On artpass contest originality...
- Thread starter Terr
- Start date
The odd nature of this contest has allowed some site features to be used more effectively. Unfortunately for some, these are reward based perks.
For example i have tried to highlight the blog area: http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=14216
There simply needs to be some incentive for donating, a little more attention and capacity to involve yourself in the communities "happenings", such as game server moderator, are ways to go in achieving that end.
TF2maps was always about teaching the little guys and being a resource, but as it's grown it eats more resources and it's meta goals change to accomodate the growth, such as to throwing major events like major mapping contests. Running more servers and eating up significantly more bandwidth because of popularity needs some form of support.
I think it's only natural that donators and vets consider themselves more dedicated (and to a lack of better words "important"), as they drive this community forwards that extra step more.
For example i have tried to highlight the blog area: http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=14216
There simply needs to be some incentive for donating, a little more attention and capacity to involve yourself in the communities "happenings", such as game server moderator, are ways to go in achieving that end.
TF2maps was always about teaching the little guys and being a resource, but as it's grown it eats more resources and it's meta goals change to accomodate the growth, such as to throwing major events like major mapping contests. Running more servers and eating up significantly more bandwidth because of popularity needs some form of support.
I think it's only natural that donators and vets consider themselves more dedicated (and to a lack of better words "important"), as they drive this community forwards that extra step more.
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It'd help if there was a clear link to a donation page. I didn't even realize it was donation-based... I thought VIP was a moderator only thing.
Took me forever to find the link buried in the user cp. :\
Kep
I never, could never and will never understand that. Its a debate that we've been working with forever on these forums.
frontpage:
Promotions,contests, latest news, last 10 posts, whos online, links etc etc.
Forums:
forums and leader stats.
- Dec 28, 2008
- 944
- 1,152
J4CK8
L11: Posh Member
- Mar 4, 2009
- 820
- 243
Hmm, not on there for me and my best guess is it is something to do with AdBlock, it's the only addon I have installed but does that really block a donation button?
The one thing that worries me is that at the end of this contest, there will be one winner, and 100 other losers that look just like the winners. We did start with the same base after all.
I can't help but think that there will be a lot of these maps still floating around on servers after the contest.
I can't help but think that there will be a lot of these maps still floating around on servers after the contest.
Leminnes
aa
- Jan 20, 2010
- 1,317
- 902
I'll bet dollars to donuts, the winner will have a look that is distinctive from others and of a higher quality.
Goombac
L4: Comfortable Member
- Mar 27, 2010
- 172
- 84
The main problem I see is that with all of the maps coming out, unique or not, many of them are going to have great areas (design-wise) and only one is going to win. Then, it's not like other mapping contests where the person who wins wins and people get to play whichever map they want. Now, we have one map which some will like, others probably not and a whole bunch of dead maps that all look amazing.
I've seen some that are based off jungles, deserts, bases, mines and so on, a lot of unique ones that I have never seen before in any way shape or form, but if they lose it's a lot of design effort lost and probably never seen again. Unless they create prefabs out of them and incorporate it into new maps, or just go throught the process of creating a new map.
But on the sharing what my map looks like part, I have sufficient (in my mind) work done to show a WIP, but I have too much mindless crap all over my map, just for reference or to place them later that screens would look to messy.
I've seen some that are based off jungles, deserts, bases, mines and so on, a lot of unique ones that I have never seen before in any way shape or form, but if they lose it's a lot of design effort lost and probably never seen again. Unless they create prefabs out of them and incorporate it into new maps, or just go throught the process of creating a new map.
But on the sharing what my map looks like part, I have sufficient (in my mind) work done to show a WIP, but I have too much mindless crap all over my map, just for reference or to place them later that screens would look to messy.
Geal
L4: Comfortable Member
- Aug 16, 2009
- 162
- 56
Argh, I really need to get started. I'm confident I can do well once I get going, I just need some initial inspiration. I have a vague idea of doing a snowy desert theme (yes, it DOES snow in the desert), like dustbowl in the winter, but I'm worried that'd wind up just being gimmicky. I was going to attempt to do a more appropriate egyptian theme with cp_lacuna, but maybe I could use it here too.
Or maybe I should just stick with normal snow, viaduct-style.
Or maybe I should just stick with normal snow, viaduct-style.
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- Jun 11, 2009
- 704
- 628
oh well, that's how life goes...you invest time and dedication and in the end someone else might still do better. that's the entire point of the contest...
if you can't cope with the possible consequences of losing a competition and having lost 2 months worth of time, then you might just not enter
it was stated elsewhere that this is a perfect opportunity to have another portfolio piece or just create general interest in your work. it's not always fame and fortune that counts
if you can't cope with the possible consequences of losing a competition and having lost 2 months worth of time, then you might just not enter
it was stated elsewhere that this is a perfect opportunity to have another portfolio piece or just create general interest in your work. it's not always fame and fortune that counts
I think some people are missing the point of this contest. To have fun.
The layout is already there and most of the responsibility is gone. People should be thinking more along the lines of what a great oppotunity this is more than "OMG I WONT WIN".
There will always be 1 top dog per contest; and sure, it sucks that you don't have a custom map at the end of it for conselation. But don't enter then. If you're that worried about this issue then just make a normal custom map. No ones forcing you to detail this map. If you're not entering then stop complaining, there's always next time; and if you are entering you've already accepted the possibility you wont win and are not that bothered by that fact.
The layout is already there and most of the responsibility is gone. People should be thinking more along the lines of what a great oppotunity this is more than "OMG I WONT WIN".
There will always be 1 top dog per contest; and sure, it sucks that you don't have a custom map at the end of it for conselation. But don't enter then. If you're that worried about this issue then just make a normal custom map. No ones forcing you to detail this map. If you're not entering then stop complaining, there's always next time; and if you are entering you've already accepted the possibility you wont win and are not that bothered by that fact.
Part of the problem is also that a lot of people seem stuck in the "you can't change gameplay" mode. Gameplay is a solid foundation, it's not going to change a lot if your staircase is 96 units to the left or one door is smaller than it used to be. Gameplay depends on the shape of available space where you can move and how the spaces are connected together.
Everyone also seems to think a bit too much about how they need to add in detail into the already finished map instead of going into negative space and removing things while still making the map play the same. I got stuck in this mindset when I first started looking around the .vmf but as I've kept on going, I find I want to remove more and more of the big solid brushes.
Everyone also seems to think a bit too much about how they need to add in detail into the already finished map instead of going into negative space and removing things while still making the map play the same. I got stuck in this mindset when I first started looking around the .vmf but as I've kept on going, I find I want to remove more and more of the big solid brushes.
Valve will give a winner, but then they will do a whole ton of "Best of" runner-up consolation "prizes".
Remember the propaganda poster contest? They awarded a winner, and then they showed dozens of "best use of" this or that runner ups.
I bet the same thing will happen here.
"Best moon base." "Best night map." "Best War Zone map." Etc...