Does it need any Lua files? Nope. Although you can definitely make the gameplay more interesting with Lua.

What's the optimal number of players in a team? We made this map with the 2v2 mode in mind. 1v1 is doable, but the gameplay becomes much less dynamic. As for 3v3, we haven't really tested it, but I'm cautiously optimistic that it's still fun.

What was the motivation to create this type of a map? The gameplay on regular dm_ maps (_laser, among other things) is too primitive, to my mind: You spend each round looking for the opponent, and nothing else happens. More engaging maps — de_, cs_, ctf_ — have a clear objective: plant the bomb, rescue the hostages, or capture the flag. We designed dm_tropical, therefore, around a bombspot-like objective: Touch the gate, wait until it opens, and destroy the glass cube — all the while exchanging laser shots with the opposing team.

BlackBelt: map tiles.
MeeF, KOF, Tonic, Adam Sniper, Azoteg, mazilla5, stojmir, Ice-cream16, glebec, and more: map testing and valuable feedback.

November 19, 2020: Uploaded the map to UnrealSoftware