This was the map I built immediately after Dirtnap Canyons, and kinda wished I used it in the FCMaps.net contest instead. Not that there is anything wrong with Dirtnap Canyons, it’s just that with Aiophic everything is right.
The idea behind the map was to have two directly conflicting environments to battle within, Outdoors and Indoors. Not too unusual right? Maybe, but maybe not. The larger area of the map is mostly tropical lake filled with scattered small islands. Each island is connected with walkways, populated with huts and mini-bases and filled with every tree available to me. The favored travel method in this area is by boat, but swimming is also a possible choice. Unlike many of these types of terrain there are more than enough ladders strategically scattered throughout the area that you can use to get back on your legs for some run and gun fun.
The second area of the map is an extremely long and large tunnel that runs, hidden, through the back half of the map. This tunnel is encased in mountains and totally undetectable if you start in the outdoor tropical area, which the majority of the players do. The tunnel was made using the same technique I perfected in Reflex with the Military road supports used to make the walls of the tunnel. There are some extra paths and slight base “nooks” here and there but overall the tunnel is an open expanse intended for vehicle use (RMVs, and ATVs).
The map design is intended to shine in STS mode with sample bases located on the second floor of the Big House brush at either end of the tunnel. So keep in mind that, even though there are a variety of ways to get from base to base, the House is the bottleneck of the map and needs to be the focus of the defensive players (if you are lucky enough to have any). Of course the Tropical Outdoors allows for tons of cover, so much so that it has been suggested to me that I make a map that is purely the Tropical Outdoors. But the Tunnel has no real cover which lead me to make a bend in the center point of the Tunnel. This way it is impossible to get a clear shot down the entire tunnel. Does this make the tunnel safer? Not at all. With a Scout Rifle near each base and Rockets located at the two entrances to the tunnel, defense must be on their toes. If the Tunnel defenses go lax for a moment – the other team will take a strong advantage and walk all over you.
The outdoor Tropic area also has two “bases” located just a few steps from the Houses. These bases consist of a two floor doc system with a Patrol Boat, Sampan, and Water Scooter at the ready. If you decide to attack by Tropic side here is a hint: keep to the inside of the waterways, don’t venture off into the islands unless you are trying to be sneaky, or need some weapons. The reason I say this is that the most direct route from base to base is the closest, whereas the islands with their walkways and islands tend to slow or impeded boat travel (the Water Scooter has no issues in this though).
As this is most likely my last map for Predator I couldn’t be happier with the results. If I do make another map for Pred I do not see how it will compete with Aiophic.
