Castles? How to please

[RpgMe]

Hello everyone,
      This is my first real post and I am hoping I posted in the right place.
I am trying to make a castle but I cannot seem to do it right. I was wondering if there are any suggested tutorials or references I should look at. I tried using the search engine but (I know I am going to get yelled at ^_^) the layout of the search results are horrible and I cannot find anything on it.

 

[Kraft]

VX or XP?

 

[RpgMe]

Oh I am sorry I am using XP

 

[dadevvtsvre]

Do you mean the outside or inside of castles? After a quick search I found these videas that you might find helpful.
Scroll down, they're at the bottom.

Remember, if you want tips on how to improve your maps, post 'em in the Mapping Improvement Thread.

 

[Spoo]

Ugh DO NOT use Willowsidhe's tutorials for most anything good.  She's far too overrated for the quality of her maps. 

 

[RpgMe]

Yea I saw those tutorials I thought they were kind of bland but good for starting out and learning the tilesets but I would not recommend her "shall I say" style of mapping.

 

[Surmuck]

your cool n' all n' stuff but this is a forum not a novel so you don't have to indent your posts.
it's ok.
i'm making your life easier now.

 

[Mikee]

I don't mean to be rude, or out of place in any way...

But is it really necessary to comment on how a user indents their post?  I mean... this coming from someone who doesn't even capitalize their sentences?  I found it refreshing that someone could use correct grammar.  It's easier to read, I thought.

Anyway... *sighs*  Sorry about that... I DO write novels.  XD

Are you looking for a layout tutorial, or just a quick list of suggestions?  Because, I tend to always make small maps with a lot of transfer player points.  But then I start to realize that it's more work than it's worth. 
Try making a few large maps for the different sections of the castle, like the royal areas make one map, the dining areas one and then based on your castle, perhaps a dungeon area or the maid's chambers.  That way you can make it easier and more realistic while your exploring the area.  And you can make it easier to stick to a theme that way.  Other than that, I'd probably take a look at some interior mapping tutorials. 

 

[RpgMe]

I actually trying to learn both exterior and interior, I seem to have more difficulty with interior though. What exactly would you find in a castle? What is the layout?

 

[Mikee]

Hmm... That is a good question.  I would break down what you want to happen in the castle.  Then consider what your characters would come across while trying to achieve the goal.  Like... if they're just there to talk to the king, then I wouldn't put a lot of detail into the maid's chambers, or the armory.  Maybe just do one hallway to the royal chambers with a few locked doors here and there.  Mapping is a big must in any game, but it's only as good as it's storyline behind the maps. 

 

[Tindy]

Def agree with Mikee - if you don't need to explore a castle for clues or whatever, then don't try to make the entirety of it, all however many floors and chambers and closets and etc etc.  If you need to go up to a tower - make the stairwell and maybe a small room on each floor.  That plus a throne room is really all you'd need - but it's nice to add a place to save, a place to regenerate health, and maybe one or two more areas to explore.  Basements are always great locations for dungeons and fighting and stuff.

 

[Mikee]

Don't forget CHESTS!!  Every adventurer needs a little ray of hope that keeps telling him to trudge onward.  Give them a treasure chest!

 

[Muffins .org]

And put down a long rout leading to a rumored chest...
that apparently is going to have nothing in it :grin:

 

[RpgMe]

lol That is just cruel ^_^