Lately (since my testing last weekend), I've been thinking of a lot of different map ideas. But it seems daily that a map preview is shown that looks a lot like one I thought of. My question is this: If there's a map out there that's similar to one I'm making, should I even bother to make it, or would it run the risk of always being "Oh, hey, that looks like..." Just wondering.
Make it anyways, depending on your forgeing it might be better than the other map. Just do not knowingly copy their map. Most maps have very little new about them so it will not make much difference. People naturally associate one map with another no matter how dissimilar, so dont sweat it.
Ok. Cool. I just don't want to be a guy who people look at a map and are like "can he be anymore unoriginal?"
go ahead and make it and change it people call it unoriginal, who knows ur idea, could be the thing evrey one else copies
Don't feel afraid to make something that you thought of. Like pyro6666 said, alot of maps out there are similar and have similar pieces. For example, using two walls to make a window by putting a foot gap in between them. Your map may have many qualities of another, but as long as it's not exactly the same then it's okay.
doesn't matter. If the gameplay is different, go for it. If you do copy parts of a map from somebody else, you should give credit when it is due.
One map idea is not enough, you should write down all your ideas if your thinking about them everyday. If your thinking a new one up everyday, lets face it their going to be quite simmilar, your best bet is merging all those ideas into one and making one nice map, nothing like anyone elses. BTW, you sure your not seeing a map that inspires you (as it may others) and then thinking up ideas simmilar to others and wondering why they have simmilar ideas to you a month or two l8er, lol?