top 10 mappers / maps created on the whole mapping history
history of mapping
- 2007-2008: The Beginnings
Release of osu!: osu! was developed by Dean "peppy" Herbert and released in 2007. Inspired by the Nintendo DS game Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, osu! initially aimed to emulate the game’s rhythm-based, circle-clicking mechanics.
Early Maps: The first maps were simple, reflecting the limited editor tools available. Mappers focused on mimicking the Ouendan-style circles and sliders, and most maps were designed as straightforward recreations of existing songs.
The First Ranking Criteria: With more maps being created, there was a need to standardize the rules for map quality. This led to the first version of the Ranking Criteria, a set of guidelines for getting maps ranked. The early rules were basic, focusing primarily on map functionality and avoiding unplayable elements.
- 2009-2011: The Golden Age of Simplicity
Growing Community and Tools: As osu! gained popularity, new mapping tools were introduced to the editor, allowing mappers to experiment with different shapes, patterns, and timing techniques.
Introduction of Advanced Techniques: Techniques like stream patterns, jumps, and varied rhythms emerged, but mapping remained relatively simplistic by today's standards.
Influential Mappers and Styles: Mappers like Doomsday, Charles445, and DJPop were pioneers, creating iconic maps that focused on playability. Map structure was often symmetrical or used basic geometric shapes.
Rise of the “Square Pattern” and Simple Aesthetics: Maps at this stage often utilized square patterns, due to their ease of creation and simple look. Spacing between notes was relatively consistent, with few drastic spacing changes.
- 2012-2014: The Experimental Era
More Complex Mapping Styles: Mappers began experimenting with variety in spacing and angles, introducing the concept of "flow" in mapping. This era marked the shift from purely geometric designs to patterns that emphasized gameplay feel.
Influence of High-Skill Players: High-level players began voicing their opinions on mapping, leading to maps with higher spacing, faster rhythms, and techniques like cross-screen jumps. This was the beginning of more skill-focused maps.
Innovation with Slider Art: Mappers experimented with sliders, using them to create artistic shapes within the beatmap, often to match the theme of the song.
Influential Maps and Mappers: Maps like Airman ga Taosenai and Freedom Dive (mapped by Nakagawa-Kanon) became popular, influencing a wave of high-difficulty maps that tested the player’s technical skills. Mappers like Blue Dragon and Shiirn brought unique styles to the community, with intricate slider shapes and challenging rhythms.
- 2015-2017: The Rise of Flow and Modern Mapping Styles
Flow Theory Becomes Central: Flow theory – designing maps to lead players smoothly from one note to the next – became crucial in osu! mapping. This was a turning point, as flow-focused mapping allowed for more intuitive and enjoyable gameplay.
Advanced Patterns and Difficulty Levels: Stacked notes, spaced streams, and “deathstreams” gained popularity. Many maps started including insane and extra difficulties with high Approach Rate (AR) and Overall Difficulty (OD).
The Advent of Tech Mapping: "Tech maps," focused on intricate, challenging slider and rhythm patterns, emerged. This style was demanding but showcased artistic and innovative mapping techniques.
Innovative Mapping Tools and Techniques: New editor features allowed mappers to make better adjustments to hit objects and timing. This led to more polished maps and greater creativity in design.
Iconic Maps and Mappers: This period saw maps like Blue Zenith and mappers like Monstrata and pishifat rising in popularity, each bringing their unique styles and contributing to a diverse mapping culture.
- 2018-2020: The Meta Becomes Diverse
Mapping Styles Expand: By now, the osu! community accepted multiple distinct mapping styles, including tech, aim-focused maps, gimmick maps, and more. Each style had its own dedicated fans and players.
Speed Mapping and Tournament Maps: Speed-focused maps became a genre in themselves, with maps tailored for competitive play. This period also saw an increase in mappers creating maps specifically for tournaments.
Rise of Mapping Tutorials and Resources: Mappers like pishifat released detailed tutorials and video content, helping newer mappers learn the essentials and understand mapping theory.
Ranked System and Rules Refinement: With so many styles, the Ranking Criteria was refined to accommodate diverse mapping approaches. This flexibility allowed more mappers to achieve ranked status with varied map types.
- 2021-Present: The Era of Artistic Expression and Modern Complexity
High Precision and Complexity in Mapping: Mappers started pushing the limits of osu! mapping with extremely high-level difficulty maps that combined elements from various mapping styles, such as tech, flow, and aim.
Emphasis on Creativity and Aesthetic Mapping: Maps became more artistic, with themes matching the song’s tone and mood. Some maps are now visually stunning, integrating storytelling and emotional impact through patterns and rhythm choice.
Streamlined Tools and Improved Editing Capabilities: Editor updates made mapping easier, leading to a wave of new mappers with creative ideas. Sliders and timing became more refined, and new mapping tools allowed for even greater customization.
Gimmick Maps and Experimentation: Gimmick maps, where unusual patterns or unexpected elements are used for a unique experience, gained a significant following.
Influential Mappers and Community: Mappers like Mismagius, Sotarks, and Fuma introduced new techniques and popularized extreme challenges, while the community of both new and veteran mappers continued to push osu!mapping forward.
Key Mapping Styles Across the Years
Each era saw dominant mapping styles that reflected the community’s evolving taste and skill levels:
Symmetric and Simple Mapping (2007-2011)
Experimental Mapping and Slider Art (2012-2014)
Flow Mapping and High Difficulty (2015-2017)
Tech and Aim-focused Maps (2018-2020)
Complexity and Aesthetic Mapping (2021-present)