Fan Mission Design Discussions Archive

This article serves as an archive of interesting discussions we've had on the design of fan missions throughout the years of developing The Dark Mod and building new missions.

Selected discussions

This list is sorted into several overarching sections, each of them focused on a different aspect of debating mission design. Some of the sections focus on the attitudes and approaches to building an FM, others focus on designing the narrative (storyline, motivations, objectives, plot twists, etc.) of an FM, and some are purely about brainstorming and coming up with ideas. A few of the discussions fit more than just one category.

General design debates and resources

• TDM Mapping Conventions
• Story, Plot and Narrative Design Discussion Thread
• Collection of articles on narrative design (from the In The Games of Madness blog)
• The recipe for a good mission ?
• Where do noobs start?
• Some pre-mapping questions
• Mapping Methodologies
• Let's improve our level design skills
• Vanilla FMs (only stock asset use)
• Ghosting a Mission?

Types of FMs / Story settings for FMs

• Fan Mission Ideas Megathread
• What kind of fan missions would you like to see ?
• Which "genre" of TDM missions do you hope to see more of ?
• Fan Mission Authors... More Short And Sweet
• What type of short FMs (in terms of tone and setting) could we make more often ?
• Assassination Missions ?
• Missions about Pagans
• Missions in exotic locations
• When is someone gonna make an Egyptian based mission ?
• Suggestion: Moorish/Middle Eastern setting
• 'Cradle' type missions

Consistency with the TDM universe

Note that the TDM community is not a stickler for this (as you'll see in the discussions below). That said, we do try to naturally and gradually build TDM's setting, with each mission maker's contribution. Consistency is not absolutely necessary in everything (save the basics), but is appreciated.

• TDM Universe / Setting
• Is matching the TDM universe important in mapping?
• Cross-referencing between FMs/campaigns ?
• Sharing lore and canons ?
• Is there any lore database ?
• Different interpretations of the city I've noticed
• Favorite TDM Character?

Sources of inspiration, attention to details

• Social classes and hierarchies
• Historical accuracy in TDM
• Everyone is too pretty
• TDM Universe / Setting
• Dark Mod Inspiration Thread
• Discussion on the steampunk elements
• Grafitti please

Designing atmosphere, ambience and suspense

• Should The Dark Mod be more horror inspired ?
• Gameplay: Is there anything left to fear ?
• Some thoughts on what makes good horror
• Why do you like horror style missions ?
• Collection of articles on narrative design (from the In The Games of Madness blog)
• Tavern Music

Concepts and ideas

• Dark Mod Inspiration Thread
• Concept for Future Missions
• Ideas for a ruined cathedral FM
• Suggestion for contests...
• Using sitting and sleeping behavior for something else
• Suggestions for more low value loot ?
• Gas mines and mines in general
• The Custom Mine Thread
• Waterproof lantern...
• Should small static oil lamps be extinguishable up close ?
• Looking and listening through a keyhole
• The Trap Workshop
• Springloaded Spike Trap
• Flame Jet Trap
• "Laser" tripwires ?
• Keypads & numeric locks
• Creating a Robust Tram Script
• What was that FM that had a Lute player ?
• Gameplay idea for classes in TDM
• A Dangerous Concept to Explore/Use
• Do you expect vines, pipes, or chains to be climbable ?
• Inventing a Cugnot-style steam wagon (and then losing the invention)
• Camera Obscura
• Elderly Models
• A suggestion: Vampires within the Lore
• New monster model and suggestion - Mantian
• Any thoughts on adding a Belcher ?

FM campaigns and structuring them

• Campaigns, multi-map missions
• About "campaign" fan missions
• Cross-referencing between FMs/campaigns ?

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If you've come across any older or new good discussions that go in-depth on mission design aspects, feel free to post the suggestion in the Discussion tab of this article and we might add it. The more, the merrier (as long as it's on point). :-)

See also

Conceptualising an FM

• Story and Plot Design
• Mission Design Tips
• Historical resources
• Video on planning an FM (1)
• Video on planning an FM (2)

Building an FM

• Design & Build Methods: Getting Started
• A - Z Beginner Full Guide Start Here!
• Map Optimization
• Modular Building
• Mapping Tutorials
• Video Mapping Tutorials