- Feb 1, 2009
- 434
- 247
This is the first time I made one of these so I guess a little back story is probably necessary.
At calculatedChaos we add new maps to our server weekly. This goes for all maps (alphas, beta, finals, etc.) and every map that is posted on my forum gets added to the server. This could include a map people have played that wasn't on the server or a new alpha version of a map someone is working on.
On Mondays and Tuesdays of every week we run what I like to call a playTest where we test all the 'new maps' and continue to test maps added in previous weeks. During the play tests, I set the maprate plugin on my server to ask people to rate the map after 5 minutes. All of our normal server rules apply and RTV is in tact. The only difference is that the map list/map cycle only includes maps we are 'testing'.
All the ratings get added to my map ratings page (http://gaming.calculatedchaos.com/ratings/). Maps that have an average rating over 3 with over 20 ratings end up in my regular rotation. Maps that get an average rating of 2.5 or less with 20 ratings is removed from the queue. Maps in between or maps that have less than 20 ratings are put back into the testing queue until they meet further requirements.
On a given week, we could have anywhere from 15 maps to 50 maps to test. There is no schedule, no specific time when the event takes place or anything like that, we just test maps all day Monday and Tuesday.
Our stats to date:
* 278 Maps Rated
* 1970 Unique Contributors
* 9629 Map Ratings
Most of the maps that get added by my members are maps they have played and liked. There are a number of people from here and other mapping communities that post their maps directly on my forum. Personally, I love to see up and coming maps and am more than willing to provide feedback for alphas and betas. That's why when I add maps, I come to this website and grab the first page or two of maps in the 'Maps' area and test those out.
You may have seen a banner like this on the site:
Those come from my map ratings and update whenever stats for that map are updated. You can generate them for your map directly from the page and use them wherever you want.
I am very willing to add new maps to the server if someone directly asks me to do so. I am even more willing to play any map while the author is available to watch the game. I am also willing to make SourceTV demos for anyone who wants that (although my experience with this is kind of limited).
So what is the benefit of using my server over someone else's? The people that play on my server are primarily TF2 players, not mappers. What I hear the most is "Testing here is way different from testing during game day". I believe this is because we spend all our time (most of us a couple hours every single day) playing TF2 on custom maps while you guys are all mapping. Map makers may give you feedback about map flow and entities. Our players are a bit more skilled then the average TF2 server (generally IMO) and we try to have the best game possible.
More than a few people on this forum have benefited from testing on our servers and I am finding that more and more of you guys stick around the community once you have tested with us a few times (which is awesome BTW). I'm not going to list them all out so I don't risk missing someone but you guys (you know who you are) are welcome to post a message if you want.
Server IP: 216.52.143.91:27015
WoT, DNR Message:
playTest every Monday and Tuesday
Post a message on my forum (http://gaming.calculatedchaos.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=16) (or here I guess) if you want us to test your map.
Message me on steam if you want me to record your map or come play it with us at any time, even outside of playTest days.
At calculatedChaos we add new maps to our server weekly. This goes for all maps (alphas, beta, finals, etc.) and every map that is posted on my forum gets added to the server. This could include a map people have played that wasn't on the server or a new alpha version of a map someone is working on.
On Mondays and Tuesdays of every week we run what I like to call a playTest where we test all the 'new maps' and continue to test maps added in previous weeks. During the play tests, I set the maprate plugin on my server to ask people to rate the map after 5 minutes. All of our normal server rules apply and RTV is in tact. The only difference is that the map list/map cycle only includes maps we are 'testing'.
All the ratings get added to my map ratings page (http://gaming.calculatedchaos.com/ratings/). Maps that have an average rating over 3 with over 20 ratings end up in my regular rotation. Maps that get an average rating of 2.5 or less with 20 ratings is removed from the queue. Maps in between or maps that have less than 20 ratings are put back into the testing queue until they meet further requirements.
On a given week, we could have anywhere from 15 maps to 50 maps to test. There is no schedule, no specific time when the event takes place or anything like that, we just test maps all day Monday and Tuesday.
Our stats to date:
* 278 Maps Rated
* 1970 Unique Contributors
* 9629 Map Ratings
Most of the maps that get added by my members are maps they have played and liked. There are a number of people from here and other mapping communities that post their maps directly on my forum. Personally, I love to see up and coming maps and am more than willing to provide feedback for alphas and betas. That's why when I add maps, I come to this website and grab the first page or two of maps in the 'Maps' area and test those out.
You may have seen a banner like this on the site:
Those come from my map ratings and update whenever stats for that map are updated. You can generate them for your map directly from the page and use them wherever you want.
I am very willing to add new maps to the server if someone directly asks me to do so. I am even more willing to play any map while the author is available to watch the game. I am also willing to make SourceTV demos for anyone who wants that (although my experience with this is kind of limited).
So what is the benefit of using my server over someone else's? The people that play on my server are primarily TF2 players, not mappers. What I hear the most is "Testing here is way different from testing during game day". I believe this is because we spend all our time (most of us a couple hours every single day) playing TF2 on custom maps while you guys are all mapping. Map makers may give you feedback about map flow and entities. Our players are a bit more skilled then the average TF2 server (generally IMO) and we try to have the best game possible.
More than a few people on this forum have benefited from testing on our servers and I am finding that more and more of you guys stick around the community once you have tested with us a few times (which is awesome BTW). I'm not going to list them all out so I don't risk missing someone but you guys (you know who you are) are welcome to post a message if you want.
Server IP: 216.52.143.91:27015
WoT, DNR Message:
playTest every Monday and Tuesday
Post a message on my forum (http://gaming.calculatedchaos.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=16) (or here I guess) if you want us to test your map.
Message me on steam if you want me to record your map or come play it with us at any time, even outside of playTest days.
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