Workflow

1. Environment decision - broad area

a. Semi-arid land, post apocalyptic
2. Location - Specific place
a. Fortified settlement - The Oasis
3. Theme - unifying idea that ties everything together
a. Post-apocalyptic, zombies, magic
4. Collect References
a. Decide what sort of meshes you’ll need
b. Think about what can go in place of assets you can’t obtain
5. Lighting References
a. Sunny, evening.
6. Major Elements - buildings, bridges, vehicles
a. Shops, Blacksmith etc.
b. Arcane tower
c. Barracks
d. Residential areas
e. Quarantine areas
f. Garage
g. Stream through the middle, maybe bridges?
h. Pub
7. Minor Elements - fences, pipes, tables
a. Fencing near houses
b. Walls that separate areas
c. Shop displays
d. Communal outdoor areas
e. Spikes long walls
f. Makeshift weapons
g. Mostly made of scrap and clay bricks and wood
8. Props - cups, computers, screws
a. Trash
b. Rocks/pebbles
c. Shop pieces
d. Blacksmith forge tools
e. Tools near building sites
f. Stray bricks
g. Stray scrap
9. Foliage - grasses, vines, trees
a. Climbing plants up older buildings
b. Grasses popping up through bricks
c. Communal park space with grass and trees
d. Gardens with flowers (wild flowers, cacti?)
e. Trees dotted through residential area
 10. Materials - brick, metal, concrete…
a. Clay Brick
b. Rusted Metal
c. Stone
d. Cobblestone
e. Wood
f. Glass
g. Corrugated Iron
h. Thatch
11. Think about Layout
a. Singleplayer town
b. Openable doors
c. Shops
d. Look at a central gathering area - maybe a well?
e. Quarantine area for infected/new people
f. Blacksmith
g. Main HQ?
h. Farm?
i. Districts:
i. Quarantine
ii. Entertainment
iii. Residential
iv. Creation
v. Farming
12. Layout considerations, what are the:
a. Boundaries - The walls of the settlement
b. Items and weapon placements
c. Player pathways and alternative routes
d. Cover
e. Choke points
f. Pickups
13. Block out once you’ve settled on a layout.

Software

Illwinter’s floor plan generator

- Plan out basic layout?
Unreal Engine 4 (Mandatory)
- Blockout, Building the final map
Paint Tool SAI
- Concept art, Paint overs