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Over the past few days I've been thinking about styles. Is it okay to have very distinct styles between maps? Should you make a certain style for something like a contest or a map-pack?

Discuss.

This should be in N discussion.

Other than that, I dont think mappers whould think of having a style per-se, after my Reds and Yellows debacle, but generally they should do what's best for themselves, which more often than not leads to consistency in some aspects. For example, most of my maps are pretty distinct, yet most of the old ones dont have mines, all of my maps have a regular gold placement, and so on. Of course, thats not to say attributes cant change as your map-style progresses.

GTM wrote:This should be in N discussion.

Other than that, I dont think mappers whould think of having a style per-se, after my Reds and Yellows debacle, but generally they should do what's best for themselves, which more often than not leads to consistency in some aspects. For example, most of my maps are pretty distinct, yet most of the old ones dont have mines, all of my maps have a regular gold placement, and so on. Of course, thats not to say attributes cant change as your map-style progresses.

Okay. Although it'd be nice to find a nice style and get better at that style.

Thats generally what happens as time flies by ;)

Look at my maps. I defy you to find a style.

In other words, yes, it's okay. A map-pack would quickly get boring with the same style over and over. (Especially, God forbid, the same tile pattern). A contest, of course, depends on what kind of contest it is. If it's a Linear Map Competition, you should obviously make linear maps...etc.

Thanks for the subtle hint about my map pack :) Yungerkid made the same comment, but said my latyest map remedied this. Check my picks of the day to see.

just have fun making maps YOU think are enjoyable, and i think you'll find that your maps start to develop certain traits. The trick is to stop from doing the same thing over and over, and that's a trap everybody falls into at some point

edit: i realize this really wasn't what you were asking. sorry.

PALEMOON wrote:just have fun making maps YOU think are enjoyable, and i think you'll find that your maps start to develop certain traits. The trick is to stop from doing the same thing over and over, and that's a trap everybody falls into at some point

edit: i realize this really wasn't what you were asking. sorry.

Then I don't know how to ask questions. :) That helps.

The problem with developing a set style, is twofold:

1) It's difficult to produce maps that differ in play and atmosphere significantly if you stick to your comfort zone.
2) Personal Styles that are perceived as good by others can be adopted by the community lending them a generic feel.

Saying this, every author of notable regard has aspects of design that allow their maps to be immediately recognized as their own.

And saying all of this I think it's very important to build your own style, just make sure it's in as near a constant state of evolution as it can be.

Hey, as far as we know, your style may be switching it up every time. It's definitely okay to have distinct styles between maps. And the definition of style ranges with so much. From the tiles, to using exactly 3 bounceblocks every map. It's just whether or not the style stands out, or if you have to look closely to notice it. So really, style doesn't really matter, it's just common for people to build reputation through styles.

I myself may stick to a style for the maximum of five maps, because it seems as if it is hard to come up with something better than the first time it was used.

Oh don't really followa a style. But in my map pacs they generally have a similar style. Like my old NReality Examn Levels would obviously be all NReality. And my minimap pack would onviousl be all minis.

Is it possible to add something like a icon to show that is is part of a group/style?
I think that if you want to create a group of maps with a similar theme then you should name them very similarly ,for example:

Super Easy 1
Super Easy 2
Super Easy 3

superjumninja wrote:Is it possible to add something like a icon to show that is is part of a group/style?
I think that if you want to create a group of maps with a similar theme then you should name them very similarly ,for example:

Super Easy 1
Super Easy 2
Super Easy 3

Well doing that will make people lose interest ... naming your maps with some jazz adds some more exitement to gameplay. In a little way
If you called all your maps super easy 1,2, or 3 people will just be like /// *moan* not the same map juts a tad different and not play it

You may actually have a mapping style, and not notice it. That was my case for a while. Once you recognize it, though, it makes you appreciate your maps a bit more for either improving upon your style or taking steps outside your comfort zone.

My advice on finding or recognizing a style is just to keep mapping. Try to go into Ned with some form of inspiration or idea, rather than just sitting down and going through the motions. New ideas are key. Not necessarily innovative objects or tiles, but fresh ideas that keep your maps new and different.

I look for inspiration in music, literature, and the like, but sometimes new ideas come from totally random places like the logo on my ski jacket. Inspiration has a big influence on your style, in my experience.

Hope this helps.

Pheidippides wrote:You may actually have a mapping style, and not notice it. That was my case for a while. Once you recognize it, though, it makes you appreciate your maps a bit more for either improving upon your style or taking steps outside your comfort zone.

My advice on finding or recognizing a style is just to keep mapping. Try to go into Ned with some form of inspiration or idea, rather than just sitting down and going through the motions. New ideas are key. Not necessarily innovative objects or tiles, but fresh ideas that keep your maps new and different.

I look for inspiration in music, literature, and the like, but sometimes new ideas come from totally random places like the logo on my ski jacket. Inspiration has a big influence on your style, in my experience.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like a plan.

Variety is what's in now. Keeping one style (unless you're atob) can only lead to mapping ruin, leaving you commentless and forgotten.

On another note, <3 incluye.

You're reffering to atobtrees aren't you? I think i'll quit map making.

You guys make me feel special <3

Pheidippides wrote:Try to go into Ned with some form of inspiration or idea, rather than just sitting down and going through the motions.

QFE. That's something I used to find myself doing.

well some one said recently that all my maps look the same. so i guess i have a style
i try to vary it up a bit, and i like visiting past styles of mine.

some people could see me as having two very different distinct styles...(gloomp......)

I suppose we all have styles, difficult as they may be to define. I find many of my maps have similarities, mostly because I like certain things and dislike others. Certain tile patterns and enemies are preferable to others, so I use them more. I suppose if you add up all the particular things a person employs frequently in their maps, you have style.