For some reason... I've stopped expressing an interest in mapping. I used to do it quite a bit a day, and love every moment of it and to produce something very neat! But lately, the motivation and the will to do it is diminishing dramatically. I'll open VHE only to stare at it for about a few minutes, and then close it. Then I'll play NS.

The inspiration is there, of course. I have a want to do things and make them look a certain way and have a certain feel, but the wish doesnt compare to the fact that I just dont feel like I want to make maps. co_vertigo just is starting to seem more like work instead of fun.

I don't know what is wrong with me or why I stopped feeling motivated to map again, but I dont know. Anyone have anything that helps them to work on maps? Anything that gets them going? I've been wanting to work on VHE, but when I open it I say "Eh... work..." and then close it. I'm thinking about starting something fresh and erasing everything else, with a whole new style and lighting system. The other maps I worked on are a mix of my old and new skill, therefor dont mix well.

I'll see what I can put together...

Take it from me, the first rule of mapping is, "Finish whatever you begin." Trust me, I know. I have started and failed to complete hundreds of maps and that's no exaggeration.

As for Motivation, watch a movie, read a book or listen to some cool sci-fi music. (MegaDeth's Duke Nukem Theme, anyone?) To get pumped.

I know you want to start off with a clean slate but it's best to finish what you start, every time. Just try and have fun and relax, no deadlines or anyone looking over you, just play around, be creative and post some screens, bro.

~ DarkATi

I think that is why I never get anything done: no pressure. There is no one pressing me to finish it or anyone wanting to see more. Its like an empty box. I get stuff that has a deadline or is due finished in a jiffy, no problem.

Which one?

Im thinking of starting from scratch with ns_titan.

ya ive done the same start a bunch of maps and quit a bunch just fallow through with one as for lack of motovation i drawl or paint and weird shapes give me ideas to what to add to my map was crazy as that sounds and music is nice motovation i listen to some experimental stuff like bjork and blond redhead i for one havent seen your map finish it so i can check it out

I got topics scattered all over the forums about that stuff...

Anyhow, I'm going to try and refine my style, and draw out maps on paper.

i know what your saying dark ati way to well but in the end its helped me to an extent i think my mapping style has gotten better from just throwing maps away not beacuse i quit that style but beacuse every map style i did i learned new ways and added the best togeather ( in my oppion )

Which is what I'm trying to do ATi. I want to put my new skills all into one map at a point, so in the end it will look much better. Im kinda making a practice map, you know, to test out what I've learned.

get out more. go run outside, dream, sleep! read a book, watch tv.. eat something lol

BlackPlague...how does one "go outside more" and "dream, sleep!" and "watch tv"... that's a good trick..

Recoup - You need a personal trainer/motivator..someone that will ride your **** until you get it done...

Oh, I do more than just read books: I write em!

EDIT: personal trainer eh? and what kind of tactics would he devise?

Recoup - A strict regiment of kicking your butt until you finish

Yea, I never finish maps either... Motivation is hard to come by.

the thing is is u just leave a map, thats it on ur mapping skills for then, if u finish it, all the time u'll be learning, so when u actually start ur new map it'll be the best it can be

there is nothing more feared than the "motivation hole" in a mapping project.

I think thats a problem of most mappers working a long time on one specific project. the best way to overcome is either, to play ns fo a while till the "hunger" to create something by your own is strong enough to continue the work OR to force yourself to go on.
the last one does work for me. the first minutes are hard as hell but when I reached a special point the work flows by itself. but sometimes I have to see something different to get new ideas.

do whatever you need to do but finish your work. thats one of the things that makes a guy using vhe a mapper.

Ok first off i want to apoligise cos this is possible the wrong topic for this post but i get lost around forums sooo this shud b a good place to explain my well-rounded ideas...

ok well i think i get the gist of the game and from my perspective its a kind of story being played out for instance.. the spaceship level( sry dont kno any names) is a marine crusier and the aliens have creep on board and invaded so i think some of the levels dot around from marines attacking alien locations to neutral and marine loctaions.. so i think u shud make some more out in the open levels like a earth landscape were u cud also implement a new sniper type weapon.. also u cud take these new open area levels to advance on a new alien called a "mole" or something which can borrow under the ground, also this wud lead to having to make some marine tech that has an advantage against it, but i reckon ushud have some more open fielded levels.... some earth some the kahraa planet , large fields.. A corn field?? lol mountainous areas..etc

well thats my idea if u care to read thro it all but there u go. think about it ok

again i apoligise for possibly putting this n the wrong topic ..so u mite wanna move it to a place were possible every1 can see it and possible the mappers etc can think about it

i win?? lol what the hell does that mean ... meaning its a good idea or the ...never mind i'll just go with it.. lol hurray i win

lol? oooooooook, u are aware i was talking about maps not a completely different game with some dodgey ... well basically some tard game

lol, stop taking the plss and carry on with the main topic you buffoon!

theres nothing wrong with that idea, all the levels are fairly confined and besides u cud get some vechicles in open spaced levels if they'd even consider putting those in the game

there is everything wrong with ur idea, for one open maps just dont work well in ns!

NS ain't really about vehicles. Yet.

Its supposed to be fairly close-quarter fighting with the alien menace that has infested some important location. If the Kharaa infested a corn field or the peak of a mountain, no one would care as much, and it would be nuked.

They want to retake these installations.


Anyways, in the future...

back on topic:

Dont force it is my advice.

if you dont feel like doing mapping then dont. sure go off and play ns for a bit. the need to map will return. im sure that doing something you dont want to be doing would be really unconstructive... hmm... un-constructive.. meh. you know what i mean.


if however you just carnt be arsed to map because you left on a bad experence last time (like losing loads of work) then you probably should force yourself back on get something done that your happy with and save and finish your session, so you leave on a good note. so when you return later you think of your last success and then think "yes! i want to map!"

gl

MADMEE

Thank you all for the suggestions. I guess I might have to try and change the map name to something like co_myrmidon or co_leviathan.