Why you should play Jump Maps

Introduction

When considering a typical First Person Shooter game, most would agree that fast-paced, weapons-based combat from the (first-person) perspective of being in the game is the norm. Such is the case with Unreal Tournament, Quake, and the Call of Duty series. Urban Terror certainly captures that type of action, but there are features that make it unique among others. One such feature is the distinctive movement players can use in game: wall-jumps, slides, climbs, and successive jumping to gain speed (circle jumping, bunny hopping, and strafe jumping). Apart from making the standard game faster and more interesting, jumping in Urban Terror has become a game in-and-of itself. Jump map training is even set to become an official game mode in Urban Terror 4.2. In this article, I hope to introduce jump maps by outlining the benefits of playing them, describe some of noob friendly maps, take those jumps to the field, consider harder jump maps, and finally proffer some links.

Why Play Jump Maps?

There are many reasons to play jump maps, but below I’ve outlined a few that convinced me to start playing them.
1. Practice: playing jump maps offers practice in moving quickly around maps, doing wall jumps, and in getting to unique places on standard maps. Playing jump maps also can help one learn how to enter a room in unique ways – surprising the enemy. I personally started playing jump maps after getting blind sighted by players who moved significantly faster around the map.

2. Connectivity: playing a jump map does not rely on others for “hits,” and is thus much more enjoyable with a less than ideal internet connection. As long as the connection is steady, players can still beat a map with a 400+ ping. This is great if one has internet connectivity issues, or wants to waste some time without an internet connection. If you’re at an airport that does not offer free wireless internet, Urban Terror jump maps can be a lot more fun and engaging that solitaire or minesweeper. Just start up a server and have at it!
3. As a Change-Up: when loud gunshots and high energy head-shot blasting has become stale, jump maps offer something new. Many skilled players find jump maps to be relaxing as they can be played with the sound off and one can go AFK without feeling tethered to the computer. Also, some jump maps offer players a way to fly around the map in a manner that can be compared to riding on a rollercoaster (some maps even include loops!). Don’t expect to get this feeling when you’re starting off, however, as many newcomers experience frustration at first.
4. Camaraderie: many jump map servers have their own Mumble, TeamSpeak, or Ventrillo servers and this offers a way to meet new players within the community. Jump maps are also great for team building within the context of clans because players can have casual conversations with each other without the pressure of shooting one another. Often times this results in something akin to friendship and skilled players often race each other to the finish line. Players will sometimes even go back to heal each other, and “team jump” maps exist. Finally, players in jump maps are usually nice to each other – they say hello, ask locations, and remember each other from day to day. That is not to say that everyone is nice (one such example is the player that accuses everyone else of blocking), but overwhelmingly playing on jump maps is an enjoyable social experience.

While the above list may not be exhaustive, I find them to be the main reasons why I play jump maps. Your reason may be that it is a good way to introduce a FPS game to a squeamish significant other (in that it does not require killing others). Others may have different reasons, but for the typical Urban Terrorist, those reasons will be the main rationale for playing jump maps. The next section introduces some noob friendly maps.

Where Do I Start?

As mentioned in the introduction, Urban Terror includes some very interesting methods of movement. Some within the Urban Terror community have picked up that fact and utilized the (now) open source tool GtkRadiant (a map creator/level editor) to design new and unique third-party maps. Check it out
yourself and you may one day be able to create your own maps: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GtkRadiant.
While many maps focus on traditional game modes (Team Deathmatch, Team Survivor), a plethora of  map makers have focused specifically on making maps that you can “jump.” This is a new concept in most FPS games, as you are not competing against other players but rather the map maker. This section
will outline some of the most noob friendly maps.

1. Uberjumps: Uberjumps is the quintessential noob friendly jump map. This map features over 20 jumps, each with a reasonably progressive skill level. The upside of this is that it slowly eases players into more difficult jumps. For example, the first jump starts off with three relatively easy wall jumps and by
the time players reach one of the later jumps (one that also requires three wall jumps and climbing a ladder) they will have acquired the skills needed to be successful. Finally, while not the most beautiful map, Uberjumps is fun to look at while playing as it gives the appearance of jumping high above the
earth. Beware the “s-curve” jump near the end, as it causes you to lemming. The map name is “ut4_uberjumps_beta3.pk3.”

