what makes a map fun?

Asd417

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Mar 20, 2016
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Often when I map, I tend to think about fun gameplay space. That is good to some extent, but the problem is that the layout does not look fun and then most of the times I scrap it. Is there something that lets me feel that it is a fun map?

I know this is probably one of the most vague questions, but I want to know what you think.
 

Diva Dan

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Mar 20, 2016
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My favorite parts in maps are sneaky tunnels with health kits. sometimes fighting over a health kit feels like a whole battle in itself! Maps with this would be things like lakeside or highpass, or even the engie nest on badwater. Ways to get behind the attackers in A/D are fun too, but are carefully counterable with sniper sights or traps. Other than that it's hard to think of what makes a map fun. I'd also say long cap times/chokepoints on AD? But it depends. Makes a match feel more intense
 

Fantaboi

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Mar 11, 2013
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What gets more points in tf2map's contests in the "fun" category.
 

n8five484

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Nov 17, 2016
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Though it may depends and this answer may be seem redundant, a balanced layout makes a map fun and enjoyable.

The details make the map appeal more to the senses than add fun unless you have the soundscape playing 'We Are Number One' (actually I might do that) though that is more for humor than pleasure.
 

nickybakes

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Jul 28, 2015
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I know I'm not the best mapper, but here's a couple pointers I can think of:

-Lots of height variation, don't make your map all on just one flat brush, but also have some breathing room where it's decently flat so players aren't constantly on a slope.

-Balanced run times. What I mean by this is how long it takes to run from spawn to the objective/main fight. It depends on your gamemode, but remember that having a 15 run time is no fun, as all you're doing in that time is pressing w. For this you might have to look at distances in official maps to get your scale correct. Also remember that having distance between your spawn and objective is good, you will need some run time, but not too much (refer to official maps to see what's a good run time)

-Many times in TF2 (mainly in pubs), you may think the game is just one big team fight. This may be true in some cases, like when both teams get to mid on a 5cp map and duke it out, but many times the game plays in smaller fights against just a few players. These may be a spy trying to fight an engineer to destroy their buildings, a soldier fighting another soldier, a spy trying to backstab a sniper, or maybe a sniper fighting a heavy. These smaller fights can be more than just 1v1s, like if there was a medic, or just one or two more teammates that happened to be there for the fight.

These smaller fights will require parts of the map that are a little separated from the main choke, yet they still feel like they belong in the map. One of them I like to reference a lot is the back area on Badwater B.

Badwater_back_roof.jpg


This area, though it may feel flat and boring, adds a sort of "calm spot" where smaller fights, and flanking classes can be at and utilize. It's away from the point, though it still feels connected as the point is pretty easily accessible from here.

-Don't let the map determine the fight/outcome. The map is there to guide players, and maybe reward players with good positioning and using the layout to their advantage. The map should open up player creativity instead of limiting it. Having your map in tiny, enclosed spaces and hallways limits player creativity, as they are specifically made to go a certain way. Maps do this with a good amount of open, and natural-feeling landscapes/designs.

I'll reference Badwater again, this time looking at it's A point. Notice how it seems open, yet still creates a layout through interesting rock formations, using displacements and props.

Badwater_first_point.jpg


I'll look at another very popular map, Upward, which I think has one of the best designs in the game that incorporates all these ideas. I'll be looking at it's first point also. On the left of the image, we have this side area that is also a "calm spot", where smaller fights can happen. On the middle/right we have the main fighting area, whilst still open, it has a design by using the displacements to create height differences on the far right of the image.

VU0W3vL.jpg



How about a map that isn't payload? Sure, lets look at Sunshine. Whilst 5cp may be more linear and hallway-y than payload, these ideas still apply. Its still rather open, with the buildings being used as obstacles that create a layout, and add height differences. On the left, this can be considered a calm spot, though maybe less then the payload maps, as it is more connected to the main fighting area. Displacements here also create height differences that add variation, and reward players for good positioning, as high-ground often gives players an advantage. 5cp maps tend to get more "hallway-y" in its connectors between the points, but the lobbies still manage to be open while providing a divider between points.

