Build-a-Map Contest #5 is live!
Hello, everyone!
Thanks to Update 7, the in-game terrain is now fully three-dimensional, and your beavers can traverse the maps with unprecedented freedom. This calls for a new map-building contest with over 3000 EUR in prize money on the line!The goal is to create an original, pretty, playable map that uses the features of Update 7 - Ziplines & Tubeways. 3D terrain is the big one, but there are many ways to approach the subject. Will your map work great with new transportation methods? Will it combine 3D terrain with 3D water physics in a creative way? Or maybe require extensive tunneling? It’s all up to you!
💸 Prizes
We’ve tweaked the prize structure for this edition. Now, everyone - both winners and the honorably mentioned - receives the sweet, sweet cash!There are three map categories, based on their size:128x128 and BelowBetween 129x129 and 255x255256x256 and UpIn each category, the winner receives 750 EUR, a place in the in-game credits, and a special rank on our Discord.Each category also has three honorable mentions. The author of every honorable mention receives 100 EUR.
🗺️ How to enter
This contest is open to all Timberborn players, regardless of platform. For an entry to be considered, you must:Publish a new - not available anywhere before the contest started - map on our Mod.io hub.Tag it with “Build-a-Map Contest 5”.Include at least three screenshots in your submission, including one that shows the map in full.All players with access to Steam are strongly encouraged to also post their creations to Steam Workshop. This helps you gather feedback and make any necessary changes.Deadline - 11:59 PM CEST on August 10, 2025.
⚠️ Important notes
Before entering the contest, please carefully read:Terms & Conditions. Among other things, this includes information about the personal information the winners need to provide to receive the prize money.Frequently Asked Questions - see below.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What do I need to do?
- Read the contest's Terms & Conditions and make sure you understand and accept them.
- Create a new (= not published anywhere before July 10, 2025) map using Timberborn's built-in map editor.
- Upload it on Mod.io. We strongly recommend submitting it on Steam Workshop as well if you can access it.
- Tag the map with “Build-a-Map Contest 5” tag and add a minimum of three screenshots (including one that shows the entire map).
- (Optional) Add a description that will tell everyone what is cool about your map, and how it uses the features of Update 7 - Ziplines & Tubeways.
- Make sure the map is publicly available before the deadline.
❓ What's the deadline?
11.59 PM CEST on August 10, 2025.
❓ How do I upload my map?
Follow this guide for Mod.io, and this guide for Steam Workshop.
❓May I upload my submission onto only one platform?
To be eligible to participate in the contest, your submission must be submitted onto Mod.io - that’s also what we will be judging. Uploading the map onto Steam Workshop is not mandatory, but we highly recommend doing so if you have the game on Steam.
❓ Why must I upload the map onto Mod.io now that Steam Workshop is live?
We want all Timberborn players, regardless of platform, to be able to participate in the contest and access winning entries afterward.
❓ What can I win?
- There are three prizes of 750 EUR (*), one per each map size category (128x128 and below, 129x129 through 255x255, and 256x256 and above).
- Winners receive the coveted “Masterful Architect” rank on our Discord and a place in the in-game credits.
- There are three honorable mentions per map size category. The author of each honorable mention receives 100 EUR.
(*) Technically, it's 833,33 EUR each but we need to deduct 10% of that to cover the prize tax in Poland. Check T&Cs for details.
❓ How will you pick the winners?
Winners will be picked at Mechanistry's sole discretion, based on the submitted maps' originality, playability, appearance, and usage of Update 7 features. Put your best paw forward.
❓ Can you be more specific about the Update 7 criteria?
There are no hard requirements. It’s up to you to choose how to implement 3D terrain and how (if) you want to accommodate other new features such as the mass transportation, the addition of tunnels, vertical powers shafts etc. You can use the description field to explain what you did.
❓ Can I submit a map that requires mods to work (i.e. the map height mod)?
No, your map must load and fully work on the vanilla game. For example, a modded map with parts of terrain reaching a few tiles over the default map editor limit could load fine - but, at the same time, it wouldn't allow the player to freely add extra terrain tiles to the extent regular maps do. That's not okay.
❓ Where can I discuss the contest entries with other players?
Join our Discord where we've just created a special channel exactly for this purpose.
❓ Can I update my map after the initial submission?
Yes. Both Mod.io and Steam Workshop allow you to upload updated versions of the map, and we will not be checking the submissions before the contest's deadline, so you can update your maps before then.
❓ Can I exclude my map from the contest?
Yes. We will only be checking the maps tagged with the "Build-A-Map Contest 5” tag. Simply remove the tag and it will be excluded from the competition - no need to delete the map.
❓ When will you announce the winners?
On or before August 29, 2025. Please note that the folks at Mod.io will collect your personal details. These are needed so that we can legally send you the prize money.
❓ Can I submit more than one map?
Yes. You can submit as many maps as you wish, including in as many map sizes as you wish. However, one person can win only once. Also, quality > quantity.
❓ Can I submit a map if my entry won or was honorably mentioned in a previous contest? Can I win again?
Yes, and yes.
❓ My map isn't square. Which size category do I pick?
Calculate the map's size. If it's 16 384 tiles or below, go with the “128x128 and below”. If it's 65 536 or more, pick “256x256 and up”. If it's in-between, choose “129x129 through 255x255”.
❓My map is so large I can't take a screenshot of it. What do I do?
Use the farthest zoom available and try several perspectives - the point of that requirement is to allow us to see and understand the map's overall shape and features. In the past, some entries would come with all screenshots focused on fine details, and no overall shots whatsoever.
❓ Is there any legal fine print I should be aware of?
Yes. Read the contest's Terms & Conditions.
❓ My question isn't answered here or in the Terms & Conditions.
If you still have any contest-related questions, shoot Miami an email at miami@mechanistry.com.
Need some extra inspiration? You can see past winning entries here, here, here, and here.If you would like to discuss your entries with fellow participants, hop onto our Discord and find a dedicated channel created specifically for the contest.