The Game Dev’s Guide to Map-Making

How to Design Maps for Your Games

How to Design Maps for Your Games

Maps have a crucial role in video games, and they have always inspired me.

In games, they can serve various functions; sometimes, they're simple reference points, while in other instances, they become integral to the gameplay itself. They can even set player expectations. That moment when players first open a game and see a huge map can make them think, "Alright, this is going to be a long ride.”

Regardless of their purpose, maps wield a profound influence on a player's experience. And since I have a map fetish, I've spent considerable time exploring and creating them.

In this article, I've gathered resources that can aid you in crafting maps for your own games. Let's dive in!

(The absence of a map in Starfield also inspired me to dedicate this issue to maps).

Why Are Maps Important?

Maps serve various purposes depending on the genre of the game.

1. Spatial Awareness: In expansive open-world games, maps offer players crucial spatial awareness. Knowing where their next quest is and calculating travel time are vital aspects of these gaming experiences.

2. Integral Interface: Games like Civilization, Crusader Kings, or Europa Universalis make maps their primary interface. In these games, maps are inseparable from the core gameplay.

3. Reference Points: In titles like Firewatch, maps are simple reference points, aiding players in navigation.

They also provide the necessary context and information for players to understand the artificial world they stepped in, which has a huge impact on how player interacts with the game world.

Remember that your map can also serve as a source of inspiration for storytelling. A well-designed map can inspire stories and adventures in your game world.

How to Create Maps

The best solution, of course, is to hire a professional artist if you have the budget. Or draw it yourself if you have the skill. But if you have neither, or you would like to create your own maps, there are many software, brushes, art and resources available on the internet that let you create your maps.

Tools, Generators & Software

• Wonderdraft: My favorite one. It enables you to generate landmasses, draw rivers, roads, mountains and landmarks. It’s only 30 USD (one-time payment). Checkout r/wonderdraft to see the maps people create with it. Some people combine Wonderdraft with other tools like Photoshop to create magnificent-looking maps.

• Watabou: A set of free generators: Fantasy region generator, village map generator, city map generator, cave generator, and dungeon generator. Fantasy map and city generators also let you edit the generated map.

• Donjon: A set of RPG generators, including maps, name, calendar and much more.

• Azgaar: Generates huge landmasses with different styles.

• Inkarnate: Another highly-advanced map making platform. (You need to pay a monthly fee for commercial uses however).

• Campaign Cartographer 3: Another one-time payment map-making software. It’s easy-to-learn and highly advanced.

• Fractal Map Maker: A high-powered mapping system that lets gamers, authors, and world builders create a wide variety of maps - dungeons, continents, cities, and more.

Marketplaces

• Fantasy Map Assets: High-quality map resources you can use in Wonderdraft, Photoshop, Gimp, etc.

• CartographyAssets: Wide-range of map resources.

• Unity Asset Store and Unreal Marketplace: Both stores have numerous assets for map design.

Guides, Tutorials & Tips

• Little basic geological knowledge

• A Magical Society: Guide to Mapping: A stand alone document that helps people make maps for plausible worlds.

• r/mapmaking wiki: Everything you need for map making.

Inspiration

• Cartographers' Guild: A forum for mapmakers where you can share your maps, get feedback, and participate in challenges.

• Atlas of Design: An annual publication showcasing beautiful and inspiring maps from around the world.

• Megacosm: A series of random generators focused on world building.

Sources

The Art of Game World Maps

Inside the intricate world of video game cartography

Cartography in the Metaverse: The Power of Mapping in Video Games

I hope these resources help you in your map design journey!

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Me

Reading: Finished Wisdom of Crowds by Joe Abercrombie. It felt like I had been kicked in the stomach…

Watching: House of the Dragon and Wheel of Time Season 2. (This season is definitely better than the first one. That doesn’t mean it’s a good season however.)

Playing: Finished P:WotR. FINALLY! I’ve been playing it for months. Despite its rather disappointing ending, it was a great (and long) experience.

Listening:

Thanks for reading!

Please note that I’ll be away from my computer during October (this was written one month before). I’ll be back in November!

And that’s it from today’s issue of GameDev’s Journey. I hope you enjoyed it and find it useful. If you did, please like and leave a comment. Reach out for suggestions, objections, questions, or just say hi!

But regardless, thank you so much for reading, and have a great game dev journey!