That looks really funny (Hehe).
Anyway, if your table is flat then why not have your controller area up in the sky, to tilt the player so to speak (He has to look down to see the entire table). I think that'll work like a charm.
Well there's a tutorial on it on interlopers.net if I'm not mistaken.
It's a bigger process than just a regular glass (seethrough) texture, but it shouldn't be a problem.
Sharp is REALLY effective, btw. There's a radiator that's really thin (as opposed to the regular radiatiors) and it blasts through people like a hot knife cutting through butter. Yep.
... You mean tick, stop, tick, stop? Then it's a func_train (Or whatever it's called) that should be used.
Don't ask me HOW, but it's more than possible, that I know. I've never used the entity myself so I can't tell you how to set it up though.
Yes, as far as I know. I've never tried the gravgun on it but it should be no different from any other interaction.
I do think there would be a flag that disables grav gun pickup, though.
... func_motor. Calculate diameter length and work out a speed to get the right times.
You can't link this to your compclock unless it's a mod though (Because that'd require code).
Now how hard was it? I'd never waste time actually making it though.
Well if it's in the start of the round performance isn't really an issue, but if you have a lot of objects moving on the map (And espc. interacting) then it's a lot worse.
Easier would be to have func_doors go up and down, there's no need for magnets.
The idea itself is quite good, though...