about maps

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:02 pm

okay a month or so ago i made a topic on map ideas... after only a few replies it was already being rejected and shunned by its vewers, well sence then i have rephrased my question to this short question:

What about maps makes you like or dislike it???

charg · Post by **charg** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:46 pm

The stuff that makes you like maps, are stuff like how big the map is ; What kind of flags are in it ; Its style ; etc.

You also have to take in mind that diffrent people will like diffrent things. Like one person may like open spaces while anothe person dislikes them. Just do what you think is the best

GoodLuck

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:55 pm

charg wrote: You also have to take in mind that diffrent people will like diffrent things. Like one person may like open spaces while anothe person dislikes them. Just do what you think is the best GoodLuck

is that not the whole point of this topic?

Ordep · Post by **Ordep** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:25 pm

Well... Saying that a map is better because it's GM flags or something like that is wrong. A map is good due to its overall caracteristics. So it's hard to answer your question.

charg · Post by **charg** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:00 pm

Murtagh wrote:
charg wrote: You also have to take in mind that diffrent people will like diffrent things. Like one person may like open spaces while anothe person dislikes them. Just do what you think is the best GoodLuck
is that not the whole point of this topic?

Yes It is the whole point of this topic, but I'm just saying that you might get diffrent responses to your question.

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:44 pm

im just asking that personally things make people like a map better because of the way the player thinks and plays

Tedius · Post by **Tedius** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 9:31 pm

To me, playability is the single most important aspect to making a map. If you can nail that down, you will have a popular map, IMHO.

Playability means:
a balance of superflags
a balance of skill and luck
a rewarding experience for both noobs and advanced players
well thought out shot paths, elevations
a variety of playing options at any given moment

Determining what is enjoyable in a map requires going to servers and learning from what works and what doesn't.

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:38 pm

see that is what i was looking for

charg · Post by **charg** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:37 am

oh! sorry

didnt understand the question you where asking

Then a good playing map to me would be,

CTF
Both sides get even advangages
Well admined
The server has to be on a good bandwith
Admins dont abuse there powers.
Good Flags for both ctf sides

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 1:20 am

you like ctf eh?

charg · Post by **charg** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 2:22 am

Yep

CTF is great, it makes bzflag much better, and it also gives the game an objective instead of just killing each other

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 2:39 pm

i just wish more than 3 people were here

Post by **joevano** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:24 pm

I think the lack of people posting to this and your other questions, is sending a very clear message to you. Map making is an art, there are few hard and fast rules. Did Michelangelo ask what do you think I should make before he created David? No, he looked at the block of marble and his tools and created what he saw. If it didn't work out (and give us one of the greatest pieces of art) do you think it would have been viewed as a failure by him? As long as he created what he felt, I don't think so. You are so focused on making something popular and getting the answers. But the answers aren't something that will help you with map making. It's the failures that make your maps better. Take the advice given. Look at other maps, study them, and then give making one a try. Then listen to the praise and criticism given to the map and then on your next map take that into consideration. Fearing failure destroys success. Without failure you can never become great...

Make some maps and good luck!!

^nightmare^ · Post by **^nightmare^** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 3:31 pm

Donny has a point. But i do have to say, the more creative the map is, the better i like it.
GoodLuck with your map making.

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 8:53 pm

hmmm well thanks im gonna try a kind of castle map with a looping trap on the bottom

Macrosoft · Post by **Macrosoft** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:44 am

looping trap? what do you mean?

ducatiwannabe · Post by **ducatiwannabe** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:54 am

I'll give you a tip. When making a map, people always like to have more than one route to get from one area to another. For example, on the viper two castles map, if not for the platforms on the side of the wall, the middle entrance would be impossible to pass due to camping by shock wave or some other flag. Make sure there is a way or two to take out a camper should he find a spot in your map to sit and be lame. Also make sure there are multiple strategies... as in, make an upper route, lower route, middle route (good to be fast but dangerous). The only other thing I suggest is making different types of elevations and routes.

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 3:02 pm

ducatiwannabe wrote:I'll give you a tip. When making a map, people always like to have more than one route to get from one area to another. For example, on the viper two castles map, if not for the platforms on the side of the wall, the middle entrance would be impossible to pass due to camping by shock wave or some other flag. Make sure there is a way or two to take out a camper should he find a spot in your map to sit and be lame. Also make sure there are multiple strategies... as in, make an upper route, lower route, middle route (good to be fast but dangerous). The only other thing I suggest is making different types of elevations and routes.

my map will be containing no flags so campers should be of lesser problem but thanks for the advice ill think about it

P.S. a looping trap is a seiries of rooms that are all exact matches with others that loop. its a trap because its easy to get disoreinted and there are no doorways just portals

Macrosoft · Post by **Macrosoft** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:28 pm

Murtagh wrote: a looping trap is a seiries of rooms that are all exact matches with others that loop. its a trap because its easy to get disoreinted and there are no doorways just portals

i hate those things, i get lost too easily

Ratatosk · Post by **Ratatosk** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:49 pm

there will be some signs to kind of direct people through