How to get a better mapping schedule?

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

im working on 2-3 projects by the time im posting this.

and i always end up scrapping one after i get bored of it

i need this to get fixed and end up being consistent 

please give some ideas.

[DannyMan]

Focus only on one project and progress to finishing it

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

Just now, DannyMan said:

Focus only on one project and progress to finishing it

oh sorry i forgot to mention

 

the reason i actually make multiple projects is because i sometimes like to switch up the map type for the wad. 

for example i get tired of one wads theme so i go work on another

 

however the reason i just dont add a level in a single project that has the theme i feel like is because i usually make wads following one whole theme

 

thanks for recommending me something however

[DoomGappy]

If you keep saying you'll participate in projects and then show nothing for it, your credibility will go down the drain. Focus on making one or two maps at a time so that you can have something to alternate to, but don't have multiple open projects at a time. It's personal, but I think two to three maps at a time is what's good to have. Be mindful of deadlines and update your Status in the project's thread. And take some screenshots and post them. Better to show rather than tell.

[Matt Eldrydge]

What Doomgappy said. I'll just add popping in to say "still alive, just busy so I haven't worked on my map" isn't a bad idea when you're working in a community project - it's still more polite than ghosting people and saying you're pulling out of the project.

 

If you're working alone, just map a little bit every day and you'll eventually have a complete map. I have a bunch of projects to work on and I'm sorta playing with fire, given I really should be working on two community projects instead of personal ones but do as I say, not as I do. :P

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

Just now, Matt Eldrydge said:

What Doomgappy said. I'll just add popping in to say "still alive, just busy so I haven't worked on my map" isn't a bad idea when you're working in a community project - it's still more polite than ghosting people and saying you're pulling out of the project.

 

If you're working alone, just map a little bit every day and you'll eventually have a complete map. I have a bunch of projects to work on and I'm sorta playing with fire, given I really should be working on two community projects instead of personal ones but do as I say, not as I do. :P

yes i am working alone

 

however that seems like a good idea

i can give some time to a level each day.

thanks for the tip

[Matt Eldrydge]

Slow and steady wins the race. I managed to work on a single map for three months once, but it left me so drained I haven't touched said map in well over three months. It's not a bad idea to work on smaller maps to get better either, just put in more than 10 minutes in a room and add a little detailing so it looks nicer and you'll be golden.

[DoomGappy]

9 minutes ago, Matt Eldrydge said:

What Doomgappy said. I'll just add popping in to say "still alive, just busy so I haven't worked on my map" isn't a bad idea when you're working in a community project - it's still more polite than ghosting people and saying you're pulling out of the project.

 

If you're working alone, just map a little bit every day and you'll eventually have a complete map. I have a bunch of projects to work on and I'm sorta playing with fire, given I really should be working on two community projects instead of personal ones but do as I say, not as I do. :P

Even if a deadline is approaching you can still offer the map up for someone to complete or co-map with you. It can be a very good way to learn about how other people work and also to become more flexible to suggestions. Always good for personal development.

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

22 minutes ago, DoomGappy said:

Even if a deadline is approaching you can still offer the map up for someone to complete or co-map with you. It can be a very good way to learn about how other people work and also to become more flexible to suggestions. Always good for personal development.

i got 0 friends who play doom :((

 

 

23 minutes ago, Matt Eldrydge said:

slow and steady wins the race

true

[Betelgeuse]

19 minutes ago, Patrick_Plays_Doom said:

i got 0 friends who play doom :((

 

Try befriending doomworld members.

Slowly over time you will have a lot of friends.

[Treehouseminis]

I also have 0 irl friends who play doom. I tried to get them to play my maps, I know they have copies of doom2 on steam but I know they stopped caring once I tried explaining what a source port is lol.  This community has been great tho, I can say I have a few doomworld buddies now for sure.  

[MemeMind]

As someone with ADHD, I just map when I want to. 

[DoomGappy]

1 hour ago, Patrick_Plays_Doom said:

i got 0 friends who play doom :((

 

 

true

You'll make friends in the forums as long as you keep it civil and respectful. I met a great friend and we're mapping together for a project, it's been a blast. 

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

5 minutes ago, DoomGappy said:

You'll make friends in the forums as long as you keep it civil and respectful. I met a great friend and we're mapping together for a project, it's been a blast. 

ill be honest

i have no idea how that will play out for me but ill trust you

[NotMuchNormal]

How about integrating projects as you scrap them? 

For instance, if you're working on 3 projects, each set in a different time period, then one of them, let's say the fantasy one, gets boring and you cancel it, integrate it into another one, like make a map set in the future, but in an abandoned medieval castle that houses a hi-tech lab in the dungeon, or a tourist attraction, or something like that, you know. A lot of games actually did that, when one project was not going well the devs would integrate the resources into another game, often by another developer!

Projects get started and cancelled all the time, it's a normal cycle of creative life. At the end of the day, the one closest to your heart will be the one you stick with.

[DoomGappy]

1 hour ago, Patrick_Plays_Doom said:

ill be honest

i have no idea how that will play out for me but ill trust you

It will turn out fine, trust me. Seeing you are also a "Mr.SandyPetersenFan" we already have something in common. 

