How to Create your Perfect Mini Golf Map

Getting Started / Using the Editor

Now, lets pretend everyone reading this is new to mapping for Tyrannian Mini Golf, which, for the remainder of the article, will be referred to as TMG. Like most game editors, the link for this one is located on the games main page. To start, click “Hole Editor.” This will cause a pop up window to appear, so as always, make sure your browser is set to allow pop ups, or your mapping experience ends here.

Neopets will give you a tip of the day, which is actually a set amount of messages repeated after awhile, BUT, still very helpful to those that are new to the game. After you click “Close Window,” you may begin mapping.

“But where to start?!” Some may ask.

Well, the Editor is created so that the “Tiles”, which are pieces of the map that have been separated for you, are located in one easy to use tab. Move your mouse over the “Select Tile” tab, and a miniature menu will appear. You will revisit this menu many, many, MANY, times, so it’s best if you learn where each of the tiles are located. After a few tries at mapping, you’ll remember where most things can be found within a few seconds.

By moving your mouse’s cursor over each of the icons, the Editor will highlight an icon, and an extended menu will roll out. The tiles are separated into four different subsections, but each are equally important when it comes to making a Miniature Golf hole. The four tile sections are “Field” tiles, which are for the lower part of the hole, (which I’ll discuss later in the article). Then there are “Upper Field” tiles, which, like the lower field tiles, I’ll discuss later on. Lastly, you have two important “decoration” types of tiles. The “Border” tiles, and the “Object” tiles.

Field Tiles

Field tiles are where most of the game play will take place, unless of course, you’re out to create a new style of Mini Golf holes. Two key tiles for the field are the Starting tile, and the Hole. A map has to contain at least one of each, but no more then one, when it comes to starting tiles. If you use more then one of these tiles, the editor will give you an error when you try to test the Hole, or save. Now oddly, unlike starting tiles, Hole tiles can be placed by the dozen. If you are trying to create a map as seen in the game, then you’re out of luck. Neopets has yet to implement features like the “teleporting” holes seen in the normal game. But that doesn’t mean you can’t place multiple ending holes.

The next field tiles you’ll most likely notice (besides the conveyer belts) are the lava and sand traps. These can be used in many ways to slow down the person playing your map, or to make them stop and think about their next shot. Any time a ball travels into this tile, it will slow down, or in some cases, stop completely. This can also create a problem for players when they want to make their next shot, since the tile will slow the ball down from the start.

Next down the line is the plant field tile. It is odd that Neopets did not place this under their “Objects” section, since that’s where it’d most logically to be found. Plant tiles act a lot like object tiles, so I’ll skip this tile for now.

Now, for my two favorite sets of tiles found in the field section. First, you have the fan tiles. Like the lava and sand traps, and the conveyer belts for that matter, these tiles were created to aggravate anyone who plays your map. You’ll notice that the two fan tiles move in different directions, so be careful when you choose one of them to use. In some cases I’ve seen when playing other peoples maps, the fan helps more then it should, sometimes too much so.

Lastly, you’ll find the conveyer belt tiles. Like the fans, these pieces should be carefully planned as to how you’re going to use them. In some scenarios though, they can be used as rewards to players, and help them move the golf ball closer to the hole. However you use them though, remember a map-making rule of thumb; the more a player can see on a map, the “lagger” it will be for the player.

Upper Field Tiles

This is where creative Mappers will shine. Not only do maps look cooler when you use upper field tiles, but maps can also start and end on these elevated pieces. To start, all upper field tiles act like the normal lower field tiles such that the ball can travel along them. To connect the upper and lower fields, you’ll have to use ramps.

The editor has a ramp piece facing every direction you’ll need to connect the two levels of fields. Ramps can also be used when you want to either speed up, or slow down the golf ball. An interesting effect can be created when you use an up-ramp and then a down-ramp multiple times in a row.

The next column of tiles contains elevated platforms with lava, sand or nothing below them. This platforms act like normal upper field tiles, and the golf ball cannot travel underneath them. Like the lower field tiles, upper tiles also have fans. These fans act exactly like the lower field ones, except they are to be used along with ramps, or other upper field tiles. Upper field tiles also include conveyer belts, which also work like their lower field counterparts.

Borders

Borders tiles are probably the most complicated tiles that you’ll find in the editor. Not only do they take time to learn how to use properly, there are so many different border tile combinations you can make with the predefine parts.

“Different combinations?!” Some may say.

Well, put simply, yes, different combinations. Because of how the editor works, you must choose all the borders for every neighboring tile that the border tile may touch. This means you may do something as easy as one lower field border facing the north side, or something as complicated as different forty-five degree angle borders on every side of the tile.

Luckily, Neopets makes things a bit easier with a preview tile of what the current combination of borders looks like. Some say that you don’t need borders in making a Mini Golf map, since the ball cannot travel on blank border tiles, BUT, for those, like myself, who are trying to win Spotlight, borders make your map look better, and stand out with better detail.

Its best to save borders for last, because if you try and fix them every few minutes, you’ll only create more work for yourself.

Objects

Object tiles are just for decoration. But like the other field tiles, the more objects in your map, the “lagger” it can be for some people. However, if you use little to no objects in your map, the hole will look boring for most people.

Of all the objects, volcanoes are the most active objects you can use, but are also the object that will slow the game down the most, except maybe for conveyor belts. Its best to decide ahead of time, what kind of theme you’re going to use in the map. If its desert, use the cactuses or the flowers. If it’s more Tyrannian themed, use the rocks and trees and a few volcanoes. Using objects outside of the map is a gimme, but for those trying for Spotlight, try something outside the normal. Having trees and giant rocks inside the field looks cool, and causes the player to have to work around them.

Final Comments / Saving

Now that you’ve created your Mini Golf map, its time to save! In the bottom right corner, click save, and you’ll be asked to name your map. Think of something catchy, and something that applies to your map at the same time. Once it’s saved, others can try their hand at it, and tell you what they think.

Like all spotlights, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. Most spotlights I’ve entered in, I’m still trying to win! But if you’re part of the few dedicated Mappers out there, who enjoy creating new things for games like this one, or Hannah and the Pirate Caves and many others, good luck to you. Lastly, if you’ve read this article, and you’re still confused, Neopets included a helpful Help tab below the “Select Tile” menu tab.

Fortune out.