2. Wootjumps: Wootjumps is also one of the most noob friendly maps. This map features over three “rooms” of jumps, with progressive difficulty that many players prefer over Uberjumps. This is because the progression of difficulty is smoother in wootjumps. I personally feel, however, that Uberjumps is more aesthetically pleasing and therefore more fun to play. Don’t forget to try and find the secret (tip: it’s in the first room).  The map name is “ut4_wootjumps_v3.pk3.”
3. Dutcherjumps: Dutcherjumps is one of the shortest jump maps and one of the easiest. It does offer oodles of fun for its size with funky techno music and an icy slide as the last jump. It has nothing too difficult and it is not the prettiest but it is fun. The map name is “ut4_dutcherjumps_b1v3.pk3.”
4. Jumpcamp: This map, it seems, was designed with the noob in mind. Though it is incredibly easy (up until the “jump exam”), it even comes with a “noob training area.” The map maker also posts the current record holder’s times with the locations, and promises to update the map should someone beat that record. According to the map, the current record for completing the whole map is around 3 minutes. Don’t expect as a beginner to even come close to that time, however, as I have seen some spend over 75 minutes just getting to the last jump. The name of this map is “ut4_jumpcamp_v2.pk3.”

5. Walljumps: While not spectacular in visuals or even that innovative in jumps, this map earns a place as it is short and friendly for noobs to finish. It mostly consists of (as its name implies) walljumps. The name of the map is “ut4_walljumps.pk3.”

Honorable Mentions:
1. Mooniejumps: Mooniejumps is a great noob starter map, though it is very long and can get frustrating. It has a decent learning curve that is fairly progressive. It is not included in the top 5 because of its length and difficulty near the end. A great map, nevertheless. The name of the map is
“ut4_mooniejumps_b3.pk3.”
2. Funnyjumps: This map is difficult, but it has a very nice “noob training area.” The training area even has lines that a beginner can follow in order to learn. It is a very fun map, with some icy jumps (like an icy half-pipe) and some interesting jumps thereafter. The first “official” jump, unfortunately for
beginners, is a noobcatcher (a jump that is very difficult for the inexperienced to complete in order to keep subsequent jumps less crowded). The name of the map is “ut4_funnyjumps.pk3.”

My first medium to hard maps:
1. Jumpskills: Many people enjoy this map. It starts off relatively easy but quickly gets difficult. Not too long and has some fun visuals (such as the jump “a poor O2 place”). The name of the map is “ut4_jumpskills_beta_2.pk3.”
2. Lizzjumps: This is a relatively long map that can infuriate noobs. But it does offer some unique jumps (“jump around” and “Toxic dump”). This map is hard to expert. The name of the map is “ut4_lizzjumps_beta1.pk3.”
That is it for the “noob” jumps. I understand that with the enormous amount of jump maps there exist more “noob” friendly maps. These maps, however, are a good place to start and are in rotation on a number of servers. Try them out, get to know some of the players and enjoy yourself. There is no shame in taking a break if you get frustrated, and remember to try not to block others. Jump maps have certain norms to follow, for example: in crowded areas, try to line up and jump when it is your turn. The next section will focus on taking what you learned back to regular maps.

You Learned How to Jump but Still Suck in Team Survivor – What Gives?

Learning jump maps does not guarantee that you will become an expert on normal maps. Here are some tips for utilizing your newly developed skills.
1. Look for platforms: In a normal map, platforms are not as obvious as in a jump map. What may appear to be scenery, however, may very well be a platform. Take, for example, the roofs of the stalls in markets found on Prague and Casa. With enough practice, one can jump from one end of the market on
Casa to the end of the timber alleyway with enough speed to surprise your foes or get away from the enemy.
2. Consider Wall Jumps: A lot of time there is only one way to get to a platform on a jump map. On a normal map, however, one can usually arrive at a location without jumping. This makes it especially easy for a sniper or foe to take aim at “usual spots” where a player will travel. For example, a sniper may
aim outside a doorway or near stairs. Utilizing your newfound jump techniques, try to gain access to platforms and areas in non-standard ways. For example, on Austria, try jumping over the wall near crossway instead of going around it. There are many examples of getting around in non-standard ways. On turnpike, for example, one can start at the back parking lot and end up near the supply yard after doing a few (accurate) wall jumps.

