The International Mall

The International Mall was by all means ahead of its time when it was first unveiled back in 1965.

A massive sprawling underground mall where people from all over the globe gather around to sing, dance, shop, create, and more. Nothing like it was done before, at least in Ascot and it was a massive success, laying the foundations for many malls after it. It also spawned many underground artists that would later receive international success. The mall ran until 2020. Surprisingly enough, the outbreak wasn't the sole reason it closed doors.

The mall had gone through two CEO's. Oliver Henrikson who was the original founder of the International Mall passed away from cancer in 2015. The second one is far more troubling. Ben Anderson, a rich guy with a large ego hailing from Silicon Valley who thinks the mall is just another way to make some cash. A day after he took over, he displayed his collection of luxury cars in front of the mall entrances. Everyone hated it.

He also announced plans of remaking the mall to fit with modern standards and adding a second floor. However, once resources and money started drying up, he raised the amount of time needed for workers and would threaten them with their jobs if they refuse. The pandemic didn't help much either. This would lead to a mass strike that would last months until he closed the mall completely, running away with the money. Every worker lost their jobs and every customer was heartbroken. Ben was later found dead in an alleyway, It was presumed to be a homicide.

Despite the mall being closed for good, it hasn't stopped the younger generations from reopening it somewhat and making it a hub of their own for clubs, parties, hangouts and what not. The older generations who were around when the mall was still opened volunteered to maintain the mall for future generations to enjoy.

"I used to bring you here a lot when you were young. It was incredible back then. Every single corner of the mall had something new to discover, whether it'd be artists, music, games or what not. It felt like a constantly changing museum."

The sound of your dad's voice echoed across the massive hallways as you turn up the volume on your laptop. It was New Years, and oddly enough no one was in the mall to celebrate. You always go to the mall with friends but since they were out celebrating, you thought it was a nice The smell of paint and grime was sickening but oddly comforting. The fireworks from outside echoing from the entrances reminded you of a better time. Your dad thought so as well.

"This place used to be something amazing, but now its all gone to hell. Just like this city."

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Well this was a journey from beginning to end. The biggest, most ambitious map from me with the longest development time so far, 3 months. The idea of making an abandoned mall map originated way back in September 2022, which I then forgot and later revisited in January 16th, 2023. Many ideas and concepts were scrapped and a lot of things in general changed from the initial vision of what I wanted it to look like versus what it is now. In March 18th I published a W.I.P map to Steam Workshop to gather feedback and ideas. Some ideas I still haven't implemented (sorry) due to me still trying to figure out how Source works.

A lot of research and time has been poured into making this map. From the design of the mall which is just one massive hodgepodge of abandoned malls all throughout the world and the underground ones here in Ha Noi to the lighting style going from a naturalistic one to a more saturated neon look. All the posters took two weeks to make with absolutely zero skill in graphic design and during that time I got heavily invested in typography which I now can't get rid of.

It was simply put, extremely tiring. But well worth it in the end. This map has made me stay awake for far too long. I hope you guys enjoy it.

** There are AI nodes. **

Credits:

Loiste Interactive - textures Valve - props FOOL's neon signs - https://gamebanana.com/mods/289443 https://www.getpaint.net/ - a saviour Glowstick props from No More Room in Hell - Lever Games The people that gave me feedback on how to improve the map. Thank you. And the countless amounts of authors that made their beautiful fonts free to use and distribute. This map wouldn't have its look without it.