Inspiration and Motivation

I've spent a lot of time looking at other forgers' maps and have always wondered where they get their inspiration from as well.

As a basis for forging inspiration, from my own standpoint, I first set out on remakes.
As someone who doesn't want to be known for her remakes, I love to just look at where I can find any inspiration.

My first map I made in Halo 5's forge was a Guardian remake.
It helped me learn how to mold the blocks and objects and stuff into basic shapes of rooms and learn how to link paths and stuff properly.

My second map was a BTB map based on a simple rock formation I saw in a wip photo from Wyvernzu. I'm not sure how to properly explain the formation, but it was really simple, but I though it looked cool.

Since then, I've really just looked at map ideas from a creative view.
"Could I use that rock formation as a basis for an area on one of my maps? How about that cool Forerunner themed object someone made as part of an aesthetic for their map?"

I like to find a challenging object or trick and try to make it in forge sometimes that isn't a standard object.
Some times that gives me ideas.

Sometimes I get ideas from music.
One of my Infection maps I concepted while listening to All Nightmare Long by Metallica.
That map ended up turning into a slight remake of a map from another game, but a song made me think about it.

Just today, I thought of a cool idea humming a song in my head, that I'm working on now. (even though I have like 3 other maps I need to be working on. I'm scatterbrained)

One of my favorite original maps I've made is a multi-environment map. It was planned to look one way, but a lot of cool pictures or random thoughts later and it sits finished where it is now.


I believe inspiration comes from all kinds of places. It's where you get the best flow, feel, drive, influence, and motivation that is best for you.

Do some doodles. Listen to a cool song. Look up some crazy building pictures or landscapes or something.

Find what makes you think "Wow! That would be awesome to do in Forge!" and just roll with it.

 

I just really enjoy forging, that's my motivation. I made lots of maps since the release of forge and still have fun creating new stuff. As for inspiration, I have no trouble what so ever when it comes to themes and such. Sometimes I have a theme in mind, but most of the time it comes to me in the blockout stage. And just walking around on other peoples map can give you some new ideas too. Check the map page from time to time for new stuff. Not for stealing ideas ofcourse but sometimes you can have inspiration from the smallest of things.

Anyway, even though I have lots of ideas, it doesn't mean I'm a good forger, but I'm still having fun.

Good luck.

 

Marathon, Marathon of whatever in the back ground, game grumps have helped tremendously lately, i had a dry spell, but i feel as though im back

 

I usually go in a forge game with Phuria, put down a few blocks from older designs I have had but scrapped, and let him go to town. In otherwords, a forge partner might be a good way to start, but I'm aware that isn't for everyone. Other than that, other video games can have great looking areas that can translate pretty well into halo (unreal tournament, quake, etc).

I have a few concepts I could lay out for you if your interested in trying out something like that, just add me on Xbox and message me.

Also, just keep forging and getting feedback. Like everything else, proper practice makes you much better.

 

What inspires me are other games like destiny or architecture. But I'm so familiar with forge so much that I think about how I will make the aesthetics before I think of map layout so I usually know if my idea won't work. I try to make the art a part of the design so that even without the aesthetics it still looks interesting. Just make something you're proud of.

 

What motivates me to design maps is to challenge myself to progress. Even if my next map isn't as good as the one before; progression, knowledge, and experience is what I strive for. And ultimately to be proud of my creation.

I'm a "geometry snob" as Schnitzel lovingly said some time ago, so my source of inspiration is always based on geometry. Platforms, structures, rooms, hallways, etc. It's always a gameplay element that sparks the source of my design.


A concept from this map:


was the source of inspiration for my last map:

 

For me initial inspiration has come from personal things that I love. I used to love a specific Halo 3 map + game type I made and have good memories of it, so I tried to recreate it. I absolutely love LotR/the Hobbit so I try to recreate elements from that. If I can stand inside a map and get all those nostalgic feels that makes me feel like I have done a good job. Unfortunately, that happens too soon and I tend to then stop. For motivation to finish my map I show other like-minded people what I have done. If they love it and can't wait for it to be finished, then draw off their passion and let that drive you.

Things coming out that are not like you originally intended isn't always a bad thing. It usually shows that either your initial concept wasn't detailed enough or you like to ad-lib a little as you go along. If you need someone to come look at your maps send me a message and I'll be happy to sometime.

 

I play lots of Zelda.

Serious answer: I look to old campaign forerunner aesthetics for BTB inspiration.