Custom map playtest sessions
Howser
UK Join Date: 2010-02-08 Member: 70488Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester, Retired Community Developer
UK Join Date: 2010-02-08 Member: 70488Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester, Retired Community Developer
in Mapping
<div class="IPBDescription">mappers and env. artists wanted for weekly playtests</div>Today I started renting a 18 player NS2 server, it'll be open to vanilla pub games most the time. The main reason for me paying out for this is to start testing my own work out. However I know it can hard it can be to get enough players on any custom map server, let alone players that can provide valuable feedback. So I've had the idea of starting a group up; level designers and environment artists getting together once or twice a week a set times to play test and discuss each others work. I only had the idea last night so right now I'm just testing the waters to see if people would be interested in getting involved. If there is enough interest, I'll start by setting up a svn/dropbox, mumble server and a steam group. The key people we need are active members of the NS2 community that have maps that are READY for testing. Secondary (but no less important) are the rest of us who have some level of experience in either environment art or level design to fill up the remaining slots and bring valuable insight and feedback into the sessions.
There is only 18 slots as anymore would make the games unrepresentative of a typical game, and probably a bit too noisy. Depending on the level of interest I think people submitting work for testing would always get priory for slots, and for the rest would be first come first serve. I'm looking to create a place where people of any level can come and discuss, play, get feedback and learn. I am not looking to create a place of elitist back-rubbing or a new/separate community from the existing UKE forums.
So if you're even slightly interested or have any suggestions of how we should pursue this please drop a reply so I can get an idea of what I should do.
The server is set in the UK (85.236.100.67:27015) through multi-play, it might be a bit laggy for anyone outside of Europe but the games would be more about design and discussion than having super smooth games; so all are welcome. I was thinking of doing the main test on sundays, about 8pm gmt.
Thanks for your time.
There is only 18 slots as anymore would make the games unrepresentative of a typical game, and probably a bit too noisy. Depending on the level of interest I think people submitting work for testing would always get priory for slots, and for the rest would be first come first serve. I'm looking to create a place where people of any level can come and discuss, play, get feedback and learn. I am not looking to create a place of elitist back-rubbing or a new/separate community from the existing UKE forums.
So if you're even slightly interested or have any suggestions of how we should pursue this please drop a reply so I can get an idea of what I should do.
The server is set in the UK (85.236.100.67:27015) through multi-play, it might be a bit laggy for anyone outside of Europe but the games would be more about design and discussion than having super smooth games; so all are welcome. I was thinking of doing the main test on sundays, about 8pm gmt.
Thanks for your time.
Comments
Right now there's no public place for that kind of sharing. Looking back I wish I had this myself. There are certain commonly made mistakes which are obvious to some people, and if I had someone catch them early on it would've saved me a lot of frustration. I can see how many people might have given up entirely after facing those brick walls. Anyway, that's just my 2 cents. I might've misread you as well. If you can make that sorta thing happen I would certainly be interested.
Essentially all I want to create is a Mod team environment without actually making a mod. The routine tests and reliable feedback make this sort of structured testing sessions the most valuable way of developing your work and skills. forums are all well and good, but personally I don't think they come close to having a game together and chatting about stuff in real time. Further more its a good way to make friends and build a stronger community. I've got a strong belief in this method of testing and intend to do my best to get these week games established. I'll start approaching people if you don't come to me so drop a line if you want your work tested, I would like to have our first game this weekend.
Agreed.
edit: speeling
So far I've only got drydorsity on the line up but I'll be messaging some more people to coax them into getting involved. But feel free to take the initiative and message me!
Kazel: Its not about the level of persons skill or time invested in mapping. If you're interested in level-design and Natural-selection 2 (and actually intend to do some at some point) that all one can ask. The only people I don't want a people who just want to play custom maps for the sake of it. I don't mind running the maps on my server for this purpose but the routine playtests and group are for people who want to be or are level designers/env. artists.
and yes install mumble!
<a href="http://www.mumble.com" target="_blank">http://www.mumble.com</a>
That being said, I have zero level design experience and zero mapping experience. What I do have is the ability to be insightful as someone who would actually be playing these maps.
