I run a group of popular TF2/Source servers. The vast majority of the main server's map rotation consists of custom maps, and I'm constantly seeking out unique maps that are, above all, balanced and suitable for a large server.
All too often a great-looking map comes out of nowhere that works fantastically well as a screenshot machine, but leaves much to be desired in actual gameplay. I've read several posts on this forum from mappers who maintained that few, if any would bother playing a draft of a map with dev textures and rough geometry, precluding proper playtesting.
I'm posting to say that there's at least one active server that doesn't mind playtesting maps in their infancy. We've tried hundreds of maps; in fact, there are in excess of 900 TF2 maps (18GB worth) on my server. When we run across a promising map that still has issues of some kind, I try to reach out to the mapmaker and suggest fixes or offer an opportunity to observe a large playtest. More often than not, this happens at a stage in which the mapmaker has invested a lot of time detailing the map, and at which point there is a lot of resistance towards making any sort of changes (despite the fact that not solving these issues almost certainly guarantees no audience for the map).
With that in mind, I want to extend an offer to every mapmaker: we'll try out your map regardless of how unpolished it is. It's in everyone's interest to ensure that maps feature solid gameplay. I'm sure mapmakers want their maps to be widely-played, and on the flip side, server operators such as myself hate seeing a good-looking map with poor gameplay. Some mapmakers have access to clans or other large communities to test their maps, but for those that do not or those who want a second opinion, I'm offering this service. I can't guarantee the most coordinated group of players, but I can guarantee 30 players. I can't emphasize enough: dev textures and the like are not a detractor, and as regulars on our server know, we even welcome bad maps on our Terrible Maps Tuesday events.
And to lend this post a small bit of credibility: I was instrumental in getting cp_steel selected as the community map, in addition to creating its intro video and providing feedback and testing through its development stages.
So, if you'd like to take advantage of this offer, send me a PM or reply here and we'll arrange things from there.
All too often a great-looking map comes out of nowhere that works fantastically well as a screenshot machine, but leaves much to be desired in actual gameplay. I've read several posts on this forum from mappers who maintained that few, if any would bother playing a draft of a map with dev textures and rough geometry, precluding proper playtesting.
I'm posting to say that there's at least one active server that doesn't mind playtesting maps in their infancy. We've tried hundreds of maps; in fact, there are in excess of 900 TF2 maps (18GB worth) on my server. When we run across a promising map that still has issues of some kind, I try to reach out to the mapmaker and suggest fixes or offer an opportunity to observe a large playtest. More often than not, this happens at a stage in which the mapmaker has invested a lot of time detailing the map, and at which point there is a lot of resistance towards making any sort of changes (despite the fact that not solving these issues almost certainly guarantees no audience for the map).
With that in mind, I want to extend an offer to every mapmaker: we'll try out your map regardless of how unpolished it is. It's in everyone's interest to ensure that maps feature solid gameplay. I'm sure mapmakers want their maps to be widely-played, and on the flip side, server operators such as myself hate seeing a good-looking map with poor gameplay. Some mapmakers have access to clans or other large communities to test their maps, but for those that do not or those who want a second opinion, I'm offering this service. I can't guarantee the most coordinated group of players, but I can guarantee 30 players. I can't emphasize enough: dev textures and the like are not a detractor, and as regulars on our server know, we even welcome bad maps on our Terrible Maps Tuesday events.
And to lend this post a small bit of credibility: I was instrumental in getting cp_steel selected as the community map, in addition to creating its intro video and providing feedback and testing through its development stages.
So, if you'd like to take advantage of this offer, send me a PM or reply here and we'll arrange things from there.
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