Let's talk about Ice colony.

Generic, on-topic discussion about Colonial Marines.
User avatar
Freedominspace
Registered user
Posts: 13
Joined: 23 Feb 2018, 18:23
Byond: Freedominspace

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Freedominspace » 26 Feb 2018, 18:03

It annoys me that it takes so long, and often devolves into stalemates. As an unrobust Marine, I normally die less than 2 hours into the round, so then I have to wait.
Jerry 'Dixie' Baker
Combat/Command

User avatar
TheMaskedMan2
Registered user
Posts: 821
Joined: 15 Feb 2017, 12:37
Location: United States, Georgia
Byond: TheMaskedMan2

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by TheMaskedMan2 » 27 Feb 2018, 09:55

Here is my random theoretical Ice Colony thoughts!
Z-levels are pretty much japery, theoretical way to turn Ice into one Z-level.

1. Move the underground North of the map. (Claim it’s built into the side of a mountain.)

2. Move LZ2 to the Cargo warehouse. (Huge open pad already, pretty fit for it.)

3. Add timelocks to the main entrances, Xenos get the inside, Marines outside. Marines get some time like on LV t play in the snow and the outside, Xenos get time to fortify thw locked down facility.

4. Cause power restoration to “Heat” indoors environments, negating the need for a coif, if power goes out it gets cold again.

4. Profit, maybe?
Certified RP Professional™
Marine: Vera Webb
Synthetic: Sybil
Predator: Vaya'Nylk

User avatar
HKO20006
Registered user
Posts: 385
Joined: 29 Jul 2017, 21:25
Location: Hong Kong
Byond: HKO20006

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by HKO20006 » 27 Feb 2018, 11:05

1. Make map location names more detailed, Prison did this very well, like South high sec north/south, instead of the whole south cave as Underground Cave
2. The ladders are mazes of itself, they don't go where you expect them to go. Dorm ladders? Nah, nowhere near the elevator, way south. The nearest ladder underground? It's from bar (to basketball court). The most used pairs (in supposed coordinated attacks) are the ladders in Engineering and Sub Engineering, Hanger elevator and Hanger ladder. The rest see much less uses.
Oskar Weber as PFC, SG, Engie, PO, SO
I upload CM videos: youtube.com/user/HKO2006Gaming/videos
Revamped wiki pages: Marine Quickstart Guide, Xeno Quickstart Guide, Squad Marine, Squad Engineer, Macros

User avatar
Jeser
Registered user
Posts: 1119
Joined: 04 Mar 2015, 00:47
Location: Donetsk, Ukraine

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Jeser » 27 Feb 2018, 12:09

Wubs4Scrubs wrote:
25 Feb 2018, 20:10
Another large issue with Ice Colony is simply when marines rarely win. The problem isn't how low the marine win percentage is (which is probably the lowest of the four map if I had to wager), it's actually just how terrible a marine win feels. Most rounds on Ice end very quickly, when xenos push early and decimate the cold and disorganized marines. However, when xenos don't rush the marines and they're allowed to gain a foothold on the planet the chances of a marine win unsurprisingly increase substantially.

Thus, there are two extremes on Ice Colony which occur far to often for me to consider it a polished map. Either the round ends in close to an hour following a xeno metarush, or in the unlikely event of a marine win the round lasts for upwards of 4-5 hours. The devs have stated somewhat recently that they aim to decrease the average round time as it is unfair expect players to play CM for 4-5 hours straight. Additionally, the casualties on Ice Colony during the long rounds are massive resulting in a massive amount of the playerbase having to sit out for hours.

The biggest problem which leads to the more common 4-5 hour rounds on Ice than the other maps is the dreaded lower level. Traversing the lower level on Ice Colony is like trying to navigate Pam's Labyrinth with a broken ankle. The abysmal move speed combined with the extremely complicated and pitch black corridors make coordination impossible. All tactics are out the window and marines are quickly disband into small groups which are easily picked off by even mildly competent xenos. A single spitter, sentinel or hunter can easily kill dozens of marines as it is impossible to corner them due to how slow everybody is.

Even if xenos are outnumbered 5 to 1 they can easily slaughter swathes of marines on the lower level. This leads to a 4-5 hour (or longer) on Ice being caused by an extremely predictable set of circumstances.
  • 1. Xenos don't metarush LZ1
    2. Marines spend roughly 1 to 2 hours fighting over the bar area on the map.
    3. If marines are ever pushed back far enough to the LZ, they lose.
    4. Assuming marines get the better of the bar skirmishes, they will slowly and tediously secure the top part of the map. We're between the 2.5 to 3 hour mark at this point.
    5. The disorganized marine force descends into the icy hell that is the lower level, where they are picked off one by one by the few remaining competent xenos who are likely in the later stages of maturity (elite/ancient)
    6. The outcome of this part of the round is dependent on how many marines are remaining after the battle for the top of the map. Since the lower level strips all tactical decisions from the marines it all comes down to sheer numbers and whether the more competent xenos are already dead.
    7. Marines either win when the remaining xenos make the mistake of defending the hive, or lose as xenos slowly build up their numbers as they capture roaming squads of 4-5 marines.
This. nothing even to add here.
Jeser "Fox" Aushwitz.
Jeser believes only in one thing - common sense.

