The thing that really makes a map good is your own devotion to it. Put as much time into it as you can, and make any little details or tweaks that make you feel comfortable. For example, if you didn't want to have mapbounds all over the place, how about you gently box the map in with some buildings. Yes, of course, how can we forget the sky texture? That's not your primary concern. It's your map, you can decide what makes it good. Mav's(And the other staffs' advice) are very helpful "Know Your Audience" as Mav says. If you wanted to make your map appealing to Role players, make it good for roleplaying. If you want it appealing to shooters, make it good for shooting. Or if you want it appealing for everyone, incorporate elements... Hodgepodges were always fun, but they gain some "constructive" criticism. As I said, it's you who decides what makes a good map, and we can help you by stating our opinions.

What makes a good map?

FUN! If a map is atmospheric and well-panned but not very fun to play, it loses intrinsic value. That's why Dann Boeing's maps are so popular.

I'm not very experienced, but I have to say, keep everything close together. I've played a few maps that involve a lot of running, and that's really boring...like Raxus Prime. What I found was the starting distance from the original 4 cps is pretty good, a little close, tho

I've always loved the snowy environments, not really sure why. The things that keep maps in my addon folder, and that I try to instill into my map is: 1. Fun. 2. Originality Not necessarily new worlds, just something that hasn't been beaten to death. New clone skins aren't going to impress me. 3. Atmosphere I think way too many people concentrate on this as #1. An awesome atmosphere can make a good map great, but it can't make a bad or mediocre map good.

I agree that custom sides aren't a necessity, I DO think however, they can add more to a map than you guys are giving them credit for: I have played maps that wouldn't be nearly as good without customs sides, they are part of what makes the map unique, I think a map needs at least ONE unique element, and sides are something that's easier to do but has a big impact on the map.

I'd really like to see more Galactic Civil War oriented maps. I'd LOVE to see some real attempts at movie-accurate maps. You'd think there would be more attempts at recreations from the original trilogy, but there really hasn't been.

You may as well make a poll, asking what people prefer in maps. In fact, I think there was something like that before....

As for myself, gameplay above all else, and then environment.

awesome Sides + awesome enviroment.

What makes a good map... hmmm well, i haven't modded any maps for BF 2 . I modded for Crysis but now I stopped.

Anyway, i think what makes a good map is what players want. I believe players want a good environment... Content and features. Environment meaning the "Look" of the map e.g trees... hills. Content & Features are good, its like an "eye catcher" for example i mean custom Skins and custom music are always good.

You might also consider what type of map/mod its going to be. Question yourself

Do people want this type of map?
What type of gameplay should be invovled, CQB (Close Quater Battles) Scary Ect...?
What custom things should be added?

To sum it all up, im basically saying, make what players would like, i believe is a good gameplay and a good "feel" to the map like scenary.

AgentSmith_#38

Exactly. You need good scenery and props to map a map interesting and fun while adding an atmosphere which is like the environment you have created.