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Maps Being Released

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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:40 pm

lostatlimbo wrote:Removing maps is a terrible idea. Crappy maps with clan support would remain (beef anyone?) and good, but quirky maps would be punished.

It also rewards the older maps that people are already familiar with and makes it difficult for new maps to get enough exposure to stick.

Well, there could always be a grace period for new maps. Problem solved, next question.

Clan support for bad maps: who cares? If they like it enough to play even if it is a stupid map, then it should stay. Problem solved, next question.
army of nobunaga wrote:and lets be frank.. I am not well loved here by the leaders... would it be better if one of you did it and I raised a storm?

I don't think that really matters. The leaders don't really care who submit something. Just if it has support/merit. And, let's be honest, this will only happen with a lot of support or if lack steps in. So, either way, it probably won't happen, but you could make the suggestion either way. Problem not really solved.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:02 am

What good does it do exactly to remove maps from play?

To have less choice of maps? I just don't get it... what would you get out of it?
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:25 am

natty dread wrote:What good does it do exactly to remove maps from play?

To have less choice of maps? I just don't get it... what would you get out of it?

Better maps. People would be forced to make maps that will be played on. If a map is in the bottom 2 percentile, how great can it be?
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby Flapcake on Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:41 am

chapcrap wrote:
natty dread wrote:What good does it do exactly to remove maps from play?

To have less choice of maps? I just don't get it... what would you get out of it?

Better maps. People would be forced to make maps that will be played on. If a map is in the bottom 2 percentile, how great can it be?



What could be interesting is to make a pucblic vote round, where the ordinary CC gamer put hes vote on whats importend for a map, we alredy had a pull for you favorite map, this result dident gave the prettiest or newest one any advantages, its some times what people also feels comfort of, If I frequently play the same map and almost win every time, I will get a relationship with this map even if it is but ugly, you know like a dog, hes ugly as hell but you love him.
So starting to sort out which go or stay will devine people in CC.
Thers no guarantee for the most fantastic, prettiest map ever will played most.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby koontz1973 on Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:53 am

Flapcake wrote:What could be interesting is to make a pucblic vote round, where the ordinary CC gamer put hes vote on whats importend for a map,


What is important for the players is gameplay. Graphics do not come into the equation at all apart from in the foundry. If the GP is shit, it will not get played on no matter how great the graphics are. Gameplay has to be the first, second and last thing dealt with in the foundry. Not saying pretty graphics have to be discarded, but GP must have more thought into it.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:22 am

chapcrap wrote:
natty dread wrote:What good does it do exactly to remove maps from play?

To have less choice of maps? I just don't get it... what would you get out of it?

Better maps. People would be forced to make maps that will be played on. If a map is in the bottom 2 percentile, how great can it be?


Or, people won't bother to even try to make good maps, since they know the maps can be removed from play anyway.

What's with this "people would be forced to make better maps" thing anyway? Do you think people make purposefully bad maps right now?

People make as good maps as they are capable of. It's up to the CA:s to monitor and guide the mapmaking process and make sure inferior maps won't get through until they're developed into good maps.

Sadly, the site admin does not really give a shit about the foundry, or the quality of maps, as long as some maps are produced. People who really care about the foundry and are invested in it are driven away because of the admins' moronic policies. So mapmakers do what they can, but until you can get lackattack to really pay attention to the problems of the foundry I don't think you're going to see any real progress.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby laughingcavalier on Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:12 am

A feature for classifying maps & giving site users directions in which to choose. It would be a great tech fix to the problems that have been mentioned, add real value for members. I think team cc cartographers should spemak to night strike & ask his advice on the tournament section overhaul - was that lack' s plan or did it come from the cc tourney team?
Makes a good precedent.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Mon Apr 09, 2012 7:42 am

laughingcavalier wrote:A feature for classifying maps & giving site users directions in which to choose.


Has been asked for years, just search the suggestions forum.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:14 pm

@natty

I don't have a problem with most maps. As I said in the OP, it has been said by some that the maps are not as great as they should be. I think there are plenty of great maps that I love to play. I know you disagree, but I think there should be a limit on the number of maps that the site has. So, my thought was that limiting the output in order to get a better product would be a good thing.

