New Mapping Submission Process
Zunni
The best thing to happen to I&S in a long while Join Date: 2002-11-26 Member: 10016Members
The best thing to happen to I&S in a long while Join Date: 2002-11-26 Member: 10016Members
<div class="IPBDescription">guidelines /rules *Updated May 2 2005 *</div> Here we are at an interesting cross-roads for NS Mapping, and it’s going to be a little bumpy for all parties for the next little while, but with your patience and assistance the overall communication and process will be much improved.
So with that information, let me explain how the process is going to be altered slightly.
Map submissions in the past have involved receiving a request from a mapper about a specific map. Maps were then reviewed by a development staff member and then a decision was made on them. No real discussion occurred and no opportunities were given to improve a map not quite up to ‘snuff’ unless it was the one or two maps selected each release.
So the basis of this idea is better communication on all sides and to allow for equal possibility of inclusion in NS. So, to start the communication, I will be the primary contact for map submissions from this point forward.
I’ve broken the submission process down by steps so you can clearly see how to accomplish this process.
1)If you have a map that you consider “ready” to be included in Natural Selection, the first step is to create a thread in the “Mapping Forum” using the following criteria:
-Topic includes the name of the map, version number and it’s current status (wip/complete/playtest), As the map moves through the larger process, keep the title updated so it’s quite easy to tell where a map is in process.
-Body of the thread needs to include last update date, what you are currently doing with the map (fixing bugs/balance changes/awaiting review etc), a download link to the map and include several screenshots (gamma adjusted please) to showcase what you think are the best “features” of your map.
2)When the map thread has been created, relax for a little while and allow the community members to review your screenshots and probably download and take a walk through your map as well. Typically these posts will gather some feedback, and I expect this process to stay the same as it is currently. So ensure that you are prepared for a) people to be looking around your map b) criticism. The key here is to take an initial weed-through to remove maps that are simply just not ready or of high enough quality to be submitted.
After the thread has been quiet for a few days, PM me and I’ll review the thread/map and begin seeing if the mapper has done any additional work on the map (fixing bugs etc) based on the feedback already given. I’ll also be taking a look around the map for large-scale guideline infractions, and notifying the mapper if any are found.
Once I’ve completed my walkthrough and feel the map is in a state of completeness and is ready to be tested, I’ll notify the map maker and schedule a play test with the PT group. (Note: this may take some time and I’ll do my best to give you a timeline, but please feel free to check in with me from time to time if you haven’t heard anything) After a playtest has been completed, I will provide feedback to the mapper and also present the way in which the test was completed. I am also going to be presenting these maps to clan communities for clan level play testing.
Once initial play testing is completed, then please fix the bugs that have been found and think strongly about changing areas of the map that have been found to be potential balance issues. The thought is, if someone found something about the map that didn’t work while playing a round of NS, the issues surrounding it may compound over time and make the map not work consistently (Processing on ns_hera for example, people simply stopped playing it due to the fact 2 hives could be sieged from a single location.)
At this point, the process will go back and forth through multiple play tests.
When it’s release time, we will then look at the most polished maps from the group of “potential” maps we have and decide which/how many will be included. (The exact process is still under discussion at the moment)
Now for the hard part, if you have previously submitted a map and haven’t heard from anyone, please follow the above process. If you have a thread already created, change the topic, and body to conform with the above and bump it so it can be reviewed as a fresh map. I’m basically working from a blank slate and need your help to fill it up.
*** Please note, this is a first version, this document may change in the next little while, but the basis is pretty much not going to change.
So with that information, let me explain how the process is going to be altered slightly.
Map submissions in the past have involved receiving a request from a mapper about a specific map. Maps were then reviewed by a development staff member and then a decision was made on them. No real discussion occurred and no opportunities were given to improve a map not quite up to ‘snuff’ unless it was the one or two maps selected each release.
So the basis of this idea is better communication on all sides and to allow for equal possibility of inclusion in NS. So, to start the communication, I will be the primary contact for map submissions from this point forward.
I’ve broken the submission process down by steps so you can clearly see how to accomplish this process.
1)If you have a map that you consider “ready” to be included in Natural Selection, the first step is to create a thread in the “Mapping Forum” using the following criteria:
-Topic includes the name of the map, version number and it’s current status (wip/complete/playtest), As the map moves through the larger process, keep the title updated so it’s quite easy to tell where a map is in process.
-Body of the thread needs to include last update date, what you are currently doing with the map (fixing bugs/balance changes/awaiting review etc), a download link to the map and include several screenshots (gamma adjusted please) to showcase what you think are the best “features” of your map.
2)When the map thread has been created, relax for a little while and allow the community members to review your screenshots and probably download and take a walk through your map as well. Typically these posts will gather some feedback, and I expect this process to stay the same as it is currently. So ensure that you are prepared for a) people to be looking around your map b) criticism. The key here is to take an initial weed-through to remove maps that are simply just not ready or of high enough quality to be submitted.
After the thread has been quiet for a few days, PM me and I’ll review the thread/map and begin seeing if the mapper has done any additional work on the map (fixing bugs etc) based on the feedback already given. I’ll also be taking a look around the map for large-scale guideline infractions, and notifying the mapper if any are found.
Once I’ve completed my walkthrough and feel the map is in a state of completeness and is ready to be tested, I’ll notify the map maker and schedule a play test with the PT group. (Note: this may take some time and I’ll do my best to give you a timeline, but please feel free to check in with me from time to time if you haven’t heard anything) After a playtest has been completed, I will provide feedback to the mapper and also present the way in which the test was completed. I am also going to be presenting these maps to clan communities for clan level play testing.
Once initial play testing is completed, then please fix the bugs that have been found and think strongly about changing areas of the map that have been found to be potential balance issues. The thought is, if someone found something about the map that didn’t work while playing a round of NS, the issues surrounding it may compound over time and make the map not work consistently (Processing on ns_hera for example, people simply stopped playing it due to the fact 2 hives could be sieged from a single location.)
At this point, the process will go back and forth through multiple play tests.
When it’s release time, we will then look at the most polished maps from the group of “potential” maps we have and decide which/how many will be included. (The exact process is still under discussion at the moment)
Now for the hard part, if you have previously submitted a map and haven’t heard from anyone, please follow the above process. If you have a thread already created, change the topic, and body to conform with the above and bump it so it can be reviewed as a fresh map. I’m basically working from a blank slate and need your help to fill it up.
*** Please note, this is a first version, this document may change in the next little while, but the basis is pretty much not going to change.
This discussion has been closed.