map-design

Official Documentation:

• [Parts Overview](https://create.roblox.com/docs/parts) - Basic building blocks
• [Terrain](https://create.roblox.com/docs/environment/terrain) - Terrain editor
• [Lighting](https://create.roblox.com/docs/environment/lighting) - Atmosphere

DevForum Tutorials:

• [Ruski's Tutorial #1 - Map Layout Design](https://devforum.roblox.com/t/ruskis-tutorial-1-how-to-design-a-map-layout/277853)
• [Ruski's Tutorial #5 - Open World Maps](https://devforum.roblox.com/t/ruskis-tutorial-5-how-to-design-an-open-world-map/3554962)
• [How to Make a Simulator Map](https://devforum.roblox.com/t/how-to-make-a-simulator-map-part-1/1343396)

Creator Store Resources:

• [Tycoon Layout](https://create.roblox.com/store/asset/518672699/Tycoon-Layout-Updated)
• [Tycoon Map](https://create.roblox.com/store/asset/12061074643/Tycoon-Map)

---

Before opening Studio, answer these questions:

| Question | Impact |

|----------|--------|

| Genre | Determines flow - FPS needs fluidity, simulators need areas, obbies need progression |

| Theme | Setting, time period, colors, materials |

| Player Count | Scale and density - 6v6 is compact, 32+ needs large maps |

| Detail Level | Low-poly vs realistic, color palette, lighting |

| Shape | Avoid boxy - use curves, horseshoes, organic layouts |

Real-World Inspiration: Go outside and observe how roads curve, trees cluster, buildings have wear, nothing is perfectly uniform.

---

Visual Flow

• Players should ALWAYS see something interesting - never empty walls or dead space
• Use landmarks for navigation (tall buildings, unique structures, colored areas)
• Create sight lines that guide players toward objectives

Risk & Reward

• Dead ends offer safety but vulnerability to ambush
• Open areas are dangerous but fast to traverse
• Elevated positions offer advantage but exposure

Organization

• Group elements systematically (Terrain, Buildings, Props, NPCs)
• Name parts descriptively
• Use folders for areas (Spawn, Shop, Arena)

---

Why Lobbies Exist

| Purpose | Description |

|---------|-------------|

| Waiting Room | Round-based games need a place for players while match runs |

| Teleportation Hub | Central point with portals to different game areas/places |

| Social & Trading | Low-stress area to show off, trade, chat without danger |

| Monetization | Primary location for shops, crate openings, leaderboards |

Standard Lobby Features

Players expect these specific features:

1. Lobby Obby - Simple obstacle course in corner to entertain waiting players
2. Voting Pads - Colored floor squares to vote for next map (3-4 options)
3. Global Leaderboards - Boards showing top players (Most Wins, Most Cash)
4. Daily Reward Chest - Physical chest/circle for daily login bonus
5. Shop/Crates - Purchase area with spinning/opening animations
6. Spawn Platform - Clear central spawn point

Simulator Hub/Lobby

The central spawn area where players access shops, collections, and features.

Layout Structure:

```

+------------------+

| TERRAIN | <- Hills, trees (background)

| +----+ +----+ |

| |SHOP| |SHOP| | <- Shop stalls

| +----+ +----+ |

| |

| [DISPLAYS] | <- Pet/item displays

| |

| +----+ +----+ |

| |AREA| |AREA| | <- Feature areas

| +----+ +----+ |

| [SPAWN] | <- Center spawn

+------------------+

```

Key Elements:

• Central spawn platform (highlighted, often stone/marble)
• Shop stalls with striped awnings (red/white, blue/white)
• Display pedestals for pets/items
• Clear paths (different color/material than grass)
• Surrounding hills with trees (visual boundary)
• Multiple NPC vendors
• Sign posts (SALE!, NEW!, etc.)

Color Zones:

• Spawn area: Stone/marble (neutral)
• Grass areas: Bright green, lime green
• Paths: Brown/nougat (dirt)
• Borders: Orange, different material
• Shops: Colored awnings for identification

Stud Style (Classic Roblox):

```lua

-- All parts get studs

part.Material = Enum.Material.Plastic

part.TopSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

part.BottomSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Inlet

part.FrontSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

part.BackSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

part.LeftSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

part.RightSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

```

Tycoon Layout

Individual player plots with droppers, conveyors, and collectors.