You say that the problem is lack, but that the Foundry CAs are in charge of making sure that maps are good, then is it him or the CAs who might be settling for less? It seems to me like you're really saying it's the Foundry CAs, but trying to pin it on lack instead.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:31 pm

chapcrap wrote:I think there should be a limit on the number of maps that the site has.


Why?

chapcrap wrote:So, my thought was that limiting the output in order to get a better product would be a good thing.


Yeah, that's not going to work. It would just force the mapmakers to fight & compete with each other, instead of working together to produce the best maps. No one would comment on anyone else's map threads because no one would want to help anyone else finish their map, it would be a killing blow to the foundry.

chapcrap wrote:You say that the problem is lack, but that the Foundry CAs are in charge of making sure that maps are good, then is it him or the CAs who might be settling for less? It seems to me like you're really saying it's the Foundry CAs, but trying to pin it on lack instead.


Oh wow, you know what I'm saying better than I do. Good for you! :roll:

The CA:s can only do so much, and it's ultimately up to the site admin who is allowed to be a CA and help the foundry. I could go in more detail about this, but why bother, it's not like it matters anymore... the foundry is pretty much dead anyway, or at least dying. It's been seen time and again that lack doesn't care no matter how many people who really contribute to the site and drive it forward quit in frustration because of lack of support from the admin, so I'm not holding my breath for any changes in the future either.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:31 pm

natty dread wrote:
chapcrap wrote:I think there should be a limit on the number of maps that the site has.


Why?

Because.
natty dread wrote:
chapcrap wrote:So, my thought was that limiting the output in order to get a better product would be a good thing.


Yeah, that's not going to work. It would just force the mapmakers to fight & compete with each other, instead of working together to produce the best maps. No one would comment on anyone else's map threads because no one would want to help anyone else finish their map, it would be a killing blow to the foundry.

I see what you're saying there and you may be right about them not helping each other. Usually competition makes things better, but when there aren't enough people helping out, the competition won't matter. I can see that argument.
natty dread wrote:
chapcrap wrote:You say that the problem is lack, but that the Foundry CAs are in charge of making sure that maps are good, then is it him or the CAs who might be settling for less? It seems to me like you're really saying it's the Foundry CAs, but trying to pin it on lack instead.


Oh wow, you know what I'm saying better than I do. Good for you! :roll:

I just said that's what it seems like. No need to be upset with me for trying to understand you better.
natty dread wrote:The CA:s can only do so much, and it's ultimately up to the site admin who is allowed to be a CA and help the foundry. I could go in more detail about this, but why bother, it's not like it matters anymore... the foundry is pretty much dead anyway, or at least dying. It's been seen time and again that lack doesn't care no matter how many people who really contribute to the site and drive it forward quit in frustration because of lack of support from the admin, so I'm not holding my breath for any changes in the future either.

Well, I don't know any back story to what this is about specifically, but I can't argue that people get frustrated here and quit. I would think that more effort overall should be put into the foundry, as the maps and games are what really drive the site. So, I get your frustration about it too. It seems like lately things have been getting better as far as updates on the site as a whole, but I'm not really sure about the foundry specifically. I haven't been around the foundry for nearly as long as most of the people in here, so I'll ask.

What support are you looking for from admin?
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby army of nobunaga on Mon Apr 09, 2012 10:56 pm

Natty, I think someone needs to be frank here... And I think you not only know what I am about to say but will agree if even if you argue against it...


There are maps that are absolutly fucking embarrassing that they are released on a pay game site on the web with as many people as CC has.
With the following here (could be much much more but thats another topic) we expert "Expert" "great" maps.

The current method for graduating maps lets any A-hole with a little ability push a map through with enough time on their hands.

Do I need to start a fire storm on this thread and mention the 30 utterly rubbish maps that have made it through... I love Cairns, and I think even he would agree that one of his maps should be sent back and revamped.

The point is, you mapmakers are awesome, I think 70% of you are doing great incredible work and 100% of you should be congratulated on the thankless work you do. CC will end someday and all of you work your asses off on your art that will not even last the decade. That I thank you guys for and love you for.


But there is crap... utter crap, crap that isnt played.. will NEVER be played... search for games.. I did the other day at the start of this thread... NOONE is playing certain maps.

