so i drew up a layout of a new map and before i start modelling it i wanna know if it's worthy of being modeled.

Leaves much to be desired, tbh. Labelling some areas would be a huge asset in trying to figure out the final product.

Im unsure what that is...are those yellow things paths?

yea those are paths.



is that better?

Better, but I'm still wondering about the terrain. Is it hilly? Is it flat? Are there rivers? etc.

The layout is okay, four corners, symmetrical like timberland is.
It looks like too many paths are clumped together. If you plan to make the paths go between cliffs like danger canyon, the layout should be expanded. If you plan to make this hilly like timberland, make fewer paths overall.

ok after staring at this layout i decided to change it lol.





is this a little better. i thought "those mini bases are probably gonna get full of campers" so i got rid of them

Ok, but I would still like a bit of terrain info on the map. This is just me being nitpicky, but I like to know how the map'll look before it gets into production.

Can't decide anything about this. Probably because my eyes are too used to seeing in 3D rather than 2D, but I will only know once I see a 3D model.

i did a quick little heightmap of it and here you go:



and i changed the layout:

Have a huge structure in the middle. Makes it a tad more interesting. Now I would suggest making something custom and not using one of those infinity bases.

lol that's all the things i was gonna do lol. and the beam structure is all i have that looks forerunner. (i can't model forerunner yet.) until i find something better then that's what it'll be. of coarse im gonna tweak it a bit to look more original i might even combine 2 together.

Seems okay. Some of the paths are not too direct, kinda like Infinity-style. Would probably recommend cutting down on the number of paths, there seems to be too many options for foot mobility.

I don't mind that - it gives more opportunities for ground troops to survive (and for ninjas to do their thing >:3)

You'll need alot more than a cave and bridges to create interesting encounters.
What Scio should have said:
- Add unique recognisable features on each side to give a good sense of orientation to the player at all times
- Provice each main combat area with a few different options to approach or fight in, think of the lines of sight of each player and the paths you want the player to follow. Add cover or weapons to give areas a gameplay purpase...but always keep risk v reward in the back of your head when designing these type of layouts.
- For vehicular combat you'll want to provide well-marked paths to distinguish recommended driving areas.

But no, simply adding a cave does not automatically create interesting encounters and fights. Do not let this guy give you the impression it is as straight-forward as he thinks it is.

- I know this part and is exactly what i was gonna do.

- Thus the many paths and bases.

- Thus the obviously huge dirt paths as opposed to the thin ones.

And finally... lol.

Do something like this : http://hce.halomaps.org/index.cfm?fid=1907. Maybe on a smaller scale. Think Portent. Spice it up a little and use your imagination.

You are being WAY too simplistic Scio. You don't actually go into the fundaments of a good encounter, you simply say "yeah a beach is cool, yeah a cave would be cool". I don't get the impression you understand the mechanics behind what ACTUALLY makes things good, such as the things I explained.

Visually you can go alot of ways to make the mechanics behind your design more appealing and nice looking, but yeah I'm not gonna repeat my previous post. You seem oblivious to what I actually say.

Games would be pretty hollow if they followed your well thought-out advice. eg hey lets place a cave here and some bridges there...the "gameplay" will be great!

But yeah, you clearly have no clue what you are talking about. I'm glad you're following the stuff I mentioned though, darkassasin. You need to put thought into all this stuff, even if it is "just a game".

Yes we get it
TM are gameplay overlords

LOL okay, I'm sure you know all about who does what in TM, I have made alot of encounter sketches and designs which you see in Lumoria. If you ever read one of our threads you will see me listed as encounter/level designer and whatever comes with it. LMAO

Oh and "hatemail", you're the one continuously projecting your crappy life on me because you simply can't win an argument. I never insulted your personal life and you say I am the one getting "worked up"...LOL

And now you think you're a man by publicly insulting me aside from just in PM

Okay whatever kid, I'm going to be the bigger man and just completely ignore you from now on. Say what you want to the public, be a man!

The two of you take it elsewhere outside of this forum. We all know you dislike each other and are trying to as politely as your implied insults will allow show each other up but really you both just look pathetic. So stop or leave I don't care which but pick one or I will choose for you.

thank you dennis. that was gonna be my next post. seize and desist the hijacking of my honest, innocent little thread. now i was gonna add bridges and tunnels anyway. it's kinda something i always put in my maps (although this is actually my 2nd modeled from scratch map) and i wasn't gonna stop now. those interiors and the beach idea sound good i might add them.

here' some pics on what im doing to a beam structure:




EDIT: added pic
Edited by darkassassin14 on Oct 14, 2011 at 08:12 PM

Structure looks pretty nice if a tad simple (nothing wrong with that btw).
And there's nothing wrong with adding in caves etc, my point was just that you also need to put a decent amount of thought into it's gameplay purpose, not just the visual "cool" aspect etc.

I agree.Adding in stuff that doesn't work with gameplay nor is visually appeasing will only have you end up with a newer version of Battle Creek. As he said, simple isn't wrong. It is a good start, and you will most likely(If you keep treading given path) become better in time.

good to know. so should i start modelling the map? oh and dennis, i uploaded a map about a week ago and it's still not up. then i uploaded another copy to make sure and still. the map is called "mythic beta".