Announcing: The Blue Box Initiative

PWNST4R

-- 5/30/12 Update --
Added the link to the bluebox assets packs ! Please check inside of the unity project for the terms of use and a short breakdown of the pack content.

-- 5/24/12 Update --
Added two more level design links, from the creator of counterstrike's Dust and Dust 2 - shows well how simple a great map design is at the start, and how it evolves!
Added a link to Coolman1081's topic on sketching ideas using Google's sketchup, then converting them into Unity 3D files.
Added a link to an all-fps level design community forum (http://www.moddb.com/forum/board/level-design)

Calling all Map Creators, Gamers & UberStrike fanatics!

Blue Box was first launched last year as a way for us to rapidly prototype maps, integrate feedback and ship out maps to our community quicker than ever before. Through it we’ve launched some of our most popular maps ever including CuberStrike, which has enjoyed over 5 million plays in the last month.

Today, we’re proud to open up the Blue Box Initiative to the public!

Map Creators
Rapidly prototype ideas and gain real world user feedback from millions of users.

Submit and discuss your ideas for maps in our dedicated subforum and gain feedback from the UberStrike community. Maps will be voted on and once a week the best ones will be pushed live to every UberStrike player.

Once approved, you have the opportunity to work with Cmune artists to fully texture your map, win prizes & be credited as an official content creator in the game.


Community Members
Help shape the future of UberStrike and get exclusive first looks at new content.

Participate in the Blue Box initiative by championing what you love. Want to see a map where you have to spring grenade between acid waterfalls while dodging killer whales? Probably not. But, help give invaluable feedback to Map Creators and see more of what you love in game.


FAQ
How do I make a Blue Box map?
UberStrike is built on the cutting edge Unity3D engine. You can install it for free from the Unity3D website, then download the asset pack and get building.

Post up screenshots & videos to get feedback in the Blue Box forum and iterate on your design for the best chance of your map being selected to make it into UberStrike!

How do I submit my Blue Box map?
We’ve developed top secret technology which allows us to instantly receive your Blue Box map from your desktop straight to Cmune HQ. Just kidding - you can just email your project file to us (<!-- e --><a href="mailto:bluebox@cmune.com">bluebox@cmune.com</a><!-- e -->) along with your in game name.

What's in it for me?
We’ll work with you to provide exclusive feedback and real time user stats to help improve your map. Once it’s been approved by the Blue Box committee you’ll be credited as an UberStrike content creator in game.

On top of that, we’re in the midle of working out some prizes to compensate contributors. Watch this space. (If you have any specific ideas on how we should do that, let us know)

Who is the Blue Box committee?
Cmune staff, UberStrike moderators & special guests.

Do I get creative input on how my map is textured?
Of course! You’ll work directly with Cmune artists to help texture the map in a creative direction you see fit.

I have an awesome idea but I’ve never made a map before. Can I participate?
You don’t have to be an experienced map maker to get started. We welcome people to submit concept art and ideas for discussion in the Blue Box dedicated subforum.

HHHHHEEEEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPPP!
That wasn’t a question. But okay:

Downloads:
Unity3D: http://unity3d.com/unity/download/
The Blue Box Asset bundle: http://distro.client.cloud.cmune.com/Ub ... ox-1.0.zip

How to sketch and share you ideas :
viewtopic.php?f=29&t=23652

Other links:
Download Maya: (Student Edition): http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=downlo ... er&ptid=14
Learn Maya: http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categ ... deling.php

On Level Design:
http://www.moddb.com/forum/board/level-design
http://www.worldofleveldesign.com/categ ... s_tips.php
http://www.johnsto.co.uk/design/making_dust
http://www.johnsto.co.uk/design/making_dust2

Or from the good people at Valve:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wik ... vel_Design
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wik ... _Tutorials

Oh, and we’ll periodically hide little Easter Eggs and prototype new weapons in Blue Box maps, so keep your eyes peeled.

P.S. Hello Cmunity!

You might already know me from the Dundee server - I run around with the awesome prototype and vintage items you're all dying to have (and oftentimes kill me to have actually).

Aside from that I'm Game Director here at Cmune, and help on develloping and tweaking content for that game called Uberstrike that I'm sure you know about.

This post is the first of many great things to come with all things Blue Box. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know below!

-Astro|Chaos-

Sweet, I'll go get to working then.

Chillingo

I love blue maps thats PWN and i cant wait to see the new update and new map coming out and im not talking about warehouse 2 and ive never seen u play but i want to so i can see ur vintage items!!!! O_O

~H3ADSH0T~

This guy is the reason we have the new Sky Garden

---

I might get to work on this. Sounds like fun



Cheers,
Adam

WHAT NOW

Question- Is there a standard that CMUNE is looking for? Such as size, allowing space for items, etc. Or is it simply be as creative as you can and we (CMUNE) will see if we like it or not? I really hope I can get to work on this soon. Would love to do some layouts for maps.

Thanks,
WHAT NOW

Larry Likes

I guess ill try lol.

-Ghostbuster-

I'll try it...but why should we have many maps with Blue Boxes?ToR or LP2 looks more realistic.I wanted to ask can i try to create a map like ToR, LP2 etc..?