Standard Flow:

```

[DROPPER] -> [CONVEYOR] -> [UPGRADER] -> [CONVEYOR] -> [COLLECTOR]

| |

v v

Spawns Converts

"bricks" to money

```

Plot Layout:

```

+----------------------------------+

| [BUY BUTTONS] |

| | |

| [DROPPER 1] -> [CONV] -> [UPG] |

| [DROPPER 2] -> [CONV] -> |

| [DROPPER 3] -> [CONV] ----+ |

| | |

| [COLLECTOR] <--+ |

| |

| [EXPANSION AREA...] |

+----------------------------------+

```

Key Components:

• Buy buttons (color-coded, tiered pricing)
• Droppers (spawn parts)
• Conveyors (transport parts)
• Upgraders (multiply part value)
• Collectors (convert to currency)
• Clear boundaries between plots
• Expansion areas for progression

Production Line Design:

Example: Donut Tycoon

1. Dropper: Spawns dough
2. Upgrader 1: Shapes into donut
3. Upgrader 2: Cooks/fries
4. Upgrader 3: Adds sprinkles
5. Collector: Sells completed donut

Obby Layout

Linear or tower progression with checkpoints.

Linear Obby:

```

[SPAWN] -> [STAGE 1] -> [CHECKPOINT] -> [STAGE 2] -> ... -> [WIN]

```

Tower Obby:

```

[WIN]

|

[STAGE 10]

|

[STAGE 9]

|

...

|

[STAGE 1]

|

[SPAWN]

```

Design Principles:

• Clear start and end points
• Checkpoints every 3-5 stages
• Difficulty curve (easy -> hard)
• Visual variety (don't repeat same obstacle)
• Safe zones between challenges
• Kill bricks clearly colored (red, lava material)

Obstacle Variety:

• Platform jumps (varying distances)
• Moving platforms
• Spinning obstacles
• Thin balance beams
• Disappearing platforms
• Wall jumps
• Trampolines/launchers

Tower of Hell Style:

• Randomly generated stages
• Each stage is a Model with set dimensions
• Stages stack vertically
• Rising lava for tension
• Time limit per tower

Themed Obby with Hub

Complete obby games combine a hub/lobby area with the obby course. This pattern is common for dragon obbies, adventure obbies, and similar games.

Full Layout:

```

+------------------------------------------+

| HUB AREA |

| +------+ +------+ +------+ +------+ |

| |SHOP 1| |SHOP 2| |SHOP 3| |SHOP 4| |

| +------+ +------+ +------+ +------+ |

| |

| [DISPLAYS] [SPAWN] [LEADERBOARD] |

| |

| [LOBBY OBBY] [DAILY CHEST] |

| |

| [VOTING PADS] [STATUE/DECOR] |

| |

| +----------+ |

| | GATE | |

| +----------+ |

+------------------------------------------+

|

v

+------------------------------------------+

| OBBY COURSE |

| [STAGE 1] -> [STAGE 2] -> ... -> [WIN] |

+------------------------------------------+

```

Gate/Transition Pattern:

```lua

local function createGate(position, name, parent)

local gate = Instance.new("Model")

gate.Name = name

-- Gate posts

createPart(Vector3.new(3, 15, 3), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(-8, 7.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Dark stone grey"), "PostL", gate)

createPart(Vector3.new(3, 15, 3), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(8, 7.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Dark stone grey"), "PostR", gate)

-- Gate arch

createPart(Vector3.new(19, 3, 3), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 16.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Dark stone grey"), "Arch", gate)

-- Decorative caps

createPart(Vector3.new(4, 2, 4), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(-8, 15.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "CapL", gate)

createPart(Vector3.new(4, 2, 4), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(8, 15.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "CapR", gate)

gate.Parent = parent

return gate

end

```

Winner Area Pattern:

The final area rewards players who complete the obby with visual celebration.

```lua

local function createWinnerArea(position, theme, parent)

local area = Instance.new("Model")

area.Name = "WinnerArea"

-- Victory platform (larger, special material)

createPart(Vector3.new(30, 2, 30), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 1, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Bright yellow"), "VictoryPlatform", area)

-- Treasure displays

for i = 1, 4 do

local angle = (i / 4) math.pi 2

local treasurePos = position + Vector3.new(math.cos(angle) 10, 2, math.sin(angle) 10)

createPedestal(treasurePos, area)

-- Gold pile on pedestal

createPart(Vector3.new(2, 1, 2), CFrame.new(treasurePos + Vector3.new(0, 3.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Bright yellow"), "Treasure" .. i, area)

end

-- Central victory statue/decoration

-- (Theme-specific: dragon, trophy, etc.)

area.Parent = parent

return area

end

