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Good mappers aren't always good modders (and vice versa)

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KRZY
In other words, modding and mapping are two separate things.

Discuss.
awp
I agree with the vice versa but would disagree with the implication that someone who is a good mapper lacks the capacity to be a good modder. The only reason a good mapper wouldn't be a good modder would be if s/he was simply not putting the effort in and not trying to do a good job.
Daru

awp wrote:

I agree with the vice versa but would disagree with the implication that someone who is a good mapper lacks the capacity to be a good modder. The only reason a good mapper wouldn't be a good modder would be if s/he was simply not putting the effort in and not trying to do a good job.
I would disagree, if only because of my experience with art critique.

A good mapper may simply "know" intuitively what feels good in a map or not, and make his or her maps accordingly. Looking at another person's map, however, they may feel that some things could be off based on the modder's own personal mapping preferences, not objective things like too-big jumps or too-long streams. In other words, he or she may impose their own style upon a map they're modding, which, in my opinion, wouldn't be a particularly good mod.
anonymous_old
The ability to create has little to do with the ability to control.
Adarin

Daru wrote:

In other words, he or she may impose their own style upon a map they're modding, which, in my opinion, wouldn't be a particularly good mod.
I don't have much mapping experience and much less experience in modding maps so it's probably not my place to say anything but like Daru said, the complications of a lack of objectivity involves imposing their own styles and preferences but unless I'm completely wrong, you don't have to use other people's suggestions meaning it could be a good mod but only to people who like it.

Naturally, if a lot of people agree that there is a problem then the map should be fixed accordingly but there's always going to be a certain subjectivity in the way people perceive things - whether you're a mapper or not because that's really how this world works.

Mods in essence are really an expression of opinion in regards to what they think is right or wrong or perhaps good or bad in order to help the mapper so if the mapper can justify why they disagree, then fair enough but if they're just stubborn - there's probably not much you can do about it.
Neo Adonis
I'm not a good mapper, and maybe I'm not a good modder. But I'll try to get better in both.

If one is a good mapper, he/she will have his/her own mapping style. When they're modding, they make their tips according to their experience. But sometimes these are not the tips what a novice mapper needs. This happens grosso modo.

Although I think a good modder can be (and most of the times are) good mappers. Just look at Krisom or Larto.
Shohei Ohtani
But the converse and contrapositive of this are always true.

aka: Terrible mappers are terrible modders.
0_o

CDFA wrote:

Terrible mappers are terrible modders.
I can think of a few exceptions off the top of my head.
vytalibus
Modding and mapping are two distinct things that overlap each other. One can map well but not mod well, and vice versa. However, one can also utilize the things they learn from both of them to incorporate them into either actions.

Mapping is, of course, making maps. It's usually focused on what the mapper wants to add in the map; hence, it is taken from the "me" perspective. However, the things one learns from mod posts created by other users when they upload their maps start to take into account both the application of standards and limits and the expectations from the modders, allowing the "me" perspective to broaden into a "us" perspective.

Modding, on the other hand, is the thorough and proper checking of maps, usually someone else's. This requires the modder to have a sense of dedication and willingness to improve one's maps, as well as see things that are created from the point of someone else. In turn, they accumulate all the things they see and sometimes cross-check them with what they've been doing all along: they might find new patterns to put in or start avoiding common mistakes that they make. This is especially evident when a modder starts to map for himself after modding a handful of maps.

Though for the sake of technicality, I would agree with the title. However, I strongly believe that good mappers CAN be good modders, and vice versa.
awp
Mappers should know how to/should mod their own stuff
whymeman

awp wrote:

Mappers should know how to/should mod their own stuff
Then again, some refuse certain suggestions for their own ideas.....
Daru

whymeman wrote:

awp wrote:

Mappers should know how to/should mod their own stuff
Then again, some refuse certain suggestions for their own ideas.....
Whether or not the one getting modded refuses suggestions is irrelevant to the quality of the mod.
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