Other Just a question about maps (mapmakers I suggest you take a look)

Alright, I'll give you some of my opinions.

I personally love simplistic designs, but also detailed builds, so my eyes don't bleed out XD. If designs are overly complicated, it tends to cause confusion. Of course, it should be a new design, even if it is a rework. I hate to play some map that is almost the same as others, like the opposites collides maps.

Gameplay wise, I like open flagrooms and open areas. Don't let my opinion overly influence your decision, because this might be slightly biased. Also, if you're making easter eggs, make sure it is something that isn't abusable for flag carriers, because that can get annoying sometimes

 

IMO most maps like blackout have great gameplay ugly aesthetics, I'd prefer a mix but I do prefer aesthetics.

 

I like a good blend of balance and aesthetics. Always keep gameplay in mind when building a map, but don't make it just flat out ugly (blackout, standoff, ect)

 

I agree 100% with @GalaThundR. I also enjoy looking around for secrets in maps. :3

 

Simplistic
A lot of the time simplistic builds can look amateurish or rushed. If you can make it look good, go for it, but it's not something I would recommend.
Open
Vulnerable to ranged classes.
Aesthetically pleasing
Duh!
Balanced
See above ^^^
Highly detailed
Too much detail can cause lag (see Highrise v4) and can cause confusion if the flagroom and spawn aren't immediately obvious. On the other hand, it is one of the best ways of making things look good: why not mix it with a simplistic theme?
Close Quarters
Smaller maps tend to be more fun (see Blackout, Skyworlds).
Secrets Huzzah
Everyone loves secrets, but be careful they're not abuseable.
A new design
Please! We don't need anymore castles separated by rivers!

 

Brb making a map where a river his seperates by a castle!

 

I like aesthetics as well as good gameplay. I also have a thread here: https://www.brawl.com/threads/53519/

for map ideas.

 

I think maps need to be created around the idea of perfect imbalance as opposed to complete balance. I have tried making maps that are as balanced as I could make them, namely Lighthouse V and Kingdom Islands I, but after actually playing them I've found they are quite boring.

Maps like Blackout, Lowrise, Giant Chests, etc, aren't particularly balanced maps; they're all quite offensively op and are easy maps to steal on but at the same time are good for assassin, archer or ninja, for example, and so are pretty strong on recov too. Because of this they play in such a way that means the flag is often gone and the games are pretty high tempo and fast and, although you do die a lot on these maps, they are still quite fun to play because you can go back and attempt a steal quite easily. If you compare this to, say, Kingdom Islands I, which is somewhat balanced apart from archer, you will see that the games are a lot slower and generally more boring (in my opinion) than the maps I previously mentioned. If you can find a good balance between offense/recov so that the map isn't too favourable towards one of the two but still gives both a good shot then you will probably make a really enjoyable map.

 

I've never thought about it this way but it makes so much sense...