(the arena used for the tag tournament, revamped) Another seven levels have been released for the Distance Advent Calendar, which means it's time for another roundup! I've made a few maps for Distance myself, and I'm happy to share my thoughts on the latest tracks released this week. But first, the 2016 Distance Tag Tournament has recently concluded. For those of you who missed it, the vod is here: https://www.twitch.tv/splaysh/v/106611462 If you don't want to spoil the results, go watch the tournament before you keep reading! Several of the players in the tournament recorded a first-person perspective of them playing, and I've compiled those videos into a handy playlist. This year's tag tournament had upped production quality, including a new studio and intro scene that made everything flow together really well (when Krispy pressed start at the right time, at least). Thanks to Krispy, Splaysh, Skirmisher, and everyone else who helped organize and upgrade it. Also, special thanks to Refract for pushing out a special emergency build of the game, mid-tournament, to fix the spectator camera for the stream. Twenty players showed up to compete, and over a hundred watched on the Twitch stream, making the tournament a great success. And after all that competition, only one player was left standing... JaLK, your new Tag King and Tag Tournament 2016 champion! After showing off his skill throughout the first two matches, an intense and highly competitive final match left PPPaul in possession of the bubble with only two seconds left on his clock. But JaLK's epic, last-minute steal won what was probably one of the closest games of reverse tag of all time.
(full clip) Thanks to everyone who participated, and we hope to see you soon for more competitions--there's a rumor that tag tournaments might soon become more than just a yearly thing!

DISTANCE ADVENT CALENDAR - WEEK 2

Don't know what Distance Advent Calendar is? Check out the announcement post!

#8: Particular Journey - PPPaul

I don't want to give spoilers, but what PPPaul's done with this level is nothing short of magical. PPPaul's mastery of the level editor is obvious, and he's made some things in here that even the developers didn't think were possible. Particular Journey takes you through a variety of environments, including a glowing rainbow-neon forest, a lava lake, a forested hillside, and several others. Each is totally different than the last, offering new challenges and new decorations to be amazed by.

#9: Wither - Jay2a

Wither is Jay2a's second addition to DAC, and it's quite a challenging one. Killgrids-as-obstacles is an idea that hasn't been explored before this track, and while it's an interesting one, they are certainly not easy to avoid. Some trial and error may be required, since the killgrids only appear when you get fairly close to them. Wither's visuals are within the standard Distance style, but the eyecatching red-and-white aesthetic gives this level its own unique feel.

#10: scrap brain zone - fzeroman

Fzeroman has a penchant for remaking levels of other racing games in Distance, and this time he's made a tribute to Scrap Brain Zone, a level from the 1991 game Sonic the Hedgehog. Scrap Brain Zone is an industrial world, filled with unique moving obstacles, lightning towers, and many other dangers and decorations that mirror the original. But first and foremost, it's a great Distance track, with solid, challenging gameplay and a retro aesthetic.

#11: The Factory - Plasmawario

I'm not sure what this factory is making, but it's certainly hazardous for cars. Plasmawario's level is an interesting fusion of Tron and industrial themes--bright lines contrast with dark walls, covered by wires and scaffolding. Look out for a few shortcuts to get the best time here.

#12: The Arrival (remake) - Spzi

This level could have been taken straight out of adventure mode, as it perfectly recreates the visuals and style of it. Although somewhat familiar at this point, the execution is so well done that this level is more than worth your time. My one quibble is the unexciting final stretch, but the rest of the level is intense enough to make up for it.

#13: Disorientation - KnightBane

Disorientation is KnightBane's first offering, and although I might be a little biased here, since I helped him make it, I really love the map. It offers tight, transfer-focused gameplay, and a gravity-shifting mechanic borrowed from Xaiier's Directionality. Decorated with blizzards and icy roads, and all surrounded by an abstract, Tron-like mindscape, Disorientation is a treat for the eyes.

#14: Hard Light Transfer - snowstate

Snowstate's maps are always a joy, and Hard Light Transfer is no exception. Set in a starkly beautiful blue-grey world, Hard Light Transfer takes you through the decaying remnants of an advanced city. The namesake hard light bridges are extremely well done, and perfectly complement the transfer-focused gameplay of the map. Hard Light Transfer may be fairly challenging, especially to newer plays, but it's pure quality. Keep up with the latest DAC releases on the Workshop! At least one new level daily!

BONUS GOODIES: TOURNAMENT LEVEL UPDATED

I updated and upgraded the map that was used for the tag tournament! It features sick new particles, an entirely custom skybox with stars, nebulae, and the moon, an ocean surrounding the arena, a redone color scheme, and a bunch of other minor changes to the visuals of the level. The gameplay remains almost entirely unchanged however, as what Krispy made was pretty much perfect. Check it out here, and enjoy! https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=817970966 Grab some friends and chase them around, hop online and join a server there, and coordinate with other members of the community on our Discord! -Ashamael DEV NOTE: Thanks to Ashamael for putting together this great update. I highly recommend watching the whole tournament if you can. It's a real heart-pounder and was a blast to watch live. -Jordan