Map Ideas

From Gamedozer

[edit] Introduction

Can’t figure out what type of map to make? Have map-maker’s block? This section hopes to guide you past that creative haze with some interesting templates to create maps with.

[edit] The Island Map

One popular genre of maps is to create a series of small islands that the players must take control of in order to mount a successful assault on an enemy’s capital. You have a number options available when creating an island map. First, what type of battles are you going to allow on this map? Do you give each side an airport, or do you restrict the combat to purely a naval engagement? Will the island be interconnected so that land units can travel between them, or will you required the players to build Carriers and ASWs to reach the outlying islands? Do you place the emphasis on one main island or do you spread out the important areas of the map to the outlying regions?

[edit] The Parallel Map

Inspired by the map first created by Hans_Lemurson, one rather unique style of map is the map that divides the action into two or more separate battlefields. By placing a row of mountains or a river down the center of the map and giving players bases on each side of the division, two battles are effectively going on. These maps increase the strategy by making the battle twice as tough. Do you mass all of your forces on one side of the map and risk losing on the other side? Or do you try to balance your forces and slowly work your way to the enemy’s capital? There are a number of variations that you can pull on this theme. One includes making the division a river and giving each side a Hover Tank or two that can travel between the two zones. If you make the two sides close enough, artillery on one side of the map can affect the battle on the other side. You could put one or two airports or docks on the map, making them crucial to control in order to bridge the gap.

Back to the Map Making Guide.