Why do you make maps?

[sept]

Just throwing out an open question to all mappers. It seems like a pretty important one.

I map because it entertains me and possibly find one of the last few things mappers haven't done yet with N.

[otters~1]

I map because it's slightly more interesting than putting a pencil to paper.

[Pheidippides]

I map because it's slightly more interesting than putting a pencil to paper.

That's a good way to put it. It's also less intimidating than putting a pencil to paper because the possibilities, though extremely numerous, are finite. You can do /anything/ with a pencil and paper. With N, you make maps.

[aids]

It's one of the only things which won't let me down. Also one of the only things I can do on this broken laptop.

Music and movies and food might be the only other things. (I'll add God too but don't really want to debate about it.)

[Kablizzy]

I used to map.

[PALEMOON]

it's fun to make things for other people to experience

[yahoozy]

N is my favorite medium.

[im_bad_at_n]

Hmm.. I never gave this much thought. Originally I'd say it was because it was the only thing to do on the computer when I didn't have internet access, but now with 24/7 availability (we switched providers) I noticed no real change so I doubt that was it. This will have me thinking...

[Rose]

At the very beginning, I thought it was just something that I'd do for a couple weeks and then move on. When people didn't laugh me off of NUMA, I decided to keep going. For the first year or two, I mapped because of what PALEMOON said: I wanted to provide others with an experience. After I lost interest in playing/writing music, it became my only artistic outlet. At the risk of sounding selfish, though, things have changed. Providing others with an experience is no longer my primary motive; it's nice when people enjoy my maps, but the only reason I'm still going is for one reason only: after all this time, it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

[scythe]

I could show them to an employer someday.

[aids]

I could show them to an employer someday.

"Hey look, based off my knowledge of DDAs I'd be the perfect coordinator for you!"

"What's a DDA?"

"..."

(And if anybody asks, it stands for Distribution & Demographic Analyst.)

[Nexx]

after all this time, it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

That. But why not just play maps then? Well, that's certainly part of the fun, but there's something about creating maps that's engrossing in its own right.

[otters~1]

after all this time, it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

That. But why not just play maps then? Well, that's certainly part of the fun, but there's something about creating maps that's engrossing in its own right.

I've always been 100% more interested in games in which you created your own setting. Except for Brawl.

[Pheidippides]

Except for Brawl.

I know, right? I was so disappointed by the Stage Editor.

[otters~1]

Except for Brawl.

I know, right? I was so disappointed by the Stage Editor.

Yeah! Along with everything else.

[Broghan]

Sheer mo'fuckin' freedom of possibilities. Also, this community is fantastic. Why wouldn't you want to be involved in this place?

[Sunset]

It calms me.

[Destiny]

It combines my creative and artistic interests and capabilities with my knowledge and interest for games and game mechanics. Not to mention you guys are awesome, and not to mention the wierdly large amount of pleasure I get whenever somebody comments on my maps <3

[Kablizzy]

This is why I make maps.

[aids]

This is why I make maps.

I don't think this YoSniper cat is one of our crowd, but regardless, that series is the best thing I've ever watched. All the Dave-hatin' is amazing.

[Kablizzy]

I *know*, right? I think he was a part of the old community, as he knows of Dave and his alcoholism, but seriously. That's the coolest thing anyone has ever done for the community.

[Corky Romano]

In most other things I do I am free to do whatever I wish, without having to conform to any certain rules. I make maps because, with a limited number of shapes to utilize, I am challenged to think in ways I do not usually think; which is, in my opinion, refreshing.

[The Black Lion]

I think most of the mappers are clever and creative and NEED to use their mind to create something. For me mapping is a minimalist representation of Art. N is a lot more basic than music or photography because everybody use the same tools and there is only few tools. Mapping is universal. The challenge is what can you make with those tools? And it is an incredible stimulation of my mind. And it brings me happy I can make something which I take fun making it and others take fun playing it.

[maya]

This is why I make maps.

There are way too many quotable moments in that video.

[Ferox]

Because it is fun and there are so many outcomes.