Gameday Submission Rules and Information

[Geit]

Submission Format:

• Exact Map Filename (ctf_example_a4)
  • URL to on-site or off-site file download.
  • Repacked BSP's (link) are greatly appreciated to save time for the host.
  • May not be a hosting site like mega-upload (wait times, codes, excessive ads, etc).
  • May not be a Steam Workshop Link
• TF2Maps.net discussion thread link
  
• If your submission is a single stage out of a multi-stage map, please mention this. (orphaned stage)
• If you are a donator with upload abilities, please say if you have already uploaded the map.

Rules for Map Submitters:

• The map must be playable. This means fully functional objective system, proper spawns, not fullbright, etc.
  • The purpose of this testing is to help authors refine their designs, not catch newbie bugs.
• Filename must be versioned. (ctf_example_a1.bsp, not ctf_example.bsp)
  • Do not rename a bsp after compile. The vmf must be renamed before compile.
• Filename must be all lowercase. (ctf_example_a1.bsp, not CTF_Example_A1.bsp)
  • Our Linux servers don't work with uppercase names.
• Map must be in development, finished maps do not require testing.
• Map may not use a point_servercommand to alter any variables.
• Map must be designed for standard play. This does not include MvM
  • This means no melee, class restricted, too small for 24 players, or otherwise gimmicky maps. However, Medieval maps will be allowed under decision of gameday host.
• You may NOT reserve a submission without a download.
• If an author has more than one map they want tested, they must be submitted to separate days.
• Non-compliance with rules will result in rejection of the submission to the event.

Testing options:

• A time extension may be requested for mature non-arena maps in need of fine tuning (this includes orphaned stages).
• A specific time slot: Available time & your time zone.
  • Only use if you aren't available for the whole testing period and wish to attend your map.
• Critical Hits may be requested to be turned off or on specifically for the map test.

General Information:

• First come first serve, until the event period is filled (typically two hours).
• Maps will get 30 minutes playtime, KotH/CTF/SD gets 20, Arena and orphaned stages get 15.
• Last map can exceed the limit so long as the testing starts within the 2 hour period
• You can keep the same TF2Maps.net file number by clicking edit on your file's page and then simply putting a new file in the upload box. This makes it easier for you (don't have to update all your links), easier for us, and less clutter on the site. (picture)
• Any maps that have been tested in the previous Gamedays that week (regardless of version/changes) will be given lower priority over other maps submitted to said test

 

[Harribo]

This only applies to Gamedays so I think the threads name should reflect that. The 1st point in the last section refers to Gamedays being 2 hours long, that's how long my ones are but people have been known to have theirs longer. Maybe pull that out or edit that. Also, i'll edit my Gameday tutorial thread in the VIP section as a result of this soon.

 

[Pawlakov]

Yup

 

[henke37]

Can we get a rule that all maps have to be claimed in the feedback database? That would simplify matters, even removing the strict need for the thread number.

 

[Berry]

Can we get a rule that all maps have to be claimed in the feedback database? That would simplify matters, even removing the strict need for the thread number.

But that means the map has to have been played previously, and it then also means the gameday host has to find the thread them self if needed.

 

[henke37]

I could have sworn that the feedback system allowed you to claim maps in advance. And if not that, there is the map group system that definitely does that.

 

[Nopey]

The Red text is hard to read, could you make it Pink or Magenta?
Edit: repacking is an alternative to bz2 and should probably be mentioned (see http://forums.tf2maps.net/showthread.php?t=24822)

 

[ArrowFlint22]

enter my map in a future gameday: http://tf2maps.net/resources/koth_depot.990/

 

[Yrr]

enter my map in a future gameday: http://tf2maps.net/resources/koth_depot.990/

you have to do that yourself when a gameday thread appears.
alternatively you can join the steam chat and add it to the map list for impromptu tests

 

[Egan]

Some clarification on the 'Egan Gameday Rules' that I use on the gamedays I host for further information / possible discussion:


1) "I'll keep playing maps past the end of the gameday as long as I feel like playing TF2 (usually at least 3 more maps from the end). If there is another VIP / Admin on then they can take my place as host, if they are available to do so."

We tend to get more than 5 maps in a gameday submission thread which means that testing more is probably best for the people that might miss out otherwise. Usually we end up playing all maps submitted anyway, but not always. The maps in the scheduled list at the top of the page (that fills two hours) get the 2 minute 'bonus feedback rounds' which, through testing, seems to double the amount of feedback a map gets (but also increases gameday time by a lot because usually these aren't only 2 minutes).


2) "I'll only play 5cap maps for a maximum of 20 minutes because, partly having no experience in competitive, I don't enjoy them and they bore me out for the rest of the gameday." (since removed)

This has been contested if it's good lately, and I'm open to changing it. To be honest while I write '20 minutes' I typically set it higher, to 22, 23, or 25, because I can see that people want their hard work tested fairly (I hope no one scoffed at that, since I also started a multitude of gameday video series in the past that ate up too much of my time - genuinely).