```

Themed Decorations (Dragon Example):

```lua

-- Dragon eggs on pedestals

local function createDragonEgg(position, color, parent)

local egg = Instance.new("Part")

egg.Shape = Enum.PartType.Ball

egg.Size = Vector3.new(2, 3, 2)

egg.CFrame = CFrame.new(position)

egg.Anchored = true

egg.BrickColor = color

egg.Material = Enum.Material.Plastic

-- Apply studs to egg

egg.TopSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Studs

egg.BottomSurface = Enum.SurfaceType.Inlet

egg.Parent = parent

return egg

end

-- Treasure piles

local function createTreasure(position, parent)

local treasure = Instance.new("Model")

treasure.Name = "Treasure"

-- Gold bars (stacked)

for y = 0, 2 do

for x = -1, 1 do

createPart(Vector3.new(1, 0.5, 2),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(x 1.2, y 0.5 + 0.25, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Bright yellow"), "Gold", treasure)

end

end

-- Gems scattered on top

local gemColors = {"Bright red", "Bright blue", "Bright green", "Bright violet"}

for i = 1, 4 do

createPart(Vector3.new(0.5, 0.5, 0.5),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new((math.random() - 0.5) 2, 1.5, (math.random() - 0.5) 2)),

BrickColor.new(gemColors[i]), "Gem" .. i, treasure)

end

treasure.Parent = parent

return treasure

end

```

Tower Defense Layout

Enemy paths with tower placement zones.

Path Design:

```

[SPAWN] --+

|

+-----+-----+

| | |

+--+ | +--+ <- Winding path

| | |

+--+--+--+--+

| |

+-----+-----+

|

[EXIT]

```

Key Elements:

• Clear enemy path (highlighted material)
• Tower placement zones (grid squares, off-path)
• Multiple spawn points (later waves)
• Path intersections (strategic chokepoints)
• Visual lane indicators
• Upgrade stations/shops

Placement Grid:

```lua

-- Tower placement uses grid system

local GRID_SIZE = 4 -- 4x4 studs per cell

local function snapToGrid(position)

return Vector3.new(

math.round(position.X / GRID_SIZE) * GRID_SIZE,

position.Y,

math.round(position.Z / GRID_SIZE) * GRID_SIZE

)

end

```

Open World Map

Non-linear exploration with landmarks and regions.

Region Layout:

```

+--------+--------+--------+

| FOREST | PLAINS | DESERT |

+--------+--------+--------+

| SWAMP | [HUB] | BEACH |

+--------+--------+--------+

| CAVES | RIVER | MOUNT |

+--------+--------+--------+

```

Design Principles:

• Distinct biomes/regions
• Landmarks visible from distance
• Paths connect regions (natural flow)
• Points of interest in each area
• Central hub for fast travel
• Difficulty zones (easier near spawn)

Navigation Aids:

• Tall landmarks (towers, mountains, trees)
• Unique color palettes per region
• Map/minimap UI
• Path markers
• NPC guides

---

Layered Hills (Stud Style)

```lua

local function createHill(position, baseSize, height, parent)

local layers = math.ceil(height / 3)

for i = 1, layers do

local size = baseSize - (i - 1) * 4

if size > 2 then

createPart(

Vector3.new(size, 3, size),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, (i-1) * 3 + 1.5, 0)),

i % 2 == 1 and BrickColor.new("Bright green") or BrickColor.new("Lime green"),

"HillLayer" .. i,

parent

)

end

end

end

```

Trees (Stacked Blocks)

```lua

local function createTree(position, height, parent)

-- Trunk

createPart(

Vector3.new(2, height, 2),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, height/2, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Reddish brown"),

"Trunk",

parent

)

-- Leaves (stacked, shrinking)

local leafY = height

for i, size in ipairs({8, 6, 4}) do

createPart(

Vector3.new(size, 3, size),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, leafY + i * 3, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Bright green"),

"Leaves" .. i,

parent

)

end

end

