What makes a good map?

[Akul]

Do you make a map for you or for what the masses want to play? I choose the masses myself. But that's just me.

I choose what I want to play because I know that there are others with same tastes like me. Making a map you like to play is more enjojable then making a map you don't like to play. If mapmaker enjojs his work, the results are always better. Doslike won't reesult in bad map, unless you are making more complex maps in WoG, H4 or H5.

7. Map author. Not important. Apparently the player is unforgiving to map makers in this category and could care less who makes them.

As it was alredy mentioned, mapmakers are recognized the most if they are an active part of community. Or if the player has a tradition to download all maps made by author whos last work they enjojed. For example, I downloaded all Sarvi's maps just because I liked his Hobbit and I would be over excited if I saw a new map posted by him. The same os for other authors.

[ByteBandit]

It's true, in a way, that if an author creates a good map, his/her next effort may yield yet another download. I could give you countless map authors I enjoy. Some Chinese mapmakers are just brilliant, btw. I've been playing a few of their maps lately with WoG. But in the end, it's the map that sells the author, not the other way around.
Yes, I create maps for the masses and not the selective few. Again, I am speaking Globally here. Even as far away as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan where many here, may not fully understand just how popular HoMM really is there. Almost one third of our members on the HoMM3 Map Archives, for instance, are from China alone. Many fans there are unfamiliar with some of the more well known sites we take for granted here. And they crave anything along the lines for HoMM maps and information. But we on the Archives are trying to change all that with the maps and links we have on our sites.
Basically what I'm trying to say here, is that there are so many untapped regions to explore for mapmakers to show their work. More than you know. And the numbers don't lie.

[Muszka]

7. Map author. Not important. Apparently the player is unforgiving to map makers in this category and could care less who makes them.

Personally, when I find a H5 map I really like, I get other maps by that author and try them as well. Same thing goes for books and movies. I assume others do the same. So, I ask, is this analysis really correct?

I think that the analysis is correct, because even if there is a good number of older players, the majority is still from the younger generation. And those (no offence here, just my experience) are not so concerned with the editor. They do the download-> play -> eventually replay -> forget; sequence.
Since I play heroes I introduced the game to a couple of people, but noone of those, neither the ones I knew beside care for the mapmaker.
You're a mapmaker, so it's normal, that you look after the other mapcrafters.

Happyly there are some who care for the mapmaker, and for story, who are greatful for a good map, they worth the effort. It's like the school, a teacher enjoys his work because of the two, three good students and not because of the rest.

[rdeford]

I think that the analysis is correct, because even if there is a good number of older players, the majority is still from the younger generation. And those (no offence here, just my experience) are not so concerned with the editor. They do the download-> play -> eventually replay -> forget; sequence.
Since I play heroes I introduced the game to a couple of people, but noone of those, neither the ones I knew beside care for the mapmaker.
You're a mapmaker, so it's normal, that you look after the other mapcrafters.

Happyly there are some who care for the mapmaker, and for story, who are greatful for a good map, they worth the effort. It's like the school, a teacher enjoys his work because of the two, three good students and not because of the rest.

Such is life. I do get a few compliments from time to time from players who enjoy my maps, and, you are correct, it does make it all worthwhile.

[Muszka]

rdeford: Where can one find any maps of yours, beside H5 maps?

[rdeford]

rdeford: Where can one find any maps of yours, beside H5 maps?

My H3 maps, which were made for my own family, contain too many personal references and inside jokes to make public. Also, they often use parables to teach my children moral concepts.

Now, in the spirit of this thread, I ask this esteemed forum, did any of that make them good maps?

[ByteBandit]

My H3 maps, which were made for my own family, contain too many personal references and inside jokes to make public. Also, they often use parables to teach my children moral concepts.

Now, in the spirit of this thread, I ask this esteemed forum, did any of that make them good maps?

Too bad you could'nt change some of the more personal texts in your H3 maps if the information is too personal. I would post them on the Archives. If they are'nt too personal, you could send them to me to look over, if you wish. I would'nt post any map that contained family references however. Never happen.

Teaching moral concepts? A good map? Of course! I believe it works. For instance, the recent H4 Empires maps I have up on CH teach history rather than tell a story. This concept has gone over better than I had anticipated. And it's a unique approach to storytelling. Which, brings attention to the mapmaker. Having a distinct original idea is what separates mapmakers from each other and the rest of the pack.