At this point it's been 2.5 years of me doing gamedays every Saturday (one exception when it was a Sunday, 3 weeks ago) and I've noticed that sometimes I'll play a map where I will get very bored. When I get to this state I find that trying to talk a lot, or setting a 'no alltalk round' will help keep me alert and awake, which is good. If I get too tired, too bored, then it shows in: #1 the amount of feedback that I give, and #2 how much I will continue to talk relevantly on the microphone. (As a side note here, I have a small theory that the more players with microphones, the healthier the server).

I came to the '5cp is boring' perspective based on a few reasons: #1 how often 5cp tends to have rounds that go on for far too long on our 24 player pub server - where it becomes difficult to decide if the map should get a feedback round, or when to even end the round formally. I'm talking rounds that go into the 40+ minute region. #2 I also feel this way because I sometimes like to play as a defender class - to be able to take a breather and defend an area (I mained demoman and heavy for a long time) for a moment, and 5cp tends to be 'continuous-attack-or-risk-falling-behind'. #3 I have no formal introduction to competitive and so I have a limited perspective of the viability of enjoyment for 5cp. This is probably my own fault for sure, as one might expect it to be required of doing any sort of advanced feedback, and I might agree, but I've just personally found it hard to get into.

I don't know if I'd put this to a vote as people probably wouldn't read the full reasoning, and might just see it as an ethical issue, a 'fair times for all, not caring about reason' perspective. However, because the rounds tend to go beyond 30 minutes anyway, I think I will take out the written rule from here entirely, just to calm the status quo, of which is probably appropriate. If you have any thoughts about my reasoning you can write below.


3) "At the end of each map I'll explain a 2 minute bonus round for feedback: people with feedback can join spec and use the !gf & !fb commands, and people without feedback can just play for a small while before the map changes."

In the past we've experimented with varying lengths of 'feedback rounds' - which, even now in only a 2 minute form, dramatically increases the amount of 'feedback chat posts' the maps we test get. 2 minutes seems good because it is long enough to cool down and get to think about what you want to say, but is also short enough to not have players not get bored in between the maps.



.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

Something that I'd like to point out with Egan's post. Gamedays are very important, they are the definite tests that happen each week that can give people who don't have a chance to get into IMP's to have their maps tested on a full server. It's important that these test give everyone equal opportunity to have whatever gamemode their map is, without any sort of bias. Additionally, as the host, you're not required to give feedback every-time. As a host, you're there to, at least, encourage positive and constructive feedback discussion. You don't need to be a part of the discussion, but you do need to moderate it. Recently, these types of conversations have gotten to the point where they happen on their own, without the need for moderation.

If you're thinking about hosting a gameday or imp's, great! We can always use more test-hosters. (All you need is VIP!) Just keep in mind that you must give every gamemode equal opportunity to be tested, regardless of your personal preferences towards a gamemode. It's hard sometimes, but staying neutral in these types of things is important.

For those who are wondering, we do/have had set gamemode times. These times are based on the length of the rounds, so that there is at least a couple rounds of testing each session.
Arena - 15 minutes
Orphaned stages (CP/PL/other) - 15 minutes "each" (but can be requested by the author for 20-25)
CTF/KotH - 20 minutes
CP/PL All stages, single stage - 30 minutes
5CP Push - 30 minutes.

 

[Muddy]

I wouldn't mind giving it a go. I have plenty of experience hosting imps and I have a lot of free time (woo unemployment etc), plus I'm based in the UK so hosting EU gamedays will be ez pz

 

[Egan]

I made a small javascript tool to help set up gameday threads easier because editing the bbcode in the tiny in-site editor is poopy.

http://mikeegan.ca/webtools/gamedayhelper/

I'll work on it more later but the basics are in.

 

[theatreTECHIE]

I made a small javascript tool to help set up gameday threads easier because editing the bbcode in the tiny in-site editor is poopy.

http://mikeegan.ca/webtools/gamedayhelper/

I'll work on it more later but the basics are in.

Would it also be possible if we could choose the time it started in the sheet?

 

[Dr.crazy]

can anybody tell me if "arena re-spawn" is considered to be a gimmick? Its certainly not a standard game mode but I was hoping it would fall under the umbrella of arena as far as acceptance is concerned.

 

[RodionJenga]

can anybody tell me if "arena re-spawn" is considered to be a gimmick?

1) This probably isn't the right place for this question. Small "would this be ok?" questions are best asked in the steam chat, or in a direct message to the specific gameday runner.

2) That gamemode sounds fine. Slight modifications or combinations of existing gamemodes are usually ok, that stipulation is mostly there to exclude "fun modes" such as hoovy boxing, prop hunt, etc

 

[Muddy]

Personally (as a gameday host) I'm fine with gimmicky maps provided the map in question is a serious project. In other words, something like koth_probed and cp_gorge_event would be fine because, despite the whole UFO/halloween gimmicks, they're still proper maps designed for Actual Gameplay - but a trade map wouldn't be allowed because that's designed mainly for dicking about and shouting "STOUT SHAKO FOR 2 REFINED" over and over

 

[Dr.crazy]

thank you both for the info, in regards to it being in the wrong area my apologies I'm new here should I remove the post?

 

[Muddy]

Nah, you're good. If it's a real problem then an admin will probably move/delete it

 

[Dr.crazy]

Ok thanks again