A List of Useful Map Making Guides and Manifestos

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Postby Condog » 2008.11.03 (04:14)

A List of Useful Map Making Guides and Manifestos
Here are the most useful guides and manifestos I could find that can help you to become a better map maker.

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Suggestions for New Map Makers by jeffkillian
~ These suggestions were compiled in order for the new map-maker to know what is considered "taboo" or bad in a map.

The Survival Map Manifesto by blue_tetris
~ In creating this manifesto, I intend to instruct map makers on how to create the perfect survival map. Why am I qualified to do this? I like to think I make good survival maps. It's an aspect of the map-making scene which I feel some amount of dominion over. I believe I have more survival maps than any other map-maker and I also believe that I withhold secrets which may help prospective map makers. I cannot, in all conscience, keep the secrets hidden any longer.

The Thwump Manifesto by blue_tetris
~ In creating this manifesto, I intend to instruct map makers on the many uses of the thwump. Why am I qualified to do this? I use an unparalleled number of thwumps. Map-for-map, I have the highest thwump usage rate on NUMA. I've spent more time figuring out every possible use for a thwump than I would willingly confess to friends and loved-ones. Also, I believe I possess the secrets of thwump. My spirit remains hindered so long as I retained these secrets alone.

The Gold Manifesto by blue_tetris
~ In creating this manifesto, I intend to instruct map makers on how to appropriately place gold within their maps. I want to show how gold-placement helps to manage time, player motivation, replay value, and design

The Mine Manifesto by blue_tetris
~ In creating this manifesto, I intend to instruct beginner map makers on how to get used to placing mines to effectively limit access and create challenge. I also intend to give helpful hints to even the most seasoned map makers about how to better understand the way they use mines. In learning the theories behind mines, I hope you can all end up using them more effectively.

Level Structure and Concept Manifesto by Sendy
~ In this guide I hope to give some general ideas and pointers to the factors which come into play in the overall structure of a level. Being aware of the spacetime topology of your level as you build it, and how that influences it's gameplay, is an essential design skill. If this guide gives just one person a small bit of inspiration, I will consider my job done.

DDA Manifesto by lord_day and Jiggerjaw
~ The brainchild of lord_day, this is a comprehensive DDA Manifesto, which, when asked to touch it up, I took and basically doubled the size of it. We hope you read it all, even though it seems to be a lot, because it contains sh*t-heaps of helpful information on making cool, effective DDAs.

Map Theory: The importance of Function and Form by atob
~ For me - for a map to be truly exceptional - there are two criteria that need to be fully satisfied when creating a map: The 'Function' and the 'Form'. Now, this may seem obvious, but more often than not one is neglected for (sometimes even in spite of) the other.

Making DDAs by Clifty
~ Right, the way I see it, there are four different types of DDAs: Multi-enemy, KRADDA, concept, and n00b. I'm going to take time and try and describe all of them, and how I make them.

Getting your maps noticed by lord_day
- Today, I am going to talk about getting your maps noticed on NUMA. So if you are a map maker who finds this really easy and you already get your maps noticed, then you can turn the page. However, I know many of you find your maps falling off the newest page with no votes. It happens to everyone when they start. So here is the deal. Before you can build a reputation, you need people to be playing your maps. Sounds obvious right? But many people miss this crucial point

The Door Manifesto by squibbles
- I've held this off for a long time now...I'm afraid it's not excelently written, and it is be missing some stuff, but it'll have to do, so without further ado, proceed!

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Full credit to all authors for the Guides/Manifestos. Truly stunning work.
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Postby Evil_Sire » 2008.11.03 (08:21)

So, this is basically just my idea in a more organized fashion.

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Postby jackass » 2008.11.03 (09:05)

Yes it is ... And its very good and usefull .. unlike yours i can see which map making guides are which ... so good joob condog .... "NICE IDEA YOU HAD" lol
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Postby Condog » 2008.11.03 (10:08)

Evil_Sire wrote:So, this is basically just my idea in a more organized fashion.
Essentially, yes. The important difference is that i didn't plagurise peoples work without their permission.
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Postby jackass » 2008.11.03 (11:27)

Condog wrote:
Evil_Sire wrote:So, this is basically just my idea in a more organized fashion.
Essentially, yes. The important difference is that i didn't plagurise peoples work without their permission.
Yes Links Are Good Enough... "EVIL". Also This Will Be Updated Regularly Right?
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Postby MattKestrel » 2008.11.03 (16:31)

Lol, Evil's guide was omitted in place of atob's. Im guessing he spotted that :)
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Postby Evil_Sire » 2008.11.03 (16:33)

GTM wrote:Lol, Evil's guide was omitted in place of atob's. Im guessing he spotted that :)
I really don't care.
Condog wrote:
Evil_Sire wrote:So, this is basically just my idea in a more organized fashion.
Essentially, yes. The important difference is that i didn't plagurise peoples work without their permission.
I was actually praising you, not being sarcastic or a dick, infact quite the opposite.

