Map design, along with healthy faction and unit balance, is one of the most significant factors in maintaining a robust competitive RTS ecosystem. Maps are one way in which RTS games keep matches exciting and fresh. New maps introduce features that may change the way allies or opponents interact, promote the use of a particular strategy, or diminish the effectiveness of other strategies. Builds become more or less effective depending on factors like overall size, rush distance, and starting locations. At the end of the day, maps greatly influence the competitive meta.
In the StarCraft and Warcraft franchises, maps have evolved to include certain staple features that are necessary for maintaining faction balance, such as standardized resource availability, main/natural sizes and layouts, expansion/creep distances, and so on. Certain design elements are targeted towards specific factions, such as hiding spots for Zerg Overlords, limiting Terran’s ability to build in the cente...
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