[Wo0p]

Force yourself to map for half an hour a day even if you're bored of the project. At the very least draw random lines that looks vaguely like an area. Perhaps the next day you'll have the energy and imagination to actually make something worthwhile of those random lines :)

 

I've struggled all my life keeping attention on one thing at a time, but "this one simple trick" really did it for me. And now I've completed 5 maps for Doom :D It's a dream come true, and you can do it too! 

[Patrick_Plays_Doom]

57 minutes ago, Wo0p said:

Force yourself to map for half an hour a day even if you're bored of the project. At the very least draw random lines that looks vaguely like an area. Perhaps the next day you'll have the energy and imagination to actually make something worthwhile of those random lines :)

 

I've struggled all my life keeping attention on one thing at a time, but "this one simple trick" really did it for me. And now I've completed 5 maps for Doom :D It's a dream come true, and you can do it too! 

i will hold myself at gunpoint until i make a good map

if i fail....

(Dark humor moment)

[AshtralFiend]

I suggest focusing on two, max three, maps simultaneously. I usually only work one at a time, but I tend to hyperfocus...

If you feel stumped, play some wads, look for inspiration, and take screenshots! Don't try to copy, but see how others construct their levels.

Also, if building big maps gets you tired of them quicker, try to make smaller ones. You don't need huge maps to provide interesting challenges.

[quakis]

17 hours ago, Patrick_Plays_Doom said:

i need this to get fixed and end up being consistent

 

Based on what I've learnt mapping for 25+ years, both through my own discoveries and lessons taken from other mappers across different mapping communities, some much later in my journey than I'd like to admit, here's some advice that can be boiled down into two very key points:

 

Focus Focus Focus;

I believe it's fine to have a few projects to alternate between in general, but this can cause a lack of focus as your attention is constantly being reset going from one mindset into another. Consider the main project you wish to see reach the finish line and put all your efforts toward it without other work distracting you, but do take breaks often to revitalise your creative energy however long needed. Plan out the major broad strokes what you want to achieve with the level, consider an end goal for both the player and yourself. Understand what the major beats you want to execute leading up to that ending. Starting location can wait. Everything else in-between can occur during the mapping process via iteration or by returning to the planning process once the initial building blocks are in place. Setting deadlines to work toward can also help keep focus.

 

100% Execution;

Don't waste time loading up the editor and staring at a blank grid muttering to yourself "now what should I do?". Time spent in the editor should preferably be execution. Create something based on the plans you've got in mind, or experiment with a gameplay idea, or simply bugfixing that one broken sequence from the other day. Don't just start projects from a singular whim, instead consolidate multiple ideas together and iterate upon the level with those in mind. If progress slows down or you lose steam, go back to planning and thinking about the level outside the editor. Take breaks. Play other games. Do other hobbies. Just give the mind time to rest from mapping. Only return to the editor once you have a plan of action you want to execute.

 

It's still perfectly fine to load up the editor and casually go with the flow to see where that will take you. I like doing this as a way to relax and experiment with design or gameplay. If you do find something that works well but reach a point not knowing where to continue with the project, don't give up on it, you can save these scraps for later. I've got many lying around over the years I've repurposed into finished and current projects.

 

All of my released projects and contributions to community efforts have been the results of following the advice outlined above, otherwise they can often linger around with little progress being made due to a lack of focus and meandering around pointlessly in the editor. I've been making good progress on projects these days after understanding these flaws in my workflow and how to avoid them. Don't make the same mistakes I’ve made for years.

 

11 hours ago, Wo0p said:

Force yourself to map for half an hour a day even if you're bored of the project.

 

I honestly don't recommend doing this, it's a quick way to burn out and grow to hate the creative process. Never force yourself to map without some plan of action before loading up the editor. Sometimes a little self pressure to prevent laziness might be necessary to get something done, but don't simply force out creativity. Alternatively if mapping more often is desired, speedmapping might be a healthier creative pursuit. Join up during one of the speedmapping jams around here, those typically have clear goals and limitations to follow and may become good practise to develop skills with other mappers to communicate with.

[Wo0p]

6 hours ago, quakis said:

 

Based on what I've learnt mapping for 25+ years, both through my own discoveries and lessons taken from other mappers across different mapping communities, some much later in my journey than I'd like to admit, here's some advice that can be boiled down into two very key points:

 

I honestly don't recommend doing this, it's a quick way to burn out and grow to hate the creative process. Never force yourself to map without some plan of action before loading up the editor. Sometimes a little self pressure to prevent laziness might be necessary to get something done, but don't simply force out creativity. Alternatively if mapping more often is desired, speedmapping might be a healthier creative pursuit. Join up during one of the speedmapping jams around here, those typically have clear goals and limitations to follow and may become good practise to develop skills with other mappers to communicate with.

 

Works for me and I honestly recommend it. Different strokes for different blokes, as they say. So why not recommend it? I feel its senseless to dissuade someone from trying something they haven't thought of, if its harmless.

 

What I get from it is the sense of achievement like "Oh man, I got something done on my project today." and it motivates me for the future. Even if what I got done was drawing 4 lines and changing a single sector's lighting. It's something. The key is setting expectations much much lower than what society has pressured us to normally do.

 

Besides this argument, there's great value in your other points which I hope OP and even myself can benefit from. Thanks for sharing :)

[Jayextee]

You mean to say there are other methods of mapping than "bang out a bunch of maps in a flurry of hyperactivity for two weeks and then go back to uninspired and lethargic for months on end until the next hyperactive episode"?

Sounds fake but okay.