This Microsot Excel workbook contains 3 templates that I use while creating my own custom maps.
These templates are being shared to assist you in designing, developing, and testing custom adventure maps. Primarily to help you predict a release date and make sure you don't forget a critical activity.
This workbook assumes you have a licensed copy and working knowledge of Microsoft Excel 97-2003. No support is guaranteed.
Feel free to modify the Templates to suit your own development style! (I enhance them with every map as I encounter lessons learned - but you can tailor them to be simpler or more detailed!). If you add something that you feel is valuable to the community, please consider sending me an email.
Workplan Template
A template for planning the activities needed to design, develop, test, and publish a custom map. Each activity has an effort value which translates into a time estimate. The template will also allow you to track actual time spent, which can be re-used for future estimates.
Flow Template
A template for planning the "flow" of the play experience. Supports linear and parallel storylines. Tracks where you add gear, scoring items, keys/triggers and encounters.
Texture Map Template
A template for customizing your terrain.png file, primarily useful to plan blocks that have a different top/sides/bottom texture and for blocks that share textures (e.g. levers re-use the texture from stone).
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Nice idea. I definitely recommend using some kind of planning aid. I mostly keep everything loosely on paper as I go but once I have concrete, specific ideas I start cataloging them in a Word doc.
Using a spreadsheet for loot was a must for me by the end of Criswelvania 1.3, with hundreds of chests to distribute loot across in such a way as to create a smooth progression of powerups from the full palette of items available at the time. The more linear your map, the easier this task is, I think.
There isn't enough room in the armor or sword columns to fit "diamond," never mind the specific armor pieces. Not that I'm so incompetent I can't resize it, it would just be nice to have the box big enough by default.
More importantly, the texture mapping page is outdated.
& there's a typo in the how to use page ("once you reach this point you can now break wook")
Let me guess, I'm just making our day pointing out all these errors.
There isn't enough room in the armor or sword columns to fit "diamond," never mind the specific armor pieces. Not that I'm so incompetent I can't resize it, it would just be nice to have the box big enough by default.
More importantly, the texture mapping page is outdated.
& there's a typo in the how to use page ("once you reach this point you can now break wook")
Let me guess, I'm just making our day pointing out all these errors.
Thanks mate. I'll try and remember to update these once I finish my Grinchmas map.
The texture map is DEFINITELY outdated.
I am VERY glad you took time to give me feedback on this. It will help me improve it.
This Microsot Excel workbook contains 3 templates that I use while creating my own custom maps.
These templates are being shared to assist you in designing, developing, and testing custom adventure maps. Primarily to help you predict a release date and make sure you don't forget a critical activity.
MEDIAFIRE DOWNLOAD: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?43p7hi3u7qejl4l
This workbook assumes you have a licensed copy and working knowledge of Microsoft Excel 97-2003. No support is guaranteed.
Feel free to modify the Templates to suit your own development style! (I enhance them with every map as I encounter lessons learned - but you can tailor them to be simpler or more detailed!). If you add something that you feel is valuable to the community, please consider sending me an email.
Workplan Template
A template for planning the activities needed to design, develop, test, and publish a custom map. Each activity has an effort value which translates into a time estimate. The template will also allow you to track actual time spent, which can be re-used for future estimates.
Flow Template
A template for planning the "flow" of the play experience. Supports linear and parallel storylines. Tracks where you add gear, scoring items, keys/triggers and encounters.
Texture Map Template
A template for customizing your terrain.png file, primarily useful to plan blocks that have a different top/sides/bottom texture and for blocks that share textures (e.g. levers re-use the texture from stone).
Using a spreadsheet for loot was a must for me by the end of Criswelvania 1.3, with hundreds of chests to distribute loot across in such a way as to create a smooth progression of powerups from the full palette of items available at the time. The more linear your map, the easier this task is, I think.
My next map has a mostly-linear story, but a few areas that are completely optional (somewhat like Fear in a Handful of Dust).
More importantly, the texture mapping page is outdated.
& there's a typo in the how to use page ("once you reach this point you can now break wook")
Let me guess, I'm just making our day pointing out all these errors.
Thanks mate. I'll try and remember to update these once I finish my Grinchmas map.
The texture map is DEFINITELY outdated.
I am VERY glad you took time to give me feedback on this. It will help me improve it.