The year is 20XX. 256x256 maps are played exclusively. The average ZvZ is now 4 hours long. TvTs are inherited by their children once the players pass on. People still die to DT rush in PvP.

ZZZero.O

Poland1605 Posts

May 03 2026 14:50 GMT

#23

probably coming in 2030

tankgirl

Canada461 Posts

May 03 2026 17:52 GMT

#24

For the same reason there arent 9 hour movies. Bigger is not always better.

Even with 3 hour movies people start to tap out.

However of only 20 minutes movies? People are unfulfilled because it is too short.

There is a sweetspot somewhere. In this example at around 90-120 minutes, that seems to give the best experience.

This is maybe not a perfect analogy. But it is the closest one I can think of that "bigger is not always better".

EDIT: I'd be more interested to see minerals that randomly grow back once a base is depleted.

StaticNine

44 Posts

May 04 2026 01:13 GMT

#25

I could see a slightly larger map but 256x256 is way too big and I imagine completely breaks the balance. Mech would be a lot worse having to move around large distances and I think in general Terran would get the short end of the stick. Not only are Zerg and Protoss much more mobile in general, they both have methods of instant travel with arbiter and nydus. Nydus alone would probably be enough to heavily disrupt balance.

chongu

Malaysia2598 Posts

May 04 2026 01:32 GMT

#26

Hidden bases. Hidden bases everywhere.

iPlaY.NettleS

Australia4414 Posts

May 04 2026 08:51 GMT

#27

On May 03 2026 02:36 Vasoline73 wrote:

It surprises me that even back in 1999 there weren’t one or two of these tried at the ladder/pro level.
.

Green valleys is in the oldladder map directory so i guess that was a ladder map.

I didn’t realize non-standard sizes existed! I thought it had to be 128, 192, 256… yeah, in that case something like a 144x144 would be interesting! Maybe someday…

That size would not be possible, one of the sizes needs to be standard otherwise the minimap is glitched.
So 128x112, 160x192 etc.

Liquid`Drone

Norway28796 Posts

May 04 2026 10:09 GMT

#28

Back in the day, when people did occasionally play 1v1s on huge maps, what we found is that the balance was significantly altered. Bigger maps resulted in a distinct z >> p >> t dynamic. Hidden / spread bases are better for z and p (they can be defended with minimal supplies, while terran needs to defend their expansions with actual armies), zerg/p armies are easier to move around quickly, nyduses/recall allow you to transport armies to the other side of the map instantly. To be fair - this was during an age where vulture use was much less prevalent, and it could be that vultures, specifically, alter the perceived balance of the past (especially if bases are spread around), but I still don't think terran really would have an answer to, for example, entirely committed backstabs followed by refugee protoss on a huge map.

Crimson)S(hadow

Philippines688 Posts

May 04 2026 12:40 GMT

#29

On May 03 2026 06:26 8882 wrote:
This is not an example of what I mean, but still lol

The extension is only in the bottom right corner, I mean to extend the map all around.

a bit off topic but this map looks insanely fun for 3v3 or 4v4; either with each team on each python map or even with random start locations

oBlade

United States6119 Posts

May 04 2026 15:09 GMT

#30

The idea of "nesting" the map in another map so when it's played out you have another layer to unlock is an interesting thought. But aside from a gentleman's agreement it may not work out in practice without very delicate thought and care paid to design.

Like if it's completely walled off or other high ground layers, terran especially can't move mech armies up and down to be able to go around the outside, which would be slow and shooting themselves in the foot.

You want to go the shortest distance to the enemy. Like Battle Royale the problem is the game ends so fast there's no time to utilize the outer ring. So in a larger nested map it just works out that the extra expansions become free, like in maps that have an in-base mineral expo behind. And that advantages the races that take faster 3rds and 4ths in each matchup. So okay reduce expansions. But then to the extent the expansions are out, it's just empty space around a normal map. And if you make it impassable in parts, that screams P to expand and go air.

On May 03 2026 06:26 8882 wrote:
This is not an example of what I mean, but still lol

The extension is only in the bottom right corner, I mean to extend the map all around.

+ Show Spoiler +

On my end the extension is in the top left corner...?

Vasoline73

United States7893 Posts

May 04 2026 17:49 GMT

#31

Thank you for the interesting info and thoughts Nettles and Drone!

LUCKY_NOOB

Bulgaria1543 Posts

May 08 2026 12:10 GMT

#32

On May 04 2026 02:52 tankgirl wrote:
For the same reason there arent 9 hour movies. Bigger is not always better.

Even with 3 hour movies people start to tap out.

However of only 20 minutes movies? People are unfulfilled because it is too short.

There is a sweetspot somewhere. In this example at around 90-120 minutes, that seems to give the best experience.

This is maybe not a perfect analogy. But it is the closest one I can think of that "bigger is not always better".

EDIT: I'd be more interested to see minerals that randomly grow back once a base is depleted.

I agree the analogy is not good.

I WISH I was an enjoyer of short movies so I can point to a definitive recommendation, but I guarantee great stories under 20 minutes exist and ppl who enjoy them love em.

Also there are long movies too:

The longest movies ever made are experimental, durational works, led by Logistics (2012) at 857 hours (35 days). The longest narrative films often exceed 8 hours, such as Beijing 2003 (150 hours) and Modern Times Forever (240 hours). Notable long, traditional cinema releases include Cleopatra (1963) and The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965), both over 4 hours.

And last but not LeaSt I've binged series like Breaking Bad for 10 hours str8 easily. I 10000% think this can be counted as a long movie.