The mapmakers should embrace a process that brings current maps back into the process for 1) probation 2) revamp.


And what I mean by this is simple
1) if a map is the lowest played for a month, it goes into a 3 month probation.
2) if a map in probation stays at the bottom 5 maps played 3 months in a row it goes back to the mappmakers forum.
3) if the creator of the map wants to change it and make it better, awesome, if they are gone maybe a volunteer can take it. If noone takes it, put it in a retaired maps bin.


We need the best product available... why natty?

Because I hope your works of art last more than a decade. This is to help keep cc alive.

more is not better guys. I can only imagine new people starting this game and trying certain maps... lol
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby ender516 on Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:13 pm

You're right, more is not better, but that doesn't mean more is worse. Apart from cluttering the browse maps page, unplayed maps do no harm. Even if all the maps were brilliant, the map browser makes the process tedious. If I am unfamiliar with a map, squinting at a squashed/stretched thumbnail is of no help. I have to click it to really see it. Even a Windows Explorer filmstrip view would be an improvement. The real step forward will come with categorization and rankings.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby army of nobunaga on Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:18 pm

ender516 wrote:You're right, more is not better, but that doesn't mean more is worse. Apart from cluttering the browse maps page, unplayed maps do no harm. Even if all the maps were brilliant, the map browser makes the process tedious. If I am unfamiliar with a map, squinting at a squashed/stretched thumbnail is of no help. I have to click it to really see it. Even a Windows Explorer filmstrip view would be an improvement. The real step forward will come with categorization and rankings.



incorrect, when the maps are worse.. then more are worse.

Ender do some map searches for games waiting and being played... hell do it at random.. You will see what I am talking about..

some maps make it through the process and they are crap, and trash.

more is not better.
more is not worse, unless the maps are worse.



edit- you guys pride you on a process... well there needs to be a process for maps already released and defunt or released and unplayed.
The process should be to always improve, not to gain a plateau and be left forever.
This does the guys that are active and good here a disservice.

Because atm, an artist could come on CC and take a 5% sample of the maps and say "amateurs" ... and we know we have some of the best here.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:31 pm

Ok, you keep asking for better maps... but how are mapmakers supposed to be able to keep growing and creating new and better things in this environment?

When was the last time we got any improvements in the game engine? When have we last gotten any new XML features?

Look at research & conquer. A map with truly innovative gameplay, yet it couldn't be put in play because the game engine couldn't support it. We were promised an update that would make the gameplay possible, which would also open possibilities for other new maps. We were told this update would "surely come in no more than 6 months". It's been over 18 months now and counting... no word of that update.

So don't blame the mapmakers for not coming up with anything new... they do, all the time, but the admin & the site doesn't support them, and so those ideas hang around in the foundry limbo, waiting for xml updates that never come.


Then we have this idiotic user interface for the game itself. Would it be so damn hard to get rid of the sidebar already. and give more room for wider maps? And what about other UI improvements? Pop-up legends & territory labels would give way more room for actual gameplay.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby army of nobunaga on Mon Apr 09, 2012 11:36 pm

natty dread wrote:Ok, you keep asking for better maps... but how are mapmakers supposed to be able to keep growing and creating new and better things in this environment?

When was the last time we got any improvements in the game engine? When have we last gotten any new XML features?

Look at research & conquer. A map with truly innovative gameplay, yet it couldn't be put in play because the game engine couldn't support it. We were promised an update that would make the gameplay possible, which would also open possibilities for other new maps. We were told this update would "surely come in no more than 6 months". It's been over 18 months now and counting... no word of that update.

So don't blame the mapmakers for not coming up with anything new... they do, all the time, but the admin & the site doesn't support them, and so those ideas hang around in the foundry limbo, waiting for xml updates that never come.


Then we have this idiotic user interface for the game itself. Would it be so damn hard to get rid of the sidebar already. and give more room for wider maps? And what about other UI improvements? Pop-up legends & territory labels would give way more room for actual gameplay.



dude noone has blamed you... I code a few languages for fun.. I understand the limitations. I blame the system we have for pumping out a now record number of maps.. half of which are crap. Do not be sensitive.

