Theory: What makes a good map?

Bridget · 02-22-2009, 06:57 AM

Simple question: What makes a good map?

GeoKill-----> · 02-22-2009, 12:16 PM

Well it really depends on the person.
Some might like the gametype (adz, ctf, surf, etc..)
Others might like the layout (classic maps, plasma, etc...)
Map themes (monkey, dustbowl, schtop etc..)

So if you want to make a ctf map then do a basic layout, don't make it too complicated. Make it balance, don't make it into a D map (2fort), or an O map (congestus), Try to find a balance like plasma or siden. After you have the layout figured out, add a theme to it and stick with it. Add as much detail as possible but also make it playable (fps wise).

**Crazycarl** · 02-22-2009, 09:21 PM

Design: Layout should be easy to learn and lead the player naturally to the objectives. Each area should have a purpose and be exciting to fight in. Avoid bland corridors and rooms and use height variation. Design areas that cater to advanced movement and the strengths of the various classes.

Aesthetics: Stick to a consistent color/material palette. All architecture should look purposefully built from appropriate materials. That's in addition to the regular detail/lighting/texture alignment concerns.

Sh4x · 02-22-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bridget

Simple question: What makes a good map?

A good mapper?

BlisTer · 02-22-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazycarl

Design: Layout should be easy to learn and lead the player naturally to the objectives. Each area should have a purpose and be exciting to fight in. Avoid bland corridors and rooms and use height variation. Design areas that cater to advanced movement and the strengths of the various classes.

Aesthetics: Stick to a consistent color/material palette. All architecture should look purposefully built from appropriate materials. That's in addition to the regular detail/lighting/texture alignment concerns.

+ optimization: it should run smoothly on "normal" PCs.

Tyrant · 02-23-2009, 12:29 AM

i make a good map!

Doughnut-4|4- · 02-23-2009, 10:13 PM

Balance.
Graphics.
Gameplay.

Tyrant · 02-24-2009, 12:44 AM

THE THREE W's make a good map!

OneManArmy · 02-26-2009, 06:42 PM

- Map should be bright or feature rather great visibility
- Map should run smoothly on average PC, if map yields low FPS less people would be able to play the map
- Unique and fun gameplay mechanics are always great
- Very important - YOUR MAP SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 10-15 MB IN .BZ2 ARCHIVE.
- Map MUST have a relatively simple layout, so new people don't get lost. ( Remember cp_steel in TF2? )

**Elmo** · 03-07-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneManArmy

- Map should be bright or feature rather great visibility
- Map should run smoothly on average PC, if map yields low FPS less people would be able to play the map
- Unique and fun gameplay mechanics are always great
- Map MUST have a relatively simple layout, so new people don't get lost. ( Remember cp_steel in TF2? )

yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneManArmy

- Very important - YOUR MAP SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 10-15 MB IN .BZ2 ARCHIVE.

no - that's retarded and does nothing to say if a map is good or not.

I don't know how well Bz2 compression is but winrar on best is 20MB for monkey.

But by your suggestion: lets have lots of maps with too few cubemaps (bad reflections), really low lightmaps (bad shadows) and no big and open maps maps like palmero & ksour or even monkey. Lets not have unique custom textures and unique custom models in maps becuase you don't want it over 10-15MB

**Elmo** · 03-07-2009, 07:08 PM

sounds like I'm being arsey in that post.. i'm not - pinky promice

OneManArmy · 03-09-2009, 09:39 AM

Despite how good your map is, if it takes eternity to download it's not gonna be played.
It's remotely an issue if you're making a map for official mappack or for organized play, such as pickups or leagues. But for random pubs it's crucial.

**Elmo** · 03-09-2009, 12:38 PM

Well I thought the thread was "what makes a good map", surely that's irrespective of whether people are too lazy to download it.

It's certainly not something I even think about when making my maps.. "Oh I'd better not do what I want to do in case I go over 15MB"

Not gonna happen - for I think any mapper.

**Crazycarl** · 03-10-2009, 01:21 AM

I always try to limit file size by using nodraw as much as possible and lowering lightmap resolution where I can. However, using HDR will bump the size up a large amount (almost 2x).

But technical concerns like that are not really part of what makes a good map.

