In honor of the 9th anniversary of the first Natural Selection, we’d like to give you the first look at a new map which will soon be available to play in the NS2 closed Beta. Welcome to “Mineshaft”.
Steel drills, mining pits, rock crushing machines, tunnels carved through stone and caverns with underground waterfalls are the backdrop for this atmospheric map. The marines start near the planet surface and then descend down towards the alien base. This is a reboot of the NS1 "Mineshaft" map, preserving the name, theme and the top-to-bottom topography, but with an all new layout and look. Mineshaft represents a different area of the same large refining and mining facility that Tram is part of, but it is much larger in size, with a winding organic layout in keeping with its more natural setting.
“Mineshaft” was brought to life by Marc “Srgt. Barlow” Newton. With 6 techpoints and stretching over 30,000 square meters, with many different routes and hiding nooks, the “Mineshaft” map is quite complex, though the design attempts to maintain a logical flow between its various fictional locations.
Here are just a few of the landmark areas that epic battles will be fought in and fought over:
Marine Spawn
As the highest elevation point in the map, Marine Spawn is the most architecturally refined and constructed section of the underground mining network, and where the marines will feel the most secure. It features a viewing platform overlooking a rocky cavern and walkway on one side, and a large elevator on the other side, which would transport miners to and from the surface facility.
Central Drilling
Central Drilling, with its giant drilling platform dominating the middle of the room, is the main hub of the map, and its 3 different resource nozzles should make it a hotly contested area.
Alien Spawn
Alien Spawn is a large natural cavern, a fitting habitat for the aliens. Stalactite spiked ceilings, rock formations jutting from the ground, and an underground waterfall, make it both a beautiful and eerie gameplay environment.
Finally, here is a map reveal video of showcasing some of the areas of “Mineshaft”
Thanks for joining us for this update and we look forward to getting this map into your hands soon.
Sweet heavens, dat drill :O
I am resisting the urge to make phallic puns on that drill......
Haha same, I couldn't resist actually but then I saw your comment so I kind of had to :(
I love the whole idea of a vertically-based map. Really brings out the while mine feel in it. Great job as always!
anyone getting that dead space fealing?
For a moment there I thought it said Minecraft.
"The Thirsty Onos"
Map taking place in a bar..? Odd.
The environmental artists need a raise. Looks great!
Really excellent mapping
Awesome! Really can't wait to buy this game.
Brilliant! Spooky and amazing! If those screenshots were larger, they would definitely be my wallpaper
Very impressive work.
So, that's where you were. AND. ITS. EXCELLENT.