NAtty you and I may not like each other.. that is fine, but have I ever blamed you for putting out crappy maps? lol

man, I am what I am.. but I know the hand that feeds me, the good mapmakers feed me.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Tue Apr 10, 2012 1:00 am

Ok I'm not saying that you're blaming mapmakers really, I was speaking in a more general sense...
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby DiM on Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:01 am

i think everybody is right :)

we need more support from lack in xml updates, we need a new interface, we need a proper categorization of maps but we also need to remove maps or at least "hide" them.

the thing is, if you were to own a store what would you put in the window shelves? the best selling products, or the ones that nobody buys?

completely removing the maps that aren't played might not be necessary if we had an interface that allows sorting of maps. right now the alphabetic isn't very helpful for a new player. he can't know what map is good/bad. that's why classic is placed first, to give new players a nudge to play that. but what if he wants something other than classic? he might end up playing some crap maps and leaving the site.
for example a person's first 4 games would be on hive, crosswords, waterloo and conquer rome he'd probably leave the site because those maps are either have horrible graphics or are too hard to understand for a new player.
we need filters that allow sorting according to size, complexity, average game duration, popularity, etc
and if the default sorting puts the crappiest, least played maps at the bottom of the pile then i guess removing them is not really necessary.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby natty dread on Tue Apr 10, 2012 10:06 am

DiM wrote:we need more support from lack in xml updates, we need a new interface, we need a proper categorization of maps


Totally agree. But are we going to get any of them, I'm not holding my breath...
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby Gillipig on Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:31 am

DiM wrote:i think everybody is right :)

we need more support from lack in xml updates, we need a new interface, we need a proper categorization of maps but we also need to remove maps or at least "hide" them.

the thing is, if you were to own a store what would you put in the window shelves? the best selling products, or the ones that nobody buys?

completely removing the maps that aren't played might not be necessary if we had an interface that allows sorting of maps. right now the alphabetic isn't very helpful for a new player. he can't know what map is good/bad. that's why classic is placed first, to give new players a nudge to play that. but what if he wants something other than classic? he might end up playing some crap maps and leaving the site.
for example a person's first 4 games would be on hive, crosswords, waterloo and conquer rome he'd probably leave the site because those maps are either have horrible graphics or are too hard to understand for a new player.
we need filters that allow sorting according to size, complexity, average game duration, popularity, etc
and if the default sorting puts the crappiest, least played maps at the bottom of the pile then i guess removing them is not really necessary.

I'm just going to eco this. Hundreds of maps are not a problem if maps are sorted properly. Sorting maps will also help new players to stay on the site. It doesn't have to be an advanced sorting fuction. Just sort them into easy, large and difficult. Maps that are both large and difficult like waterloo would be sorted into difficult.
Here's a little mock up of how the maps could be divided:

Difficult: 65
show


Large: About 100
All other maps with 50 or more regions

Easy: About 40
The rest
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:55 pm

I think we can sort a little better than that. First of all, 13 Colonies in difficult? Second of all, if above 50 is large, then there needs to be an extra large category as well I think. A list of easy/basic maps would be a good thing.

I think the best way to categorize them would to use multiple categories. First would be by size. Second would be by difficulty. Third would be alphabetically. Fourth would be chronically. Fifth would be style. Sixth would be by popularity within the last 3-4 months (or something like that).

If you are able to sort the maps using those categories, maps can fit into multiple categories and people can play the type/size/popular map that they want.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby DiM on Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:03 pm

there's no point in starting over the discussion on what categories we should or should not use.
there are some very good points in this 23 page long discussion which also includes very good descriptions and stats.
however take note of the date and realise the futility of that thread. :roll:
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby chapcrap on Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:08 pm

DiM wrote:there's no point in starting over the discussion on what categories we should or should not use.
there are some very good points in this 23 page long discussion which also includes very good descriptions and stats.
however take note of the date and realise the futility of that thread. :roll:

Very true.

Back on track, the foundry needs to get more attention to help make a better product for the site.
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby DiM on Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:10 pm

also wanted to bring this back into attention
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Re: Maps Being Released

Postby greenoaks on Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:05 am

i don't want maps removed as i have a 256 map tournament planned.
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