<ThE DrAgOn GuY>

I was wondering can u add a sercret place like in temple of raven that would be fun

Lil-saint :P

I gonna try for this

~T.R.O.N~

Imma Try It Out ! 8-)

-Spiegel-

I guess it couldn't hurt to try and create my own map.
I'm gonna do it!

Spiegel

TriggerSpazum

Hmmmm....
Gee, CMUNE, your really testing me here!

Dont know how good i will be, but sure, i will give it my best shot! :mrgreen:

+TrIgGeR+

PWNST4R

WHAT NOW wrote:

Question- Is there a standard that CMUNE is looking for? Such as size, allowing space for items, etc. Or is it simply be as creative as you can and we (CMUNE) will see if we like it or not?

Not yet !

Bluebox is here to allow creators as well as players to propose and vote ideas for the content. For now we'll be looking into providing you with two types of experiences :
- Fun
- Competitive

Fun maps can revolve around a few very simple and very straightforward gameplay ideas, whereas Competitive maps will be much more carefully design and much more iterated on.

On my end, this is how I like gameplay and level design to be develloped :

1: "Gameplay ideas" - drafts, moments of gameplay that combine level, weapons and items that we would like to play
2: "Level design draft" - a very simple layout that mixes these gameplay elements
3: "Bluebox & iteration" - a first simple bluebox in which the size and the balance of the map around these gameplay elements can start being tested and develloped

And this is why voting and discussing ideas by everyone is important even at the early stages - I really hope that content creators will read and pay attention to simple ideas proposed by players who don't have the time or skill to turn into maps and find inspiration there.

BUT that's only my approach to it, and I don't want it to be a pattern in the map creation for Uberstrike )

We'll give more detail and provide better guidelines soon with the help of the BlueBox Committee, so stay tuned!

THE ENDER

well.. Some sample > viewtopic.php?f=29&t=38487

Cheers!

-Braveheart-

this is great im gonna go for it
sure mine will get selected

tomh2092

Good luck freelance developers!

Carlos Spicy Weine

Can't wait to see the get fully underway. This is an amazing opportunity to unleash the full power of the PC platform!

ygamer

I will try my best...................

-SniperDragon-

I want back the blue box skygarden i love it

-Turbo|Noob-

How do you post in Anouncement? :?:

Shammi

Hope they upload the Blue Box assets as Fast as possible i have designed some with basic assets.. it look awful..!!

KiwiBird

Question-do we need to name our Bluee Box Map? or you guys will be the one? :roll:

If we or you will be the one who will name?
If we or you will be the one who will name the Blue Box Maps we made. We need not only to name it or feeling so awsome that you are good in arts or something.... when we name it lets ask Him/Her why he/she choose that name? or Why you like that name? or What is the meaning of that name or etc.....

If you will be the one who will name it?
If you will be the one who wil name it. Then we are free to make the Blue Box Map good

KiwiBird

nad

KiwiBird wrote:

Question-do we need to name our Bluee Box Map? or you guys will be the one? :roll:

If we or you will be the one who will name?
If we or you will be the one who will name the Blue Box Maps we made. We need not only to name it or feeling so awsome that you are good in arts or something.... when we name it lets ask Him/Her why he/she choose that name? or Why you like that name? or What is the meaning of that name or etc.....

If you will be the one who will name it?
If you will be the one who wil name it. Then we are free to make the Blue Box Map good

KiwiBird

You'll get to name it whatever you want. If we think it's a bad name though, we'll let you know.

-B|oodseeker-

Beautiful! This is a fantastic move by CMUNE! With all these blue box maps, UberStrikers can support CMUNE in the creation of maps! Bravo!

--Deathwhisperer--

xX!$p!r!t|L!Ght!Xx

<ThE DrAgOn GuY&gt wrote:

I was wondering can u add a sercret place like in temple of raven that would be fun

:cry: i want the old skygarden the box skygarden pls im noob in the Skinless Skygarden im pro in blue box skygarden

New York City 1863

I'd like to immediately direct you to DA GREAT RAY's awesome concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub0Am_cahbM

Great, guys, I like the direction you're heading for as far as involving the community is concerned.

-RadioActive-

It's My Year! CMUNE I PROMISE YOU MY ART WILL GIVE YOU A GREAT BOOST IN THE FUTURE! Jus' Wait an watch..

Gh@$t Fighter

wow it is played by a billons of players wow it is amazing tht a billon of player playerd the blue box wow it is amazing

supergirl22

Is it the old sky garden but just different name :?: If it is the same then that ok.....because we have the old and new sky garden

~Hopalis~

I think this is an awesome idea and i like the direction cmune is heading in ... involving the community in map creation is a great idea.

I have 1 question/ request .... would it be possible to add a option in the create a game section, that allows the player 2 turn off the texture/ skin . so the map can be played as a blue map. the reason for this is that for a great deal of players the only maps that we can play are the blue box maps. all the others require 2 much from my system and bring my fps down to a unplayable level. ... if for example cuberstrike is textured i will not be able 2 play any maps at all and that will be the end of my ubz playing forever,,,,,, and i think im not alone with this problem ...

Ok thanks ....


Hopalis

-Th3 OpT!C AaRON-

cool!!