I know this is the second help topic in like, 2 minutes? But this is a question I’ve had for a long time - what makes a good platformer map?
Me personally, I like good and CREATIVE design with barriers that don’t interfere with gameplay, but my biggest issue is with creating gameplay. A lot of techniques or jumps that I’ve made are repetitive, or the same, or just boring.
And then we have routing and spacing out things. It’s hard to map out a route for a platformer when you have a space constraint, and you always have to look out for potential skips.
It feels like there’s so much potential for platformer maps, but I just can’t do it. What design, gameplay, and routing do you look forward to in a platformer map?
Oh, and before you link the platformer jumps wiki to me, I’ve seen it, but I’m not a fan of many of the jumps because they involve slopes or lasers. Regular tech involving coyote jumps or timing is my thing. Not the same super precise laser thing.
Like…? I’ve seen your guide about being able to build to assist you with your jumps and I really like that idea, but I’m mainly working with barriers (and preferably no props) right now. It’s hard to make abilities beside dashing (which is janky), and extra speed (which is boring)
being original when making platformer maps is the key. I’m pretty sure you’ve seen “Difficulty Chart” maps everywhere, and it’s getting stale.
Effort
Effort should be done, not shown. Tyr to make the map look as good as possible, with as little to no bugs and make the game clean.
Inspiration
Getting inspired by other great platformers could be the key to giving the perfect idea to you!
(favourite platformer personally is Everest)
Backgrounds
Backgrounds are really stale, as you can see, most low-quality platformers just have the standard background. Try spicing things up with adding no collision props, and really just filling in that negative space.
Elements
Elements of props, decor, and etc…
Testing
Testing your map first out with friends and gaining feedback can improve your map!
Barrier jumps don’t know how to explain it but here’s a video.
On and offing barriers , this makes it that you have to time your jumps.
There’s also a mechanic that is displayed in the video.
that if your spawned in a barrier/or in the videos case crushed you can move through the barrier but once you leave the barrier you can’t get back in it. Maybe you can make some puzzle out of this.
GOD are difficulty charts annoying. The first few (tower of difficulty chart, ultimate difficulty chart) were okay, they had decent gameplay, but yeah those devolved quickly. Funnily enough, the difficulty chart trend also happened in roblox in 2021(?).
I might be working with a CRACKED gimkit creative designer, so that’s nice.
My platformer’s gonna be inspired by “virulent sojourn” (not the full name), which is some platformer in a game far, far, away. It’s about a scary lightning storm.
I’m adding rain, lightning, particles, and RED STUFF!!!
Stone columns!
Lol as soon as I make any small change I start the game and test it out.
Beatblocks? I love those. Once upon a time, I was going to make a game fully focused about them, but nope.
Engagement is key. If you play the game and it’s fun, it will be really enjoyable for players. However, if you only enjoy making it, it’s key to start over.
@BlockOfWalrus
@BlockOfWalrus, you should remove that PFP immediately for reasons I am not allowed to explain on the forums. Lucky no mods are online, you could get banned for a while.
