tf2maps stamp!

H

Haas

You guys should make a: "This map is official approved by tf2maps.net " stamp.
And make the criteria for it your self.
So we get a list of good maps and eventually make a map pack for custom servers that want good maps not the crappy orange or missing timer or this is my first map maps :p
 
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DJive

Cake or Death?
aa
Dec 20, 2007
1,465
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This is a great idea!, it may be to soon at the moment though *as the staff and criteriums aren't yet formed. However once we get a good list we can rate on i love this idea. I think the contest will help a ton as well =)
 

YM

LVL100 YM
aa
Dec 5, 2007
7,135
6,056
I would do it, but you've caught me at an "I've just closed PS" moment and I canne' be bothered to open it up again.
 

Rock

L2: Junior Member
Jan 18, 2008
51
5
I think it's a great idea. Looking at the ever increasing list of maps, I'd be inclined to check out the ones with a "seal of approval" first knowing they meet a preset criteria.
 

Scotland Tom

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 19, 2008
332
64
Absolutely brilliant idea! A stamp of approval for those maps deemed worthy of TF2Maps.net. It will certainly help those looking to run new maps on their servers weed out those maps of lesser quality. It'll also serve as a motivational tool for the community that will hopefully ensure mappers make the extra effort to release a truly exceptional map.
 

Rock

L2: Junior Member
Jan 18, 2008
51
5
I suggest a contest for the seal. :) I'd like to take a chance at it.

shiny-name-badge.png


:latest work:
BC-sig.png
 

Tobias Greenich

L1: Registered
Jan 2, 2008
15
0
I like the idea. Lots of maps to sort through, it would make things easier. Especially if you could just show the approved ones in a search of some kind.

Sally Forth, and whatnot!
 

Armadillo of Doom

Group Founder, Lover of Pie
aa
Oct 25, 2007
949
1,228
To be honest, I'm not sure I like this idea. I started the TF2Mappers just as much for the budding amateur as the veteran mapper. Obviously, not everyone is of equal skill level. We would need seperate sections for amateur and pro maps, but no server ever wants to run the former. Not to mention the fact that we currently lack a server, and only a handful of submitted maps receive comments. And of those comments, 90% are general encouraging remarks about the looks, rather than constructive critisism. Also consider this scenario; a map submitted is a real pos. Like full bright, repeating textures, broken spawn, etc. How to tell someone who's genuinely trying from a guy who doesn't really care? If we do this, and safe to say it's a big if right now, we would need to sort out all these issues. /endrant /resume discussion
 

Tobias Greenich

L1: Registered
Jan 2, 2008
15
0
The thing is, the likelihood of getting a great map from someone of a lower skill level is quite low. The purpose of the stamp would be to show the best of the best, the maps that EVERYONE likes and can't find faults with. It should be reserved as a high honor, a map that the website is proud to say "Yea, that user resides here, and we house talents like him (or her).

The website wouldn't change... it would just show which maps have been accepted as truly magnificent works, and show the amateurs what to aspire to and how a good custom map should look.
 

Nizzem

L2: Junior Member
Nov 29, 2007
57
0
I don't like this idea, and I can see it leading to some arguments and cynicism. We are all capable of judging a map ourselves and the really good ones stand out on their own without a 'seal of approval'.
all in all it just seems unnecessary to point out that one map is better then another with a seal.
 

drp

aa
Oct 25, 2007
2,273
2,628
i would agree that having only certain maps have a 'tf2maps.net seal of approval' would be hard to manage, and unfair at best.

i think an alternative would be a map pack of 'suggested best of the best' by tf2maps.net

some mappers would create crap maps and still stick that label in there anyway for more downloads.
 

MacNetron

L5: Dapper Member
Dec 12, 2007
203
47
I think the easiest way to do something of a rating, without creating a system that can be abused, is just posting at the thread with the download, like:
"Played it on game day and had loads of fun! Check room X though, difficult to defend".
 

Scotland Tom

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 19, 2008
332
64
Hm... I can see where the problems begin to arise after reading some of these other posts.

I still like the "stamp of approval" concept, but perhaps it could be reserved to the realm of contests and the like instead of overall ratings. I can see where it might become a discouragement to amateurs instead of a motivational tool.
 

Armadillo of Doom

Group Founder, Lover of Pie
aa
Oct 25, 2007
949
1,228
Here's a thought. Give out the stamp to only the very best. Like make it a really rare and special thing that's only handed out to a map that goes above and beyond. So that we're likely to give the stamp once every couple months, at the earliest. Make the award a real honor, rather than a generic measurement. Once we get a server and some regular activity on it, getting such a high-praise thing from us could actually mean something, once more peeps know who we are.
 

Tobias Greenich

L1: Registered
Jan 2, 2008
15
0
Immortal-D said:
Here's a thought. Give out the stamp to only the very best. Like make it a really rare and special thing that's only handed out to a map that goes above and beyond. So that we're likely to give the stamp once every couple months, at the earliest. Make the award a real honor, rather than a generic measurement. Once we get a server and some regular activity on it, getting such a high-praise thing from us could actually mean something, once more peeps know who we are.

The thing is, the likelihood of getting a great map from someone of a lower skill level is quite low. The purpose of the stamp would be to show the best of the best, the maps that EVERYONE likes and can't find faults with. It should be reserved as a high honor, a map that the website is proud to say "Yea, that user resides here, and we house talents like him (or her).

The website wouldn't change... it would just show which maps have been accepted as truly magnificent works, and show the amateurs what to aspire to and how a good custom map should look.


My point exactly. It would be used to show the very best maps, the shiniest, the ones with the most attention to gameplay and details and all of the other good things that any map SHOULD be. The maps considered the top, showcase maps of this website.
 

Scotland Tom

L6: Sharp Member
Jan 19, 2008
332
64
I know this'll make me seem like a flip-flopper, but good points continue to be made that force me to think down new avenues and alter my opinion.

To balance the pros and cons it sounds like a "highest honor" type of stamp makes the most sense. It still rewards those for going above and beyond, as well as motivates others to higher levels of achievement. At the same time, by simply being that highest of accolades it shouldn't discourage new mappers who will realize it takes time, effort, and a lot of practice to get to that level of achievement in map making.

The "highest honor" type stamp seems to strike the best balance here. Oh, and I do like the idea of holding a contest to come up with said stamp.
 

Rock

L2: Junior Member
Jan 18, 2008
51
5
Tobias makes a good point. And if aspiring map makers know this is the place to come for input/advice/tuts/critiques/expert help, then you've probably accomplished what you set out to do.

The downside is a person getting so good at making map they're beseiged by constant questions from noobs like me. ;)

shiny-name-badge.png
 

DJive

Cake or Death?
aa
Dec 20, 2007
1,465
741
^^ should hang in steam chat! =)
 
H

Haas

the reason i thought of this is that so many good maps like labor and studio ar not known to poeple this way you can say: look this are the best custom maps out there.

You could make a silver and bronze medal but that would be a lot of work.
I think it will encourage mappers to do better. I would go that extra time to get a medal :)
But all this will take maybe to much work to make it work.
But another idea is like interlopers has a map of the week .