Snowy's Maps
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[Random Ramblings] Modern Maps...Let's Talk About Roads!
🕑 Added 2025-09-17 07:00:13 +0000 UTCDespite living in the modern era, I find it harder to make modern maps over sci-fi and fantasy maps, and I've never worked out why! One of my biggest struggles is how roads work...especially since the majority of the world drive on the right (not the left, like we do in the UK).
For me, the hardest bit is making it look interesting while not looking overcomplicated and having a confusing layout! With my modern maps I use assets from PeaPu, which is very useful but I think Ana's modular streets pack is INCREDIBLY useful for making modern roads.
But still...layout. This is something I very much struggle with. I constantly think "is this how roads road" and "surely this can't be right" - and I have a full driver's license! XD
I have given myself several key survival tips here that I wanted to go through to keep it a little bit more interesting.
Tip #1: Where To Park - The Bane of Any Driver
Seriously, where are your customers going to park! For the most part I will put my car park in front of the building for ease of access. Don't forget to make the road at least a car's length or two, to ensure they can get out easily. :P
Tip #2 Break It Up
You can sometimes break up a standard road with other interesting parts, like a zebra crossing that allows pedestrians to cross, a delivery bay, or even a bit of green space. I know we live surrounded by concrete, but don't be afraid to add a bit of green (I might be biased with all of those forest maps I've made!).
Tip #3 - Avoidance - Let's Just Make a Pedestrian Path Instead
Yes...sometimes I've just not included a road because I don't like making them that much. One example of keeping it simple is from my Modern Fey Corruption Pack, where I've just included a road at the top of the map. XD
To be honest this isn't a bad tip as some cities, particularly in the UK, are becoming increasingly pedestrianised, so no need for roads anymore! ;P
Speaking of Roads - A Special Set of Maps From Ana!
Yes, you read that right, you're getting even more goodies this month. I am sharing some Highway battlemaps made by Ana from "a day at" and oh boy, do they look fantastic...and there is A LOT of variations which I am going to leave you all to explore (honestly I have no idea how she has the time XD)!
These maps are available to all Mage Master and Archmage Patreon members. Thank you Ana for sharing these. <3
Mage Master+ Highway Battlemaps from Ana!
Thank you all again. I hope you enjoyed this Random Ramblings post!
~Snowy
P.S. Full GIF of EVERY variation XD
Comments
Simon 'Landmine'
I have no complaints about occasional maps being set up for driving on the left! I always have to think twice when looking at driving-on-the-right maps to work out the traffic junctions. Ooh, maybe we could introduce a vital clue that's on the island in the middle of a roundabout ... (Have to admit, I've not attempted maps with roads yet, just with parking areas at the most.)
