It always annoyed me when someone got stuck making a map because they didn't have an idea on what to do; whether this idea be the entire map's idea or a map function. I have a lot of good ideas in my head that I just can't leave hanging and I have to let go. I, most likely, will never use these ideas so they're free to the open public. If you think of an idea, post it in this thread and I'll gladly post it in this first post and give credit accordingly. I hope I and the community of SEN can conjure a great reference list for aspiring mapmakers to use for ideas. Anyhoo, here is the list so far:




Random Quest Generator: The random quest generator works by complete randomization (as you can tell by the name) of a number of variables. When the player arrives at an area that the random quest will be generated, the map will automatically randomize "Death Count 1", which will be the first variable, then "Death Count 2" and so on. The randomization of the death count can come in however many options you want for that variable (IE: When certain switches are randomized you set it to 1, 2, 3, 4...). Then, the map detects that variable one has been set and the second variable will be randomized. It works like a Mad Lib.

The process goes like this:
1.) (Objective) the (Noun [person]) in (Noun [place]) to (Action) and (Complete).
2.) Kill the (Noun [person]) in (Noun [place]) to (Action) and (Complete).
3.) Kill the Merchant in (Noun [place]) to (Action) and (Complete).
4.) Kill the Merchant in Tanyard to (Action) and (Complete).
5.) Kill the Merchant in Tanyard to steal his/her money and (Complete).
6.) Kill the Merchant in Tanyard to steal his/her money and return to me.

Of course, the entire quest would be given to you after the process, and not in bits and pieces. The Random Quest Generator could be great for making side quests in RPGs and such when players want to make some extra cash.

Jumping System: One thing I REALLY hated in zombie maps was when you would get surrounded and have no possible way of getting out because more and more zombies piled on you. This is a very, very simple system that solves that problem! When the player uses the jumping action, a burrowed zergling moves beneath them and unburrows, then gets removed. This could also be used to escape zombies by jumping over fences (Psi Emitters, perhaps?) and then leaving them in the dust. The cool thing is that you don't always make the jump, so it's realistic. You could even have a computer controlled ally able to do this action the same way a player does, and perhaps the scene would be set like this: Zombies are crawling into the alleyway and you and your buddy are unable to defend yourselves due to lack of ammunition, so you guys are escaping through an alleyway when a fence blocks your way... so your friend tells you to jump over and he tries to do the same. Maybe you make it over, but your friend doesn't and you have to watch him get eaten alive, or vice versa.

Cell Phone: This is a refined way of saying "Menu System", but it takes it to a whole new level. The player's mobile phone lets them access important features in the map. It's also perfect for drunk-dialing your ex at 3 in the morning. You navigate through the cell phone like you would with any other menu system, but here's the catch: You can also use the phone to call people via a system that uses death counts to find the digit used, and then goes on to the next one. The player is able to dial numbers this way. This could be used for cheats and even other little easter eggs. For instance, you can call 9-1-1 and a cop car will come to your location and see if there's any crime going on. If you find a phone number somewhere, then perhaps you could prank call it, who knows. Of course, the phone holds other little features, such as game options, contacts (for an extensive map with a plethora of characters), etc. It can also be used during a quest (or mission) that requires a player to dial a certain number and then chat with the person for information, or something like that. The possibilities are endless as long as you can think of some .

Dynamic Party: Instead of just one generic hero and maybe a pet in an RPG, it's like Final Fantasy and you have a party of people, depending on who you recruit into your party and they come packed with skills and items, could go insane and back stab, or are infected and don't tell you in a zombie map. Example being you recruit a Doctor, who can heal wounds and such, and maybe he comes with a shotgun too. But if you don't feed/protect people in your party no one will want to join, and they'll have mutiny on you. -Pigy_G

Laser Mine: Test Map. I was always bored with simple spells like planting a mine or two, so this enhances that. The Laser Mine allows the player to set down a mine which is then given to another player. If you set the mine, an invisible wraith will appear over it. Whenever an enemy walks by, the wraith will shoot at them and the mine will unburrow (in fact, it's more than one mine). When an enemy walks over the mine, it will explode and the wraith moves away (if every mine is destroyed). The laser mine is a cool way to add a little extra visual and gameplay effect to what could be a simple spell. Note that it can detect more than one mine, but this test map only detects up to 3.

