Hello everyone, I need some suggestions for mapping, i want make a map but I'm not creative. So I ask you what ideas do you have for a map?
Well to be honest, if you're not creative even a good start given to you by someone else won't save your map. But ... to say something usefull ... try making a normal empires map (commander style) first. Take a look at popular maps like canyon, mvalley, crossroads and cyclopean. Something you should pay attention to: - Make sure both infantry and tank drivers can enjoy themselves. For example canyon has wide open spaces for very nice tank battles, but at the edges infantry can usually stay under the trees for infantry fights and to attack the vehicles from. So this means you'll have to find a good combination of open space and areas filled with obstacles. - Also buildings like the one in the center of crossroads, or the ruins in duststorm are pretty fun. Best thing to do is decide wether you want a desert map, or grasslands, a forest, city, ... and then take a pencil and start drawing something that you like. Something good. Then take what you've drawn and add more details to it. Then just start mapping. For maps as big as empires maps planning ahead can help you out a lot. Maybe you can use these as inspiration: http://users.telenet.be/samhannes/mapping/layouts/layouts/Layout 2.jpg http://users.telenet.be/samhannes/mapping/layouts/layouts/Layout 3.jpg http://users.telenet.be/samhannes/mapping/layouts/layouts/Layout 4.jpg The map midbridge can be usefull as well. It has a unique building style, and the variation in height is nice. The map smokies on the other hand gives a very realistic and peacefull impression. Streetsoffire is crowded and grey and duststorm is just one big dust storm. Anything will work if it looks good and plays well actually. Also, if you really have no idea, go to google images and just search for nature, or nature + "something" Looking for "nature ruins" gives a few interesting images: http://www.sacredearth-travel.com/features/Lamanai/ruins.gif http://eq2.allakhazam.com/images/quests/eq2quests/480/picture/map.jpg http://bagnewsnotes.typepad.com/bagnews/images/clips/BabylonRuins.jpg or search for some satellite images, military bases, cities, ...
Make my map: http://www.empiresmod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3816 The images are slow loading because nebajoth is futzing with commwarriors.com
I have an idea for a new map, but I think its a bit ambitious so may wait and try it myself (assuming empires isn't killed off in the next year or so). Starting with ambitious things went a bit wrong with the sinking map I did (I think it's ok but could have been a lot better if it hadn't been my first map...). Suffice to say, it has a decent sized town, some caves, a pretty forcefield (which may or may not be possible the way I want, but should be I think) and a big laser :0) Everyone sensible tends to put down the idea for the last two (maybe 3 - the laser is a game ending superweapon (possibly, but thats a spoiler)) so it could be more universally hated than the last one. ooooh I so want to make it but don't have time. Or building models, which would be so much better than brushed based ones (I think). Maybe just go with Evan's idea, thats got potential
hey hey hey, i'm doing the Dust thing That's my project =P (just has to wait till empires updates to release it)
