All about role plays maps (world, town, dungeon)

[Gareth]

If someone’s done this forgive me. But just interested do you guys use or create maps for role plays? Why or why not? If you do create maps could explain how you go about it? (The inspiration for the design of it and the names you attach to it. What program you use or if it’s hand drawn.).

[Carlyle]

If someone’s done this forgive me. But just interested do you guys use or create maps for role plays? Why or why not? If you do create maps could explain how you go about it? (The inspiration for the design of it and the names you attach to it. What program you use or if it’s hand drawn.).

@Gareth

I personally don't make RP maps all that often. Some RPs need them, of course, but most of the time it bogs things down when you can just make a "mental map" and jot some notes down as to where things are.

That said, multiple ways to do this:

Some people free hand it on paper or online (I used to use Roll20 and/or MSPaint back then) and screenshot/upload it. Others use map programs like Inkarnate to help build maps, just give "worldbuilding map program" or something a google search and you'll probably find it among others that could help out.

Then of course you have the crowd that just steals a map they find online and uses it for their RP, but who would do that? Certainly not RPers.

[BrokenPromise]

@Gareth Most of the time I find a good description of an area is fine. Theater of the mind is a powerful thing, and you really don't need to pin down where every little detail in a scene is. This is especially true during fight scenes between powerful characters. obstacles like walls, furniture, etc will not impact them too greatly. Having said that, I do occasionally find maps to be a good aid if there are a lot of characters in a scene doing very specific things. It helps to keep track where each little thing is playing out, and helps everyone visualize the same thing. This can be a detriment sometimes, as having a map to look at can restrict decision making. Players are suddenly basing their choices on what they see VS what's been written in the RP.

Maps are one of those things I tend to make myself, but don't want to spend a lot of time doing. There are a lot of services, but I personally enjoy using dungeon draft to draw up little arenas for the characters to be in. If there's a downside, most of the included assets are for a fantasy setting, and most of the free tile sets are a little uglier than they need to be. If you want something pretty, you'll have to learn how to draw or pay for premium assets. If you want to make something more like a world map, I've made a few of those freehand in image editing software. There are lots of tools, it really boils down to personal preference and how much you want to spend.

As for my creative process, I usually just visualize what I want in my head and then consider how I'd go about making it. Once that's taken care of, I concern myself with making it look presentable. But only if time allows. Posts are due once a week after all.

[Mae]

I like 'em but that's only because I enjoy making them. I don't really bother with the world map level stuff, when I see a world map I generally assume someone is putting more interest in their world building then players and should write a book rather than a rp, but that's just me. I have seen some great RPs using world maps and obviously nation roleplay's sit outside that.

I will make local region or dungeon or village layout maps because I like a player to see a cool thing and go 'whats over there?' or have a visual representation of a physical impact they've made on the game world. But that feeling can be achieved through writing too. Also, some of these habits I picked up because one of my favourite people to play with has Aphantasia, and stuff like that helps. But you also have to ask yourself - is what I'm doing adding quality to my game? Is my time better spent elsewhere? Good writing created together will always be more atmospheric and emotional then a picture.

In the roleplaying game' title I am admittedly more gamer then roleplayer. I am not a strong writer and my preference to world building lies towards gamist or simulationist mechanics though, self admittedly.

In terms of software, I love Wonderdraft best. Using incarnate ATM because I'm on tablet. Hexographer for hex maps but that's more TRPGs. I name by landmarks usually. It's simplistic but does what it says on the tin. Naming can tell an important story about your history though. If the dwarven city has an elvish namemaybe it's because there was a war 1000 years ago ect. So it's another way to get into to the players.

[POOHEAD189]

I'm not very good at making maps, but man I love them. I wish I had the map making mind but it eludes me.

[Hellion]

I'm not very good at making maps, but man I love them. I wish I had the map making mind but it eludes me.

@POOHEAD189

I have all the tools but not the time to do them, lol

But, I love some of the maps I've seen artists creating in programs like Illustrator and Photoshop. Would definitely be a great side gig too.

[BangoSkank]

Game maps are great. Even if a large portion of it is just for flavor, places you will not visit in the RP, they're still very helpful for making the world feel established. If your character is from the Dortani Highlands and I can look on a map and go Oh, so their ancestors passed through the SkrubbaDubba Mountain range to get them here, it just adds to the story.

I like to have map maker characters. Seems like something that would be handy

[Carnelian]

Most of the RPs I have been in recently never actually had maps so we just had to go off of things in an imaginative fashion. For RPs that took place in Canon, I would use various fan made maps as a good baseline for the layout of things.

[Dinh AaronMk]

If someone’s done this forgive me. But just interested do you guys use or create maps for role plays? Why or why not? If you do create maps could explain how you go about it? (The inspiration for the design of it and the names you attach to it. What program you use or if it’s hand drawn.).

@Gareth

I make them myself, or at least I do when I make and host the RP. Otherwise, if I look and see no map: I don't join.

Then again I also always do Nation RP where a map is a requirement. If you don't have a map something is wrong.

[DX3214]

I like making maps especialy for rps but... my drawning skills for then can be described as lacking.