de_fishmarket

  • Custom Map created for Counter Strike 2

  • Developed in 1 week

  • Source 2 Hammer Tool

  • Solo

de_fishmarket is a standard Casual map for Counter Strike 2. I created it after visiting Valve and being inspired to pick up Source 2. I’ve previously made Source maps and used the Half Life 2 tools to practice scripting. I figured CS2 would be the easiest entry point back into the toolset and had a lot of fun working with it.

First Playtest

I ran a few 1 on 1 playtests with select individuals that I knew could give some good early feedback on flow and feel.

Once I iterated on those changes, I recruited some members of online communities I’m a part of to playtest the map.

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Here I’ve included the playtest video for posterity.

Afterwards I ran through major feedback items:

  • areas where players could get stuck

  • distracting WIP visual bugs

  • spaces that felt too closed, too open

Map Structure

I followed the general structure of CS maps pretty closely. Made sure to keep choke points, encounter spaces, possible escapes and rotates, and timings in mind while making my first pass.

Timings, cover placement, and flow can always be improved. But I didn’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to perfect things before actually getting to a first playtest.

> Counter Strike 2

I wanted de_fishmarket to stay simple. No crazy geometry, nothing extraneous that didn’t effect gameplay. But of course, plans change. For CS maps, I think the context is as important as the angles. Not just for the purposes of callouts, but for players to feel a connection to the map. The location and setting is as important as the angles and holds that players run.

Selected Captures from the Map

CT Spawn

B Plant Site

CT Mid

T-A to Mid

T-A to A Plant Site Approach

CT-B to Mid

CT-B Choke

T Spawn

A Plant Site

Mid to A Plant Site

A Plant Site Approach

T-A

CT-A

CT-B