"Timesplitters: Future Perfect" Mapmaker Ideas
The ability to edit custom maps for computer games is far from a new idea. As early as the 80's games such as Boulder Dash and GameMaker allowed users to create customized content with their own level designs. However, for console games, such a feature is rare, even today. "TimeSplitters: Future Perfect" stands as being one of the few pieces of console software to allow customized maps with its MapMaker tool. Its robust framework allows the creation of content across many themes.
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"Timesplitters: Future Perfect" Mapmaker
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"Timesplitters: Future Perfect" was an award winning and best-selling PS2 console shooter in 2005 for good reason. Aside from compelling single-player play, it also allowed players to create their own maps and stories using the Mapmaker tool. This feature allows the creation of simple maps using a basic interface, or advanced maps only limited by the free space on your memory card. Mapmaker allows control over how the enemies behave, how the settings are arranged, what basic theme the level follows and what weapons are available.
Modern Map Themes Ideas
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Mapmaker allows the use of both laboratory and military themes with modern map elements. The lab tiles are clean and clinical and make good building blocks for a large military craft or futuristic spacecraft. You could easily construct the inside of a large naval vessel like the USS Enterprise or a spacecraft such as Serenity from the "Firefly" television series if you are willing to spend the time and utilize the blueprints from online sources. Using the military theme, you can transition your adventure from transport craft to war zone, designing a battle front for your connecting levels.
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Horror Themed Ideas
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With the horror themed set, you can create a supernatural or dreamlike setting to add chills or surreal action to your story theme. Depending upon how you frame the story elements, you can use the horror theme to create a hellish underworld setting or supernatural battleground. Model your maps after fictional realms such as Dante's Inferno or a Lovecraft-inspired setting. You can also frame the horror scene as totally illusory, brought on by the effects of a psychic attack or experimental battlefield drug. In such horror genres, your maps don't have to make sense. In fact, designing confusing mazes adds to the sense of unease and surreal nature of the setting.
Egyptian Themed Ideas
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Egyptian themed tile sets will build maps with an obvious Tomb Raider aesthetic. Since the highly stylized setting lends itself well to temples, they are an obvious choice. The trick is to decide whether to base it upon an open temple of worship, or a labyrinthine pyramid maze with defenders (or invaders) along the way. For either idea, you can take inspiration from real-world locales such as the Temple of Abu Simbel or The Great Pyramid of Khufu. You can find floor plans for such locales using a web browser.
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