I’ve found this read on the internet and think it may be worth reading for everyone:
Indeed, with the right vocabulary and concepts, maybe we can be clearer when we give feedback. Also many design guidelines are in there and it’s really interesting ! But not that easy to apply. It can help understand why SD is struggling with map design.
Not really, they do this for a living… If we were talking about amateurs then perhaps I could sympathise. How long have maps been a problem now?
The concepts are, now try and think about applying them to real maps: that’s where it gets difficult
phase 0: get inspiration from images, you want a map with unique and fun gameplay (some RTCW & WOLF:ET maps are remakes from movies/history)
phase 1(design): draw your map out on a piece of grid paper (looking down from above view)
phase 2(build): build it without textures, props, etc
phase 3(test): test gameplay, and go back to 1
phase 4(polish): make it look pretty
Phase 1 & 2 are the most important. Don’t design the map as you build it, the design should be 80% complete (another 20% from gameplay tweaks)