Edges of Maps?

[Micro]

So I'm getting started on a new project here but I've always wondered, what should I put on the edges of maps to keep it looking interesting? Should I use the terrain tile or should there be black space at the edges? Anyone have some good map examples for me to look at to learn from cuz I'm a super newb here. I'm just making the map square-shaped and wasn't sure if it should be some special shape or something haha.

I'm making an ice map right now so if anyone has some examples for me that would be great.

I'd post what I'm working on but I JUST started it now so there's not much to look at but a house and snow and a few trees. I'd just like some advice before I spend a ton of time on it.

Thanks!

EDIT: Screenshots would be awesome, no videos/tutorials please since I don't have a lot of time. Just wanna take a quick look at some examples and draw some visual inspiration from them.

 

[LTN Games]

Just do your best to fill the map, always start with a small map, and do your best to fill that in. If you need to make the map a bit bigger, then do so after you've filled the smaller map.
A bit of screenshots of some maps I've created in MV, I hope to inspire. :D

Spoiler: Screenshots of some of my maps

With the Rural tiles it can be tough to create wilderness and unique maps, this is what I came up with to limit the player from reaching edges of the map.

 

[Macro]

It seems like most of the sample maps have a black outer edge, with walls or trees edging around it and trying not to be too squarish. I pretty much follow that style myself now. I'm not really that good at adding tons of details.

If you want to get really detailed though I'd suggest checking out Google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cave+map+RPG+Maker

https://www.google.com/search?q=forest+map+RPG+Maker

 

[Micro]

these are great! thanks so much LTN!

PS, in your first winter map, I love that little snow-covered bush! I want to use it in my map, but I don't seem to have it. Where can I get it? :D

 

[LTN Games]

It's a part of Celiannas free tileset that I re-sized. If you want it's easy to do, save the tiles you want from here, go to MVFU and it will automatically resize for you, once completed download it and use it in MV. Glad I could help :D

 

[Micro]

Wow thank you so much!

 

[MinisterJay]

@LTN Games , good examples also of CONTROLLING where the player can and cannot go.

 

[Micro]

Here is what I've been working on! I tried my best, but still a newbie. ;w; I don't really like using the blackness for edges, so I experimented with other things.

Spoiler: Map

Made a few little edits since I took this screenshot, but it's basically the same.

 

[MinisterJay]

Is there a way to get into the building?

 

[Micro]

Is there a way to get into the building?

yea of course, the door-looking thing.

I'll probably add the event door later, that is just a placeholder door

 

[DarcHiro]

@Micro I like your map but I can see a couple of things to improve upon...

First off I feel like the bigger trees in the map are too boxed off... Normally there would be a couple of smaller trees in between them and they shouldn't be limited to the edges.

Secondly the stone path seems to be floating... I understand it's what you have to work with in the default designs though.

I do like it though! I was just giving you some ideas on improving it a bit.

 

[Micro]

@Micro First off I feel like the bigger trees in the map are too boxed off... Normally there would be a couple of smaller trees in between them and they shouldn't be limited to the edges.

Secondly the stone path seems to be floating... I understand it's what you have to work with in the default designs though.

I do like it though! I was just giving you some ideas on improving it a bit.

Ya that's just how I put them to block the edges of the map. Didn't have much to work with unfortunately. I probably won't be changing the trees since I don't know what to do with them really. Might try to add some littler ones in there though, but I feel like I've spent enough time on this map already and don't think it's worth holding up the rest of the game.

I'll get burned out editing it for much longer haha. I have someone who is going to polish up the map a bit for me though--it's tough to fix stuff when you've been staring at it for SOOOO long. I think it's alright as-is... for the first map I've ever done, I'm pretty proud of it. I mainly just wanted to share it with people, I wasn't really looking for criticism since I stated I'm a newbie. Learning experience and all.

I don't learn from people telling me stuff; I can only learn from doing it or looking at examples. Not meant to sound mean, just being honest haha.

As for the stone path, yea that annoyed me too. I didn't want it to "float" on the ground but rather just be a path in the water leading to the next area. Oh well, that's not really something I can fix, unfortunately.

But, I really do appreciate the time you took to give feedback, so thanks!

 

[DarcHiro]

@Micro I understand! XD I'm a newbie too, so don't let my criticism fool you... I do it a lot to myself so I should realize it's discouraging...

Sorry!

 

[Micro]

@Micro I understand! XD I'm a newbie too, so don't let my criticism fool you... I do it a lot to myself so I should realize it's discouraging...

Sorry!

Haha it's OK, I'm pretty tough to discourage. Still, it's always nice to hear good things about something you've spent a decent chunk of time on. Overall, it's fun just sharing it with other people. (Not gonna lie, I was looking for positive encouragement because it helps to keep me inspired when I hear nice things!)

It's easier to be creative when more people become part of your "dream" when you share it with them.

And hey, don't be hard on yourself! Just have fun and do what you can; you'll keep getting better every time!

 

[Macro]

I think when it comes to RPG Maker maps it's all about creativity over realism, unless the game is meant to look real. Fantastical worlds aren't going to look like in real life forests. Also I think the Zelda style open maps are fantastic, and probably what @Micro was going for here. I'm sorta opposite though and use the sample maps from the RPG Maker database to get ideas from, but I'm fine with either style (though parallax is always my favorite). For a first game though, I love the maps you have going so far.