This is a very broad mapping question, but Im 3 levels into a mod Im making, and I often get "writers block" at various points in making my maps, how do most game devlopers plan maps. Are they drawn in 2d 1st, and if so, what are recommendations on tools or software to do this? Thanks..

Very broad question and I would expect a lot of responses if people realize what this topic is about.

Ideas and inspiration come from all over the place. We've even had this topic a few times on MODSonair.

For my personal projects, I create around a specific function or idea. For instance, I came up with one of the first multi-function elevators in SoFII where you could stop and start on any floor. Another idea was to create the perfectly optimized sniper map. My last two experiments were to create a drivable vehicle in Doom III and to create a drive-in movie theater where an actual movie clip would play on a big screen.

For my professional projects, I was provided with 2D concepts of the levels. There was also a story so this meant the level was theoretically built.

So the question you need to ask yourself is "what is the focus of my mod?" Are you developing the mod around a story or around a game feature? If it's a story, then the setting in the story will tell you what you need to build. If it's a feature, then you need to come up with ways to exploit those features and perhaps draw from real-life places and then take liberties as the artist of the level and have fun.

I start with the general idea for the map.. most often they come from watching TV.. or a random picture I see somewhere..

Then I think about the map.. what would fit alongside it.. for instance the idea is a bridge, partly destroyed... so.. where is the bridge? is it in a town? in a forest? where is this taking place (country/area)? time of the year? etc...

After I've thought about those things, I draw them map out in blocks on paper.. usually calculating paper, with the square.. so I can get an idea of the size of them map... routes people will take etc.

The next step is to transfer the drawing into Radiant, still keeping it only in blocks.. make a skybox and add a large mesh for the ground and I compile... this will be the first walk around in my map.. spotting problems in the layout (places where you can get stuck.. dead ends, traps etc..)

Next I start hunting the net for pictures which fit my idea.. so.. pictures of a town, under attack.. in the winter for instance.

Then it's turning the blocks into buildings I usually do this one block at a time, copying the block into a new map, making the building, texturing it and then transfering it back into the map. That way I'm sure it all fits and is in the right place.

And then it's just alot more of the same.. adding models, lighting, spawnpoints etc.