I actually really like to get involved with maps that remake or reference something I have fond memories of. For me as modder, the source material also gives me reasons to modify objects and see if I can approach the original map or movie with better accuracy.
For example, in TheLazyMapper's Boomer, Grace & Nick map, I added custom enemies and allies to try and approximate the Far Cry 5 E3 demo. Having "Boomer" go at the enemies and controlling him with bait brought something new to Far Cry 4.
For Setho-1's Evil Dead Boomstick map, I customized enemies too, and wanted to make thinks look more like the actual environment in the original Evil Dead movies.
So, I modified some objects and textures to be able to recreate scene stills from the movie more accurately, even adding in some misc. references like a bloody chainsaw and a nod to the infamous "tree scene" as a hidden secret.
Finally, for Battlemap's Nostalgia contest, I remade Wolfenstein 3D E1M1. Because of the old tech, I knew the map wouldn't test my mapping skills much, so I could once again focus on customizing objects through mods.
So, I ended up creating "working" doors, "treasure" pickups, some misc Nazi objects from the original. Plus, I messed with the exaction zone's objective marker so it'd allow me to have 2 ending targets for the map, without the player being aware of it on his HUD. Meaning players who use the "secret" ending will get a sense of accomplishment.
I don't make these maps to "steal" ideas from others, or claim them my own. I made them to see how they can be portrayed in Far Cry. I like the source material, it gives me reference (without set reference my maps take far too long to complete as I keep updating them). I tend to think I pay tribute to the source material of my memories. I don't really care much for number of plays or popularity, I'm mapping for my own enjoyment.![]()
I have mixed feelings on remakes. My most played map in FC2 was a remake of Pipeline from CoD4. I hated myself for making it, it was the most boring tedious experience as a map maker. That being said, it brought a lot of people to my server back in the day and helped promote my other maps.
When it comes to FPS remakes, I find playing them to be boring AF. FC never really had solid/tight multiplayer gameplay. The draw for me was always just having unlimited content to play. So playing a remade map from a game that most certainly was better to play, never really interested me.
However, remakes of maps/levels that are not from a multiplayer FPS are completely welcome in my opinion. I'm currently debating recreating the entire Mario Kart 64 track list at the moment., because, why the **** not lol?
I think that remakes are fine so long as the person remaking the map indicates what they're sourcing the material from.
Similar to starting with tracing when learning how to draw, remakes can teach someone about how a level is built and how the design works.
Not a fan of someone "remaking" another content creator's work though. You can learn from those maps by just taking them apart in the editor and not publishing them.
The way I see it every map is created from something in either the real or the game world. If you think you are making something entirely new, you are not, you are drawing your ideas from past experiences of real or fictional places.
If you think you are creating from your own personal imagination, you are not - because your imagination has been sculpted by every experience you ever had.
Nothing is new, its just remade differently. What can be unique is how you express it or how you design it differently to show something unique.
I think "remakes" i.e. blatantly copying another map can have its pros and cons either way depending on the reasons for making it. For example, Falls End might make a great MP TDM map. Ubi didn't make it for MP. If someone remakes Fall's End and it plays really well, then its a good map and worth remaking.
This is such an absurd statement and an insult to original content map makers.Originally Posted by rioseven Go to original post
It is the truth. Its not insulting to anyone shedding light on the subject that anything made using the map editor is the result of other experiences.Originally Posted by WretchedDrake89 Go to original post
In the Beginning, around the time of Far Cry Predator. I used to love making remakes (Blood Gulch, Ivory Tower, Burial mounds and other halo maps, then other maps from goldeneye and perfect dark.) It was a great way for me to learn layouts and creating unique objects (Besides just using prefabs.)
Then in the more recent games i've been only making original ideas and maps based on movies/ tv shows with my own layouts. It just seems more fun to me now. But after working on remakes from other games i've come to appreciate the hard work and effort it takes to create exact replicas. It is really hard to get the scaling right, and sometimes you have to make some sacrifices to make the gameplay flow correctly (I.e replacing teleporters with ziplines, or normally moveable vehicles recreated and placed in strategic locations.), and if you can pull that off, then it makes it all the more impressive.
I guess you can say i appreciate all maps equally, and the hard work will flow through. If you enjoy what you're making then that will definitely show in the content you create.
There's a really great one of Frostfire now. Check it out!Originally Posted by rioseven Go to original post