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| Posted by nane on 2003/05/13 00:04:02 |
This question has appeared in other previous posts within the QMap community over the years. However, lately, I have endeavored to concoct a proper definition of a "good map". My definition seems adequate but is perhaps not very concrete. Yet, while many people think talking of design is subjective, I believe that it is not. As sure as mathematical equations are absolute, so are principles and practices of design. Anyway, my definition for a good map is as follows:
A map may be deemed good if it fully defines and realizes its boundries of style, design, gameplay and theme.
Now, to break this apart...
Fully defined boundries: These are any such ideas or methodologies thoroughly developed.
Fully realized boundries: These are any such fully defined boundries thoroughly implemented in a map and used intelligently and creatively.
Style: Style is, to quote dictionary.com "The way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed." This applied to mapping refers to the manner of construction and cohesion of a map. This must not be confused with the actual means by which an author builds a map. That does not matter. Here it refers to how the forms and objects in a map relate and exist in regard to each other.
Design: Design is the author's innovation and creativity that remains within the boundries of their chosen or created (and fully defined) style (be it of architecture, item and enemy placement, etc).
Gameplay: No, good maps don't just look pretty. They must play 'pretty' too. Gameplay is the problem(s) presented to the player(s) and all of the possible solution(s). So, it is a relationship of the 'physical' map layout (all areas where a player may travel) to the locations of all the items and enemies and any other interactive contructs.
Theme: Theme is the plot and the visual and interactive (gameplay) cohesion that affords a map continuity (however wild and imaginative that may be). To quote dictionary.com's third definition, "An implicit or recurrent idea". Theme must be considered on the macro and micro level. Overall gameplay theme is just as important as a texture set theme, etc. Theme and style are closely related.
Okay, that's the whole definition.
Lastly, in speculation, this definition may be put to some use as a map review rating system. Each of the four categories (Style, Design, Gameplay, Theme) could be graded on any relative review scale and then averaged for an overall score.
...or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.
Any thoughts? |
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Yes, Paul #15 posted by R.P.G. on 2003/05/17 12:48:21 Its all a matter of opinion of what makes a good map and as someone once said "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has got one".
And I believe the rest of it is "[...] and everyone else's stinks."
Hehe #16 posted by Paul on 2003/05/17 13:23:44 Correct.
Good Map Or Great Map #17 posted by PuLSaR on 2003/05/17 18:42:31 You say "A map may be deemed good if it fully defines and realizes its boundries of style, design, gameplay and theme"
I think a good map may have only some of these thing (coolest design but poor gameplay, or a very interesting gameplay but not so great brushwork) and great map should have it all.
CRATES #18 posted by cyBeAr on 2003/05/18 17:23:29 CRATES CRATES CRATES
M8 H8s Cr8s #19 posted by Vodka on 2003/05/18 21:15:15 conventions are none
Why #20 posted by daftpunk on 2003/05/21 07:10:52 do people moan about defining things. if you moan about it dont post!
it's like saying why people argue about which is better q3 or q1...you always gonna get lots of replys! pah. let the post be!
Wow #21 posted by Sianide&1@hotmail.com on 2005/03/21 18:55:28
There is so many ways to describe Gameplay I think you got the jist of it. I am researching to make my own game and I have taken you post to heart. thanks
Yay For Thread Necromancy #22 posted by Friction on 2005/03/23 01:35:56
Also: Bees make the map.
#23 posted by cant map on 2005/03/23 06:40:46 Bees are madeup by M$ PR
Um.. #24 posted by spentron on 2005/03/25 03:36:54 Insanity.
Preferably detailed, all-encompassing insanity ... what has been discussed so far sounds more like a recipe for boring, even if in some respects impressive, maps.
Easy Answer .... #25 posted by JPL on 2005/03/25 05:48:28 Good maps, IMHO:
- have innovative and consistent design architecture, textures and lightning effects..
- contain at least 150 monsters.. (the more they are, the more there is fun !!)
- are playable on FitzQuake (at least.. and because this is my prefered engine...)
- have enough ammos/armor/health to finish it (without using "god" cheat console command.. errr)
- can be played during 30 minutes at least.. (or more !!)
- have no "dead lock" (no bugs.. 8P)
As very good example, just play Kinn's "Marcher Fortress".. I saw it has a 20/20 on Underwolfan's SP Map review ... (at http://www.planetquake.com/underworld/quakerev050114d.html)
Very impressive.....
... #26 posted by necros on 2005/03/25 10:14:01 - contain at least 150 monsters.. (the more they are, the more there is fun !!)
no
- can be played during 30 minutes at least.. (or more !!)
no
size and amount of monsters is all relative.
i've played excellent maps that were short, 5 to 10 minute maps with less than 60 monsters.
A Good Example #27 posted by aguirRe on 2005/03/25 10:27:03 might be sm20_amrik ( from http://paul.fov120.com/speedmaps/files/sm20_pack.zip ) with 182(!) shamblers in basically one huge box. It's an excellent engine test case, but there's no gameplay to be had.
Ok #28 posted by megaman on 2005/03/27 01:29:35
ill try to optimize my next q3 map for fitzquake.
Wuh Fuh? O_o #29 posted by necros on 2005/03/27 11:46:27 ?
._@ #30 posted by Kinn on 2005/03/27 12:25:42 This whole thread has taken a turn for the http://kinn.spawnpoint.org/SA/what3.gif
All The Threads Are Off Topic! #31 posted by HeadThump on 2005/03/27 14:14:36 Of course, the music thread was just asking for it.
Kinn #32 posted by necros on 2005/03/27 16:19:20 that rocks. ^_^
A Good Map... #33 posted by Scragbait on 2005/03/27 17:56:25
...makes you want to continue on because you are interested in seeing what's around the next bend.
#34 posted by asdfsdsa on 2005/03/28 01:49:34
when i was playing rich_bar i was interested to see what was around the corner... so that makes it a good map?
A Good Map #35 posted by PuLSaR on 2005/03/28 08:33:28 is a map that plays fun. There are so many ways to do it. the more unusual, the more original they are, the better map is.
. #36 posted by necros on 2005/03/28 09:30:05 if it did that, then yes, it was a good map. for you.
Oh Fuck #37 posted by PuLSaR on 2005/03/28 12:00:23 ignore me. if you can, cause i'm soooo drunk fuck, it's all vodka.........
oh fuckk
i'll probably post post something real later
I Forgot.. #38 posted by JPL on 2005/03/28 23:10:10 .. to mentionned "experience"... Generally, experienced mappers build good maps...
Ooopppsss #39 posted by JPL on 2005/03/28 23:11:27 I mean: I forgot to mention "experience".. sorry for this stupid grammar error...
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