Hello and welcome to the Lambda Cup, a series of five HL2:Ep2 single player mapping challenges.

If you are new to my mapping challenges, please see the event’s homepage: THE LAMBDA CUP 2018 as well as the CALENDAR of the mapping challenges for the entire 2018.

Theme Details

The word “coast” is very evocative. Long walks on the beach, pretty little seaside towns, high cliffs with waves crashing against them.

We would like you to build a map that has “coast” as its main setting. We leave the exact type of location to you but here are a few ideas.

A port used for storing and loading containers, a beach with little coves to explore, a re-imagining of Lost Coast, a cliff wall with caves and walkways, and finally a map where the player has to work their way along the coast through outposts.

Driving maps will be accepted but please think carefully before choosing this type of gameplay – it often involves a lot of work for very little player interaction.

We have purposefully chosen this theme as we feel it is open enough for all standards of modders yet also offers the possibility for many types of interpretation.

Deadline

The deadline for submission is 11pm GMT Monday 22nd January 2018

The RTSL-Mod-Template

This year, each challenge will have a new mod template that entrants should use to build and test their entries (highly recommended). If you just want to build a map that runs under “regular” Episode 2 that is fine as well, but you won’t be able to use any new features (see below).

The template is packaged as a mod and allows entrants to easily test their work and the new features and fixes.

It will contain any new content, as well as fixes, for example the antlion worker flash bug, but must be used with the “Upcoming” branch of the Source SDK Base 2013 singleplayer engine and users MUST use the SDK Base 2013 Hammer.

Please CAREFULLY follow the instructions in RTSL-Setting-up-the-dev-mod.pdf located in root folder after downloading the mod template.

We DO NOT guarantee that each challenge will have new content, so please don’t expect it.

Mazur has made miscellaneous changes to the codebase, for which I would like to thank him.

Please visit the RTSL Mod Template page for more details and to download the mod template.

The MechaCrab

I am very pleased to announce that in this challenge, and all future Lambda Cup 2018 challenges, entrants have the MechaCrab available for use. It is not mandatory to use the MechaCrab in CoastVille, but at the very least we hope mappers take the time to experiment with them and offer feedback and possible improvements.

RTSL Graffiti



The RTSL Graffiti is included in the mod template. Use of the textures is not compulsory but it would be pretty cool if you used them. Please see the post linked above for full details, but if you didn’t know, you can use them in any non-commercial mod with a credit link to the author.

The Lambda Cup 2018

The Lambda Cup 2018 consists of five mapping challenges, each with a different theme.

Entrants will receive points for each challenge they enter, and each challenge has individual prizes as well.

At the end of the event, the best 3 points totals from the challenges they entered will be added together for each entrant.

These totals will decide who wins the Grand Prizes.

This means that entrants do NOT have to enter each and every contest to win the grand prize but they will need to have entered at least 3 challenges to have a chance of winning the grand prizes.

There have been significant changes from last year’s Hammer Cup, especially regarding points and judging criteria. I HIGHLY recommend reading the full details here: THE LAMBDA CUP 2018.

General Advice

DO NOT GET OVERLY AMBITIOUS. If you can’t build it in about 2 weekends then think smaller.

Something is bound to delay your progress. Leave time for testing, bug fixing and polishing!

Testing

We highly recommend getting your map beta tested by somebody you trust.

Do this early in its development if you can.

General Rules

PLEASE READ THEM SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.

Download the Submission Template and use that to submit your entry. The only exception is if you intend to submit only a map with no custom content – in which case you can just send the map (bsp), the graph file (ain), your mapname_readme.txt, and optionally the map source (vmf).

End your map with a point_clientcommand firing this exact command: disconnect; startupmenu

Maximum two maps per mapper per entry.

The map must be original and not have been released publicly before.

The map must run in system with only Ep2 installed

By entering the competition you grant PlanetPhillip.Com and RunThinkShootLive.Com the right to release the map as part of the RTSL-THC2018-C1-CoastVille Mod.

Maps must not appear on ANY other website before the release and for one month after the release of the mod.

No assets from retail games other than HL2, HL2: Ep1 or HL2: Ep2 are allowed.

Other assets are allowed with written permission from their original authors, which MUST be included in the entry, preferably a link to a public page that shows permission has been granted.

All files submitted MUST be in lowercase and any custom assets must have unique names, both folder AND files.

and any custom assets must have unique names, both folder AND files. Entrants are requested to send their VMF files in with their entry. A section in the ReadMe.txt file will make it clear that they are for educational purposes ONLY and MUST NOT be used as the base for other levels without prior permission of the respective author.

to send their VMF files in with their entry. A section in the ReadMe.txt file will make it clear that they are for educational purposes ONLY and MUST NOT be used as the base for other levels without prior permission of the respective author. Phillip’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into about it.

The map MUST have a proper name.

The map MUST have a proper filename: entryname_tlc18_c1.bsp

Submit a mapname_readme.txt with your entry. Even if it is just your name and your entry, although you should try to create a proper one.

If you do not receive a confirmation email without 24 hours of sending an entry, contact Phillip IMMEDIATELY.

In addition, any custom content must be able to be used in monetised playthrough videos posted on the internet.

Submission Details

PLEASE READ THEM SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.

Enter well BEFORE the deadline. I will accept all late entries as bonus maps.

Last year, I was flexible regarding entry deadlines, but NOT THIS YEAR.

Even 1 minute is late!

It is also WHEN when I receive it NOT when you send it. Read the General Rules above Please follow the submission guidelines, included in the submission template carefully. This submission template must be used UNLESS you are sending in just a BSP file. Upload your compressed file (rar, zip or 7zip), using the Submission Template to a free file sharing service.

(Try uploadfiles.io, filedropper.com, wikisend.com, mega.nz or mediafire)

Please avoid Google Docs – it’s often difficult for me to download from them. Send an email to runthinkshootlive@gmail.com with the following details:

SUBJECT: TLC2018-C1-Entry name

BODY: TLC2018-c1-Entry name (Not filename)

The name you want used for credit. For example “Phillip Marlowe AKA PlanetPhillip”

Link to compressed file (or attach it to the email if it is small enough)

In addition, any custom content must be able to be used in monetised playthrough videos posted on the internet.

Submitting a chapter & background menu image

Entrants are allowed to submit their own chapter image.

We do not guarantee to use it though.

All that is needed is the image – you do not need to create the VTF, unless you want to. It should be 17Kb.

It’s not compulsory but it will be appreciated.

This can be done up to 7 days after the deadline.

RULES:

1. Image should be 16:9 ratio.

2. JPG or PNG is best.

3. Weapons and HUD MUST be removed.

4. Neither too bright nor too dark.

5. The FOV can be changed. I use between 75 and 90.

6. Visual effects can be added but be sensible.

7. No text must be added.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

1. The chapter images are small. Some images look great full screen but look meh when small.

2. Don’t spoil the map for the player. I find something near the beginning is better, but not always.

3. Don’t spend hours trying to get it perfect. Often people use it for reference only.

4. But, if you can find the right angle and lighting, a good chapter image can get players excited. Do not neglect the promotion of your work.

4. Funky, weird or strange generally don’t work. Keep it simple.

Final Thoughts

With this challenge, we intended to allow open maps, but still have options for small, indoor areas.

We hope mappers find interesting ways to use the given theme and as always we look forward to playing the results!

If you have ANY questions, please don’t hesitate to ask, either here in the comments or by email if you prefer a private answer.