Map Names
Creator: Surto8 || First Published: 01/02/2021 || Players: 4 || Size: 13x13
Categories: None
Rating: 0 in 0 ratings
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Comments:
Surto8 (01/02/2021 09:06am | Edited: 01/02/2021 12:16pm):
My observations are that there are 3 types of map names.

1) Scenario names. This type of name describes what is happening in the map and it can give context to the map in a
variety ways. It can give a face to the war by giving names to the landmasses that are being fought over,
giving associations to the countries on the map, and more literally describing what is happening in the scenario.
Examples: Rivers of Blue Moon, The Strike at Shayol Ghul, European Diplomats, By Sea

2) Thing names. This type of name is often but not always related to the map, the map can have the shape of the thing or
include a gameplay gimmick that is associated with it. Sprite maps are included in this category,
Examples: Brewer's Star, Blue Fish, Golden Spiral, warriors` platform

3) Emotional/Abstract names. This type of name has rarely ever an actual connection to the map. It does not describe
anything concrete, but rather abstractions only understood by the human mind. Typically has some kind of poetic value.
Examples: "What", Desolation Hymn, Could Have Been, "The flowers sing but war still rages on"

Note there may be some points of overlap, for instance a thing name that can also be a scenario name (example: Ruins)
SleepyDragon (01/03/2021 06:22am):
Thats actually a good summary of map names on AWBW. Category 3 usually has the
most boring maps for me
Surto6 (01/03/2021 09:58am | Edited: 01/03/2021 03:10pm):
I think I agree, Category 3 are almost exclusively 1v1 maps and there is honestly only so much variety you can make before
you start to see patterns and maps begin to seem alike. And also you feel less of a connection to the map, when the
name and the map are completely unrelated.

But maybe I'm biased since I'm bad at 1v1s lol
LiT‼ (01/03/2021 04:08pm | Edited: 01/03/2021 04:54pm):
The majority of my maps are not 'abstract concepts', but either the title of or a
reference to the song I'm making the map to, songs which I turn into maps through
synesthesia - my maps and titles are related to me, albeit I'd assume the connection
will be lost on anyone else.

I also make hundreds of maps and they're almost all 1v1s because that's the most
comfy thing for me to map, so yeah there's going to be a trend in that direction.


Not to mention that between 1, 2 and 3, you essentially covered every potential map
name aside from Benjamin and the bunch of maps named Steve, anyway, because
that's how names work.
Hell, your map here is named after an 'abstract name only understood by the human
mind'.
Surto6 (01/04/2021 06:14am | Edited: 01/04/2021 06:15am):
Seems like LiT took personal offense from this :D

If a name doesn't describe a scenario or a thing, in other words something concrete and physical, then it describes some
'abstraction' that only exists in the context of the human mind (but not the physical world). Prove me wrong?
LiT‼ (01/04/2021 12:06pm):
First of, I did not take offense. I'm merely saying that the whole 'every map name
belongs into one of three groups' statement is entirely trivial and pointless, on top of
having nothing to do with AWBW maps because the same applies to every word in the
English language and then some. If I sounded aggravated during that post, it's because
I was, although I assure you this had absolutely nothing to do with your comment or
anything AWBW-related at all and had a real life cause. My apologies for the passive-
aggressive tone.

Second of, in reference to the earlier comment, "starting to see a pattern in maps" is
generally a *good* thing as far as competitive metagames are concerned. Optimal
maps for such formats (which is what most symmetrical 1v1 maps strive to be)
typically won't come out of nowhere, but are the result of a sizable number of
reworkings, reimplementations and upgrades of earlier ideas - things that work well
stay, while those that are still inprovable get tampered with in an effort to end up with a
better map than the previous one(s) designed through a similar scheme.
If maps' basic design ideas start to converge, that typically means that a large part of
each one is slowly approaching a design level more suitable to the original goal of the
maps' creation, which, in the case of 1v1 games, tends to be the best all-around
experience at high levels of play.
Surto6 (01/05/2021 09:13am | Edited: 01/05/2021 09:51am):
You know what? You are right, this is an absolutely trivial (but not pointless!) endeavor!
If it was pointless, then we wouldn't be fighting over it, now would we?

This isn't merely about competitive 1v1 maps or mape names, no, it is much more. It is a war for honour and ideology. He
who wins this conflict has right. I am sure that as a fellow Advanced Warrior, you understand this feeling.. the thrill of battle.

In reply to your latest argument, "starting to see a pattern in map names" is generally a good thing as far as science is
concerned. It has proven that you took personal offense from seeing patterns in map names, the proof of which lies in your
first comment. There you spoke from a personal level, defensively trying to protect your map names. You had seen that the
people who commented in this thread did not like the type of map names your maps carried with them, and it wounded you
grievously.
Don't you see now? Map names are a very serious topic, not to be underestimated. I am sure that even you yourself, despite
denials, know it in your heart.

This departure from the Scenario to the Abstract might be the a representation of the clash between casual and competitive
mapes. In order to fulfill their ultimate goal of becoming the best map in the world, the competitive map leaves behind their
humanity, devoting every tile of their being to being the perfect experience at high levels of play.
The casual map goes the other path and chooses to bear imperfections, even cherishing and highlighting them. It will imitate
historical battles or landmasses, hold host for team games with up to 16 players and produce ridiculous shapes and concepts
without regard to balance. And it does so by immersing the player.
The Abstract name wants to reach perfection. The Scenario name strives for uniqueness & memorability.

