How Game Maps Are Created: From Idea to Implementation
Behind every detailed game map is a multi-stage process of creativity and painstaking work. Today we’ll reveal the secret and tell you how game locations are created, using the example of the “Island” with its ancient mysteries.
Five Pillars of Game Map Development
The development of any game “feature,” including maps, goes through five key stages:
- Pre-production;
- Production;
- Post-Production;
- Polishing;
- Release.
It’s worth noting that depending on the feature and its complexity, the internal workings of each pillar may change and become more complex. All this is done to reduce possible risks that may arise after release.
Pre-production
Brainstorming. At this stage, the team gathers to discuss the concept of the future map. What style will it have? Where will it be located in the game world? What is its history? Without answers to these and many other questions, they will have nothing to rely on, so this process is no less important than all the others.
Production
Map blocking. Level designers begin planning the game space. They place cover, design rooms, think through nooks and passages. It’s important to calculate in advance what situations and battles might arise in different parts of the map. Therefore, at this stage, level designers might have several different versions of one map, but ultimately everything comes down to one variant.
3D Concept of the map. Flat drawings are transferred to the faceless blocking. Gray walls finally get their textures and relief. At this stage, level designers create a tangible version of the map where you can evaluate the scale and proportions, as well as assess the appearance of the future location and its surroundings.
Map refinement. The team analyzes the 3D concept and makes necessary changes. In some places, blocking is rebuilt or illogical elements are fixed. Sometimes entire sections have to be rebuilt several times to achieve the perfect balance between beauty and functionality.
Map transfer and adaptation for mobile devices. The map is integrated into the game engine and optimized so that it runs smoothly even on less powerful devices while maintaining the intended aesthetics. Optimization is a true art where you have to find a compromise between visual appeal and performance.
Post-production
Effects and sounds. At this stage, the map comes to life. Water begins to flow and gurgle, fire burns and crackles, and life thrives beyond the game zone. Footstep sounds on different surfaces, music in nearby houses, dogs barking, and simple gusts of wind—all these details create a sense of immersion in a living world.
Lighting. An important process, because each player must clearly see their opponent and distinguish them against walls or piles of boxes. So no dark corners or bandit alleyways. The entire map should shine, just like you on the battlefield.
Polishing
Polishing. The map is “polished to a shine.” The team checks that all objects work as they should, adjusts the destructibility of walls and obstacles, eliminates the tiniest flaws. This stage can take weeks of painstaking work on details that might seem unnoticeable at first glance but are critically important for the overall impression.
Playtests and final touches. The final stage is testing the map with real players. Testers and Closed Beta Testing participants explore every corner, and level designers carefully study their feedback. Based on this feedback, final adjustments are made; sometimes they even have to seriously rework an almost finished map if the gameplay isn’t as engaging as planned.
Release
Now the map is added to the game build with a future update, everything is checked once more and sent to you in the form of an “update.”
That’s it! The map is fully functional and ready to withstand battles of any format… until you find a bug on it 🥲
Now, when you run through the corridors of the Lost Temple or exchange fire in the narrow streets of the Favelas, you know how much work has gone into every corner of these locations.
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