Mapspiration

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

Spoiler for Really Huge Image:

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.

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)

Spoiler for:

By Hyperben 2

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



So beautiful *__*

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

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

Spoiler for Really Huge Image:

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

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)

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.

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 for:

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

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

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

This is a good thread.

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.

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.

From ManuYasha on deviantart.

Also a couple from celianna

Spoiler for:

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.

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)
-------------------------
No clue who they are from, but their quite inspiring, and gives some good ideas:

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:

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?

By hypersnake22

How do people do this? ._.

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

Good grief, these look amazing...

-flap

 
From Zackfoss

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

WHYNOT

Ugh, mapspiration. That's exactly what I need right now. Bloody dry spell, making games take so bloody long to make.

But then I see maps like these and wonder why I'm doing this in the first place.

God, they're so beautiful.

From Champgaming

NICE

Revitalizing this thread with a game I came across yesterday called Amber Throne.













Full imgur album here.

My god, I love that.

http://riseofdragonsouls.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html

This guy is amazing. Their site's in spanish or something but srsly go look at their stuff.

ohwow

that is so beautiful O_O


Though the sprites don't really compare to the awesomeness of the maps, honestly ;_;

Ara Fell has very concise, varied, detailed and attractive maps. It also makes good use of mobile actors and effects to liven up the scene.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ8uXqQDhws" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ8uXqQDhws</a>

Dear god that world is so cool *__*

by Goatrider


by Kdtwifi

That second one suffers from tile-vomit, to be honest...

I dunno, I thought it was cute. 

I don't think it's bad, I just think there's a little too much going on. It's better than the map being too bare, I suppose

I'll agree to that. I myself find that when mapping I try to make everything something to look at. It works for more chibi styles, but I have to say that the realism that the parallax maps are capable of is stunning. I just don't have a knack for it.

Oh no... Now I'm gonna go waste my time trying... Where's grafikal when you need him!?!?

I liked the second map just fine. I think the main reason it looks like too much is because it's the RTP and the bright colors are all jumping out at once. Not a bad map, but the RTP is evil.

I just don't think you need something new on every tile, it's a bit much. There's a fine line between too empty and too full that you want to straddle.

It's got about as much clutter as the first map, just a completely different style/tileset, and the clutter is a little less natural.

I don't think the first map has as much; maybe it is an illusion caused by the pathway being more clearly defined, wider, and free from clutter.