Seeking Community Input: Map Making Tools That Actually Serve GMs

[bjoernostalos]

Greetings fellow GMs and creators,

I hope this finds all of you well My partner and I recently acquired a small business that produces digital map-making resources for RPGs - primarily brush and stamp collections for Procreate and Photoshop, covering both fantasy and, to some extent, contemporary settings (modern, western, asian themes, etc.).

To not advertise, I wont provide a link here or anything.

Having been active in various RPG communities for years as players and occasional GMs ourselves, we've found ourselves in the unique position of being able to actually influence what tools get developed for our hobby. Rather than simply expanding our catalog with more of the same content, we're genuinely interested in addressing gaps.

The fundamental question I am asking myself: What mapping and visual aid tools would meaningfully improve your actual game preparation workflow, rather than just adding to the pile of "someday I'll use this" resources?

We're considering several directions, and I'd greatly appreciate the wisdom of this community:

• Comprehensive video masterclass series on advanced mapping techniques and efficient workflow
• Ready-to-deploy map collections - complete, publication-ready maps requiring no additional work
• Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk expansion content - we've noticed this aesthetic is underserved compared to fantasy
• Modular, colored PNG asset libraries designed for quick drag-and-drop composition
• Character visualization tools - something beyond basic token creation
• Contemporary/Urban expansion - more modern setting resources

But here's what I'm really curious about: What frustrates you most in your current map creation process? What takes disproportionate time compared to the value it adds to your game? Are there tools you wish existed but haven't found?

We're committed to contributing meaningfully to this community rather than just adding to the noise. Your honest perspectives - whether positive, critical, or completely different suggestions - would be invaluable for us

Thank you for your time and insights. This community has been a tremendous resource over the years and I am happy to be able to ask these questions today

Best regards
BjörnosTalos

 

[Pedantic]

I've been consistently frustrated with how difficult it is to go from a low detail to a highly detailed map cleanly. Ideally, I'd like a comfortable way to expand from my low-res, drawing with markers on a grid or hex paper (or digital equivalent) to a more detailed map with light structures and objects and textures. A bunch of assets are nice, but I'm still just drawing a circle on a grid half the time (especially if it's improvisational), and I'd love a clean way to upgrade that to a fire pit later.

Map tools I've used feel completely separate from how I would sketch a map at the table, and I'd love that to be a more natural flow.

 

[bjoernostalos]

Great insight! Quick question: How do you currently transform your table sketches into detailed maps? Redraw from scratch or build over the original somehow?

The 'circle to fire pit' workflow sounds like it could be a game-changer! But I am not sure how it could look like.

 

[aco175]

I could use printed maps like the old 4e D&D Keep on the Shadowfell came with. Maybe not a full adventure, but a double-sided map with an encounter location on one side and another 1 or 2 locations on the other side. It would better it is came with an encounter for each location that adds to the map. Then the map could be used another time as needed. I still have a dozen of these older maps that get used when making new adventures.

This Waterfall Hideout and King's Road get used a lot for varied reasons and purposes after the original game is long over.

 

[Pedantic]

Great insight! Quick question: How do you currently transform your table sketches into detailed maps? Redraw from scratch or build over the original somehow?

The 'circle to fire pit' workflow sounds like it could be a game-changer! But I am not sure how it could look like.

I don't is the thing! I either find a base map and maybe add assets if I'm doing a digital map for an encounter, or I hand draw a rough map. I do the later more often if I'm planning a large connected area out like a dungeon, given how much more work goes into doing that digitally, even with something like tiles.

Having some ability to get to a usable sketch I could run from, and then progressively add details/elements without feeling like I need to jump to the other end directly would be great.