Steps in Making a Map for a Beginner?

by **franklenraymond** on Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:56 pm

Hi, I am fairly new to Conquer Club, and I just love it. I also like the idea of making a map for gameplay, but I am very much a novice when it comes to graphics, XML, and the whole mapmaking process. I have seen and read through some of the tutorials, but I wanted to ask, is there a tutorial or post that clearly articulates the steps and best way to learn the skills necessary for making a map? Thanks ~Frank

by **oaktown** on Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:58 pm

franklenraymond wrote:is there a tutorial or post that clearly articulates the steps and best way to learn the skills necessary for making a map? Thanks ~Frank

yeah, its about time we got the damned mapmakers guide up and running... most of it is written, so my goal for this week will be to get at least a first edition posted someplace.

by **WidowMakers** on Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:02 pm

Welcome aboard frank

Until oak gets the guide done, here are the two best places to start:
1) For the map making process goto here - How to make a map handbook
2) and the tools/programs/other stuff to help out here - Map Making Tools

WM

by **oaktown** on Sun Mar 22, 2009 10:03 pm

WidowMakers wrote:1) For the map making process goto here - How to make a map handbook
2) and the tools/programs/other stuff to help out here - Map Making Tools

bah, fast-posted!

by **franklenraymond** on Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:22 pm

Thanks so much y'all. And glad to hear there is a mapmaking guide in the works.

by **sailorseal** on Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:46 pm

Also I would reccomend before creating a map two things
1) Have a theme for the map or have some sor of "hook" to make it interesting
2) Be ready to take some negitivity

by **franklenraymond** on Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:09 pm

As for a theme. One I have in mind relates to urban sustainability, and I wanted to use my city of Syracuse, NY as the map base. Do you think this would be too narrow of a topic?

by **TaCktiX** on Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:49 pm

The toughest thing about a map is turning an idea into map mechanics. I'm sure it's possible to make a map explaining the principles of quantum mechanics, but turning an idea like that into something that would work on a map, as well as be interesting...aye, there's the rub. So if you can make urban sustainability "sexy" for CC players, have at it!

by **wcaclimbing** on Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:39 pm

Another good thing to do is to try and make some awesome graphics for your first update.

In my time around the foundry, I've found that the quality of graphics strongly influences the number of supporters and people commenting in your thread.
Better graphics = much more activity in your map thread.

Don't put too much work into the graphcis for your first draft, cause the concept you are working with might not be a popular idea.
But make the graphics look good enough that people have some idea of what you'll be able to do.

by **oaktown** on Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:35 pm

viewtopic.php?f=127&t=81664

by **sailorseal** on Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:41 pm

wcaclimbing wrote:Another good thing to do is to try and make some awesome graphics for your first update.

In my time around the foundry, I've found that the quality of graphics strongly influences the number of supporters and people commenting in your thread.
Better graphics = much more activity in your map thread.

Don't put too much work into the graphcis for your first draft, cause the concept you are working with might not be a popular idea.
But make the graphics look good enough that people have some idea of what you'll be able to do.

I half and half agree. Part of me feels that most people will not take the time to think of a new maps potential if it is a eyesore but the other part thinks that if the idea is good enough it will persist

by **blakebowling** on Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:47 pm

sailorseal wrote:
wcaclimbing wrote:Another good thing to do is to try and make some awesome graphics for your first update.

In my time around the foundry, I've found that the quality of graphics strongly influences the number of supporters and people commenting in your thread.
Better graphics = much more activity in your map thread.

Don't put too much work into the graphcis for your first draft, cause the concept you are working with might not be a popular idea.
But make the graphics look good enough that people have some idea of what you'll be able to do.

I half and half agree. Part of me feels that most people will not take the time to think of a new maps potential if it is a eyesore but the other part thinks that if the idea is good enough it will persist

Why are you having a monologue in the forums