Stop the Press! v1.0
by Jeremy Condit

This Marathon map was intended for network play with 2-4 players, although I've included 8 starting points for those of you with access to a network capable of such games.  It's a relatively small map, but it has some unique (and entertaining) aspects.  There's a control room in the center of the map overlooking three open rooms.  Tunnels underneath the control room lead to the press, a room which is capable of killing your opponents easily.  From the control room, the switch on the right will activate the press.  When activated, all four doors leading into the press will close, and in a few moments the floor will crush all players, enemies, and bobs against the ceiling, killing everything inside.

Why would a player even want to enter the press?  'Cuz that's the only place in the level where a player can get a missile launcher or a flamethrower (or both!).

How does one know when to activate the press?  From the control room, stand still in front of the switch (so you can't be seen on the motion detector) and pray that nobody shoots at you.  The press is positioned below and just to the south of the control room;  when enemies on your motion detector walk near the press, just hit the button and sit back!  You can even hear the platforms and your enemies from the control room.


To use this map, simply rename your original map file something other than "Map" (i.e. "Bungie" or "Original") and then put the new map file in your Marathon folder.  Start Marathon as usual, and you're ready to play!  You can play on a network with up to eight people, or you can click on "Begin New Game" to practice solo.


I've attempted to make this map as polished and bug-free as possible.  However, I have not had an opportunity to test it thoroughly on a network or on a variety of computers.  If there are any problems that you have found, feel free to let me know at afn02635@afn.org (preferred) or JeremyC743@aol.com.  Also, I'd love some feedback or suggestions for this level or for future creations.  Is it too big?  Too small?  Too stupid?  Too cool?  Send me a note!  Got a cool movie?  I'd love to see...

Don't forget to check out The Man-Trap, my first Marathon net level.  It can be found at ftp://ftp.amug.org/incoming/The_Man-Trap.sit.hqx as of 7-14-95.  It can also be found in AOL's New Scenarios Files folder or on Claude Errera's Marathon Maps page at http://www.ese.ogi.edu/pub/entertainment/marathon/maps.


A few helpful hints:
+ The control room is a good sniper position, but you can't stay there forever;  you'll have to leave when you run out of ammo.
+ Watch your back when you're in the control room!  You're vulnerable from many sides.  Your motion detector is very handy as it will allow you to see virtually all players on the map at any given time.
+ It can be difficult to get into the elevator shaft to exit the control room.  Fortunately, if you point your gun at the vertical strip of light gray over the elevator and walk forward, you'll fall right into the shaft.
+ You can survive the press if equipped with a super shield.  The press is made of two platforms;  the one you are standing on will stop (and you'll die if your shield wears off) but the other will reach the top and descend.  After the second platform descends, jump on it!  You're free!
+ If killed in the press, hit 'tab' to restart as soon as possible, as the platform that killed you will not reset until you restart.
+ Use invisibility to gather equipment from the press.  You can't be seen on the motion detector...
+ Try firing a missile from the outer ring (the one with the blue border near the ceiling) through the control room to hit the other side of the outer ring.  Cool, huh?
+ The press can be activated by firing a grenade or fusion bolt from the ledge in the outer ring facing the control panel.


This map was created using Mia1.0b18 with a little help from Pfhorte1.0d18 for quick texturing.  Thanks to Dan Walkowski for his wonderful map editor, and, of course, to Bungie for creating this spectacular game.  I make no guarantees as to the performance of this map on any particular computer.  I assume no responsibility for any damage to the user or the user's computer as a result of the use of this map.  In other words, use this map at your own risk.  This map may be distributed freely as long as this unaltered Read Me is included.