5 Easy Steps to Create Custom Maps in Ready or Not

Embark on an immersive experience as you venture into the realm of level design with Ready or Not. Craft your own unique battlegrounds, challenge your fellow officers, and elevate your tactical gameplay to new heights. However, the path to cartographic mastery requires precise execution and a comprehensive understanding of the software’s capabilities. Fear not, intrepid designer, for this guide will serve as your unwavering compass, guiding you through the intricate steps of map creation in Ready or Not.

To initiate your journey, you must first familiarize yourself with the game’s intuitive level editor. Its user-friendly interface empowers you to seamlessly manipulate terrain, place objects, and orchestrate lighting effects with effortless precision. Begin by selecting a blank canvas or importing an existing map as a foundation for your masterpiece. Unleash your creativity as you sculpt mountains, carve out valleys, and design intricate structures that will serve as the stage for exhilarating firefights and strategic confrontations. As you shape the environment, keep in mind the flow of combat and the objectives that will drive the gameplay experience.

Once the foundation of your map is firmly established, it’s time to populate it with props, objects, and interactive elements that will bring your vision to life. Ready or Not provides an extensive library of assets, ranging from everyday objects to complex machinery and intricate architectural details. Utilize these resources to craft realistic and immersive environments that will challenge players’ tactical decision-making and test their abilities to the limit. Position cover points strategically, create chokepoints that foster intense confrontations, and incorporate environmental hazards to add an extra layer of depth and unpredictability to the gameplay.

Understanding the Layout of Ready or Not Levels

Ready or Not levels are complex and labyrinthine environments, requiring players to navigate with precision and stealth. Understanding the layout and structure of these levels is crucial for success.

Map Design and Layout

The maps in Ready or Not are typically large and immersive, featuring a variety of rooms, corridors, and outdoor areas. The environments are designed to be realistic and immersive, with a focus on environmental detail and interactivity. Each level is unique, with its own layout and challenges.

Key Locations and Objectives

Within each map, there are key locations and objectives that players must identify and complete. These may include rescuing hostages, disarming bombs, or eliminating suspects. Understanding the layout of the map and the location of these key areas is essential for efficient navigation and mission success.

Table: Key Locations and Objectives

Location	Objective
Suspect Safe House	Eliminate suspects
Hostage Location	Rescue hostages
Bomb Location	Disarm bomb
Evidence Room	Gather evidence
Escape Zone	Exit the level

Creating Custom Walls and Obstacles

Custom barriers and walls provide boundless opportunities for environmental diversity in your maps. Here’s how to craft these elements:

1. Importing Assets

To begin, import the assets you’ll use into the editor. Select “Assets” > “Import” and navigate to the desired files (e.g., wall textures, obstacle models).

2. Creating Custom Walls

Under “Objects” > “Structural” > “Walls,” select “Custom Wall” to create a new wall. Adjust its dimensions, position, and orientation as needed.

3. Applying Textures

In the “Materials” tab, click the “Add” button and select “Texture.” Navigate to the imported wall texture and apply it to the wall’s surfaces.

4. Designing Obstacles

To create obstacles, select “Objects” > “Structural” > “Obstacles.” Choose from a variety of shapes and sizes, such as:

Obstacle Type	Description
Barricades	Temporary barriers made of wood or metal, providing cover and blocking paths.
Sandbags	Fortified defenses made of sand-filled bags, creating cover and blocking line of sight.
Crates	Robust wooden boxes that can be stacked or scattered for cover, obstacles, and storage.
Objects	Miscellaneous objects like furniture, boxes, and tires, which can be placed to add variety and detail.

Adjust the position, size, and orientation of each obstacle to create realistic and engaging environments.

Testing and Troubleshooting the Map

8. Testing and Refining the Map’s Performance

Performance Analysis:

The map’s performance can be assessed through comprehensive testing to identify potential bottlenecks or optimization opportunities. Techniques such as profiling, tracing, and load balancing should be employed to analyze response times, memory usage, and overall system stability.

Debugging Techniques:

Logging and Diagnostics: Configure the map to enable logging of relevant data and debugging output. This information can provide valuable insights into errors, performance issues, or other system anomalies.
Error Handling: Implement robust error handling mechanisms to gracefully recover from unexpected conditions. By logging or reporting errors in a structured manner, subsequent troubleshooting and resolution can be greatly facilitated.
Testing with Realistic Data: Utilize testing datasets that closely represent the expected real-world usage patterns. This enables the identification of edge cases or performance limitations that may not be apparent during initial testing with simplified data.

Optimization and Tuning:

Resource Allocation Tuning: Adjust the allocation of resources (e.g., CPU, memory) to the map to optimize its performance. Experiment with different configurations to determine the optimal balance between resource utilization and processing efficiency.
Code Optimization: Review and optimize the codebase to identify and eliminate performance bottlenecks. Consider techniques like code profiling, code refactoring, and optimizing data structures to improve computation efficiency.
Performance Monitoring: Establish a performance monitoring framework to track key metrics over time. By monitoring performance indicators, proactive interventions can be made to address any potential performance degradations or identify areas for further optimization.