As a NOTE: I wish I had a comp that would take H5. Would love to try out your new map you have up on CH. Looks fun. Good luck with it.

[Muszka]

My H3 maps, which were made for my own family, contain too many personal references and inside jokes to make public. Also, they often use parables to teach my children moral concepts.

Now, in the spirit of this thread, I ask this esteemed forum, did any of that make them good maps?

Why not? School was fun, when Aristotel invented it, and they used pleasant methods to learn. So yes again, they serve one or more good purposes, and they good maps, maybe not for outsiders, but for the ones involved.

[rdeford]

Too bad you could'nt change some of the more personal texts in your H3 maps if the information is too personal. I would post them on the Archives.

After a look, I realized that most of my H3 maps were on an old Mac computer I donated to a good cause many years ago. I believe a couple survived on a ancient Windows lap top I gave to a friend's kids to play with, but they are not my best work. Anyway, I will see if I can rescue and revive them for your archive, if the kids haven't lost or ruined my H3 disks that is.

Teaching moral concepts? A good map? Of course! I believe it works. For instance, the recent H4 Empires maps I have up on CH teach history rather than tell a story. This concept has gone over better than I had anticipated. And it's a unique approach to storytelling. Which, brings attention to the mapmaker. Having a distinct original idea is what separates mapmakers from each other and the rest of the pack.

Hummmm... you've started me thinking...

As a NOTE: I wish I had a comp that would take H5. Would love to try out your new map you have up on CH. Looks fun. Good luck with it.

I would love to see an old pro like you making and playing H5 maps, especially my maps. BTW, I built my current computer myself to save money. My old one, which barely ran Morrowind, wouldn't run Oblivion or H5. I am sure glad I did it because it runs both games, and I just love H5. And, don't pay a lot of attention to the H5 editor's many detractors. Once you get past the learning curve, it isn't so bad, especially if you are someone with Byte in their name. The scripting language opens up almost infinite possibilities, and creating the 3D landscape is a pleasure. My first H5 map, The Virgin of Ponce, Episode 1, was so much fun to make that I could barely sleep at night until I finished it.

[ByteBandit]

After a look, I realized that most of my H3 maps were on an old Mac computer I donated to a good cause many years ago. I believe a couple survived on a ancient Windows lap top I gave to a friend's kids to play with, but they are not my best work. Anyway, I will see if I can rescue and revive them for your archive, if the kids haven't lost or ruined my H3 disks that is..

Well, neighbor, I'm glad you donated the computer rather than use it as landfill.
If you can get the maps, no hurry, that would be cool. Despite what many people think, H3 is still huge all over the world. 5100 members on 10 sites that are 2 1/2 years old ain't too bad! So, your maps would get played.

Hummmm... you've started me thinking...

Yeah, I drew a blank for a story, So history lessons are fun for me. And, apparently, others think so too.

I would love to see an old pro like you making and playing H5 maps, especially my maps. BTW, I built my current computer myself to save money. My old one, which barely ran Morrowind, wouldn't run Oblivion or H5. I am sure glad I did it because it runs both games, and I just love H5. And, don't pay a lot of attention to the H5 editor's many detractors. Once you get past the learning curve, it isn't so bad, especially if you are someone with Byte in their name. The scripting language opens up almost infinite possibilities, and creating the 3D landscape is a pleasure. My first H5 map, The Virgin of Ponce, Episode 1, was so much fun to make that I could barely sleep at night until I finished it.

It'll be awhile before I get H5. I'm still getting used to H4. I'm slow, I know, but finances are upon other urgent acts, so newer games and lack of high end computers hold me back a bit.
But I know the feeling of when you are making maps with something new. Because that's how it was for me with the combination of the H4 Utility and Equilibrus. Up all night making these 4 maps. It was fun to do, and the people helping me test and changing things made it feel like a real team deal. In other words it was all involving and an interesting experience.

[Koni]

But I know the feeling of when you are making maps with something new. Because that's how it was for me with the combination of the H4 Utility and Equilibrus. Up all night making these 4 maps. It was fun to do, and the people helping me test and changing things made it feel like a real team deal. In other words it was all involving and an interesting experience.

I just want to 'underline', what you say about these feelings. And you have infected me to continue your work, but I enjoy this kind of fever.

[rdeford]

Good feeling, yes. The Grumpy Old Wizard encouraged me to start making H5 maps and was kind enough to beta test and comment on my first map.