cp_loot

Why not release it all at once?

Is it really that special?

What Is Schwa said:

Teaser image 2 is up.

I've been trying to decide how best to release a public test. I'm thinking of doing it a public release for each stage then a complete public release, than a final. If I go that route I will be releasing Stage 1 on Wednesday, May 5th.

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I don't think people have the attention span to track a map that closely. Not to mention it'll fragment the map versions put up on public servers - server owners don't want to be overwhelmed with multiple files all for one map.

Also be careful with the "epicness" of the map release. Between the teaser images and talk of the map being released in parts, you're starting to tread into ego-trip territory (even though I know that's not your intent).

As Spud said, trying to make your map more important than a valve release just for showiness does take a trip in to ego land. However, if your intent is balance, then by all means, release as stages. Although, if you have all them done, then why not balance them at the same time?

Oh dude I didn't mean to make it sound like you were going overboard. I just thought I'd let you know in case others took in the wrong way. I probably shouldn't have said anything.

Plus I actually do want to get my hands on the map.:O

Given how good swiftwater is I'll be keeping a close eye on this. Good to know you have another project in the works, good luck with it.

One of the things about testing in stages is that it skews player's perception of balance. They have an expectation about how hard it should be to win a particular stage, and people get messed up when they don't have the other two stages for that comparison.

At the same time though, I've noticed that people generally give back the same amount of feedback, so it could either be about one stage in detail, or all stages more generally. Each type of feedback has its strengths, but regardless it's up to you.

Either way, we want to see it, like yesterday. :lol:

Dr. Spud said:

I don't think people have the attention span to track a map that closely. Not to mention it'll fragment the map versions put up on public servers - server owners don't want to be overwhelmed with multiple files all for one map.

Also be careful with the "epicness" of the map release. Between the teaser images and talk of the map being released in parts, you're starting to tread into ego-trip territory (even though I know that's not your intent).

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As a server owner who tries to put a lot of these customs in my rotation. I can attest to this...all of this. Can't wait to check it out though!

What Is Schwa said:

I expect there will be a lot of things I have to change and fix. I've never balanced a 3 stage map before - I thought perhaps doing it stage by stage would be optimal. I was hoping those with more experience than myself would chime in.

What's your experience Grim Tuesday?

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I would actually suggest doing it in a normal series... but have all of the cp_loot_a# maps only have the final round. Once you're pretty close to finished with round 3, then move on to the cp_loot_b# maps, which will have both round 2 and 3 connected together. That way, the final stage will still get some playtesting, but round 2 will get the majority of exposure. Simply repeat the process again for the cp_loot_c# maps.

I found the benefits of this system, even when just used internally, to be enormous. Everyone, most importantly server owners, will know which map is furthest along. Furthermore, for the first two thirds, people will just see it as an "alpha" or a "beta" map, and won't get confused by the naming process.
Best of all, this system allows you to still have people examining the details of the later rounds while you're still playtesting the first for balance.

The only downside to this is that you'll have additional time where the first things people see are dev textures, which slowly become more and more detailed as rounds progress, which is slightly counter intuitive. Additionally, this requires you to work on the points in a reverse order. Other than those two problems, this system allows you to work on each round independently without confusing the public.

zpqrei said:

I'll keep an eye on this.

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Rexy said:

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You'll take someone's eye out with that!

zpqrei said:

You'll take someone's eye out with that!

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Yeah that amount of phong shading can not only take your eye out but make you downright blind... and infertile!

There is only 1 spawn point, all palyers spawn in the same spot







Here is visible nodraw texture

Btw, awesome map

Get rid of the hurting lava, it's so annoying, especially when you can't easily get up again

What Is Schwa said:

You guys played a very old build. I'm not even sure how that got on the server. =(

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Frantic last minute warning testing situation, we used tf2maps US server.