Quake 1 Single-Player Map Design Theories (2001)

Summary

Q1 SP design theories 1. Introduction: These two pages contain some detailed design theories, which suggest how to make a high quality Q1 SP map, by analysing the various aspects that contribute to high quality Q1 SP maps. They are written as general guidelines (which the exception of Theory 0 which is an absolute rule), and it's the overall quality of the map that is important, rather than fitting in with any specific suggestion here. They are also written solely from a player's (and a critical reviewer's) point of view, not a mapper's point of view. Choose a theory: Theories page 1: � Theory 0: The basic golden rule of mapping. � Theory 1: What makes a proper Q1 SP level??? � Theory 2: Common flaws to be avoided in Q1 SP levels. � Theory 3: What makes a map look good??? Theories page 2: � Theory 4: What makes a map play well??? � Theory 5: Other aspects of Q1 SP map quality. Theory 0: The basic golden rule of mapping. The other theories are guidelines, suggestions, advice, possibilities...this one is not. This is a rule - a rule that applies to getting reviews on this site, but also a rule that should be (but isn't) obeyed by any mapper anywhere. It's this simple: If you publicly release a map, that map must be good quality and worth playing. A very simple rule that shouldn't even be necessary to state - really this should be taken for granted. But it isn't, it needs to be stated clearly, and there are some related details/questions that are worth considering. � How can map makers know what good quality is??? There are a few possible answers to this: 1. Everyone has seen and played Id's own maps, so everyone has seen and played good maps. Id's maps are often flawed, and have been bettered by some custom maps, but most of them are still fine examples of good quality maps: the gameplay is invariably good, the architecture is often good. So map makers should be able to compare their maps to Id's maps, and if their maps are equal or better, then they would be good qua...