Force Gun: Test Map. A little concept I was going to use in a map that was originally supposed to come out differently. It was good and bad that this came out because it was different than I was expecting. Press "W" near (and I mean right near) an object (Besides yourself and supply depots) to move it to your aiming spot. There is a small scenario in which you have to barricade a small fortress from zombies in the map or else all hell will break loose. You can move Zombies, Survivors, and of course, the Barricade. You can even do "knock back". If a zombie is attacking you, just move him / her away and they won't bother you. This would be perfect for barricading a house in a zombie map; perhaps for a mission or just for a free roam mode.

Gravity System: Test Map. The gravity system can be utilized to produce 2D side scrollers or GameBoy-like maps. The player can jump up and then fall back down, and if a wall is there, they won't fall any further. However, if a wall isn't there to curb their fall, they'll fall straight down. Classic Mario maps and such can be made using this system. The test map also allows the player to create their own map using the in-game editor that can place walls, a key, a door, and a starting location for the character, a nice feature that can be used to experiment and possibly be mass produced for multiple players so they can share their levels and play them together. Enemies like goombas could even be placed, falling off the edge when possible but reincarnating when there are no players in the level.

Block Forts:
Hostages: Basically, players can punch enemies to stun them, and then take them hostage, where the enemy (who will constantly move to the player) will absorb all hits that would've been directed to the player (until it dies, of course). The players would first have to be in close proximity of an enemy, then use the punch action, then a hostage action and then they use the hostage to their benefit. Of course, carrying a hostage will slow you down, so a burrowed unit will go under your character.

Post has been edited 9 time(s), last time on May 25 2009, 2:34 pm by lil-Inferno.

That generator looks painful. In an extensive map, you would definitely run out of strings, because there would be hundreds or thousands of combinations of names, places, actions, etc.

Usually when I think of an idea, I start a map to attempt to accomplish it.

Actually, I was making a map using the random quest idea, although it wasn't so random, just slightly.

That jump idea is neat, but I'd probably move a powerup under insetad of unburrowing a unit.

That jump idea is going in the map I'm working on. You want to be credited in the briefing?

I guess you could. I don't really care that much about credit, but sure .

Yeah, it would look better that way than if it was spewed at you in bits and pieces. However, you could have it like a who, what, when, where, how thing.

For example:
King: I have a problem. You'll receive your normal payrate to assist me with it. Return to me when you complete the task.

WHO: A merchant.
OBJECTIVE 1: Collect my lost porn magazines from him.
OBJECTIVE 2: Kill him and steal his munneyz lulz.
WHERE: Tanyard.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Apr 5 2009, 1:04 am by lil-Inferno.

That's awesome.
But you would still use up a lot of strings, plus the fact that you need strings for spell descriptions, unit names, places, locations (maybe), comments (maybe), and a whole bunch of other different things.

You changed the where to Strip Club, lulz. I don't think it would take up too much strings this way. You could have a pack of about 4 random messages that the quest giver gives you along with the who, what, when... thing. Depending on the amount of variables that you have in one quest and the amount of possible variables for each death count variable will matter. Also, each who, what, where... text message would be an individual one that displays after the one above it did, so really only about 5,000+ bytes would be used for a mega-awesome system depending on how extensive you want to make it. There could be a possibility of pretty much 300+ different quests.

Well, if you'll notice from the bearcatfan map, Sorcerer's RPG II or something like that, it randomizes where the quest is, and it says "Go out and find this Dragon guy, Kill him n shit, and then come give me his munneyz lol"
So, it's random, sorta, but it saves strings.

