I don't think it's max, he's just popular because he started making maps a long time ago when quality wasn't such a big deal, now his maps look rather old compared to today's maps.
Personally I don't really think there is a best map maker because you'd have to define what kind of map are they the best at, unless they've done pretty much everything and done it good
ill choose sorikun, (hopefully someone picks me o_o)
Max has some pretty good maps. I call him KOL (king of logics since his maps have very complicated trigger mechanisms) but like tehswordninja said earlier, max maps do sometimes look quite old to today's maps. Also sorikun has or had some really nice designs compared to me and that's exactly the reason why I caught up with the average map maker.
I don't know. The 'best' map makers on the list are going to be the guys who started very early in 2011, that will never change simply because of all the rates one could achieve back when this game was more popular.
I think it's impossible to call; there are completely different kinds of maps that are good for different types of matches. It should be someone who can make good, creative maps of all types not just shitty run of the mill saws and bases, or strictly approved maps.
... Ok serious answer? My favourite map by far is Eric Gurt-Railwars1, say what you will but I played that map from 2011-2014 and then irregularly afterwards and it's my fondest memory of the actual game of PB2. So I guess Gurtie's my favourite mapmaker.
Silent Aurora wrote:If im gonna be honest, Silent Phoenix, both art-wise and trigger-wise.
Basically this, Monovalent was in my opinion the best back then. But as any artist, imagination is hard to be kept in a proper way. I technically grew in map making art thanks to him. Another honorable mention is Reject (iFakie), basically for the said above. Two artists, without a doubt.
I'm going to self-glorify myself and go so far to say: I feel that my maps are underrated, most of them, at least. I feel that I make some nice-looking maps, although I don't go very far into working with triggers.
As for other people, I'd say that I like Max's maps. Said before me, they look kind of primitive nowadays, but he has some very clever triggerwork. As for aesthetics, there are a few I like a lot but can't remember.
Damn was I the only one who picked sorikun? Man, we weren't that famous here. .-.
EDIT: Thunderx, your have pretty decent design compared to modern map making but I think you can make nature maps (maps that take place outside) really well.
Max teabags maps dont look old. Trust me, I've talked with him. Back then, concrete was the classic use, before people came up with cool designs. Kabo manage to create A REAL WORKING RELOAD GUN. visit kabo-test4 which is open source to see it!