Publishing and Sharing the Map with the Community

Once your map is complete, you can publish it for the Ready Or Not community to enjoy. Here’s how:

Exporting the Map

1. Open the Unity editor and select your map in the Project hierarchy.
2. Go to the File menu and select Build Settings.
2. In the Build Settings window, select the platform (Windows or Linux).
3. In the Output path field, specify the folder where you want to export the map.
4. Click Build and Wait for the export process to complete.

Creating a Demo ZIP

1.Locate the exported map folder.
2. Create a new ZIP archive.
3. Add the following files and folders to the ZIP:

The level.area file
The level.json file
The Data folder
The StreamingAssets folder

4. Name the ZIP file with the name of your map.

Uploading to the Workshop

1. Go to the Steam Workshop for Ready Or Not.
2. Click on “Create New Item.”
3. In the item creation window, select “Level.”
4. Drag and drop the map ZIP file in the “Content” field.
5. Fill out the item information (name, description, tags).
5. Click “Publish.”
6. Once the upload is complete, your map will be available for others to download and play.

Sharing via Other Platforms

If you don’t want to use the Steam Workshop, you can share your map through other platforms such as Nexus Mods or ModDB.

Community Resources

There are numerous resources available to help you with map making and sharing in the Ready Or Not community. Here are a few:

Resource	Description	Link
Discord Server	Community-run Discord server with discussion channels, modding tutorials, and map-sharing.	[Link to Discord server]
Modding Wiki	Official wiki maintained by the Ready Or Not development team with documentation on map making.	[Link to modding wiki]
Level Design Feedback Forum	Community forum where you can share your maps for feedback and improvement suggestions.	[Link to forum]

Light and Shadow

Lighting plays a crucial role in creating atmosphere and guiding players’ attention. Use natural and artificial light sources to create realistic and engaging environments. Experiment with different lighting angles to highlight key areas and add depth to the map.

Objective Placement

The placement of objectives and points of interest is essential for directing player flow and maintaining engagement. Consider the game mode, player objectives, and map layout to determine the optimal locations for these elements.

Variety and Detail

Avoid monotony by incorporating a diverse range of environments, textures, and objects. Small details, such as scattered furniture, graffiti, and environmental storytelling, can add richness and make the map feel more immersive.

Cover and Vantage Points

Provide players with a variety of cover options and vantage points to support different playstyles and tactics. Balanced cover placement ensures that players have equal opportunities for success and promotes dynamic gameplay.

Player Flow

Guide players through the map in a natural and logical way. Use visual cues, such as signage and landmarks, to help players navigate and understand the map’s layout. Encourage exploration and discovery by providing multiple paths and hidden areas.

Sound Design

Incorporate ambient sounds, such as footsteps, gunfire, and dialogue, to create a sense of immersion and atmosphere. Use audio cues to alert players to important events or hidden objects, enhancing the gameplay experience.

Destruction and Interactivity

Allow players to interact with the environment by destroying objects, opening doors, and manipulating props. This adds an element of realism and provides players with new tactical opportunities.

Map Flow and Balance

Test the map thoroughly to ensure it flows well and is balanced for all players. Adjust the placement of objectives, cover, and vantage points as necessary to maintain fairness and promote engaging gameplay.

Map Scaling

Consider the scale of the map in relation to the number of players and the game mode. Ensure that the map is large enough to provide ample space for exploration and strategic maneuvers, while also maintaining a sense of intimacy.

Playtesting and Feedback

Gather feedback from playtesters to identify areas for improvement and refine the map’s design. Listen attentively to suggestions and consider implementing changes to enhance the gameplay experience.

How to Create a Map for Ready or Not

Ready or Not is a tactical shooter game that allows players to create and share their own custom maps. Here are the steps on how to make a map for Ready or Not:

Open the Ready or Not Level Editor:
- Launch Ready or Not and select "Level Editor" from the main menu.
- Click on "New Level" and choose a name for your map.
Choose a Map Template:
- Select a map template from the "Templates" tab.
- There are various templates available, ranging from empty indoor spaces to outdoor environments.
Build Your Map:
- Use the tools in the "Editor" tab to build your map.
- You can add walls, floors, doors, windows, and other objects.
- Use the "Terrain" tab to create hills, valleys, and other landscape features.
Add Details:
- Add props, furniture, and other details to make your map more realistic and immersive.
- Use the "Materials" tab to apply textures and materials to surfaces.
Set Up Spawn Points:
- Place spawn points for players and AI enemies.
- Make sure there are enough spawn points for both teams.
Create Objectives:
- Add objectives to your map, such as capturing points, planting bombs, or rescuing hostages.
- Use the "Objectives" tab to set up the objective rules.
Test and Publish:
- Test your map thoroughly to ensure it is playable and balanced.
- Once you are satisfied with your map, publish it to the Steam Workshop so others can download and play it.