It may be random, but not as random as the quest generator I made up, which could have a huge amount of different possibilities. And all of this "Oh, it'll use up SOOOOOOOOOOOOO many strings!" isn't true. You can re-use the individual sections of the quest's text.

---

For example:
QUEST 1...
WHO: A hooker.
OBJECTIVE 1: Shoot her in the foot.
OBJECTIVE 2: Come back to me with a picture.
WHERE: "Rough Riders" the Strip Club.

*Player completes that one and gets another.*

QUEST 2...
WHO: A hooker.
OBJECTIVE 1: Capture her.
OBJECTIVE 2: Bring her back to me for sessah tiem.
WHERE: "Rough Riders" the Strip Club.

---

As you can see, I re-used the WHO: and the WHERE: which is two strings re-used. The quest generator will find the location that was randomized, and then find the "WHO" that was randomized and place it in that location, and then the player has to complete the objective. Simple enough, right?

Why are all your examples about "Cappin 'dem foolz" and "gettin 'dem hoes"??? lol

But I see what you mean. Each string could be a series of text, and you piece them together like legos. It may repeat though, but you can easily keep a DC.


And why the hell would someone ever need to shoot a hooker in the foot?????!?!

So she doubles over and he mouth lands on your cock!

MOAR IDEAS PEOPLE!

No clue . I just thought of something on the spot . Also, you could have it so the player can decide if they want to do the quest or not; it's their decision. Then again, whoever the quest giver is must have A LOT of problems.

I'm the only one thinking of any . Maybe YOU could think of some ideaz0rz .

I think it would be cool (For rpg) to have a party system, instead of just one generic hero and maybe a pet, it's like FF and you have a party of people, depending on who you recruit into your party they come with skills and items, maybe they go insane and backstab, or are infected and dont tell you. Example being you recruit a Doctor, you can heal wounds and stuff, maybe he comes with a shotgun too. But if you don't feed/protect people in your party no one will want to join, they'll kill you.

I added that. It would be cool in a TBC game if it went from person to person who after the other person used a skill or attacked would then contribute to the fight with their skills. You could have like, duel pokemon battles with that . Or maybe, you could have attributes, and one of them would be "Charisma", which would be required at a certain level to hire more powerful people.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Apr 5 2009, 5:26 pm by lil-Inferno.

This isn't an idea, but more of a calling for an idea.

In most RPGs on B.NET, the spawn system is either one of two things:
a) A constant, never-ending spawn, or
b) A spawn coming from a building, which ceases once the building is destroyed.

There is the odd one out that has random units spawn right next to your character as well.

What I am trying to think of is a new idea for this, where the units don't just spawn in the same boring spots, and do the same boring things. I'm looking to add a little variety.
One idea I've had for this is to have a patrolling Observer, which periodically spawns units, but that's kind of a give-away, if you can spot where the Observer is at.

Any idea's to help this feature in desperate need of a boost?

Have you played Sorcery II RPG? I think it has what you are looking for. The units spawn in essentially random places within a region (usually where the player can't see it), and is ordered around somewhere else so that it looks like the units are always just hanging around the region. I think there is also a cap so that if the player doesn't kill units for a while, there won't be a shit ton of units to greet them when they revisit.

If I have to, then I'll resort to this, but I don't want to re-do what's already been done.
I'm looking for something rarely used, if ever. I've been trying to come up with solutions on my own, and I'd rather see if anyone has any better idea's.

Like you said yesterday, New-Guy, you can burrow random zerglings around the map and spawn units over those burrowed units when you walk over them (Center a location on your hero, then "player 1 brings 1 unit to "Location A," Player 8 brings 1 zergling to "Location A;" create 3 zealots at "Location A") Of course, the locations might have to be a 4x4 square or larger...

I think he's trying to avoid units just spawning right on top of you. Guys, stop pretty much asking for assistance in this thread; it's meant for you to generate ideas for aspiring mapmakers, or veterans.