Mapper's block

I get this problem where I start making a map from scratch, and it will go really well.  But then the next time I load it up I won't work on it as much and I'll probably quit Hammer after 10 mins.  And then I just won't work on the map at all after that.  Does anyone else get this problem, and how do you get around it?

You sit around and wait for a cool idea to put in your map, or do something to make you be impressed with it? I used to find I wouldn't touch a map for several months, then when I came back would bosh off a few.

I haven't mapped for about two months. I've been off doing other stuff. Hopefully this will mean that when I re-open Hammer again I'll have lots of ideas to be getting on with.

Play a game with really linear un-inspired level design and you'll find ideas coming out of your ears.

Wise words there - look at some pretty basic maps and think of ways you would improve them. Remember / note down the ideas and make use of them when you next load up hammer.

Think of an atmosphere you'd like to create and then just make one room and make it fit that atmosphere as best as you can.  While you're doing this, usually an adjacent section starts to form in your head.  Finish that room and start that one you've made in the back of your head, and when you're doing that room, the rest of the level might just flow out of your mind.  Then quickly sketch it down and once you have that idea down, run with it. 

This is of course just one technique, but it is rather effective when one is stuck.

Man, I wish I could upload my UT2k3 maps here, but Lep is afraid of the game :biggrin:

Wow, really? Usually I got outside and hit myself with the biggest stick I can find..

I just keep screwing around with things and something usually ends up looking pretty cool to me and I just go from there.

They are all really great ideas.  I find my biggest problem is that i am completly unispired when it comes to how the layout should work.  A good map flow is beyond my reach.  At least that is how i feel sometimes.

grab a piece of paper & a pencil. close your eyes & draw the 1st random shape on the paper without looking. make it complex & sketchy. Check your scribble for interesting shapes - adapt them into vhe & then carry on being inspired by it until you have a small area.

Well all of my ideas have been announced already and some very useful ones i just read but the one that i use most often is looking at other peoples maps and studying them with in complete detail. And you will figure out how they made that. Then try to implement those ideas in your map. Usually i go through 2 maps before find an idea that I like and want to work with. You just cant give up. And also a great idea to have in your maps is something that people can remember. Like maybe in the center of the map you have a big tree and other players can be oh remember that big tree map we played? Those are some quick ideas. But sketching is a very useful technique.

Stop mapping, go outside for a few seconds. Then come back inside, stick your foot in a bucket of scrambled eggs with 2 staplers in your pocket, and hop around while screaming "GWOK GWOK GWOK". It works with Lep all the time. :razz:

Or just, as ReNo and Hawkins said, play some crappy levels. You would be surprised how much your creativity blooms in the face of pure sh*t.

Choose crete or metal texture.  Make a cube.  Hollow said cube.  Place random hovering blocks in box.  Place random teleporters, ladders, and trigger_hurts inside box.  Randomly throw around enough weapons to equip the US Army.  Compile (without lights - fullbright is the only way to go!).  Ignore leaks.  Release map as killbox_tribute23.bsp.  Repeat.

EDIT: Alternately, don't ignore leaks.  Fix them by encasing the box in another box.

Personaly, I pray for mappers block every damn day! if I don't run out of ideas, I just spend 24-7 in front of my coumputer, which I hate, but I can't help myself.

When it comes to anything creative I have no self control, I become obsessed with the project. if you are anything like me, don't curse when the ideas don't flow. Thank god for delivering your life from the jaws of VHE!!