The Lambda Cup 2018 consisted of five mapping challenges, each with a different theme. Similar events in the past were called Hammer Cups, but for 2018 the event was renamed due to holding both HL2 challenges (Lambda Cup) and Black Mesa challenges (Mesa Cup).

Entrants received points for each challenge they enter.

At the end of the event, the best 3 points totals from the challenges they entered were added together for each entrant. These totals decided who won the Grand Prizes.

This means that entrants did not have to enter every challenge to win the grand prize but they needed to have entered at least 3 to have a chance of winning the prizes.

The top 3 finishers overall in the Lambda Cup receive the following prizes:

First: $200
Second: $100
Third: $50

In addition, there are two special prizes, discussed below.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to all participants and players!

Maki

Maps: Beacon, Magnetism, Prospekt Blues

Jean Knapp AKA XBLAH

Maps: Death Whisper, Off-World Relocation, Die Another Day

Mark AKA Strontvlieg

Maps: Maritime Harassment, Downtown Arena, Facility 34

Full points for each entry can be seen on The Lambda Cup 2018 Spreadsheet.

This year there were two special prizes awarded: first, $25 for the Most Consistent entrant, and $25 to the Most Inventive map.

Matt71490 AKA Event Horizon

Maps: Egmont Key, Ashtown, The Creator, Attack of Killer Combine, Postmortem

Matt71490 was the only mapper to enter all five Lambda Cup challenges in 2018, and showed marked improvement over the year.

krassell

Maps: Lines in the Sand, Warlock Den

We intended this award to be for a single map, but krassell consistently builds unique maps with uncommon mechanics. These are the kind of maps we love to see for the Villes because it means the creative juices are really flowing and mappers are thinking outside the box!

For the 2018 Lambda Cup we had some bigger plans that never quite came to fruition for a variety of reasons but mostly time constraints and unpredictable personal schedules. This year, we aimed to add features using a custom code base to enhance and expand the HL2 experience. And specific features were going to be added to support the Lambda Cup challenges to open up options for mappers. Unfortunately, only the first two challenges had new features so for that we apologize, although of course the Cup was still successful overall.

A huge thanks to MrMazur for working on the code changes this year for the Cup. And thanks to Koneko82 who did a ton of work building and polishing content for a feature that was never released, unfortunately. I promise to look into making this available to the community because it really was solid work.

And thanks to Niker107, Dalannar, and Salamancer for the custom content for GravityGunVilleTwo. Niker built the excellent models for the stasis crystal (Mertz module) in a really short timeframe. Dalannar created the Multiverse Learning Center map to introduce the new features to players, while Salamancer made the custom textures for it, all in the same short timeframe.

The Lambda Cup 2018 was composed of 5 challenges scattered throughout the year. Each challenge’s theme and winners are outlined below.

CoastVille asked mappers to build a map set on the coast (any coast, not just the Highway 17 coast!).

Submitted: 14 entries plus 3 bonus maps

The Winners:
Beacon by Maki: 95 points
Coast Sweep by Alex Marcu AKA melc311: 94 points
Katadysi by David Mason AKA Nukedrabbit95: 93 points

GravityGunVilleTwo was of course a sequel to GravityGunVille, and required mappers to make clever use of the gravity gun, including the new stasis crystal/Mertz module if desired.

Submitted: 9 entries

The Winners:
Citadel by Sockman: 83 points
Urban Decay by Ian Spadin AKA Idolon: 81 points
Asylum by Alex Marcu AKA melc311: 77 points

BossVille asked authors to design a big finale, whether it be a big boss fight or a clever twist on the age-old trope.

Submitted: 7 entries plus 2 bonus maps

The Winners:
Deviant by ThatsRidonkulous: 96 points
Magnetism by Maki: 78 points
Mindflayer by 1UpD: 76 points

PhaseVille required mappers to design a level with distinct phases that blend together into a cohesive experience.

Submitted: 14 entries plus 1 bonus map

The Winners:
Mutual Place by Tabajara77: 87 points
Prospekt Blues by Maki: 86 points
Off-World Relocation by Jean Knapp AKA XBLAH: 78 points

ReplayVille asked mappers to design a map that was fun to be replayed or that specifically rewards you for playing through again.

Submitted: 9 entries

The Winners:
Die Another Day by Jean Knapp AKA XBLAH: 87 points
Aqua Drainage by Skorly: 86 points
Way Through the Woods by Rocky B: 85 points

Full points for each entry can be seen on The Lambda Cup 2018 Spreadsheet.

First, a hearty thank you to all the participants of the 2018 Lambda Cup. These challenges wouldn’t exist without your interest, time, and dedication.

Finally, thanks to all the players, reviewers, judges, playtesters, and site visitors.