Questionaire sort of thing on Maps

Im just doing this cos I might consider attempting to build a map myself, so I want to find out what sort of things that you like to see on maps. Also not just for me but people have asked about on the server too so I guess It might help them.

OK FROM 1 TO 5 PLEASE PUT THE NUMBER OF WAT YOU REGARD THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR WHAT YOU LIKE, 5 BEING THE THE MOST WANTED, 1 BEING THE LEAST LIKED.

Underground passages? (Something simmilar to Le bridge?)

Small maps? (Something similar to the Ice World?)

Large maps? (Similar to the snow map I don't remember what its called off the top of my bald head)

Loads of builings? (Something like the Tunisia maps)

Less buildings? (Something like Hobbitnation)

Sniper hiding spots? (Similar to some places on El Mechili, not the best to use as an example but u know wat I mean hopefully)

Towers?

I might add more questions to this later on so come back to it once you got time

:drunk:

edit.... 10 mins later

making maps are nothing like using 3d max

haha, it should be easier. Here are some bookmarks I threw together awhile ago http://watsonunited.com/mystorage/bookmarks.html

I have plans for my next map, whenever I finally get aroudn to it.

IMO....

Underground passages are only good on CTF/SD maps, and they must make sense. Take Bridge ie. Good tunnel, but needs a box or 2 to duck under, prevent the long range sniping. 2 players from either team can camp and own the whole tunnel.

Maps the Size of Iceworld Should be TDM only. I built ICeworld with the ability for DM as well, But it is really designed after the fy_iceworld from CSS. When you make one that size, you want to keep textures as simple as possible to keep high frames and minimal lag. Also, remember that it is basically, a Battlemap. Using popular maps from other gametypes is a good base. ie Halo's HangumHigh.

Large maps can be ok as long as they do not get too complex or the spawn points are weird. lolV2 is huge, but has too many operable doors and the flag points are not fair. It's spawn points are atrocious as well. Large maps also generally can take months to build. I enjoy open large maps like brecourt, Duhoc, and even Silotown. That large Snow map is too big. Ive been on it with 40 players and you still couldnt find anyone. It's not good for sniping, nor run n gun. Hobbiton is good but a little TOO open. It's like brecourt without that long ass hedge. Imagine playing on that.

Lots of buildings depends on the map as well. I do not like maps that have 200 buildings that I can run into and go upstairs like Townville. That map does not even look like a town. The buildings are just dropped off randomly. Tunisia at least, is grid like and has open areas and wide "roads," plus you cannot go into all the buildings.

Sniper spots. I would not try to design a spot for snipers, as a good sniper will find one somehow (on a large map). In el mechili, there are towers, but you know what they are designed for, and the first place anyone looks. A sniper spot should be dark, so they cannot be spotted without scope, binoculars, or muzzle flash. Making obvious spots does not work either. You build a tower, and a sniper wont stand a chance. Look at Snipe_Town, normally a potential for good map, but over shadowed by DM and rifles only. Still, the towers are the first place you look. The good sniping spots are on the roof, hidden away. a Convenient hill, bush, field, or abandon dark building with 10 Windows is good for sniping.

Another idea might be to build maps designed for specific battles. Have one team assault a "fortress" from behind a very small hill, with a series of trenches parallel to the attack point, maybe a few mortar holes, etc.

when you release a map, it is a good idea to release a note with it as well, that defines what you designed it towards. Gametypes, weapon types, etc.

TOP MAN! thanks for that link, much appreicated... i googled a few website for some stuff and found some information too...

i have a few ideas myself about making a map, something like an airfield with planes and tanks or making making a map with unusal tunnels with a dip so you cant see the other end if you look down it, or something like a massive appartment/building block with a flag at the bottom and a flag at the top and having to get up by different levels. these ideas are only of the top of my head but i mean in practice they might not be as good

As i haven't used the program before but theres plenty of video tutorials, im gonna give myself a chance to fuck about with the program for abit first and start off making a small map then work up big.

how long have you been making maps, is the iceworld map your first one?

thanks for all that feedback its given me loads to think about

4mmo, could you possibly send me the links to the tutorials. I've been wanting to try building maps, but haven't found any good sites for it. Also, what program are you using???



Regarding Iceworld, I had an idea for that, adding 1 set of internal stairs to each of the 4 'buildings", so you could get to the roofs. Just my thoughts on it, ha ha

everything that you could possibly need on that bookmark... that website has loads (modsonline)...

we should make the map a map together if at all possible

hey i just found out that you can use 3d max to make some models int he map... thats cool cos ive got enuff knowledge to do that no problem

I'm up for anything, ha ha. I have "some" knowledge of 3dmax. I used to mess around drawing cars, but never finshed them cause I got sick of tryin to get them perfect. I had an idea for a map, but not sure how good it'd be now that I really think about it. I'm gonna look around on that link tonight and get some better knowledge.

Well, maybe not. everytime I try to load one of the files in Radiant it loads lil bit then the program quits responding. I hate my computer sometimes.

well you got further than me then... mine won't load up... i think the first task is to find all the models that you possibly can and make a library for them somehow...

I just noticed when mine first loads I get all this on the box at the bottom. Which is weird cause I run DX9 on COD, sooo I don't know

Well, I'm confused. I updated .Net and DirectX and I still can't get it to work right. If I make is so all I can see is the info box on the bottom and not the 2d or 3d part, it will load the files some times. but soon as I try to move the divider down it locks up. So looks like I won't be making maps.

speakin of the topic.. i'd be able to create a map for people but i cant texture worth crap.. elmo if you wanted i could make objects for you at decent (not laggy) poly count..?

also if you could tell me what type of file they need to be in, please let me know.. as in .wings, .3ds, ect.

i think we should all make a map together... i cud produce a few sketches what ya reckon? everyone will have something that they can give and expertise in

If you know how to do it in 3ds instead of radiant that'd be great. I followed that vid tut. on makin a small map which I can do and it plays, but my vid card sucks and I can't see the textures in the 3d window. So in a week or so I'm buyin a better card and then it's game on. ha ha.

I work with autocad everyday. I'm also somewhat good with 3DS, Invertor, & Photoshop.

I'm all for a joint map project :drunk:

ur a cad guy? what kinda work do you do... i use catia which is a automotive based cad program... im looking for a internship somwhere aboard not having much luck finding anywhere tho...

what sort of map we wanna do then... i hope mero wants to get invovled tooo

I do septic designs for a Civil Engineer, so I'm strictly 2D at work. All the 3D stuff is just messing around at home.

I biggest problem I see about most maps is that are designs in a way that it give one side an advantage(mainly CTF). Just the way the 'road' and building are placed. I'd like to make one that wouldn't have that issue. Would you wanna do a mosty outside map with some indoor/underground stuff, or mostly indoor map. I saw one that was in the process of gettting finished that was a submarine base and it was all indoors and it looks pretty good. Just some thoughts.

I like something along the lines of a infantry base, airfield with an airport or a tank factory. be creative think about few ideas. I was thinking about something like flags in open areas, where its on top of a building there to snip if anyone defends it, other flag at the bottom on a run way so its impossible defend too (dunno if thats a good idea or not)... with a tank factory with loads of tanks about maybed its an idea for a tdm or a dm possibly rifle only

i was looking at saving private ryan a min ago, i think we can use a few textures out of that but if any of you guys are good with photoshop you'd have to do something with it to get the filmy effect out.

Do you know how to make it work so you can use 3DS???? I'd really like to know how.

I'm at a lose with CODRadiant, I did a fresh install of cod and modtools, and it still freezes when I try loading a map. So I might not be makin maps unless there is another way of doing it.