Hello! Welcome to what is, unfortunately, only the second article we've posted here on ModDB! We intended to post an article with each release, but because of a weird last few months we never really got around to it. As such, we decided we would utilize this new article to cover the last three competitions - so let's get started.
In late December, we held an impromptu 3-day competition that we called a Test Tube. The theme of this Test Tube was simple: make a map set entirely in one room - thus the name, One Room. I know, clever. This competition ran from the 28th of December to the 31st, although we gave people just a little too much time afterward for late bonus entries.
This competition was our biggest yet, with 15 entries and 1 bonus entry. Unfortunately, one entry was disqualified for breaking our rule against endless arenas and will not be included in the future Steam release.
In third place was "CubeGame" by White_Red_Dragons. This map is set inside a nondescript electronic device that may or may not be a video game console manufactured by a company whose name rhymes with Schmintendo. If it is, they can't prove it nor can they issue a DMCA! The map involves solving a series of logic gate puzzles by pressing some buttons.
The second place winner was "Umbra" by ThatsRidonkulous. Set in a dark, spooky ship, Umbra has the player equipped with nothing but the use key as they navigate the maze-like storage deck while avoiding an invincible enemy that can't enter areas of light.
The first place winner of One Room was krassell's "Cubicle". Cubicle takes on One Room's limitation by allowing the player to move the room itself. The catch? The room rolls, and so does the player. The player must solve the puzzle of simply moving around the map while simultaneously killing infestations of dangerous alien life in the weird floating town-ish setting. It's confusing but unique enough to overshadow that.
The full score sheet for One Room:
Moving onto January we had our second mainline Map Lab contest, spanning three weeks from January 5th to the 26th: Episode One. The theme of this competition required players to make a map that "felt" like Episode One, without necessarily having to fit the setting of Episode One.
The intent of this competition was to see how people could put a unique spin on what many consider to be the most underrated Half-Life game, but in the end, we felt it may have been too restrictive. This reflected in the entry count, with only 7 entries - though those 7 entries are very good!
The third place winner was “The Pit” created by Skorly. This map was heavily based on the Citadel segments of Episode One, but much more orange and with many more rollermines. The map is generally very tightly designed and features some nice orange visuals.
In second was “Outland Resistance” by Supernocho. Set in a slimy industrial part of the Outlands from Episode Two, this map features a zombie-slaughtering stroll through warehouses and ends in a Combine shootout in a train yard.
The first place entry was “Direwolf” by Salamancer. This map may not be massive in size, but it’s definitely the longest map. It cleverly reuses space and sends the player on a sprawling adventure through what is essentially a single warehouse and its Combine-controlled basement. We were all blown away by the tight level design, even if it wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing as other maps the gameplay and length propelled it to the top.
The full score sheet for Episode One:
This past month we ran another smaller competition for 6 days, spanning February 15th to February 21st. This competition, Companion Piece, asked entrants to make levels featuring an NPC companion.
With this competition, we encouraged entrants to develop in pairs - and most did! This competition also saw us judging in pairs, with there effectively being 10 judges functioning as 5. This was done in celebration of Valentines Day, which is great because I fell in love with these maps.
The third place winner, “Roller Mill” by Pineapple Surprise. When we put this competition together, I was hoping for a rollermine companion and we got one! The map lacks in visuals but does some unique and fun things with the electric orb that helps it feel unique.
Second place was claimed by Steven Cabbage’s “Hazardous Route” map. This map features a rebel companion that the player must rely on for many different things as they progress. It was a little finicky at times, but that’s ok for a six-day map.
The first place winner was “Hatchling” by 1upD, Tiop, and Dave. The map employs a sidekick headcrab that may be slow but is surprisingly intelligent. Not just in somehow knowing the code to an electronically-locked door, but also being able to type it in just by jumping at it. There’s a magical moment in the map I won’t spoil, but I will tease with one word: Fastball.
The full score sheet for Companion Piece:
As we continue Map Labs, we encourage more mappers to join in. We’re in the process of severing Map Labs’ ties with the Source Modding Community Discord server but will continue to host the competitions there as well as on Twitter - and hopefully more outlets in the future!
If you’re interested in keeping up with Map Labs, you can follow us on Twitter. We’ll use this Twitter when hosting new competitions or just posting featured entries. We’ll likely also launch a separate Discord server in the near future that will be simply for hosting these competitions (and nothing more than that, it’s not meant to be another modding community!).
Thanks for reading, we hope to see some more cool maps in the coming months!
Chris Marshall
Co-Founder of Map Labs
