Bloodmyst Isle
Made in Halo 5 Forge during my time at KSU, this map was a challenge to myself on exploring what makes a Big Team 8v8 map work. Suited for Capture the Flag and Big Team Battle, this arena places emphasis on lane and weapon control to push across the main features of the map: a giant bridge and two loops.
Concept
One key component of most memorable Halo maps is a focus point for the maps to take place around. Some examples of this would be the giant wheel on Zanzibar from Halo 2, or the wide field and twin opposite bases of Blood Gulch from the original Halo.
Consequently, in my initial concepting, I knew I wanted the center memorable piece to be a bridge with two side flanking routes. As a big team battle map, it’d be an epic battle between two teams on a giant bridge!
Stand out!
One great element of Halo’s sandbox and its tools is that Forerunner objects do a great job of standing out from their environment. When creating the two bases, I used the Forerunner assets to signify to players that these were places of importance and would serve as both flag and enemy spawn locations.
Vehicles also needed to feel viable and powerful on the map. With both bases being equipped with a Warthog and ghost, the bridge itself needed to be a fun battlefield for both foot and vehicle gameplay; that meant making these spaces wide enough for vehicles to get through unimpeded.
Learnings
Looking back at this map, I’d change a number of things with my current level design experience.
The side pathways are far too open and need a cover piece on the landing side to make for more accesible flanking routes as there are far too many areas with line of sight to this area.
Next, I’d redo the bases themselves to incorporate more rocks and environment since the underside of the bases feel far too open and rigid to fit the gameplay I had in mind.
Lastly, I’d make some additional cover area on the bridge itself to make holding it more effective. On the other hand, I’d add an additional walkway underneath the bridge, and gravity lifts up the sides to allow for additional flanking to the interior space of the bridge. This would allow for potential to break holds on the bridge and prevent the bridge from becoming an unbreakable no-man’s land.