Asymmetrical Maps

From Gamedozer

[edit] Asymmetrical Maps

Asymmetrical maps are some of the hardest maps to design, but when they are finally balanced they can become truly classic maps. For those who have never taken a geometry course, an asymmetric map is a map that is not the same on both sides if you were to draw a line down the middle of it. Due to the very fact that players do not have the same terrain or units as each other, asymmetrical maps can be notoriously difficult to balance. Map makers must keep in mind many different aspects of the game when designing such a map in order to maintain the equality. Even if you think that an asymmetrical map is completely balanced, it must be played many times to ensure that there is not some strategy that you overlooked that would tip the balance in favor of one side or the other.

One idea for creating an asymmetrical map is to create a map where each player commands a different set of forces. You could give each player factories, but only one gets a harbor with the other receiving an airport. Another idea is to place a player in a relatively highly defended area, but with cities or easily obtainable property than the player in the less defended base. There are really a plethora of different options for creating asymmetrical maps, and then main thing that you need to remember when creating them is to balance in mind.

Back to the Map Making Guide.