Mapspiration

[Acolyte]

Post pics of cool maps that you've found around the net. Maybe it'll help spark some mapping creativity. 

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[/spoiler]
All of this guy's maps are awesome. Check out his deviantart page for more.


This one isn't all that flashy, but I do like the subtle lighting and how cozy it feels.

[yuyu!]

Whoa, neat!! I do really like the second one, too. If I see any, I'll be sure to post them here!

*edit*

I like the lighting on this one!



Made by: zakfoss (rpgmakervx.net)

[Karo Rushe]

[spoiler][/spoiler]

By Hyperben 2

[yuyu!]

Of course I'd find one of Joy's maps ;____; <3



So beautiful *__*

[Sophist]

Joy is the greatest mapper I've still ever seen.

[yuyu!]

I'd say a tossup between Joy and Exhydra ;o

[Ryosis]

[spoiler=Really Huge Image][/spoiler]

I get a really strong Exodar vibe from the top one. I like it a lot.

[yuyu!]

Hey, Ryosis! Long time, no see! :-)

Huh...it does kind of look like Exodar, now that you mention it... o__o (took me a second to remember what that was, since I haven't played WoW in 6-7 years)

[Ryosis]

You make it sound like I'm never around. And yeah, it's been a minute since I've played WoW. I haven't been very active this expansion.

But small addendum to that, it looks more like Dalaran, at least architecturally. The lighting is pretty similar to the Exodar, though.

That aside, I was wondering what really inspired people as far as mapping goes? Obviously, studying other great maps is a good way to get inspiration, but what about from other sources? I know for me, watching Sherlock Holmes really helped with the 19th Century London vibe I'm so fond of.

[yuyu!]

That aside, I was wondering what really inspired people as far as mapping goes? Obviously, studying other great maps is a good way to get inspiration, but what about from other sources? I know for me, watching Sherlock Holmes really helped with the 19th Century London vibe I'm so fond of.

Hmmm...that's a good question. I got a pretty strong surge of inspiration from Dragon's Dogma, actually. They aren't necessarily pretty, but they were neat in a gritty, historical kind of way. Not that I would know the accuracy of how historical they are, but that game has a way of creating the dusty-road, stone-walled atmosphere that seems to fit the bill.

That being said, I quickly started to go more for games that are visually appealing. Rune Factory 3 is probably my favorite visuals-wise of the series. That feeling when you find out that your farm is located under a giant, beautiful tree. ;_;

[Spoiler][/Spoiler]

The maps are generally very cozy and comfortable-looking. *_*

The game has classy, cozy fantasy maps that I absolutely adore.

[Arrow]

I don't really have much to contribute to this thread, but I do like it a lot.

This is a good thread.

[Ryosis]

Right there with ya, Arrow.

I haven't played Dragon's Dogma, unfortunately, but I feel where you're coming from, yuyu. Part of the reason I loved Skyrim so much was because if the realistic setting. I've come to realize that I just really love realism.

That said, I also love inserting fantasy elements into settings they have no earthly business being in. 19th Century London-esque setting with elves, dwarves, and goblins? Why yes.

There's also something to be said of the contrast between realistic environments and more outlandish ones. I love the abrupt shift; it really makes those environments stand out and invoke an even greater sense of awe. Stumbling upon Blackreach by complete accident was one of my favorite moments from Skyrim, but that's a whole different topic of discussion entirely.

[yuyu!]

I haven't played Dragon's Dogma, unfortunately, but I feel where you're coming from, yuyu. Part of the reason I loved Skyrim so much was because if the realistic setting. I've come to realize that I just really love realism.

That said, I also love inserting fantasy elements into settings they have no earthly business being in. 19th Century London-esque setting with elves, dwarves, and goblins? Why yes.

There's also something to be said of the contrast between realistic environments and more outlandish ones. I love the abrupt shift; it really makes those environments stand out and invoke an even greater sense of awe. Stumbling upon Blackreach by complete accident was one of my favorite moments from Skyrim, but that's a whole different topic of discussion entirely.

Oh, gawsh, Blackreach ;__; so pretty! I'm totally with you on that one - I like to be surprised. ;o Too much of the same type of scenery gets pretty old.

[Acolyte]

From ManuYasha on deviantart.

[Acolyte]

Also a couple from celianna

[Ryosis]

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From ManuYasha on deviantart.

I like this one, and the rest of his/her work. Sometimes I find myself caught off-guard with the maps that can be made using the RTP tiles.

[Karo Rushe]

From ManuYasha on deviantart.

Rtp tiles & custom made ones inspire me a lot. I really wanna get back to playing in rpg maker whenever I see maps like this.


Meanwhile; here's another few that's been sitting around my computer who were used as references: (Sadly I dunno who the authors are)



(I know this one was from Deviantart and the guy does amazing custom rtp maps)
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No clue who they are from, but their quite inspiring, and gives some good ideas:

[Acolyte]

I usually don't like the more cartoony tiles from celianna, but I do like this map:



I also love Hanzo Kimura's XP edits:

[Acolyte]

Looking back through some of the older posts in the Screenshot Thread. The Shadow posted a lot of good maps, and still does every once in a while.







The shadow's use of photobucket has me a bit concerned though. A lot of the other photobucket images have broken links. I'm wondering if we should rehost some of these mapping examples in case they get taken down?

[Acolyte]

By hypersnake22

[Sophist]

How do people do this? ._.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Parallax mapping is a strange dark magic I wish to some day learn.

[flapbat]

Good grief, these look amazing...

-flap

[Acolyte]

From Zackfoss

[Sophist]

all this shit is making me want to get back into RM whhyyyy