooper, the map will be loaded with atmosphere and detail, all of this without changing the famous Trooper game play we've all become accustomed to.  The spirit of Trooper will remain well preserved in this remake of a classic. Trooper will take on a new theme as an isolated prison located on an Island, where only the most despicable of Terrorist are kept, Special forces are busy trying to hold back the escaped Terrorists and getting the reinforcements they need to prevent the prison uprising.

Train Station
Authored by: Janis 'Flux' Bode
Recreated by STORM
Modeler: Andy2Dandy
Texture Artist: Andy2Dandy

Trainstation is one of the oldest and most popular maps in tactical ops, which is being lovingly recreated by STORM.
The map will be oozing with atmosphere as special forces try to regain control of the trainstation and bring the hostages to safety.
The detailed environment will see a magical blend between its original design and some interesting new concepts, which  has all been achieved without making any changes to the layout we are all accustomed to.
Prepare yourself for some intense moonlit action from this old favorite.

Blister
Authored by: T.L. 'Ganjaman' Scheffer
Recreated by Teifi
Modeler: Igi
Texture Artist: Lone

One of the most classic tactical ops maps returns to us with an array of changes that remain loyal to the original design. Blister, an all-time favorite, is eagerly being transformed by AoT mapper Teifi, from the plain original feel - to the realistic outskirts of an Arabic city, whilst all the time remaining true to the layout. The design will make players feel like they are actually in the Middle East, rather than in an exit less arena. With the new astounding eye-candy and map theme, this time-proven map will bring an astounding mix between realism and game play.

_____________________________

Welcome to the latest TO3 trial team members:

Couch - Environmental modeler - May 5, 2008
Bitmap - Modeler - May 04, 2008
Syphus - Public Relations (Spanish & Portuguese) - April 28, 2008
Khalmuck - Modeler - April 24, 2008
Mr_Flamenco - Modeler - April 15, 2008

See you on the servers,
Your TO3 Development Team !