redrain85 Wrote:Yeah . . . unfortunately, lots of time is exactly what you need if you want to make a map. The learning curve is steep at first...
...That's why you have to appreciate people who take the time to make and put out these things. |
Although I have no clue as how to make custom maps with DEdit, I always look at things like this from the POV of my own experiences and what I am familiar with. Of course in my case, it is filmmaking, video-artistry, animation, etc.
In OTCRFOB, the main thing is that NOTHING in there existed until I made it exist. Ok, I borrowed a couple of things like TOMY TRON, but for the most part - NOTHING existed until I made it. Every little part of scenery, background, animation, motion, character, EVERYTHING that you see - I had to make. I'm sure mapmaking is very similar in that respect. When you start out - there's a big NOTHING. To the nothing, you must add something. To add something, you must think of something to add. Once you know what you want to put in there, you must then figure out how to put it in there. Now that's the real trick in my video work - how the hell can I do what I want to do with the tools I have to work with? I'm sure much is the same in DEdit - I've read many complaints about this authoring utility. So then you got some ideas, and know what you want, but must figure out how to make it, given the constraints of the tools at your disposal.
Of course, it doesn't stop there. I know there are rules, so to say (programming), and other aspects of map making that go well beyond just building the digital blocks of the map.
So although I do not know what it is like to make these things, I do have a very high sense of admiration for all the hard work and creativity that goes in to them.
But you are right. Many people do not know a thing about the hard work that goes in to them and don't take the time to reflect on that. That's a shame.
There is also the other part of it. I hate to say this, but it's true. To most people, the hard work going in to the project means little if the outcome doesn't impress them to the fullest. And even if the results of all that hard work is impressive to them, they probably still don't give a crap about the hard work - it's just another cool map to them. Or in my case (my video work) - it's just another silly video on the internet - there's a million others out there that are far better.
That's just how most people tend to view things like this. And that's fine. I don't make my productions and expect people to enjoy them because they were so difficult to make or because I poured so much hard work in to them. I make them and put my hard work in to them hoping they will bring joy and entertainment to those who view them. I know most will never know and never care about how much hard work I put in to my creations - they'll just see a cool video... and sometimes just a dumb video some guy who had too much time on his hands put together. If only they knew how little free time I have to work on these things... oh well. It's not about that.
Anyway - regardless of how most people see things - know and understand that other creative minds will acknowledge the hard work that goes in to custom map making or any well-done creative project. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I tip my hat to all the talented custom mapmakers out there who have put their hard work and efforts in to such beautiful creations. Perhaps because of your interviews, more people will take another look at the custom maps and think about more than just what they see.
