Map Releases and You! Share your wish!

[MangyCarface]

I want to know more about how people prefer to get maps.

I think one of the main reasons turbine and fastlane are played so much is because they arrived as a pack, that was convenient to get.

That being said:

If three or so very well polished maps were about to be released as public betas, would you be more likely to try each one if they were released solely as a map pack?
Would you be more likely to download none of them as a result?

How would you like to be notified of releases in the future?
This question is especially aimed towards server operators.
Thanks for all input!

 

[Nineaxis]

I'd like to recieve them as a pack, but wouldn't necessarily keep them grouped as one if I put them on my server or something- I'd pick whatever I like.

 

[ChronoTriggerFan]

If people download map packs, then they are more likely to put all 3 maps up on their server. Then the maps will get more notice that way.

 

[Shmitz]

I really don't think turbine and fastlane get played because they came as a 2-pack. I think if Valve had only released one of them, it would be played just as much because all players are forced to download it when they patch.

A very large percentage of the players who only play "stock" don't like custom maps simply because the download time takes 60 seconds away from them shooting at people.

 

[What Is Schwa]

So far I have been deeply offended by every map pack I've seen for TF2.

The only reason any maps should be grouped together is if they are offering something fresh. It should be treated like a product and marketed to server admins, as they are the folks that really control what gets played.

My "dream" map pack would go something like this:

1) Pick 8 already popular maps of varying gametypes.
2) Contact the authors and assemble them together.
3) Nitpick the living hell out of each map. Have each author go back to hammer and fix every teensy little bug, misaligned texture, or wonky gameplay mechanic.
4) Assemble maps into a .rar that is friendly to server admins, with bz2s and everything.
4a) Offer servers an alternate "quick download" site they can use.
5) Contact several servers to run the map pack in 24/7 rotation for at least one month.
6) "Release" the map-pack to the general public with a list of 10+ servers already running the rotation.
7) Profit! Server admins benefit from the traffic generated by the buzz. Players benefit with new experience. Mappers benefit from wider exposure.

I dunno. If you really are planning a map pack please don't just zip a bunch of stuff that everyone already has and doesn't play anyhow. Players aren't the target here.

Again, if I didn't emphasize it enough: MAP PACKS SHOULD TARGET SERVER ADMINS.

 

[MangyCarface]

Shmitz,
I more meant that the two are now being played on "24/7" servers together, as one. For example 24/7 Turbine/Fastlane. Is this a result of their release time, because their gameplay is certainly not a thematic pairing (whereas goldrush+dustbowl 24/7 servers make sense in that regard.)

A pairing like that is the earliest form of a rotation. In the early days of counter-strike, this is how the "stock" maps were built up. Would releasing in mappacks help develop a "stock" rotation made of customs? Would this eventually aid in their being announced as "officialized" maps?

Schwa,
Yes, I'm definitely looking at targetting server admins very closely. Also the hypothetical pack would consist of those very same level of quality maps. I don't know everything about the downloading side, though that is probably a problem. But if someone ends up downloading an entire map-pack, aren't they more likely to play each one of those maps individually when they don't expect to have to download a new map? Will it help with name recognition in the server bar?

Thoughts, please, this is very interesting to me

 

[YM]

You forgot the option "I don't want to EVER manually download a map, give it to me when I'm on the server!!!!"

 

[MangyCarface]

Youme,
This is more for server operators

 

[YM]

In that case its gotta be map packs, places like fpsb are just too much of a mess to get individual maps from, As was getting maps for gamedays, its a gastly job that.

 

[grazr]

Shmitz,
I more meant that the two are now being played on "24/7" servers together, as one. For example 24/7 Turbine/Fastlane. Is this a result of their release time, because their gameplay is certainly not a thematic pairing (whereas goldrush+dustbowl 24/7 servers make sense in that regard.)

I think that's more to do with the fact that people can get to learn these maps quickly, and with the limited map selection as is, people enjoy playing something different, and there it is; On the 24/7 turbine/fastlane server. In these regards it probably would be because of their release together but it may not be as different if they were released seperately.

I may not run my own server anymore but as a client i like the chance to learn a map one at a time. If i still ran a server however i would probably want all the maps on there so that people got a rounded experience of all the maps. People enjoy fresh experiences.

 

[What Is Schwa]

...if someone ends up downloading an entire map-pack, aren't they more likely to play each one of those maps individually when they don't expect to have to download a new map?

Not in my opinion.

Players who are inclined to go out and download a map pack are most likely the same players who are willing to wait a few seconds at map change to download and try new content.

----

A successful map pack is something that could GENERATE traffic to servers. Here is my thinking:

Servers lose people at map switch. Servers lose more people at map switch when players have to download a new map. Servers lose people when the player count gets too low. Server is now empty.

Map packs alleviate the second problem by reassuring server admins that a percentage of their players will have downloaded the entire pack already and are immediately ready to play the entire rotation.

Will it help with name recognition in the server bar?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. If we could create a quality map pack and get 10 servers on board with a 24/7 rotation for a month and announce the package simultaneously I think the amount of buzz would be astounding.

The greatest obstacle to custom maps is servers who host them.

I have one server op I'm fairly close with that I'm nearly certain would be interested in this. Also I'll bet Madlep over at ubercharged.net would be willing to give it a shot. I'm not very close with him but maybe someone else around here is.

Now find us 9 more.