After two weeks of intense voting, the first phase of Mapcore's Big Adventures contest has come to an end and 57 maps have been selected for further participation.

The contest was particularly interesting due to its unique concept: map creators had to develop original 5v5 maps on bomb disposal or hostage rescue. It's important to note that the maps didn't have to be fully completed at the submission stage - they were judged on “Fun Factor” and “Originality,” giving participants the freedom to experiment.

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Important details and the course of the contest

The contest kicked off by requiring participants to submit original cards, which could be at any stage of development - from sketch to finished product. The aim was to identify creative ideas and innovative approaches. That's why in the first stage, the key evaluation criteria were “Fun Factor” and “Originality”.

The cards submitted could be minimalistic, without textures or full elaboration. This gave talented map makers a chance to express themselves and get important feedback from the community in the early stages of development.

Specifics and the next phase of the contest

The next stage of the competition, dubbed the Refinement Stage, involves further refinement of the selected maps. Participants will edit their works based on the feedback received to prepare them for the final evaluation. This stage will be crucial, as it will determine whether the maps can become the best of the best.

The final deadline for the finalized maps to be submitted is next February. After that, they will be rotated in Mapcore hubs on the FACEIT platform, where players will be able to try them out in real matches. The grand finals are scheduled for April, and the judging panel includes big names such as Conner “Scrawny” Girvan, Mohan “launders” Govindasamy, Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg and Anders Blume.

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Final Thoughts

Mapcore's Great Adventures contest is a unique opportunity for mapmakers to showcase their creativity and get recognized among leading experts and players. The final stage promises to be intense and exciting, and its results may significantly influence the development of mapping in the gaming community.