Journal #5508
Posted 16 years ago2008-12-14 07:32:17 UTC
Mapping has destroyed my life. That's pushing it of course, but let me explain.
Knowing that I can feasibly create whatever I want in Hammer is more of a heartache than anything. Every couple months, I'll get that sudden urge to start some big new project. It's a nearly uncontrollable burst of inspiration. However, I know that no matter how many projects I start, I will always end up tiring of them before their time has come. My "Mapping Projects" folder is evidence of this.
The result is, I am left with this vast desire for creative fulfillment, as though there is some large task always lingering over me that I have yet to accomplish. I yearn to create something that I know without a doubt will never reach fruition. It's practically an addiction.
Shit sucks, yo.
Knowing that I can feasibly create whatever I want in Hammer is more of a heartache than anything. Every couple months, I'll get that sudden urge to start some big new project. It's a nearly uncontrollable burst of inspiration. However, I know that no matter how many projects I start, I will always end up tiring of them before their time has come. My "Mapping Projects" folder is evidence of this.
The result is, I am left with this vast desire for creative fulfillment, as though there is some large task always lingering over me that I have yet to accomplish. I yearn to create something that I know without a doubt will never reach fruition. It's practically an addiction.
Shit sucks, yo.
29 Comments
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At the beginning when a concept is made inside your head your urge to map is at maximum. Then while you map it, the urges vanishes for a new idea pops. Then its either you integrate it to your map are make a new one, which adds an event to your schedule. Then it repeats ans repeats 'till your head is full of them that you suddenly lose your want to map.
That's why now i haven't mapped and uploaded.
I still have that urge to create something however, so I open hammer once in a while, but without getting any result tho..
At the end of the day I decided maybe level design isn't my aim as I like to concentrate on smaller things like modelling props.
So I'm concentrating more on modelling now than mapping. Perhaps you need to seek a new hobby
By the way it HELPS to have friends who also map or model sit next to you and work with you. I felt this explosion of motivation hit me when a friend reminded me of tools I could use etc.
Just write all your ideas down and sketch them on paper before you start mapping.
Usually you can draw and make layouts and plots faster in 2D than 3D.
Once you run out of creative steam in 2D, Start the 3D.
Finish what you had down on paper, and by that time you might have enough to start sketching again.
Just look at some NS maps. They're fucking awesomely done. The guys who made them have some special gift...
Thats why I want the next compo to come along ASAP. I want something to work towards.
I get ideas all the time, mostly for TF2 maps that would kick a ton of ass.
The problem is, I know when I get started that I won't have the patience to follow through, and get bored quickly. So I don't even bother starting anything, anymore.
That's why I haven't edited a map in 2 years.
A good idea is to either do smaller projects, or a larger project in smaller sections. Either way, you have to break it down and make things possible. Also, do not be hastey. Do the artist's dance and step away from the project and look at it the next day. You might have something new to bring to the project if you go slow. Another thing is to tease yourself with it by limiting how much you work on it, like give yourself only 2 hours a day or something. Doing so could force you to think about it more and perhaps make wiser choices.
At least that's what my student success class roughly taught me a few years ago. Hope that provides some insight.
I think it's hard to complete mapping projects too because they take a lot of work and a lot of time to do right.
Well i'm off to go map my happy place--this awesome idea i had yesterday--, buhbye, and everybody go finish a project.
)
I always suffer from a surge of inspiration followed by boredom, and this, coupled with my inability to do a map that's fun to play, means that Ive got a folder with several hundred set pieces, but not one map that's actually playable. D:
Heck, my CS Source "masterpiece" has taken me nearly 3 years on and off, and I'm still only about 70-80% finished.