WIP to Final

[DRONE.JMR1]

Hi All,

I am very new here as you all know... This may have been attempted in the past (I briefly had seen a WIP thread Archived) but here it goes:

WIP // MAPS (WIP)
Category instead of a single thread

Admin's push completed map projects from WIP // MAPS (WIP) area to:

MAPS (FINAL) // FINAL // FEATURED (or whatever the better term is)

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PROS:

It would help keep unfinished maps filtered.

WiP in WiP, post your screenshots! Could live within the WIP thread as a "Feedback // Quick Feedback" thread.

Possible threads that could benefit level design such as a "Map Layout Sketch" thread for feedback. :thumbup:
(Great way to see if ideas need to be thought out better before starting work)

Prep for a possible TF3maps.net!?

CONS:
Breaks away from whatever traditions you guys have going currently.

Additional work for Admin's :thumbdown:

It's getting later in TF2 development.

___________________________________________________________________

I hope this is helpful or raises any additional ideas.
-JMR1

 

[Fruity Snacks]

All maps, WiP or Finished go here

 

[DRONE.JMR1]

Yeah, I was just suggesting that it might be cool to move finished maps into some sort of final thread from a WIP thread. Instead of having them all in one Maps category.

I see a lot of people continually asking if a map is finished throughout a thread.

 

[Fruity Snacks]

well, by nature of map developments, they are never "finished."


We don't really need to seperate the maps up.

 

[DRONE.JMR1]

Agreed,

“Art is never finished, only abandoned.”
― Leonardo da Vinci

An artist can deem it as finished for now or for good. We, on the other hand, may not think so (he may feel the same way but life has to move on to new projects).

A version up will happen with digital mediums but at which point is it necessary to start a thread in the map category if I am posting WIP screens in the WIP thread?

Should I be starting a thread in the map category for the map that I am working on even though it is still a WIP or should I be waiting for a build version before doing so?

I don't know what the norm for submissions is on the forum.

Thanks!

 

[Ravidge]

When you create a new map thread, and whenever you edit that post later, you can specify your "map version". Among those options are "planning" and "final" to accommodate anything.

People who wonder if a map is finished should check that out first.
If the author isn't updating that information, it's their loss, and they'll have to answer more useless questions.

As you said we had a wip forum way back, it was not any better than what we have now, it was actually harder to keep track of things as maps were divided needlessly.

So to counter your list of pros:

It would help keep unfinished maps filtered.

WiP in WiP, post your screenshots! Could live within the WIP thread as a "Feedback // Quick Feedback" thread.

Possible threads that could benefit level design such as a "Map Layout Sketch" thread for feedback.
(Great way to see if ideas need to be thought out better before starting work)

1) why would we want to do that, developing and finishing maps are what we do here. There is no distinction, and just because a map is finished doesn't mean it's ineligible for further feedback.

2) It already does that, moving it to a new forum is hardly a "pro", it's very neutral.

3) Create your map thread with the "Map version" set to "planning". Or just post in the wip thread, or create a new one in mapping discussion.
Very few people actually do paper sketches anymore (at least from what I can see), it used to be be popular, but as you become more experienced you sketch in your head, or directly in hammer. The reason being that the time spent on the paper sketch is more useful elsewhere. I've never seen a initial sketch turn out like the playable build, there's so many factors that become obvious when you put it into 3d space, sightlines, optimization issues, awkward gameplay, over/underscaling and so on.

 

[DRONE.JMR1]

So to counter your list of pros:

1) why would we want to do that, developing and finishing maps are what we do here. There is no distinction, and just because a map is finished doesn't mean it's ineligible for further feedback.

2) It already does that, moving it to a new forum is hardly a "pro", it's very neutral.

3) Create your map thread with the "Map version" set to "planning". Or just post in the wip thread, or create a new one in mapping discussion.
Very few people actually do paper sketches anymore (at least from what I can see), it used to be be popular, but as you become more experienced you sketch in your head, or directly in hammer. The reason being that the time spent on the paper sketch is more useful elsewhere. I've never seen a initial sketch turn out like the playable build, there's so many factors that become obvious when you put it into 3d space, sightlines, optimization issues, awkward gameplay, over/underscaling and so on.

First off,
I think your current system works great and I have no objections, only "suggestions". I did not find a place for suggestions. I thought placing this in the Request Area would be proper. As the above, you guys have already figured out a stellar system that works for what needs to be achieved. Thank you for all the feedback.

In response to the pros:

1. I never said that it would never be available for further feedback. It would be amazing to continue to get feedback and I would assume the map would continue to get updates // versions that would need to be discussed in his//her thread as well.

2. If it were to be organized in that manner it would work rather well as feedback // quick feedback instead of a WIP thread. Looking at the modification of the thread as an individual change in entity; then yes it is neutral and pointless.

3. Everyone's workflow is different. I like to start with some type of foundation wither it be a sketch on a napkin, 3D model, or an environment painting. If I'm staying spontaneous and conceptual in 3D space than yes I would not start with a sketch of a layout. A foundation can only support the idea and outcome. Things may change drastically but it's what gets you to that initial goal or final product.

 

[Sergis]

this was suggested in the chat at the same time quarterly mappacks were
a handpicked rc section would definitely make it more easier for outsiders to come here and get a good map without wading through a ton of wips
doesnt look like anyone cares about that tho