Map names and themes.

Personally, I think a maps name must fit. Here are some titles I have in waiting for my possible future.

1) Intense- A map themed in a circus. (In Tents)
2) Scorched- Yup you guessed it, either a desert theme or volcanic. You take heat damage all the time, this discourages camping and promotes movement toward the Oasis, which just being in the water heals.
3) Perched- A king of the mountain type, one with no weapons at all but the person on the top has access to booby traps for certain areas, the kicker is, he cannot see the areas. also one level below the top there is a button to blow the king off the hill :biggrin:
4) Scamper- A large forest theme, where you are tiny. Not unlike Rats.
5) Lost- A maze theme, you begin in an extreme distance away from any weapons and must cross to them through already defended positions.

anyways, I am curious to know if anyone has themes in waiting.

Aren't those more fitting for a story title then a map title? I just figure map titles should give a description of the map. Scorched for example would make me think of burnt wastelands, which is not a desert.

Oh well, doesn't really matter I suppose.

So what brought you on to write up this thread Orph?

Spartan 34 said:
So what brought you on to write up this thread Orph?

He's a thread-maker-whore! :heee:

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Spartan 34</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>So what brought you on to write up this thread Orph? </DIV></DIV>

would you ask this question if it weren't me?

basically, i have noticed a massive influx of new members, and newer maps. i also have noticed no rhyme or reason for some of the titles. read my maps names, all fit the theme if you think on it long enough. i just favor proper names, in spite of the fact that most of my maps have no discernible theme.
and to answer your question crono, scorched is because of the heat damage, not necessarily the environment.

I ALWAYS think up names in advance. a cool name is what makes a person click on the DL link. I like tha name RADIOSITY. Mappers understand the name and others just think it sounds cool.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Orpheus</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Spartan 34</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>So what brought you on to write up this thread Orph? </DIV></DIV>

would you ask this question if it weren't me?

</DIV></DIV>
Lol, probably not.

Hmmmm.... I'm kinda into player vs. monster stuff -- I've always thought lowely of deathmatch kinds of games, so this would really be more of a thing for a mod or game.

Let's take a name I have: Dimension Jumpers.

Now let's disect that:

Dimension: HMMM sounds like Half-Life dimensional rip kinda of game.

Jumpers: Are the super mario brothers in it?

Needless to say it doesn't sound like the most convincing name -- but I like it. Since most of us here have a pretty big vocabulary, common sense tells us automatically what the game is most likely about.

To branch off into the name giving subject, and just sort of random-share-get-to-know-everyone-integrated-workshop-kinda thing, perhaps maybe we could all share names of some characters we thought up? (No stealing now!)

That is, if anyone wants to :smile:

I never think up names in Advance in the way you do, Orph. Like for Zeromancer or Seether, I just decided they were cool names, they don't really give any view whatsoever into what the map's like... I might think up some cool words beforehand but not necessarily for usage in a specific map.

Actually, Dimension Jumper sounds to me like a lame Quantum Leap knock-off.
I used to kind of be half and half. About half of my maps had names before they were ever created, and usually these names come from a song somewhere (Satur9, Overfloater, Exploder[never released]). The other half of the time, the name would turn up part way through mapping it (Aerie, Glimmer) and in one case, was named stupidly at the last minute because said map was due in for a contest (Vernon).

Hmm, people put that much thought into their names? I just use
whatever, usually. For example, I'm naming my maps after different cuts
of steak! It'll be a whole series of random, crappy HL2 maps.

• Sirloin
• Porterhouse
• Tri-tip
• Ribeye
• Flank
• Salisbury
• Tenderloin (also known as Filet Mignon)

I just think it has to be something short, snappy, unique, and memorable. For example: "Dust"? Yes! "Piranesi"... Buh?

I completly agree, a map has to have a good name, sometimes they are not descriptive, some of the cs ones for example. I like to at least have a good name. Take cs_hogwarts for example, I don't think that many people will get confuzed.

• Gaston.B (removed)

• 34 Latitude

I like to give an intriguing title to my maps, that doesn't necessarily give a clue about the content. I'm planning to design a new one called Anubis, but I guess I'm too lazy for that...

Well I named my mod Xenophobia after I thought up were it was going to take place. I heard the aliens being called Xeno organsiums and I knew that a phobia was a fear. So I thought that it was fear of Xen aliens It was only later I found out that it was a real fear, fear of strangers.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting half-dude</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Well I named my mod Xenophobia after I thought up were it was going to take place. I heard the aliens being called Xeno organsiums and I knew that a phobia was a fear. So I thought that it was fear of Xen aliens It was only later I found out that it was a real fear, fear of strangers. </DIV></DIV>
That is actually why the Aliens where called "Xeno-whatevers" and the [other place] was called "Xen." The prefix Xeno- means "Alien" or "foreign"

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Campaignjunkie</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Hmm, people put that much thought into their names? I just use whatever, usually. For example, I'm naming my maps after different cuts of steak! It'll be a whole series of random, crappy HL2 maps.

• Sirloin
• Porterhouse
• Tri-tip
• Ribeye
• Flank
• Salisbury
• Tenderloin (also known as Filet Mignon)

I just think it has to be something short, snappy, unique, and memorable. For example: "Dust"? Yes! "Piranesi"... Buh?</DIV></DIV>
I can't beleive you said crappy maps. I was looking thru the maps section and i saw porterhouse. I thought it was really impressive.

I think of a map style or location, and give it a name. For example, I
have a single-player map pack set in a sewer that I have
dubbed...sp_sewer.

My map names suck just like my maps. I'd be better off naming them all like ydm# or something.

I tend to use single word names for my maps, that don't necessarily
have much to do with the theme yet kidna fit. I personally don't like
names that are too obvious for the level, it shows a lack of
originality in my eyes. I'll go over a few of my names...

Obsolete

The title for this one was because the map was a sort of abandoned
section of a Black Mesa training facility, but now the map is so old
and crappy, and has been superseded by my other works, its taken on a
whole new meaning :biggrin:

Echo

This name was an easy one to come up with, both because I like the word
(particularly its "look") and because the map takes place in tunnels
that would probably give some damn nice echos.

Outland

The setting is the area around two military outposts on an outworldly planet, so the name just seemed suiting to me.

Selfless

A paroxysm map, the player team was being sent in to rescue a previous
ARU squad that contact had been lost with, thereby risking their lives
to save others. Fairly obvious title, but not a map name I'd heard used
before.

Torrent

Originally this map was a CTF map for the AG mod, and took place in a
thunder and lighting storm with heavy rain. When the snarkpit contest
came about, I reworked it to match the "contrasting themes" requirement
but decided I liked the original name and the falling snow and harsh
environment justified it's use.

Angelic

I'll keep this title for a future map (the current one, at least for
HL1, is scrapped), but whatever I use it for will be set in a space
station with focus on the exterior sections. Heaven is typically
thought of as being "up there", so why not confuse it with other things
in the area :wink:

I tend to go for single adjectives like Feculence. I named that map before I even started work because the idea was for it to be a oozing with waste and other nasty filthy s**t. Cratesis was also named before I even started work because I knew it was going to be centered around the genesis of crates. Likewise I called my only foray into flat-shading Prosaic because I thought it looked very boring...

For those who may not know:

Prosaic =~ boring

Feculence =~ filthy

Here's a name that gives you ideas ahead of time, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

well, i draw in an architectural style, under the influence of my daily life....sheetA detail C2....so maps and map parts get working titles, and the names are then tweeked to fit....or replaced altogether......depends on the direction im coming from i spose..... :heee:

Doc B... :dodgy:

Spartan 34 said:
Here's a name that gives you ideas ahead of time, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Okay, Patton Oswalt.

My map names are pretty

I think a name can be helpful in pulling a map together in terms of the 'theme' sometimes. I know my first map suffered from lack of a consistent theme; after that I tried to focus each map more closely. Using a specific texture set helps the 'theming' of a map, too.

I have to say that the Unreal community sure as hell comes up with much more colorful and interesting names for their maps than the HL community. Then again, those Unreal maps are so purty they probably get all poetic thinking about them lol!

I started doing rough plans for a HL2 DM map this morning. I am planning on naming it Electrode, since the centerpiece will be a massive generator room. Sci-fi theme with lots of shiny metal. Assuming I ever have time to get any work done on it.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Cassius</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>My map names are pretty </DIV></DIV>
Someone should do [color=magenta]hldm_barbie [/color]based on the Barbie Dream Home. That would be an instant classic.

I usually let my maps find their own name. Either that, or I start with the name, and it helps me hold the theme of the map in place (as stated in above post). But, I really kind of like to leave it open; seems like if the name hits you, it also signals that you have reached a certain point with the map, where its identity has started to emerge. Of course, most of my Op4/Hl maps had no theme constraints, and were free to morph into whatever they wanted.

I'm usually using a name that points something within the map or it's theme. Like px_bridges: there are bridges in it. But then again there are maps like digiduel(my very first hldm map going into compile today) where their names come out of nowhere.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Tracer Bullet</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>I tend to go for single adjectives like Feculence.</DIV></DIV>

"Feculence" is an abstract noun, not an adjective :wink: Great name though!
I'm not sure I have enough maps to contribute much to this discussion, but I never name them at the beginning - I just number them (gmdm1; gmdm2). The name comes later - either part way through, or even right at the end.

i make names in advance, the i try to draw the map

and then i might think of mapping it, depending on it's complexaty :biggrin:

so i got loads of ideas that are not used yet becouse i can not map good yet hehe

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Gollum</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Tracer Bullet</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>I tend to go for single adjectives like Feculence.</DIV></DIV>
"Feculence" is an abstract noun, not an adjective :wink: Great name though!

</DIV></DIV>
Meh... I knew adjective wasn't quite right, but I couldn't think what else to call it. I guess what I mean is that I like to use obscure words that are highly descriptive. Honestly though, you gave me the idea with "apotheosis". :biggrin:

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Crono</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Spartan 34</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Here's a name that gives you ideas ahead of time, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".
</DIV></DIV>

Okay, Patton Oswalt. </DIV></DIV>
Hehe, you saw that too. I was hoping for someone to point that out.

Spartan 34 said:
? quoting Crono

? quoting Spartan 34
Here's a name that gives you ideas ahead of time, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Okay, Patton Oswalt.
Hehe, you saw that too. I was hoping for someone to point that out.

Why? Because that was the least funny part of his set?

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Crono</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Spartan 34</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>
? quoting Crono

? quoting Spartan 34
Here's a name that gives you ideas ahead of time, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

Okay, Patton Oswalt.
Hehe, you saw that too. I was hoping for someone to point that out.
</DIV></DIV>

Why? Because that was the least funny part of his set? </DIV></DIV>

I've only seen the commercials so don't give me any hostility. :biggrin:
Back on topic now.

ActionPack

Well, uh, its... um, packed with Action :biggrin: The name should imply things like HollyWood style action, such as, things exploding for no reason, constant screen vibrating, and continuous and fast paced movement in game. A techno beat style music would suit this best, or any music with a nice good action/thumping beat to it.

I cant make up names pre hand. I hard enough arfter!!.

i just make sure its about 5 characters long and simple to remember

my map names are derived from trance productions or - labels, and have mostly more or less something to do with the objectives. i think having a reference in the name to something that makes your map unique makes ppl associate it faster/better. but you shouldn't make it too obvious /overdo it, either