An Extra, More Complex Map Maker

[Godman]

Seems hardly anyone has cracked that I'm talking about two map makers. One on the disk where you can move tiles and such to make classic map maker maps, and another on your computer where you can make maps that resemble maps found in arcade.

[FezzyBear]

I knew what you were talking about.
Honest.

[SilverJ]

Seems hardly anyone has cracked that I'm talking about two map makers. One on the disk where you can move tiles and such to make classic map maker maps, and another on your computer where you can make maps that resemble maps found in arcade.

Do you think the one on the disk should be able to use pre-made (made by Crytek UK/ Crytek) or imported outdoor areas for outdoor maps?  Personally, even with a more advanced one on the computer, I feel the "classic" map maker should be at least somewhat more advanced than TS: FP's.  TS: FP's had roofless levels, but they weren't truly outdoor, only buildings without a roof.  I feel the next step is true outdoors, though maps don't have to be like that.  Personally, I feel there should be three stages of mapmaker on the disk, Simple, Moderate, and Advanced.  Moderate would be more akin to TS: FP's Advanced mapmaker, while Advanced would utilize pre-made and imported outdoor areas and have basic tweaking (like raising or lowering terrain).  Then again, maybe there would be no need for Moderate.

[Joshed7]

I knew what you were talking about.
Honest.

[Artur]

Seems hardly anyone has cracked that I'm talking about two map makers. One on the disk where you can move tiles and such to make classic map maker maps, and another on your computer where you can make maps that resemble maps found in arcade.

I understood, what you wrote. That's why I said I would like to see the second one on an extra disc shipped with the game.

[I_ROBOFISH]

They should just make the mapmaker like FarCry: Instincts. THAT was a sweet mapmaker.

[hobojoe44]

They should just make the mapmaker like FarCry: Instincts. THAT was a sweet mapmaker.

FarCry: Instincts Evolution at a minimum map design ability wise

Map Editor - Far Cry: Instincts

I already posted in this thread referencing a post I made about it in another thread 2 months back. Starting here http://timesplittersportal.com/index.php/topic,3816.msg107262.html#msg107262

[SHARKGUN]

I wouldn't want it to be like that editor tbh.

[coit105]

I wouldn't want it to be like that editor tbh.

The fact is terrain has become important in big game map editors. It's the way forward in the industry, not just FPS wise either. Therefore something like that is inevitable. What kind of mapmaker would you want? I mean obviously, from what you're saying, you seem to want the basic tileset stuff. But surely you must want it to be brought up to speed with modern day games too?

[Artur]

FarCry: Instincts Evolution at a minimum map design ability wise

Map Editor - Far Cry: Instincts


I already posted in this thread referencing a post I made about it in another thread 2 months back. Starting here http://timesplittersportal.com/index.php/topic,3816.msg107262.html#msg107262

Looks nice and I would to see that thing as the "second" Mapmaker. The in-game one shouldn't be that ... full of things. Tileset wise, but in a other than in TS2 or TSFP.

[SHARKGUN]

The fact is terrain has become important in big game map editors. It's the way forward in the industry, not just FPS wise either. Therefore something like that is inevitable. What kind of mapmaker would you want? I mean obviously, from what you're saying, you seem to want the basic tileset stuff. But surely you must want it to be brought up to speed with modern day games too?

I know what a good map maker needs to have in order for TS to work. These editors suit games like Far Cry, where you aren't running as fast as in Timesplitters. In addition, terrain is not as important for Timesplitters as in for example Battlefield. I want an editor that gives me the ability to create perfect indoor maps or let's say, maps that consist of a decent architecture instead of a few hills here and there.

And I've spent way more time in the map editor than 98% of the people on this forum.

[coit105]

I know what a good map maker needs to have in order for TS to work. These editors suit games like Far Cry, where you aren't running as fast as in Timesplitters. In addition, terrain is not as important for Timesplitters as in for example Battlefield. I want an editor that gives me the ability to create perfect indoor maps or let's say, maps that consist of a decent architecture instead of a few hills here and there.

And I've spent way more time in the map editor than 98% of the people on this forum.

Fair dues. Perhaps then a compromise? What about the inclusion of terrain adjustable tiles? They are outdoors ONLY tiles and can be left be or, as the title says, can have their altitude raised or lowered and, furthermore, when two or more terrain adjustable tiles are placed next to each other the terrain adjustments in the border of one affect the terrain adjustments in the border of the other for obvious reasons. On top of this, all terrain adjustable tiles can have regular indoor tiles placed on them, regardless of terrain adjustments, so you can create tunnels and foundations for indoor levels. Sound like something that meets in between?

[SHARKGUN]

The best thing in my opinion would be to sculpt the level with an editor that resembles TSFP's advanced map maker mode. You should then be able to raise or lower walls/floors/ceilings how you want with a brush-like tool that allows you to fine tune small spots on a wall and big hills in maps by adjusting the brush size. A variety of brushes should be available to create unique levels. Objects should be placable like in TS2 but an option should exist, that allows free object placing in 3 dimensional space [with rotation and (non-)uniform scaling].

That would certainly make me happy and even beginners could still create decents maps and give them additional detail when they learned how to work with the more advanced stuff. But it shouldn't be thrown into one map maker but instead have 3 different levels: beginner, advanced, expert.

[coit105]

The best thing in my opinion would be to sculpt the level with an editor that resembles TSFP's advanced map maker mode. You should then be able to raise or lower walls/floors/ceilings how you want with a brush-like tool that allows you to fine tune small spots on a wall and big hills in maps by adjusting the brush size. A variety of brushes should be available to create unique levels.

OK all of that, sounds terrific. In all seriousness you could recreate actual scenes from real life and stuff and just thinking about that makes me want to jump for joy!

Objects should be placable like in TS2 but an option should exist, that allows free object placing in 3 dimensional space [with rotation and (non-)uniform scaling].

I understand and love, again, most of this stuff, but I don't understand what you mean by scaling. Also, how hard would custom object making be to implement and what'd be your opinion on having it in TS4?

That would certainly make me happy and even beginners could still create decents maps and give them additional detail when they learned how to work with the more advanced stuff. But it shouldn't be thrown into one map maker but instead have 3 different levels: beginner, advanced, expert.

Now this I agree with. I'd like to point out, however, that advanced mapmaker on the old games still felt primitive and beginner just seemed ridiculous. Don't really know where I'm going with this...

[SHARKGUN]

I understand and love, again, most of this stuff, but I don't understand what you mean by scaling. Also, how hard would custom object making be to implement and what'd be your opinion on having it in TS4?

Well, game engines and 3D programs allow you to change the size of objects in a uniform or non-uniform way and this is usually called scaling.
The Sims had the ability to work with user generated content. I think if they include some sort of online object gallery filled with user created objects I'll certainly create more objects as I'm in the process of creating a first person shooter. The downside off this is that the minority of players would knowhow to create objects, but on the other side the objects would be cross-platform compatible.