Quick Map Ideas Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the famous tutorial on good map ideas! This tutorial is pretty much made for mappers who want to get some ideas on what, people like and want in a multi-player/single-player map. Another point of reading this is that this is for those who want QUICK ideas on what people want in a map. So, let's get started!

What the people want (Single-Player)

• Detail

A hint for making a single-player map is to add lots of detail!, because usually on the first time or even numerous times after, the player will slow down to take in all of the detail the map has to offer(that is if you do add lots of detail) Another thing is to provide lots of challenges while trying to tell a story at the same time.(trust me it's kinda hard, but u'll have to do sometime...)

• Story

So, you need to have the map fit in with the story and the setting like i said above(sorta). Also try to give the player a sense of direction on where he/she needs to go. You must make their objectives obvious, but it all depends on what kind game your making (survival horror?) One last thing to add is, it is important to keep combat and rest/exploration in good intervals. You do not want your players to feel frustrated because enemy's keep coming and coming and coming. So keep things in good intervals.

• Sound

Well sound IS extremely important when creating a single-player map especially if your making a horror mod/map. Like ambient sounds or BGM (background music) can be very important to set the mood in a map. BE CREATIVE try to mix up your ambiance each map, unless the map continues on(i.e HL2, HL)

• NPC's(enemy's and non-enemy's)

Trying to make scenes can be a very ruff task when it comes to getting right and timed etc... Well anyways, what you want to do is try not to put like 2000 combine and expect your player to enjoy it/survive it. Thats no fun, we all know it. Try to make it maybe at least 3 a group or 20 for a big battle somewhere. And make each enemy spread out so that there all not close together making a possible tough battle. Also, make enemy's start in random places if your trying to make a surprise attack or have them bust trough the door or gate its all up to you on how you want it. Now with non-enemy's which is pretty much making a scene is tough. Well, try to make everybody seem normal or have everybody say something(possibly). Nobody wants random, lonely, and random NPC's hanging around the neighborhood. Thats no fun at all. So use entities in your maps to spice it up. Make it look like real life.

What the people want (Multi-Player)

Well multi-player is a little bit different on what the people enjoy. I'll tell you flat out that it pretty much depends on the game and the game mode. So lets get started!

• Counter-Strike:Source

CSS is a very good game in my opinion so making maps for this game is very easy in a way. Some words of advice, try your best to not make BIG maps big maps in css never fit unless you intend a lot of people to be playing. Usually only 16 could fit in a map thats made for 8. The players of css like their maps to be fun, and exciting around every corner. Detail isn't really a big issue in this because most players of css don't look for a lot of detail in each map. Plus, you should explore the different type of maps there are. Like for example: Death run, GunGame, AIM maps, Zombie Mod, Deathmatch etc... You'll have to explore into it before you go and create a map.

• HL2:DM

Well HL2:DM isn't much different in map creating for CSS than this. It's the same thing except there's no mod's for it so just make a map but add lots of prop's to throw around with your gravity gun. Everyone loves the gravity gun. So, like toilets, explosion barrels, barrels, bricks, etc... to make it more fun is a way to put it.

Conclusion

Well thats all I have for you with creating maps that people like. One LAST thing I would like to close with is: I'm sorry I did not add TF2, and Portal. Just TF2 is kinda the same I might have to write a different article on that one cause theres a lot for it, considering this is supposed to be a quick guide... HAPPY MAPPING!

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