aaron vanderbeek
Starcraft Maps
These Starcraft maps are part of a level design initiative at the Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University. We create new content each week and perform weekly playtests, presentations, and discussions according to the new maps and levels. I am using Starcraft Campaign Editor and SCMDRAFT2 to make competitive Starcraft Melee Maps that are balanced and fun for 2, 3, or 4 players.
Maps are generally sketched using paper and pencil first to get a high concept idea before diving into the level editors. When editing I begin by either mapping out the start locations or by creating a central landmark. Much effort is given to the fairness of each start location which includes consideration of mineral/gas placement, amount of minerals, distance to expansions, distance to other bases, presence of choke points, main base and resource exposure. Not all strategies will be viable on every map but ideally a balanced map will allow for much strategic variation.
These maps are listed in chronological order with the newest maps listed at the top. They are created in the vein of a rapid prototyping environment: created in a short period of time (3-6 hours) based of off an idea and then playtested rigorously to try and determine the successes and shortcomings. Two to three iterations are made on each map until moving onto the next idea. Each map is somewhat of an experiment that informs the design, balance, and aesthetic of each subsequently created map.
(4)Ridgeline
Ridgline is a 4 player 128x128 melee map set along two narrow ridges. The four starting locations are on the ends of the ridges creating a variety of 1 v 1 possibilities in addition to unique 2 v 2 play. Everything on the map is accessible by ground but air units will have a much easier time navigating this map. The lack of a natural expansion will force the player to try their luck on ground or use drops to locate further resources.
(2)Bisect
Bisect is a two player 128x128 melee map. An archaepelago of plateaus separates the northwest from the southeast, where the player bases are located. Besides the natural expansion, additional resources are far from each starting location. The open landscape is spotted with remnants of buildings and rock formations creating many channels of movement.
(4)Outer Ring
The Outer Ring is a four player, 128x128 melee map. It is shaped like a ring surrounding an island, with the bases on plateaus on the outside ring. The island contains 4 expansions that surround a temple formation. The expansions on the ring are quite vulnerable, so island dominance is key to long-game victory.
(3)Hollow Crater
Hollow Crater is a three player 128x128 melee map. The bases are on plateaus with a single exit ramp. Each base has a low-resource natural expansion near the ramp and a doubly exposed expansion on the outer perimeter. The remaining expansions are in sunken craters in between home bases, and the center mineral formation.