Encounter
Encounter is Team Fortress Two’s first ever map designed exclusively for Reverse Mann vs Machine. A gamemode where you get to play as the robots in a PvE setting for attack based objectives. The level was designed for Rewired Rampage, a community Mann vs Machine charity event which managed to raise £69,096 for Direct Relief in support of refugees in the Ukraine crisis.
Project scopeProject lead
Creative direction
Layout Design
Asset creation
Artpass
Encounter started development in late 2021, but would reach full development by mid 2022 while I was also working on my Final Major project at University. I was the lead designer behind the level, managing the level design, and art-pass while also working with a team of other talented creators.
Our goal was to make a multi-stage reverse map. While the campaign featured 25 unique Reverse Mann vs Machine missions, the other 24 re-used existing normal Mann vs Machine levels, and were limited in objective types alongside re-using the same layout each wave.
Because of this Encounter is cleanly split into two experimental stages and objectives, a Payload opening section and a Mine Defusal second wave. Each wave has a custom sound-track to accompany the gameplay.
We believe we reached our intended goals. mvm_Encounter reached thousands of players during the duration of Rewired Rampage, and continues to be played on Potato.tf’s archive servers where it can still be found today.
Map overview:
Encounter Playthrough
A showcase of MvM Encounter’s two waves. Music made by Non the Ninja.
Development screenshots:
Custom Textures:
