Big Maps vs. Small Maps

[bacon]

Big Maps vs. Small Maps

Mapping is a basic part of every game, no matter what program you use. It is your choice how you manipulate the world you create and how you immerse the player into you world. So, I am asking you:

• As a player, what do you prefer, bigger or smaller maps? Why?
  
• Do you think there is a cental balance between the two?
  
• Do you think that bigger or smaller maps makes the world look bigger?
  
• Do you think that bigger or smaller maps immerse the player into the map more?
  
• Do you think a bigger or several smaller maps are easier to map?
  
• Explain.
  

[Alpha-Mad]

Oh, interesting topic! Personally, I like the small map idea for most things that I do and play. There are occasions for large maps, like world maps, or large fields (if the large map plays a role in the storyline, then it should be included). Smaller maps are easier to map and make it easier to map out large cities, dungeons and the like. If you condense everything to a large map, it gets complicated.

[Rusty]

Personally i like small better as mapper and player. Also small map its easier to make and if you make right world in small map sometime can look bigger than the large one.

[Prof. Meow Meow]

I strongly support small maps.

[Wyatt]

I hate map scrolling and only ever use 20x15 maps.

Scrolling is for platformers imo, doesn't suit RPGs where everything is detailed etc.

[XP Kobold]

For me it's small maps since it's pretty easy to connect everything together into one big map. However for maps that are large or for mazes. I go for a larger map.

[DerVVulfman]

An interesting point you made. For a complex map, you really 'have' to use larger maps. Sometimes a large map is a necessity. That is... unless you chain link a series of 20x15 maps together.

[explocion200]

i would personally say its a mix if its going to be a big map it better have a lot of things in it and give the player all the freedom in the game thats what i look for in a game the freedom to do anything in a big map with a wide variate of options and quest and so on .. but also there are parts were you have to make some maps smaller then others you dont want the player walking to much and letting them get bored before they even get to there target... :)

[bacon]

For me, I personally like to stick with somewhere between a 30x30 to 40x40 map and usually stich somewhat close to there. I personally feel big maps can make a world feel small. I also feel that too many small maps also make a world feel small, and with a constant loading speed when traveling to the next map, make it incrediably annoying. I only use 15x20 maps for interiors, and honestly most interiors shouldnt be more than 15x20. I honestly prefer a big map over a bunch of small maps. o:

[Ramiro]

I use most the time 40X40 maps and the bigger was 100X100, i dont think than you need bigger ones...