- Joined
- Oct 28, 2018
- Messages
- 236
- Thread Author
- #1
Dev Diary 1
Hello all! I am the new mapper for teslacloud, starting today. This will be a documented log of my mapping adventures and such. To start off, I will be explaining my process of how I start. Do have it be noted that I have not released a single map on the steam workshop, why you ask, because I have never felt I have finished one. Silly reason I know, but its also the reason I'm doing this, so for once I can force myself to release one. So far its been all fun and games, but this is when it get serious.
The first thing I have to do to start making a map is quite a simple one in theory, and that is to come up with an idea. But in actuality, this is the most important part to me, because if its not a good idea, or an idea that you like, how on earth will you motivate yourself to do it. You must have a passion to map as a hobby, as you do most things. "If you do something, you might as well do it right".
So now I will present some of the ideas I have for maps heading forward, not all of them will become maps, but you never know when an idea might come in handy for filling in an empty space.
Idea 1.
Glasgow
Now this one is pretty low hanging fruit for me, I have without fail spent every summer of my life in this city, and I love it. But why would it be good for a map? For starters as you can see from the image it has quite a few landmarks, From the bridge to the crane, from the tower to the rip of Sydney Opera house hiding behind that building. Landmarks are important in mapping as they giver a player a sense of direction, especially tall once such as the crane or the tower. A good example of this would be the citadel in Half-life, In most cases you will be able to see it, and from it deduce your approximate location.
Another reason for choosing this city would be the architecture, any mapper worth his salt should appreciate architecture, not necessarily understand it, but at least appreciate it. Glasgow is a city famous for some of its architecture, with examples such as the Bank of Scotland (not sure if the bank of Scotland operates here though, probably not, its just the name that pops into my head)
And yes, that is the same bank from the dark knight movies, and the upcoming fast and furious spin-off ( I should know, they were filming there today)
For MANY more examples of great architecture visit this website
http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/glasgow-architecture-photos
2.
THE WALLED CITY OF KOWLOON
This has to be one of the most interesting areas in history, but its gone now, oh well. But we still have images and the ability to draw inspiration from it, and in the end does that mean that its really gone? But enough philosophy, we are here to talk about mapping. Now what does this remind you of, if you answered, Ghost in the shell, or Blade runner good on you, but if not, understandable. That because you have yet to see inside.
Hallways like this are a joy to make, since its such a simple area, a lot of detail can be snuck in.
A great thing this map could do, while being contrarian to the previous statement, is that since it would have no landmark, confuse the player. (yes this is a good thing in some scenarios, but not many), it could give the map some sort of skill ceiling, not something you see often, and even less on purpose. Although I would still have a central location for player to move around maybe a tower that can be seen through windows or the such. Another great thing about this area, is the lighting. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a map. It can make or break it, so you should always put effort into it.
3. Edinburgh- Old town
Yes, another one from Scotland, cut me some slack, I just moved here and I am inspired by not only the design, but history of these old city's. For example, did you know that Edinburgh is not only built on a hill that leads up into the castle, but also large bridges that support the city, the byproduct of this being, well what I think were the inspiration for every medieval underground ever
This not only lead to an underground labyrinth, but even a whole underground town! (seems like such a good place for a rebel presence.) Once again, great stuff for mapping. Along with the underground, you also have the main attraction of the city, the castle. This would be a great place to have a combine presence, maybe even a citadel designed specifically for such a location. Having such a well defended place as a castle for the combine would be great to assault, or even sneak into, since its such an old building.
Anyways, that's all the ideas I have for now, nothings currently being worked on, and we would very much like your input into what you think should be added, or removed, or even what map it should be! We hope to see you posting on the forums in the future.
Fungle
Hello all! I am the new mapper for teslacloud, starting today. This will be a documented log of my mapping adventures and such. To start off, I will be explaining my process of how I start. Do have it be noted that I have not released a single map on the steam workshop, why you ask, because I have never felt I have finished one. Silly reason I know, but its also the reason I'm doing this, so for once I can force myself to release one. So far its been all fun and games, but this is when it get serious.
The first thing I have to do to start making a map is quite a simple one in theory, and that is to come up with an idea. But in actuality, this is the most important part to me, because if its not a good idea, or an idea that you like, how on earth will you motivate yourself to do it. You must have a passion to map as a hobby, as you do most things. "If you do something, you might as well do it right".
So now I will present some of the ideas I have for maps heading forward, not all of them will become maps, but you never know when an idea might come in handy for filling in an empty space.
Idea 1.
Glasgow
Now this one is pretty low hanging fruit for me, I have without fail spent every summer of my life in this city, and I love it. But why would it be good for a map? For starters as you can see from the image it has quite a few landmarks, From the bridge to the crane, from the tower to the rip of Sydney Opera house hiding behind that building. Landmarks are important in mapping as they giver a player a sense of direction, especially tall once such as the crane or the tower. A good example of this would be the citadel in Half-life, In most cases you will be able to see it, and from it deduce your approximate location.
Another reason for choosing this city would be the architecture, any mapper worth his salt should appreciate architecture, not necessarily understand it, but at least appreciate it. Glasgow is a city famous for some of its architecture, with examples such as the Bank of Scotland (not sure if the bank of Scotland operates here though, probably not, its just the name that pops into my head)
And yes, that is the same bank from the dark knight movies, and the upcoming fast and furious spin-off ( I should know, they were filming there today)
For MANY more examples of great architecture visit this website
http://www.glasgowarchitecture.co.uk/glasgow-architecture-photos
2.
THE WALLED CITY OF KOWLOON
This has to be one of the most interesting areas in history, but its gone now, oh well. But we still have images and the ability to draw inspiration from it, and in the end does that mean that its really gone? But enough philosophy, we are here to talk about mapping. Now what does this remind you of, if you answered, Ghost in the shell, or Blade runner good on you, but if not, understandable. That because you have yet to see inside.
Hallways like this are a joy to make, since its such a simple area, a lot of detail can be snuck in.
A great thing this map could do, while being contrarian to the previous statement, is that since it would have no landmark, confuse the player. (yes this is a good thing in some scenarios, but not many), it could give the map some sort of skill ceiling, not something you see often, and even less on purpose. Although I would still have a central location for player to move around maybe a tower that can be seen through windows or the such. Another great thing about this area, is the lighting. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a map. It can make or break it, so you should always put effort into it.
3. Edinburgh- Old town
Yes, another one from Scotland, cut me some slack, I just moved here and I am inspired by not only the design, but history of these old city's. For example, did you know that Edinburgh is not only built on a hill that leads up into the castle, but also large bridges that support the city, the byproduct of this being, well what I think were the inspiration for every medieval underground ever
This not only lead to an underground labyrinth, but even a whole underground town! (seems like such a good place for a rebel presence.) Once again, great stuff for mapping. Along with the underground, you also have the main attraction of the city, the castle. This would be a great place to have a combine presence, maybe even a citadel designed specifically for such a location. Having such a well defended place as a castle for the combine would be great to assault, or even sneak into, since its such an old building.
Anyways, that's all the ideas I have for now, nothings currently being worked on, and we would very much like your input into what you think should be added, or removed, or even what map it should be! We hope to see you posting on the forums in the future.
Fungle
