ER1C0's Guide to Creating an Amazing Map.

Here's my quick, 4-step guide on how to take your map producing skills from good to amazing:

Writer's note: This is serious business. Don't expect to take a quick glance at random spots. You need to read all of it.

1. Brainstorming: You should already know about it.

2. Forging Techniques: Okay, when you forge a map, don't concentrate on forge techniques, just make your map. One fine example is Foundry. It has close to no interlocking or geomerging or anything close to it. The map's aesthetics really don't effect gameplay, it's really the map's overall flow that matters the most... Which means - if it's playable and really fun, then you're golden.

3. Creating your Map: Don't forge something someone else has already done. It's as simple as that. Okay, so now comes the hard part; originality. Come up with something that Halo 3 Forge has yet to grasp. Something that hasn't been touched. However, this is a very very hard step. I'd recommend downloading maps from the forums and noting their strengths and weaknesses. However, if you do not have the time to mark any architectural notes on different maps, then you can just go to the Architecture Master List. This shows what styles have been used and, thus, shows you what styles aren't used. Catch my drift?.. Okay, so from there you can build something that you see as sturdy and unique.

Here are some things that will help you with this step:

• A. Forging: You need to forge because you need practice. You simply NEED to. Although, too much forging can lead to exhaustion and exhaustion can lead to crappy maps. You do not want crappy maps, by the way.
• B. Testing, testing, and testing: Testing has close to no boundaries. You could test 20, 30 times, and just about every time you'd be able to find something you need to fix. The more testing, the better the gameplay. Occasionally someone might get out of the map or the alpha zombie might be waaaay too strong. Testing helps find and take these harmful variables out... Also, if you don't have anybody to test with, then just go to the Testers Guild...
• C. Having Fun: If forging feels like a labor, you need to stop, let go, and take a break. Breaks are a necessity in map making. Whether it's playing a few games in matchmaking, or just grabbing an ice cold soda from the fridge. Breaks are always refreshing and underused, most of the time. However, I only wrote Having Fun just once. Too much fun can lead to diversions, but just enough fun can lead to an amazing map!

Writer's note: All of these except testing have limits.

4. Map Posting: So now you've made your map, but the presentation is half of it. You need to sell your map to your customers. "But how do I do this?" Well, here you go:

• A. Titles: Just because the map is good, doesn't mean you need to give it an exotic or crazy name. Keep it simple and easy to remember.. BUT try and make it unique. In other words, don't call it "Teh Halo Map".
• B. Visuals: Have decent pictures. By this, I mean don't take pictures of a wall. If you get the major areas of your map, then you should be good, but try and keep the number of images between 3 and 7 because not that many people are interested in looking at 10 different angles of one section in your map. They don't care and I don't care... UNLESS you somehow implement your description/story with your pictures, but this usually only works for casual/mini-game type maps. Videos are nice, but make sure to keep them under about two minutes. Sideshows are cool, but I've been told they aren't too popular.
• C. Work: Just like practice. Work on the presentation and make sure it generally flows well. Flow is a key factor in this process. Know what you're doing, but don't overdo it.
• D. Simplicity: Again, don't overdue it, but don't underdo it also. If you don't already know, here's a post generator that will really help organize your thread.

The End

Please reply if you have any questions or comments.
​

 

Although it may sound like common sense to you, it's not so obvious to others.

It's just here to help. If you want it, use it. It's my current knowledge of forge, with about two years worth of experience. I've had my ups and downs and this is the outcome.

It's very simple, but it will help more than you'd think.