Image
Image
Apop's permission: Click

User avatar
ArrancarX5
Registered user
Posts: 38
Joined: 24 Feb 2018, 16:26
Byond: DarkShinigamiX
Steam: Wolfgang

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by ArrancarX5 » 02 Mar 2018, 19:42

Also, I forgot to mention, Ice Is NOT NICE. it's cold and it sucks.

User avatar
Mvp777
Registered user
Posts: 218
Joined: 31 Jul 2017, 03:57

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Mvp777 » 02 Mar 2018, 22:46

Maps waaaay too big and its cold as balls, makes actually winning as Marines extremely difficult.
Image I play Fred Majun/formerly Alfred Stafford/Majun

User avatar
Sulaboy
Registered user
Posts: 782
Joined: 14 Jan 2018, 04:10
Location: Florida
Byond: Sulaboy
Steam: Danger

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Sulaboy » 02 Mar 2018, 23:01

With the changes to cold it is a bit more manageable, and the elevators can add some flavor to the round, but the cold is a big problem, and I don't think face huggers should rip off coifs. Also during high pop it becomes harder to break into the underground as all areas can be more easily guarded.
Clancy 'Danger' Long
Ethan
A̸̧̭̰̮̰̜̥͈̱̲̫̲̭͋̄̈̍̉̓̿̊̃H̸͈̬̗̓̄̒̇̿̀̏̎͑͊̇̃̇͝Ĥ̴̨̧̨̩̞̗̤͝ͅH̴͔͕͊̄̓̐̀͝

User avatar
TehSpoderman
Registered user
Posts: 979
Joined: 05 Feb 2017, 22:10
Byond: TehSpoderman

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by TehSpoderman » 02 Mar 2018, 23:24

If you like Ice, you gay. Seriously though, the gameplay on Ice is bad. Its straight unenjoyable to WIN as marines. If you wanna see my reasons, look at Wub's post.
Duke 'Oddshot' Stroh - The Bamboozler
Mentor: June 5th - September 1st
Check out my mapping dumping grounds: http://www.colonial-marines.com/viewtop ... 14&t=14204 . It's where people share their mapping projects and ask for feedback. Check it out pls <3

User avatar
WinterClould
Registered user
Posts: 990
Joined: 11 Jun 2017, 02:30
Location: Boogie Wonderland
Byond: WinterClould
Steam: 『WinterClould』

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by WinterClould » 03 Mar 2018, 06:09

Ice is not nice. Ice is suffering. Even when you win as a marine it eats ass.

All the people who just vote Ice then leave actively hurt my soul. Vote Ice if its your damn favorite map, but Jesus people don't vote it just so other people gotta deal with that bullshit.

Every time I see the map get voted for Ice Im tempted to join as CO and force all the marines on DS-2 in hopes the round ends quickly from it. But I just can't bring myself to bother because of how completely unfun that is. Even if I think it's more fun then playing on the surface which is boring and shitty.

The only thing good about Ice's surface is sometimes a squad at Tcomms gets cut off from the LZ and has a cool last stand with medics evacing people via their special beds and everyone else just trying to hold out for dear life.










I don't even like the winter clothing and I have an extra special hate for the coif fight me.
Chen "DiscoKing" Westinton Proud recipient of the "Realest Nigga on the Bloc" Award. My Dossier, it's good. Trust me. Read it.
Secondary Objective: Stay Safe, Stick Together, Kick the ass of anything that might need an ass kicking. If you find any booze bring it up to CIC for me please.
Not everyone who lost their life on Space Nam' died there. Not everyone who came home from Space Nam' ever left there.
Image

User avatar
Mvp777
Registered user
Posts: 218
Joined: 31 Jul 2017, 03:57

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Mvp777 » 03 Mar 2018, 06:19

By and large i'd say Ice is the most unpleasant map to be a Human on, for the many reasons stated.
Image I play Fred Majun/formerly Alfred Stafford/Majun

User avatar
Dolth
Registered user
Posts: 1470
Joined: 30 Apr 2015, 14:48
Location: Brig probably
Byond: Pette

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Dolth » 03 Mar 2018, 10:00

Since the temperature update happened I have nothing against Ice Colony.