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Postby blue_tetris » 2008.11.03 (23:01)

That blue_tetris had a way with words.
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Postby Kwiftee » 2008.11.04 (09:46)

You forgot the N instructable, made by M&R themselves.
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Postby Tunco » 2009.03.02 (17:12)

-Read these a lot before,but I'm going to read it again because it really helps you.
spoiler

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Postby The Kitchen Sink » 2009.03.02 (21:30)

:(

None of these are about tiles. They're all about fine-tuning objects.

My problem is I can't ever think of level design, but I'm quite content with object placement. Which is my my Micros and the like are successful; the emphasis is almost entirely on the object placement.

So I can't do big maps, really. I've had like 5 decent ones.

I can sometimes make cool LOOKING tilesets (http://nmaps.net/145001), but never functional ones that apply to any gameplay purpose. Sucks.

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Postby SlappyMcGee » 2009.03.08 (11:31)

blue_tetris wrote:That blue_tetris had a way with words.

I -so- miss that blue_tetris. He may have still had a dark heart, but his head was bright and full of ideas.
Loathes

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Postby Amadeus » 2009.03.11 (06:51)

*cough*
Math&Science in N
*cough*
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Postby Destiny » 2009.03.18 (07:54)

what about atob importance of function and form
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Postby epigone » 2009.03.20 (15:12)

Jeffkillian's guide = WIN

Everybody should have to read that before they make their first map.
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Postby Rikaninja » 2009.03.30 (06:23)

I'm going to go through these. I've already read a few. Though I too am dissapointed there isn't anything out there about tiles. Maybe someone should make one, that's what I want to improve on. Though these are definetely far better than useful for mapping.
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Postby Pheidippides » 2009.03.30 (16:26)

Rikaninja wrote:Though I too am dissapointed there isn't anything out there about tiles. Maybe someone should make one, that's what I want to improve on.
I'm no Losttortuga, but I could take a crack at that if you guys want me to. Maybe a few of us can work on one.
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Postby otters~1 » 2009.03.30 (17:17)

Pheidippides wrote:
Rikaninja wrote:Though I too am dissapointed there isn't anything out there about tiles. Maybe someone should make one, that's what I want to improve on.
I'm no Losttortuga, but I could take a crack at that if you guys want me to. Maybe a few of us can work on one.
Go ahead. Your tiles are genius.
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Postby Rikaninja » 2009.04.01 (07:37)

Have you started on a thread? Cos' I'm all in for helping.

EDIT:Wait! What you said about Lostogotta reminded me, how many people can make this thing? I'm starting to make the intro, I'm bored at the moment. I'll be happy to do stuff that don't involve details if you find someone(s) worth asking.

EDIEDIT: Added what I could type in 10 minutes. Lol. I hope you like it! In the attachment.
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TheGuideoftheTileset.txt
The start of what I hope to become an amazing adventure of skill and discovery.
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Postby unoriginal name » 2009.05.31 (14:43)

Updated with The Door Manifesto. You're welcome.

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Postby MattyMc13 » 2009.06.27 (14:49)

I think you should add this guide as well.

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Postby Tunco » 2009.06.27 (15:41)

MattyMc13 wrote:I think you should add this guide as well.
We have tutorials on independent websites?

Nice.
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Postby MattyMc13 » 2009.06.29 (23:18)

Tunco123 wrote:
MattyMc13 wrote:I think you should add this guide as well.
We have tutorials on independent websites?

Nice.
It's from Metanet, I found it somewhere.

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Postby amconline » 2010.01.08 (09:03)

Hey, links are broken... The suggestions for New Map Makers by jeffkillian should be online again for NUMA's newbies...

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Postby mintnut » 2013.03.23 (20:56)

yeah, the links need updating, and has anyone got a copy of jeffkillian's guide?


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