Dukematch Level 1, called "User Map" in-game, is a multiplayer-only level in Duke Nukem 3D. The level primarily serves as a placeholder for loading user maps; it occupies the slot reserved for episode 1, level 8, which is overwritten by user maps when they are loaded.
Dukematch Level 1 is notable for being the only level that was modified in both Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition and Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour.
Description
Dukematch Level 1 consists of a small, octagonal arena that is situated on the moon and littered with weapons and ammo. The Freezethrower and Incinerator are located at the center of the arena.
Development history
There are no known screenshots of Dukematch Level 1 prior to the April 1996 release. This may be because the level was not considered interesting enough for promotional materials, or it may be because the level was not added until very late in development.
Atomic Edition
Dukematch Level 1 is the only level that was noticeably modified with the release of Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition. Specifically, the composition of weapons and ammo in the arena was updated to accommodate the Expander, a new weapon introduced in the Atomic Edition.
20th Anniversary Edition
The map was again updated in Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour to accommodate the Incinerator. The center of the arena is now evenly split between the Freezethrower and Incinerator.
Although the map file is still present in the game's files, the "dnscotty" cheat code can no longer be used to access the level in the 20th Anniversary Edition, and the level is not accessible through the multiplayer setup menu. Instead, the map can only be accessed by pressing backtick (`) and entering "MAP E1L8" (case-insensitive) into the console.