I'm trying to get ballpark figures on a) how much time and b) how many designers are used when producing additional single player or multiplayer maps for 3D games that fall in the AAA category ("higher development and marketing budgets than other tiers of games", definition taken from (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_(video_game_industry))).

Sorry if this is a very wide question, but I would like to understand the time and effort put into additional (DLC) maps for 3D games.

So far I have categorized the required effort by game design companies for DLC content (single player maps and multiplayer maps) into:

- 3D design of the "world" without the modular assets (for instance buildings, world objects that can be placed in the level).

- Gameplay design. This is a bit fuzzy but I define it as testing the enjoyability of how players can move around the map, and in the case of single-player maps, the AI behaviour of NPC.

- Testing the map with modular assets, gameplay (single player or multiplayer) to spot quirks from a gaming perspective, and maybe 3D assets that are not working as they should (collision scripts etc.)

A more high-level thought on this topic is whether there is any constraint that is the reason why AAA games often have few additional single player and multiplayer maps released over time?

Any input from someone with experience with the above, would be highly appreciated.

Thanks.

I do not have direct experience with the above, but…

There are too many unknown variables.

Also, what kind of game are you talking about?

RTS?
FPS?

turn based Tactical?

other?

Your using the words DLC maps, which can mean a lot of things.

knowing the financial cost and “man hours” associated, with a “DLC map” varies drastically.

What are the specifications of said map?

How many assets are on said map?

Are said assets generic or unique?

All of that plays into the man hours and cost.

perhaps knowing “why” you ask will help us help you?