What I'm getting at basically is it should be a play testing group for anyone who wants to help develop new maps. Priority slots go to the map designer and the handful of people they want in there, but otherwise anyone who can, and wants to, join should. It'd be nice to essentially have mappers and experienced level creators in these new maps by the pocketful, but that may not be viable. The amount of people you have willing to try in-the-works maps is going to be relatively small, the amount of them that have experience actually making levels would be even smaller. There input would be invaluable, but at the end something is being designed for the public player is pulling feedback from a rather small sample size. Hence my suggestions to ultimately try to get anyone with the urge to give feedback.
What I propose you do is (You've done a lot this, I'm just outlining)
Create a Steam group that is explicitly for map testing. Make it open to join for anyone who'd like to. Also make it clear that matches and overall gameplay aren't quite the focus of this. It's not a new Gather system with custom maps only.
Do set schedules along with impromptu revisits. Have the mappers submit the map they want to look at and a day that is good for them, a couple days in advance. Stick it on the Steam calendar and then do announcements leading up to it. Word of mouth among the more dedicated would guarantee a consistent group of people who'd come to help out, the announcement for the group in general would probably attract a couple of the less dedicated, but still interested, who happened to be bored and available.
Have random testing sessions. After the group fleshes out a little bit, go ahead and load up with maybe 3 or 4 other people. The mapper doesn't need to always be present as a map bugs can be found by anyone at anytime. Post an announcement/message a few people and do that. It doesn't always have to be structured.
That said, the maps will be on the server and I'll empower more people with admin rights as soon as I can. This will hopefully lead to much more open, and on-going play-test, that the rest of the community can get involved with. People are more than welcome to use the server if they fancy arranging such tests and I'll help make that happen, just drop me a line. I wont be pursuing or arranging typical test games myself for the time being.
Thanks
<!--quoteo(post=2059813:date=Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM:name=Howser)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Howser @ Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2059813"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->But what I am trying to start up is a very specific testing environment.The kind of environment I want to create with this group and regular meetings is one of learning and debate and that is entirely focused on improving our understanding of level-design and creating art for NS2. These tests are not designed to be representative of typical public games; they may be completely unplayable, very rough segments of map, we might be role-playing game play scenarios or just walking around a space and talking about the design. Furthermore we only have 18 slots and while its very doubtful we'll fill these, I do not believe that'll be an issue.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Totally understandable... but see below,
<!--quoteo(post=2059813:date=Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM:name=Howser)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Howser @ Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2059813"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I would rather have a low head count retrain a controlled and focused environment, than have people there for more traditional testing purposes.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->I'm saying I think you'd be hard pressed to get even 9 people. You're worried about "only having 18 slots" but I think, realistically, even if you made this an absolutely open playtesting you would be hard pressed to fill them. I feel you should do everything you can to maximize the base you want to pull from because you'd be hard pressed to consistently get people to actually test. The more people, mappers, creators, or just average joes you have, the more likely you are to get consistent groups. Varied feedback is better than little to no feedback.
<!--quoteo(post=2059813:date=Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM:name=Howser)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Howser @ Jan 12 2013, 03:05 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2059813"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That said, the maps will be on the server and I'll empower more people with admin rights as soon as I can. This will hopefully lead to much more open, and on-going play-test, that the rest of the community can get involved with. People are more than welcome to use the server if they fancy arranging such tests and I'll help make that happen, just drop me a line. I wont be pursuing or arranging typical test games myself for the time being.
Thanks<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> Useful, thanks.
Thanks again
<img src="http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3366/theeditorstable.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Thought I'd post it here as the cups and ashtrays aren't as visible in the thumbnail. Essential details. :)
<img src="http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3366/theeditorstable.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Thought I'd post it here as the cups and ashtrays aren't as visible in the thumbnail. Essential details. :)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
approved.
<b>Again, the groups open to all who are interested or invested in mapping for NS2! don't be shy :P</b>
Edit: The link to the group ain't working.
but its currently invite only due to the fact I have to set people up with a few details when they join. so add me on steam and I'll hook you up with all the bits and bobs
<a href="http://steamcommunity.com/id/howser/" target="_blank">http://steamcommunity.com/id/howser/</a>