Techniques of Balancing Two-Flag, Asymmetrical Capture the Flag Levels
By: Travis Hoffstetter
Supervisor: Myque Ouellette
Master of Interactive Technology degree conferred March 24, 2007
Thesis / Project completed March 21, 2007

Typical capture the flag maps use a symmetrical layout to provide balance.  This leaves a wealth of opportunity to create asymmetrical maps and expand the genre.  However, a set of techniques for creating balanced asymmetrical maps does not yet exist.  Debates over the viability of asymmetrical CTF maps persist throughout the industry.  Even, Cliff Blezinski, the lead designer of Epic Games (one of the most popular FPS developers), does not like asymmetrical CTF maps. 

The results herein involve the creation of techniques to balance gameplay on asymmetrical CTF maps.  In order to do so, creating and testing of three asymmetrical map construction techniques: the Terrain, Flag Route, and Distance Techniques took place.  The Terrain Technique balances the terrain and base layout.  The Flag Route Technique balances the number of flag routes.  The Distance Technique balances power-up, weapon, vehicle, player spawn and special feature placement.   To prove the three techniques, a map was created and then tested by four groups of eight people.  The testers answered survey questions after playing the map and the survey answers were used to validate the Terrain, Flag Route, and Distance Techniques.  If all eight testers answered yes, the map was balanced on the survey, then the techniques prove correct.  If the testers did not all answer yes, then the techniques were tweaked, reapplied and then retested until all eight testers answered yes.

Download entire thesis (.pdf)