Your process when starting a new map?

[flat1ine]

Hi there,

 

Short time lurker and first time poster, sorry if this question is in the wrong forum. I was curious what steps some of you follow when beginning a new map. Do you start with figuring out where you want your map to be set and then brainstorm your layout from there? Or do you just start winging the design before nailing down setting/ art style and so forth? I feel that if i were to start designing beforehand, that there wouldn't be much cohesion between the two and could make for an awkward workflow.

 

Really digging a lot of the work people post here, keep it up!!

[-HP-]

Well, it's probably wise to set a theme, gather a few references (not too many to avoid confusion, focus is key)

After that, remember that if your level isn't fun, no one will play it no matter how good it looks, so shoot for a 3D representation of the final thing as soon as possible, aka blockout every major shapes in the map, this helps even when you start the art process because you already have something to start with.

[Minos]

I wrote an article with a friend on a similar subject, maybe you can find one or two things useful

 

http://80.lv/articles/blizzard-designers-on-good-level-design/

[flat1ine]

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated =]

[Recki]

I started with my first "real" map yesterday. Only thing I actually did before was thinking about an overall layout. Guess I should have done more, but for a first map, I guess it's okay