```

Paths

```lua

local function createPath(startPos, endPos, width, parent)

local direction = endPos - startPos

local length = direction.Magnitude

local midPoint = startPos + direction / 2

local angle = math.atan2(direction.X, direction.Z)

createPart(

Vector3.new(width, 0.5, length),

CFrame.new(midPoint) * CFrame.Angles(0, angle, 0),

BrickColor.new("Nougat"),

"Path",

parent

)

end

```

---

Striped Awning Shop

```lua

local function createShop(position, name, color1, color2, parent)

local shop = Instance.new("Model")

shop.Name = name

-- Counter

createPart(Vector3.new(10, 4, 6), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 2, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Brown"), "Counter", shop)

-- Back wall

createPart(Vector3.new(10, 8, 1), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 6, 3)),

BrickColor.new("Bright orange"), "Wall", shop)

-- Pillars

createPart(Vector3.new(1, 10, 1), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(-5, 5, -2)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "PillarL", shop)

createPart(Vector3.new(1, 10, 1), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(5, 5, -2)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "PillarR", shop)

-- Striped awning

for i = 0, 4 do

createPart(

Vector3.new(2, 0.5, 5),

CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(-4 + i2, 10, 0)) CFrame.Angles(math.rad(-15), 0, 0),

i % 2 == 0 and color1 or color2,

"Awning" .. i,

shop

)

end

shop.Parent = parent

return shop

end

```

---

```lua

local function createPedestal(position, parent)

local pedestal = Instance.new("Model")

pedestal.Name = "Pedestal"

-- Tiered base

createPart(Vector3.new(5, 1, 5), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 0.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "Base1", pedestal)

createPart(Vector3.new(4, 1, 4), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 1.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Dark stone grey"), "Base2", pedestal)

createPart(Vector3.new(3, 1, 3), CFrame.new(position + Vector3.new(0, 2.5, 0)),

BrickColor.new("Medium stone grey"), "Base3", pedestal)

pedestal.Parent = parent

return pedestal

end

```

---

Simulator/Pet Game

| Element | Color |

|---------|-------|

| Grass | Bright green, Lime green |

| Paths | Nougat, Brown |

| Shops | Bright orange, Deep orange |

| Stone | Medium stone grey |

| Accents | Bright red, Bright blue |

Tycoon

| Element | Color |

|---------|-------|

| Plot floor | Bright green |

| Conveyors | Black, Dark grey |

| Buy buttons | Bright green (cheap), Bright yellow (mid), Bright red (expensive) |

| Droppers | Material-specific |

Fantasy/Dragon

| Element | Color |

|---------|-------|

| Grass | Earth green, Forest green |

| Stone | Dark stone grey |

| Dragon scales | Bright red, Bright blue, Bright violet |

| Gold/Treasure | Bright yellow |

| Fire | Bright orange, Bright red |

Ice/Winter

| Element | Color |

|---------|-------|

| Ground | White, Institutional white |

| Ice | Cyan, Medium blue |

| Accents | Bright blue |

| Trees | White (snow-covered) |

---

Pre-Build:

• [ ] Defined genre and theme
• [ ] Sketched layout (paper or digital)
• [ ] Identified key areas/zones
• [ ] Planned player flow

Hub/Lobby:

• [ ] Clear spawn point
• [ ] Visible shop stalls
• [ ] Display areas for collectibles
• [ ] Paths connecting areas
• [ ] Visual boundaries (hills, fences)
• [ ] NPC vendors placed

Visual Polish:

• [ ] No empty walls or dead space
• [ ] Landmarks for navigation
• [ ] Consistent color palette
• [ ] Lighting appropriate to theme
• [ ] Studs on all surfaces (if classic style)

Gameplay:

• [ ] Player can easily find objectives
• [ ] Risk/reward areas
• [ ] Clear boundaries
• [ ] Playtested for flow

---

1. Ground - Base terrain, color zones
2. Paths - Connect areas, define flow
3. Major structures - Shops, buildings
4. Terrain features - Hills, water
5. Trees/vegetation - Background fill
6. Props - Pedestals, fences, signs
7. NPCs - Vendors, guides
8. Displays - Pets, items on pedestals
9. Lighting - PointLights, atmosphere
10. Polish - Signs, details, particles