Thread by @TheDesignDen

Incoming #leveldesign update on the @PlayApex map I’ve been building in #UE4. I've been looking at how the LD in Arenas support the combat loop and tried to match that a bit more.

Here's an updated top down. *Some small changes noted below aren't added. 1/12

So, none of these Arena maps are created equal. I also dislike turning maps into formulas but kind of have to if I am going to rationalize things without the resources or people to test the map. I might be way off with some of this stuff. 2/12

Okay so, looking at the existing layouts there's somewhat of a 3 lane structure. When you head L or R from the spawns you have a mostly safe path that connects to a point of interest. 3/12

When I say ‘point of interest’ it’s pretty much a cool combat space that stands out and offers some verticality, cover, interiors, more path complexity…etc. Here are the side PoIs in Phase Runner. 4/12

Since the center path in this map isn't super busy with geo or has a big PoI, its the path less taken. This promotes teams to work together and pick the L or R path. That decision is also influenced by where the circle is headed. 5/12

When the other team picks the same path, combat kicks off and its an intense round. If you end up on opposite sides, each team has a breather. Then, the typical thing is to start poking the other team and decide if you’re going to rush, slowly pick them off, or whatever. 6/12

After playing the mode and getting @videorespawn's feedback on my last post, I spread the PoIs further from the center and reworked them a bit. I also opened the cave/waterfall since an enclosed space would probably be a nightmare for a small circle. 7/12

I also added some smaller wooden structures. I always liked the Bridges PoI in the earlier seasons of Kings Canyon. For the Right side PoI, I added some negative space to isolate it from the center and smoothed out some of the paths that connect to it. 8/12

TBH, I don’t think these PoIs have as much substance as they would need to house a meaty fire fight like the examples from Phase Runner. I will probably expand on these ideas to make them more combat friendly now that I’m happy with the themes and fixed up the footprint. 9/12

The crafting materials and boost containers are big in the meta for Arenas. Teams often rush these and they seem to be placed around the PoIs and positioned in somewhat risky locations. I matched that approach but it will change when I make those PoI adjustments. 10/12

I haven’t really done a solid cover pass. Personally, I like the environments to do most of the work so things don’t look like crate city. Less is more. Plus, there isn’t much of an emphasis on cover in Apex, so its fine that I hold off until I am satisfied with the layout. 11/12

Next, I'll probably focus on beefing up the PoIs and doing a cover pass. Instead of arting the whole thing I might just pretty up a corner and call it a day.

What do you think so far? Why aren't more people making these? What is the meaning of life? All good questions.

12/12