Analog Project

Hey AnalogProject-ers Nick here. I'm gunna be giving you a few helpfull hints and tips on Forging a good Halo 3 map.

Alright the believe the most important thing is making the map fair. Oh and also Making the map smooth.Some other things are spawing and starting points, Symetrical and asymetrical tips, making good infection maps, and making maps appealing.

Making the Map "Smooth"

What i mean by "smooth" is dont have bumps in walkways or boxes. For example, if one box 1 is right on the floor and box 2 is on a wall which is on the ground, the player will have to jump to get up which can be frusterating.So instead you should Make the Wall spawn about 25 seconeds after start then place box 2 directly on the ground. Then when the wall spawns you set it to start at start once again. If you don't get it right the first time try it again. Also on maps like Foundry

Making the Map Fair

Now making the map fair is very import especialy game types like CTF, Assault, VIP, or Slayer. Some ways of keeping it fair are Making sure No "power weapons spawn right by one team but not the other". For instance, if a Rocket Launcher is right by the Attackers (Team 2) starting points but only Battle Rifles are by the Defenders (Team 1) starting point, the Attackers will most likley (unless their terrible noobs) get an easy head start. But if you absolutley must have the Rocket Launcher spawn right by a team, then even it out and put maybe a shotgun with 1 extra clip by the other. Another great example is if a turret is by Team 1, put a Warthog by team 2.

Another thing that can cause and unfair advantage ghosts. Their very overpowering... well can be. If you make the enviroment so that it is hard for the gohst to get around, it's not as bad. An easy way of making a map fair is making it symetrical but we'll get into that later.

Spawing And Starting Points

Many people either don't understand, or are just to lazy to put spawing and starting points on the map. 

First off spawn points are a lot different then starting points. A starting point is obviously the pornt where someone starts at the begginning of a game or round. A spawn point is where you respawn after being killed.

If a spawn or starting point is set to neutrel, then anyone from any team can spawn or start there. This is usauly best for FFA gamtypes.

Symetrical & Asymetrical

The easiest way to make a map fair is to make it symetrical. This mean that each side is exactly the same in each and every way. This includes spawing and starting points, weapons and vehicles, goals and last but not least scenery. Ever bit has to the same. This isnt always easy though because it can hare to have object symetrical on each half. But thats where foundry is helpful. If your a forger and you havnt notice by now there is a grid on the floor of Foundy. Match stuff up with the grid. Symetrical maps are easy to make if ya know how!

Now Asymetrical, are very easy. You can basically have any scenery anywhere... Well not just any where if ya want it to look good. Make asymetrical maps fair as read above but fun as well. The best way to start a asymetrical map is to simplay place a double box and build form there. Be amaginitive, maybe make a dragon ar a scarab. Try making a small town or a couple building. If theres vehicles throw in a couple jumps (not to many). What I like to do when making asymetrical maps is start with one idea and build from there.

Making Good Infection Maps

Almost everyone loves infection, but only if its a good map. Basically keep it fair to some extent. Keep it fun but still challengeng for both the Humans and the Zombies, and while forging be creative(make traps, secret doors, hidden telleporters, ect.).Infection maps are almost always asymetrical its fun that way. But to keep an infection game fair i suggest no Needlers. Do you know how frusterating Fat Kid i when you cant even walk! Also remeber, if the zombie cant jump high the dont put high obstacles. Overall make syure the game settings are fair. If the zombies is really slow, the he better be strong, and if hes fast, dont set him on instant kill. Also the normal (not alpha zombie) shouldnt be intanse kill unless theres lots of cover. Remember if people dont like the infection settings theyll most likley quit.

Making Maps Appealing

Another big part of forging is making maps appealing. Have the map getting players to want to keep playing within the first few minutes of starting wheather its just nice looking or they just weant to keep looking around. Make it so the map has mare than on level. Its not that fun only being on the ground floor. If you need to make things similair to other maps that had appeal to you. Make the map look nice using more advanced tricks (we wont discuss those right now). Get a second opinion from a friend. Often if it looks done to you, its still need a little more.

Follow all the basic rules above while foring and you should have a fairly decent map. Remember to keep maps fair but still fun. Now quit reading this, go make a map and have a good one.

P.S.Save a film of you making the map for proof its yours its the only way you can take credit for it. Sorry for the bad punctuation my keyboard is messing up.

Your Fellow Gamer,

Nick