# Catwalk Alignment & Transformation [C.A.T]

A focused rework to make Catwalk Station smoother, clearer, and more fun without losing its unique identity.

By fixing cramped layouts, awkward navigation, and unclear department borders, we’ll create a station that flows better for players and is easier for maintainers to support.

This is about keeping Catwalk distinct—for the right reasons—while making it a station people actually want to play on.

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## What I Need From YOU
I need your input!

Contributions are welcome in the form of:
- Screenshots of frustrating or unclear map areas, job or department issues (with explainer text).
- Specific examples of where navigation, flow, or access feels bad during gameplay.
- Suggestions that still preserve Catwalk’s character.
- Mappers who also want to get stuck in, there is quite a bit of work to do.

### Notes About Contributions
Not every contribution will be actioned, but every one will be read and considered.

The goal is to gather as many perspectives as possible so the redesign reflects a variety of experience.

This will not be about turning Catwalk into meta 2.0 - Let's keep it unique for good reasons.

### Where does your input go:

Log it either here on the forums:

On Discord: https://discord.com/channels/326822144233439242/1411339428949131314

## Catwalk Map Perceived Issues
- Departments feel cramped or unintuitive, with chokepoints that slow down play.
- Some areas force players to walk through unrelated spaces, breaking immersion and flow.
- Engineering/Atmos, Security/Brig, and other spaces lack clear borders, creating confusion.
- Feedback often cites Catwalk as harder to learn, more frustrating, and less fun in extended play compared to other maps.

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## Priorities
1. Ensure departments can be reached without unnecessary detours or awkward traversal.
2. Give each major area a clearer footprint and visual identity while preserving the catwalk aesthetic.
3. Prioritize fun, balance, and intuitive play. Catwalk should encourage exploration without becoming disorienting.
4. Keep changes consistent with mapping standards so future contributors can easily work with the layout.

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## How
- Restructuring key departments.
- Improving lobbies, access points, and emergency escape routes.
- Preserving the "catwalk aesthetic" while improving readability of the map.
- Iterating with feedback from both playtesters and maptainers.

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## Outcome
A refreshed version of Catwalk Station that is:
- Easier to navigate
- More fun to play on
- Better aligned with player expectations
- Still keeping its distinctive catwalk feel

# How changes are done

## Branch specific

Everything will have [C.A.T] in the name to track what came as about of this project for consistency, to make reverts and tracking much easier.

Where possible different changes will be atomised to a unique branch so that instead of a big mega station change, contained updates which can be rolled back at will and easier to review/discuss.

Picked on a few Science changes as the first one and this document will act as a clear visual record with why and what changes are made.

# Change History

## 30-08-2025 - Catwalk lower Science changes [C.A.T]

Pull Request:

| Before | After | Why this Change |
| -------- | -------- | -------- |
|  |  | Several sci players could not find ordanance round to round, just make it a bit more obvious as they are seperate, plus windows for more interaction |
|  |  | Adds windows to Robotics so they are less isolated from general Science, bit more visual activity going on as robotics can already see from above |
|  |  | Adds one extra light as this area is darkness personified, leaves some shadow on the stairs, adds a tiny light to just in server room door as well |
|  |  | Why does catwalk not use catwalks in the server room, purely aesthetic choice |