Sunshine_mid.jpeg


Even on a King of the Hill map, lets say Viaduct, these ideas are applied. I'll see if you can find them yourself (screenshot is just for reference, but these ideas can be found in many places other than just the middle point)!

koth_viaduct_splash.jpg



Now you may look at older maps, such as Dustbowl, or maybe even Goldrush, and think that they are a lot smaller, and maybe a little more hallway-y than today's attack/defend and payload maps. The style of gameplay of TF2 was much different back then, and as more weapons got introduced, and other weapons got changed and rebalanced, the way people play has changed. I feel now-a-days TF2 maps side with larger areas that provide the players with a landscape they can work on and form their own formations on, rather than telling them they have to go through this door or this hallway to get to the next point. Allow players to make their own decisions, don't let the map decide for themselves. Of course you still need a layout to guide the players on how it plays, so don't forget that.

I hope this was informative, and I wish you the best of luck with mapping! Note that I'm obviously not a professional at these sort of things, so I may be wrong on some bits. This is just stuff I've noticed really differentiate "cool, fun, and unique" maps from "hi this is my first time using Hammer" maps, and its stuff I've noticed after playing this game for a couple years.

Sometimes watching maps be developed helps you get a sense of how they are designed. This has helped me learn the meaning behind certain developers' choices behind changes in their projects. Many people enjoy @Crash 's maps, and he does a pretty good job at documenting the changes of his maps and his thought process behind them on his YouTube channel. Right now I believe he is working on his King of the Hill map; Trenchfoot. It may be a smart idea to watch the changelog videos when they are released, but he also has many videos about Shoreleave and Glassworks.

Sorry for the big message and lots of images, but I hope it helps you and any others reading! I spent like 45 minutes writing this so I really hope you like it.
 
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Diva Dan

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Mar 20, 2016
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-Many times in TF2 (mainly in pubs), you may think the game is just one big team fight. This may be true in some cases, like when both teams get to mid on a 5cp map and duke it out, but many times the game plays in smaller fights against just a few players. These may be a spy trying to fight an environment to destroy their buildings, a soldier fighting another soldier, a spy trying to backstab a sniper, or maybe a sniper fighting a heavy. These smaller fights can be more than just 1v1s, like if there was a medic, or just one or two more teammates that happened to be there for the fight.

Easily my favorite part of tf2! I've been playing a lot of overwatch and I still don't experience anything like this because the maps are small and the playercount in limited to 6. Nothing beats a good 12v12 or even 16v16 on a big map like badwater or even doublecross/landfall. So much action and alternative playstyles to explore.
 

Asd417

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Mar 20, 2016
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Easily my favorite part of tf2! I've been playing a lot of overwatch and I still don't experience anything like this because the maps are small and the playercount in limited to 6. Nothing beats a good 12v12 or even 16v16 on a big map like badwater or even doublecross/landfall. So much action and alternative playstyles to explore.
I fully agree to this! That is the beauty of tf2 not found in other games
I know I'm not the best mapper, but here's a couple pointers I can think of:
I would give you like and thank at the same time but this site does not let me.
 

nickybakes

You should've played Rumbleverse
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Jul 28, 2015
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I fully agree to this! That is the beauty of tf2 not found in other games

I would give you like and thank at the same time but this site does not let me.
Following me on the site helps wink wink nudge nudge self promote
 

Mystic Monkey

L5: Dapper Member
Jan 24, 2011
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What I find fun in any map in any game is exploring. Granted TF2 isn't an adventure game like Portal or Half-Life, it still fun to play Scout purely just to explore a map.

Event Maps, or maps with additional mods just sweeten the experiance.
 

nickybakes

You should've played Rumbleverse
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Jul 28, 2015
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So from what I can understand, these calm spot usually sits on flank route or some place far away from the objective, right?
Generally yes, though make sure the point is still pretty accessible from the location (like on Badwater B, you can go through the building with the A/C vent on it, and then youre at the point). I guess just try to aim for them being separated to give flankers (or just normal players fighting each other) some protection from the main, usually kinda spamming fight, but also connected so the idea of the map having an objective isn't forgotten by the players.