What makes a good map?

[DarkDXZ]

Well, for me, a good map is...
(bad example/good example)
#1
A map with a varied height - flat plains and big mountains, as well as something in-between.
Natural barriers and chokepoints (rivers, ravines etc.). (pinpoint/vanilla maps)
#2
Little to no buildings (unless it's urban-type map).
Multiple routes so that it isn't easy to simply camp in a certain spot. (pinpoint/anticbridge)
#3
Easy for eyes. No pink-red-yellow combinations. (hallway/bridgewars)
#4
No unnatural (scripted) restrictions (ie. hurting water - unless it's supposed to be lava ie. Firestorm). Look #2. (pinpoint)
#5
ORIGINAL. Something that hasn't been done before. (bridgewars, anticbridge/deck17?)

Something like that.

[MrHank]

I really like the generated maps. The blues kept coming over the same mountain one game, so I build a fort on the peak across from it. A few greens and I had a good time stopping their progress untill the griefers wrecked it :(. I like Island maps too, except when I die and spawn 100 miles away from the island that I was defending.

I had a good time on a few flat maps too. Theyre usually WWI simulations though. Stale mates where we take turns rushing each other. Theyre mindless fun.

Customs maps are ok. I dont know their names, but they can go either way.

[Beret]

Well, for me, a good map is...

ORIGINAL. Something that hasn't been done before. (deck17)

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[SnaJperME]

Its different someone like flat or water/island other prefer urban or mountain maps for me personally Flat like WW1 so i can dig trenches and defend.

[Stiivais]

To put this in the most simple possible manner.

A good balance between atmosphere and playability.

There is no point in making a large stadium map, if it has no cover, no digging ground etc.
Also, there is no point making a map with awesome layout, if it hasn't got any theme (yes, i hate quake)...

[blockman]

Hallway is my favorite map. It's so fun to dig tunnels to the other side and snipe them. What people create in the hallways are amazing, full of tunnels and secrets and bases.

Anyways, a good map isn't big so people wander all over, takes too long for people to get to the enemy and the base. A good map allows for players to manipulate their environment and make their own tunnels and set up bases so there should be plenty of free space and many blocks. The ground however shouldn't be too deep so the intel doesn't drop deep down. Minimal water, it slows the game down and allows for easy killing zones.