MonoXideAtWork · 03-10-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneManArmy

Despite how good your map is, if it takes eternity to download it's not gonna be played.
It's remotely an issue if you're making a map for official mappack or for organized play, such as pickups or leagues. But for random pubs it's crucial.

Rectified by competant server admins, non-issue.

What makes a good map?

A requirement for any map to be any good at all is PLANNING.

02-22-2009, 06:57 AM	#1
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	Theory: What makes a good map? Simple question: What makes a good map?

02-22-2009, 12:16 PM	#2
GeoKill-----> Community Member Server Owner Beta Tester Forum Moderator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hawthorne, California Class/Position: Soldier/Spy/Scout Gametype: AvD Affiliations: :e0:Eternal Order Leader Posts Rated Helpful 12 Times	Well it really depends on the person. Some might like the gametype (adz, ctf, surf, etc..) Others might like the layout (classic maps, plasma, etc...) Map themes (monkey, dustbowl, schtop etc..) So if you want to make a ctf map then do a basic layout, don't make it too complicated. Make it balance, don't make it into a D map (2fort), or an O map (congestus), Try to find a balance like plasma or siden. After you have the layout figured out, add a theme to it and stick with it. Add as much detail as possible but also make it playable (fps wise). __________________ Fortress-Forever Guides All Your Mapping Needs :e0: Will live on Forever Support FF:

02-22-2009, 09:21 PM	#3
Crazycarl D&A Member Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 31 Times	Design: Layout should be easy to learn and lead the player naturally to the objectives. Each area should have a purpose and be exciting to fight in. Avoid bland corridors and rooms and use height variation. Design areas that cater to advanced movement and the strengths of the various classes. Aesthetics: Stick to a consistent color/material palette. All architecture should look purposefully built from appropriate materials. That's in addition to the regular detail/lighting/texture alignment concerns. __________________ Support FF:

03-07-2009, 07:08 PM	#11
Elmo Gets tickled by FF Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Class/Position: Med Solly HW Gametype: Any/CTF Posts Rated Helpful 41 Times	sounds like I'm being arsey in that post.. i'm not - pinky promice __________________ Support FF: Done: ff_monkey Done: ff_bases Done: ff_warpath Forever Doing: ff_medieval (beta#99999999)

03-09-2009, 12:38 PM	#13
Elmo Gets tickled by FF Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Class/Position: Med Solly HW Gametype: Any/CTF Posts Rated Helpful 41 Times	Well I thought the thread was "what makes a good map", surely that's irrespective of whether people are too lazy to download it. It's certainly not something I even think about when making my maps.. "Oh I'd better not do what I want to do in case I go over 15MB" Not gonna happen - for I think any mapper. __________________ Support FF: Done: ff_monkey Done: ff_bases Done: ff_warpath Forever Doing: ff_medieval (beta#99999999)

02-23-2009, 12:29 AM	#6
Tyrant Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	i make a good map!

02-23-2009, 10:13 PM	#7
Doughnut-4\|4- Join Date: May 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Balance. Graphics. Gameplay.

02-24-2009, 12:44 AM	#8
Tyrant Beta Tester Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	THE THREE W's make a good map!

02-26-2009, 06:42 PM	#9
OneManArmy Ka-boom! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ukraine Class/Position: Demo, Solly, Pyro Gametype: CTF Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	- Map should be bright or feature rather great visibility - Map should run smoothly on average PC, if map yields low FPS less people would be able to play the map - Unique and fun gameplay mechanics are always great - Very important - YOUR MAP SHOULDN'T BE MORE THAN 10-15 MB IN .BZ2 ARCHIVE. - Map MUST have a relatively simple layout, so new people don't get lost. ( Remember cp_steel in TF2? )

03-09-2009, 09:39 AM	#12
OneManArmy Ka-boom! Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ukraine Class/Position: Demo, Solly, Pyro Gametype: CTF Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Despite how good your map is, if it takes eternity to download it's not gonna be played. It's remotely an issue if you're making a map for official mappack or for organized play, such as pickups or leagues. But for random pubs it's crucial.

03-10-2009, 01:21 AM	#14
Crazycarl D&A Member Wiki Team Fortress Forever Staff Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts Rated Helpful 31 Times	I always try to limit file size by using nodraw as much as possible and lowering lightmap resolution where I can. However, using HDR will bump the size up a large amount (almost 2x). But technical concerns like that are not really part of what makes a good map. __________________ Support FF:

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