Say what you want about Far Cry 2’s single-player experience. From exciting advances in AI to the open ended story line, there is certainly a lot to talk about. For me, none of that is as important as the multiplayer map editor that has quietly put Ubisoft at the forefront of user-created content, at least in my opinion.
Earlier versions of Far Cry had map editors included in them, so it wasn’t surprising that Ubi continued this tradition. What WAS surprising to me, was the amount of control they built in to the console version of the game. If you were on the fence as to whether your 360 was really a computer rocking console controllers, a trip into the Map Community of Far Cry 2 should erase all doubt. If you can imagine it, you can make it.
While a lot of mappers like me have spent a ton of time perfecting their early creations, the biggest drawback to the editor, and I am guessing the biggest turn-off to many FC2 players, is the huge group of people that don’t. Many times you’ll jump into a random user-created map only to get stuck in a mistake, or bombarded visuals that look like something you played on your Commodore 64. People without the attention span to create good maps can have a really adverse effect on the audience for good user-created content.
I’ve uploaded about 7 maps to the Ubisoft server so far. Some, I’ve spent up to 8 hours terraformng, texturing, planting, revising, arranging and balancing the maps. Then I invite a bunch of people in to test the maps, get some feedback, and revise based on issues that arise from that. In my opinion its the only way to map.
Don’t have 8 hours worth of time or ADD medication to dedicate to making the perfect battle ground? Don’t fret. I’ve learned a bunch of stuff from fiddling with the editor, and I’ve got some shortcuts and tips to make whatever you make the best it can be.
Tip #1: Scale it down
The map editor in Far Cry 2 gives you an enormous amount of space to create your wonder, and it’s human nature to try and use it all when creating your masterpiece. Resist that. Especially when you’re just starting out. Huge expansive maps that take an eternity to cross get boring really fast.
For one, you only get to place six vehicles into the battle, which means that unless people are really working together, you’re going to have a lot of people running marathons across your maps.
Another reason to keep the size in check is the very reason people PLAY Far Cry 2 online. Battles. With vast space between the combatants, the chances of them encountering each other get slimmer. While there are plenty of things you can do to use the environment to channel people into common areas, the smaller your map is, the more exciting the map is going to be.
Tip #2: Choke Points
You can do a lot of stuff in a map if you are careful to FORCE players to fight over a specific piece of real estate. On capture the diamond maps, that doesn’t have to be the diamonds themselves. Yesterday, I created a map where one team has an island and another is on shore, and despite huge expanses of jungle and water, at some point in any capture, the players HAVE to come ashore at “Death Beach” and thus the entire game is about trying to control that area to allow team members to pass through on their way to and from the diamonds.
You can also use vehicles and ammo incentives for the same effect.
More tips on the next page.
Good read. I can see some need for improvement yourself, though, Doc. But overall, a very good start!
We’ll talk about design sometime, shall we?
Dude I am ALWAYS hungry for feedback. There are a few I need to tweak… But I wouldn’t call them crap.
Man, i wish i could download your maps doc, but i got the ps3 version
Make some. I am coming soon to a PSN near you this holiday season. I CAN FEEL IT!
ZOMG DOC GETIN A PS3 FOR XMAS U HERD IT HERE FURST!
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I’m in the same situation as Farko… ps3!
Omg doc..ps3?!!?
Doc getting a PS3?
Surely depends on what the mistress of the house says…
Can you make tribute maps? Like Facility from GoldenEye.
Far cry is one of the best games! i have it on xbox 360..
Ah jeez, I want Farcry 2, but priorities are priorities. I think I’ll find some time to fit it in between Gears 2, Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, Dead Space, CoD:WaW… oh wait. DANG IT
whats’s doc’s gamer tag because i was typing in all different types of raynmaker into the map Dl thing and i could find em
hmmm lets see i have 8 hr to use AND i have ADD pils so no wory for me
but if some one whud downloud my map i whud be realy happy i ned feedback my psn id is “lenestol” and my map name is “out of blue” plis give me some feedback
The map editor is unbelievable I found myself lost in it and time has just flown by.
Kim I’ll try and remember to check out ur map lol
I found a map that is amazing! Its a pirate map, but the effort the guy has gone in to is something else. Check the link for some details, i take no credit it for it, but had to share it as its quality!
the map is called “You are a pirate” by Jibble. I think thats his name.
If anyone downloads it and is up for a game on it let me know.
Oddessy UK
I uploaded a map called “Rumble In The Jungle”. I would like to get feedback. So if you have time look it up and leave me some feedback please, either here on my public profile or on XBL. My gamertag is The Dutch Don.
I enjoy making maps, but I would love making maps that other people enjoy, so all your feedback will be taken into consideration!
How about explaining it using the superior PC version? We don’t get any love. =(
do you want a map that isn’t crap? do you want a map that doesn’t force you to wander hoping that you’ll find someone? then download the amazing TROPICA TERROR (only T’s are capitalizied) an epic three island archipelago complete with a CAVE housing a swamp boat with one hell of a cannon attached. or perhaps an island with three plateus connected by crossbridges is more your style. maybe hang out at the war church on the town island. all of this including…check this, a WATERFALL. just shoot the only 4 explosives on the map near the cave. available only on the xbox360 created by GodOfIrony2012
but seriously.
Doc, this is my gamer tag i would like to test your maps and i’d like your feed back as well. send me a message over LIVE if ur interested
Dang! I just bought Far Cry 2 last night and started mapping! This was all really helpful (even if I knew a lot of it from CS:S mapping!) If you’re ever on Xbox LIVE, maybe you can look at some of my maps to give some criticism? (My Name is my gamertag
)
i made a few good ones and im in the process of creating a new one, called Bloody Terror.
my XBL gamertag is oPSLCxASSASSINo
play and rate maps plz feel free to add me