How do you start a map?

[sevin]

I've known about Hammer for about 3 years and I've always wanted to make a map for TF2 or CS, maybe even HL2. The thing is, I've never been able to do it. I've watched and read many, many tutorials on many subjects in Hammer so I feel I have the technical skill to at least work through some alphas, but I have no ideas. I can't figure out how to start a map and block out a layout that's all my own. I think I'm so afraid of making something bad that I over-analyze every brush I make right from the start. I don't know how to proceed.

How do you guys start/plan your maps?

[El_Exodus]

After you created your very basic layout, level design is SUPER iterative. You'll never get the layout right straight away. Get it playtest ready, test, iterate, repeat. Until you reach the state when you start with detailing, but that's another thing.

Edited October 12, 2015 by El_Exodus

[JustFredrik]

I start with a simple idea, like my current map. "I wan't to make a competetive map with a dubble leveled mid and I want the setup areas to be really open for the Ts". Then I started with doing the setup area for B site. and then I worked backwards to B spawn. Then I started with doing the mid and CT spawn. Then added in the path to A site. Finally I made the sites.

My advice is to start on a keypoint of the map and then work out from that point, and just go with what you feel would be the easiest thing to do. Don't be affraid to fail. 

When you have finished the first version of you map or level. Let people play test it. Nothing is better then to do a real playtest. Then take the feedback from the experienced players and try to improve on the parts that didn't work. Nothing (or atleast not much) is perfect from the start. making a map is like a molding process. You start with a basic shape and then you start removing the flaws and after a while you have a pretty smooth and nice product.

[laminutederire]

All of what people Saif but start the layout on a piece of paper, and think ahead the general layout, then depending on your liking you can try a basic layout on your paper, then block it out or directly block something out