3. Think Speed: It is much harder to hit a moving target (most of the time), and you should be able to utilize your experience in circle jumping and bunny hopping to out-maneuver your foe. It isn’t a good idea to go running out in the open, but if you must, then travel quickly. Utilize wall jumps to further
randomize your movements. Doing quick bunny hops in the open on Riyadh, if you’re moving in a straight line, won’t help you much. But randomizing your movements may give you the advantage you need.
4. Get to Unique Camping Areas: Many players dislike campers, but it is part of the game, like it or not. Use your skills to get to higher ground (the top of the roof on Uptown, the roofs on Algiers, the tops of trees on Abbey). While you are more of a “sitting duck,” camping at these unique places may give you
the extra milliseconds needed to get the kill. I don’t recommend overusing these places, and I also recommend moving after getting 1-2 kills. In a Team Survivor match, one can be sure that your position will be given away over team speak if you are camping in a unique place such as trees.
5. Don’t Forget the Stamina: After learning how to jump and some cool techniques, don’t be afraid to try them out. Remember that the more you jump and run the louder your breathing becomes in the game. Don’t give yourself away by being too overzealous.

I Want To Do Some Harder Jumps!

Some jump maps focus on so-called “pros.” Pro maps are those that only the most skilled of jumpers can complete, and they often feature what is called a “noob-catcher” – a first jump that is nearly impossible for those with less experience to beat. The reason for this is that it prevents later (and harder) jumps from becoming overcrowded. It is in my opinion, however, that the only successful noob-catching maps are those with progressive difficulty, in that “noobs” naturally get stuck on jumps for which they can complete. It is often important to remember when doing these maps that you are not “competing” with
other players, but rather you are facing-off with the map maker. Sometimes you can “cheat” and complete a jump in a way it was not designed to do.

1. Vertigo: This is a very difficult and very long map that can take months to learn. The jump clan “.LiFT” even uses it as a baseline for membership (in that one cannot become a member until completing the map). Once completing a jump, it is not uncommon to spend several hours learning the next one. The map is very rewarding, however, as it involves unique (and high flying, high speed) jumps that are fun to perform successfully. The name of the map is “ut4_vertigo.pk3.”
2.  Don’t Get Wet: This map is possibly one of the most difficult maps that is widely circulated. Many experienced players can’t even beat the first jump. I would recommend beating all of the noob maps before even attempting this one. The name of the map is “ut4_dontgetwet_devr0.pk3.” This map is also very pretty, so once you get good enough to attempt, it is very rewarding.
3. Jupiter: This map almost made it on the noob maps because it has a very good “easy” level. There are three routes you can choose to take in the beginning of the map: easy, medium, and hard. The medium route is very difficult as is, which indicates just how “hard” the hard route is. The map is very pretty, in that it utilizes crisp lines and has an “outer space” feel. The name of the map is “ut4_jupiter_beta2.pk3.”
4. Projumps: This map is extremely difficult, and also has three routes. There is a noob training ground, a normal way, and a hard way. Many experienced players can’t even make the first jump the “normal” way. The name of the map is “ut4_projumps_b4_.pk3.”
5. Jump the Shark: This map has a particularly terrible noob-catcher and consists of around 30 jumps. Some fun locals include an MC Escher room, and you also get to jump a shark (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark). The map is time consuming and difficult to beat. The name of the map is “ut4_jumptheshark_beta61.pk3.”

I know that I left quite a few “pro” maps out of this list, but there are many “very difficult” to “extremely difficult” maps out there for jumpers. This list should give you a good place to start if you wish to move on to being a “pro” jumper.

Where Can I Find More Information?

I hope that this has been an informative primer on jump maps in Urban Terror. If you would like more information, check out one of the best resources on jumping in Urban Terror: the Urban Terror jump community website – http://www.urtjumpers.com. Urban Terror Jumpers has step-by-step videos, tips, a forum, and (most importantly) offers a place to download the aforementioned maps. I would also highly recommend checking out the standard Urban Terror Forums: http://forums.urbanterror.net/ for information on mapping, jumping, and advice.

My favorite jump map server at the moment is the “wTf non-icy server.” It supports up to 16 players at once (which is high for a jump server), and wTf also has a mumble server for community chat. You can find a general listing of Jump servers at this address: http://www.urtjumpers.com/server.php

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