Though I'd like to just spit on people whining about how difficult underground is as a marine. Those are just hallways, just like any station, just like prison, just like some places on Big Red. Jesus you are MEANT to have the advantage. That is NO excuse.
New signature 03/10/2018
► Show Spoiler

User avatar
Symbiosis
Registered user
Posts: 673
Joined: 17 Apr 2017, 12:13
Byond: Symbiosis

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Symbiosis » 03 Mar 2018, 10:22

Ice is bad.

Really bad.

It does have the best sprites, coolest features, and best atmosphere, though.

Xenos can delay near invevitably, the sheer amount of ladders and the spread of each ladder is far too much.

The ways to make Ice more enjoyable are tied to mobility and ease of access. The fact Xenos can camp elevators and delay is goofy. Multi Z level itself is difficult to manage.... but erasing ladders and creating only two ways up + the DS is a start.
Cliff "Chubs" Campbell

"Hey, did anyone bring any food with them?”

Thwei Kv’var - Blood Hunter

misto
Registered user
Posts: 706
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:53
Byond: Megamisto

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by misto » 15 Mar 2018, 01:17

you wanna talk ice colony, ill talk ice colony

https://gitlab.com/cmdevs/ColonialMarines/issues/2688

ice colony is caught in a time-space distortion field that causes its ladders and elevators to have almost nothing to do with each other across z-levels. when you ride some of these elevators, you are travelling farther horizontally than you are vertically. when you climb through some of these ladders, you're on a magical journey through winding spaghetti tunnels.

User avatar
Gnorse
Registered user
Posts: 582
Joined: 25 Dec 2016, 13:06
Location: Who knows ?
Byond: Gnorse
Steam: Gnorse2

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Gnorse » 15 Mar 2018, 06:27

Now that marines don't get slowed down, that's one bad thing about ice removed.
There's still two huge factors though, one being the whole 'face huggers rip off coifs' thing and then there's the insane amount of delay and ladder camping.
-local suicidal delta PFC. No, not murry, the other one- : Oussama 'DOA' Neghiz
Please don't follow me if you don't want to die
Occasional commander, Part-time smartgunner and Full-time PFC.

Image
Image (Huge thanks to Okand37 for making this cute boi !)

misto
Registered user
Posts: 706
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:53
Byond: Megamisto

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by misto » 15 Mar 2018, 09:32

no really, ive been studying it. i have the answer

https://imgur.com/a/L6txH

the player base doesnt hate ice colony merely because of snow, or cold, or ladders, it is instinctually repulsed by this impossible space. this planet isn't only frozen, it is cursed. evil magics have been wrought here. space is twisted. the distances are wrong. the positions of ladders are wrong. the positions of elevators relative to each other are wrong. this is approaching some aperture science levels of shit

User avatar
Allafif
Registered user
Posts: 10
Joined: 21 Jan 2018, 01:19
Byond: Allafif

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by Allafif » 15 Mar 2018, 14:48

My biggest problem with it is ladder confusion, yeah. Even the xenos get lost, and they have nightvision. I'd love to see the official map have numbered ladders so that you know how to get to where you want to go.
I usually play as Henri Leroux, but I was once known as Elite Boiler (420).

misto
Registered user
Posts: 706
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:53
Byond: Megamisto

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by misto » 16 Mar 2018, 19:44

i made a video demonstrating some of the worst ladders ive noticed so far in my study of ice colony.

https://youtu.be/Y64bJPnBoXc

PAY ATTENTION as you watch this video. observe how you can travel northwest from the garage to dorms, go down a ladder, go north and up a ladder, and wind up back where you started. observe how you can go northeast from the bar and down the garage ladder, then northeast more and up the bar ladder, bringing you back southwest to the bar. observe how you can go northeast from the research storage dome to the garage ladder, down it, then northeast to the research storage dome ladder. YOURE GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION EVERY TIME, AND YET GOING IN CIRCLES. NO WONDER PEOPLE GET LOST ON ICE COLONY, THESE LADDERS ARE VIOLATING SPACE-TIME

misto
Registered user
Posts: 706
Joined: 28 May 2017, 05:53
Byond: Megamisto

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by misto » 21 Oct 2018, 19:52

lets talk about ice colony: the ladders are still fucked up and weird and inconsistent between the upper and lower levels, arent they?

at least making snow forts is kind of neat

the worst part of ice colony is you get 2 kinds of ice colony rounds:

1. the marines rush underground at lz2 early and probably die because comms either doesnt get set up soon enough or the tiny team sent to put up comms gets ambushed and slaughtered

2. standard lz1 deployment where marines never ever set foot underground and spend hours garrisoning the bar

User avatar
spookydonut
Registered user
Posts: 457
Joined: 13 Oct 2017, 02:08
Byond: spookydonut

Re: Let's talk about Ice colony.

Post by spookydonut » 21 Oct 2018, 21:24

Let's not necro old threads

Locked