In this manner, the split between Scenario and Abstract showcases your true face, namely what kind of AWBWer you are and
what kind of maps you play on.
LiT‼ (01/07/2021 06:43pm):
I deeply hope that this bunch of sarcastic nonsense was intended to be just that.

"If it was pointless, then we wouldn't be fighting over it, now would we?"
This is the internet. I assure you I have had much longer and thorough discussions on
much, much less important and relevant topics than this one.
That, however, does not make this issue less trivial.

"It is a war for honour and ideology. He
who wins this conflict has right. I am sure that as a fellow Advanced Warrior, you
understand this feeling.. the thrill of battle. "
...I have no idea what this is even supposed to mean, if it even is supposed to mean
anything.

"In reply to your latest argument, "starting to see a pattern in map names" is generally a
good thing as far as science is
concerned."
Wrong. I stated that seeing patterns in the maps themselves, their capture phases,
their setups etc. is a good thing assuming these patterns diverge towards the desired
goal.

"It has proven that you took personal offense from seeing patterns in map names, the
proof of which lies in your
first comment. "
If you believe that the mood I am in after trying to comfort a friend during a panic
attack of theirs that lasted two and a half hours straight has anything to do with map
commentary, keep believing your nonsense.

"You had seen that the
people who commented in this thread did not like the type of map names your maps
carried with them, and it wounded you
grievously. "
I have stated before that I map primarily out of self-expression. Whatever a bunch of
people I rarely interact with thinks about my map is fairly irrelevant to me.
I do sometimes desire to make my maps playable in a competitive setting while doing
so, as one way to share the joy I feel whilst making maps.

"In order to fulfill their ultimate goal of becoming the best map in the world, the
competitive map leaves behind their
humanity, devoting every tile of their being to being the perfect experience at high
levels of play. "
This is a wonderfully eloquent way of saying that you have no clue how I make maps.
That process is much more aptly described by this trail of thoughts: 'Oh, some of this
here, this area here could use some forests, maybe some cities here?
Look, this'd look real pretty with a few roads here aaand- done! On to the next one!'

"The Abstract name wants to reach perfection. The Scenario name strives for
uniqueness & memorability."
https://awbw.amarriner.com/prevmaps.php?maps_id=86749
This map is about a month old, hasn't been edited since I shared it in the discord back
then and completely disproves your point about map idea and map name being
related.
If you still believe that scenario names always follow "your" paradigm, I recommend
looking through the map search and finding the solid number of maps like 1v1
Stalingrad that are laid out for competitive play despite the name.
What you're doing here is making a faulty assumption of an existing connection (map
name and map idea) based off a biased sample group (recent maps, which is very
strongly shifted towards my map due to my frequent mass mapping) and trying to
defend that mistaken connection through accusing me of taking the debate too
personally and drawing it as a black and white issue, instead of bringing up proper
points.


"In this manner, the split between Scenario and Abstract showcases your true face,
namely what kind of AWBWer you are and
what kind of maps you play on."
I play a bunch of FFAs and play in the league on a low tier only alt. What a pure
competitive player striving for perfection i must be, just as your prognosis based off a
bunch of map names states!

Surto6 (01/07/2021 07:10pm | Edited: 01/07/2021 07:28pm):
It seems this is the end for me. You have fought bravely and righteously, and now there is nothing left of my army, nor is there
a land for me to return to.

However, even if I die here, I don't think I have fought in vain.

You say you don't understand what I mean, but is that true? I can't believe it.
Even after this fight, you claim that you don't understand the thrill of battle? You claim that you dont understand the purpose
of this war? Even after the way you just fought?
What is it then that you are fighting for, if neither for the thrill of battle nor for the sake of your ideals?
LiT‼ (01/08/2021 01:35am):
"You say you don't understand what I mean, but is that true? I can't believe it. "
I'd probably understand more if you spoke in English and not in fluent warrior prose, for
one.

"Even after this fight, you claim that you don't understand the thrill of battle? You claim
that you dont understand the purpose
of this war? Even after the way you just fought? "
why would i start trivial discussions with strangers if not for the "thrill" of... throwing
words at each other?
You might be onto something here and if I understood your phrasing I might agree with
this

"What is it then that you are fighting for, if neither for the thrill of battle nor for the sake
of your ideals?"
Cash Money, Yeaahhh
Surto6 (01/09/2021 09:24am):
Well, look at it from this perspective: If you were ace detective Sherlock Holmes, what would you do?
Ilese (01/15/2021 11:56am):
Yo this comment section is a gold mine. I just realized lots of my maps also fall into type 3 :o
Uncharted᎓ Jake`s Fortune (01/15/2021 12:27pm):
If I was Sherlock Holmes,

I would earn money.
Ilese (01/15/2021 12:39pm):
Capitalist Sherlock
LiT! (01/15/2021 03:43pm):
Better to be a smart Capitalist Sherlock and keep your smarts than to be Communist
Sherlock and share it until you're just as stupid as everyone else.
Ilese (01/16/2021 12:55am):
Smh Communist Waston use all of your smart then write a book series about em... now everyone know your smart
LiT! (01/16/2021 09:25am):
They may know my smart, but they do not have my smart.
I still have my smart. It's mine.
Surto8 (01/25/2021 06:57pm):
Capitalist Sherlock: use smarts as starting capital to invest in more smarts and grow smarter
Surto8 (01/25/2021 06:59pm):
a FFA map with a built-in stock market would be amazing



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