Need a game Dev summary

Been away for a long time so im wanting to know stuff about maps and models , has it change much?

Do we still recomend the swiss army knife thingy for map making and is versoin four of of 3dsmax still workable, as i recall thats were i needed to go, cuz i wouldnt be using the upto date engine i would be using mine, one that i could actually still compile , hehe .

thanks