Long live Alti - Do it yourself

[Mandrad]

The corporate image redesign discussion as step out from its grave - wich is great, for that would realy add something to our beloved Alti. I want to highlight, the fact that people show themselves interested and willing to participate - doesnt happens very often. As we all know, usualy, most "forum-players" stick to the we need more: perks, modes, planes, more c. points, etc... Anyway, the community enlargement would "help" the developers and in consequence of that, the community, but, there's more that we can do that doesnt take much time, brainstorming, marketing and graphic design abillities, in fact you can do it playing!!! WOW!!!
Yep, we all agree that more good maps will help keeping us interested in spending time playing. And all must agree that feedback on new maps its #$&%& (close to zero)!

I´ve once made a thread asking server hosters to post who they are in order to help map makers spreading their work - feedback was poor! Still think this is important and should be "solved"!

A year ago, or something near it... there were map test server/s, now we have ladder and Prose. I rarely play ladder, and possibily that is the reason why im missing something here... why do some maps <...> Current phase: Testing, currently available to play on ladder for points via /vote custom start_x <...> and others not? Because this ones have been revised before?
Prose is unfortunately, as far as i know, in "vacations" wich is a pitty! Yesterday, i asked Mike about the maps testing scene and he answered <...>Im the only one who test maps and ive been a bit away from the game<...> (if not exactly this, something very near). Unfortunately, i think that is close to be exact!

Maybe due to the map contest announce, more people showed interest in map making, and some did came up! I never totaly understood this contest. Im fine with that for i dont care for cpts, but some do, and for most kids, the 1st map ain't a walk in the park - for those, pushes are required!

I wonder if Devs could give us a "maps test only server"?
Why dont we have one already? - please!? - Is it because of legal issues image rights related?

Please share your opinions.

[[Y]]

The problem with a maps testing server (like Prose Only) is that no one plays on it. It's a controversial proposal because people care oh so much about their points, but I think the best way to get new maps some testing is to put them into the random rotation in ladder and have them count towards people's ratings. Atm I feel no one plays seriously or as well as they could when test maps come up, so put their e-points on the line. Force them to have something to lose, and then maybe we'll finally get some new league/ladder-worthy maps.

[trendy11one]

The problem with a maps testing server (like Prose Only) is that no one plays on it.

i must say, once i come to AIR ball server, or it was dojo, dont remember, but i vote like 3 or 4 times in row "new" maps(atmosphere, metal, dont remember others) and ppl press 1, we play this and someone leave their opinion after game.
Problem is noone even try to bump those maps. I mean, if me, u constantly vote changemap every time, when we come in server, maybe this help

[pig_bomb]

Getting maps tested will always be a slow and laborious process. This comes from the paradoxical attitude of altitude players. Players want to have new maps to play and also want to play on maps they are comfortable and knowledgable about. If you want people to play your map you can't really expect them to do it on their own. You need to log on frequently, bug people insesently about trying them out, get your own test sessions together.

The other problem is people don't realise how helpful or maps forum threads are. It has happened with almost every single one of my maps that there is some problem with a map and people flame it when their playing it then go on to the next map and forget about it. Well how can i fix a problem if nobody takes a minute out of their day to either post in my thread or pm me to tell me of the problem. With my map clocktower people actually took the time to re-upload the old version of the map rather than tell me they didn't like the new one.

[Bukem]

In fairness your old clocktower is superb.

[Nikon]

I agree, there should be a server JUST for new maps in the testing stages. Like the {arr} testing maps server, but this still has all the official maps in it, so you always have to vote the maps you want to test.

If anyone can host a server or convince kraws, mlopes, or gemi (I think that's the host of {arr}) to make a new server for testing maps that would be a good way to test maps.

[Boko]

My idea is just getting all the popular servers to include the maps in their list but not in the cycle and just keep voting it. That's the most effective way imo. If your map keeps getting voted for you know it's good.

[lamster]

"I never totally understood [the map contest]."
Neither did we. We had an idea for how it might work, but after a few rounds of feedback we realized a major change of course was needed. Since then a number of things have competed for our attention, but the main reason the map contest is not already out is that we haven't given it the priority it deserves. Sorry.

"I wonder if Devs could give us a maps test only server"?
Yes, we can and we will. At various times players have contributed good map test servers but the community deserves an official server that they can be sure will stick around. We will include a test server as part of the map contest. Our current vision for the map contest is to include an official "map test night" when we (the devs) log in to the map test server and encourage other veterans to help us with some intensive, constructive testing.

[mikesol]

Originally Posted by lamster

"I never totally understood [the map contest]."
Neither did we. We had an idea for how it might work, but after a few rounds of feedback we realized a major change of course was needed. Since then a number of things have competed for our attention, but the main reason the map contest is not already out is that we haven't given it the priority it deserves. Sorry.

"I wonder if Devs could give us a maps test only server"?
Yes, we can and we will. At various times players have contributed good map test servers but the community deserves an official server that they can be sure will stick around. We will include a test server as part of the map contest. Our current vision for the map contest is to include an official "map test night" when we (the devs) log in to the map test server and encourage other veterans to help us with some intensive, constructive testing.

How are you going to deal with the issue of uploading maps? Will you simply go to the map forum and download them all and then upload them or are you going to automate that process?

My biggest issue with prose is that it was very difficult to constantly be uploading new changes and restarting.

Also - have you fixed the bug where we can only have a certain number of maps? I haven't tried uploading everything back to my server yet.

[lamster]

I was thinking we'd automate the process with a web form. I'd like to allow maplist updating (and arbitrarily large map lists), but until those are ready we may need to set up the script to restart the server every hour (or at round end if a game is in progress) and grab a new sampling of maps.

[mikesol]

Originally Posted by lamster

I was thinking we'd automate the process with a web form. I'd like to allow maplist updating (and arbitrarily large map lists), but until those are ready we may need to set up the script to restart the server every hour (or at round end if a game is in progress) and grab a new sampling of maps.

*nods* that's the nice part of having a VPS. Prose was simply a server hosted by jestservers and you can't run any programs or whatnot with it.

[Pieface]

Sweet idea - seems like a good solution. At the moment all we have is ladder and even then it's hard to get a good 5v5 test game going. Having some incentive to play competitive games on newer maps (e.g. you guys showing up!) would be great.

[gemigemi]

Originally Posted by Nikon

I agree, there should be a server JUST for new maps in the testing stages. Like the {arr} testing maps server, but this still has all the official maps in it, so you always have to vote the maps you want to test.

If anyone can host a server or convince kraws, mlopes, or gemi (I think that's the host of {arr}) to make a new server for testing maps that would be a good way to test maps.

Sure, I can transform the {arr} testing server to only having test maps and no official ones. I've been asking the pirates to give me a list of maps that they want in there, but actually any one of you could compile me a list of maps (and download links, please) and I'll put them on the server.

[Mandrad]

Nice stuff! Tx for makin this happen.

[Luke]

I think I already said this multiple times a long time ago in some other threads, but I repeat this.
I think a major, huge, enormous change in altitude could be accomplished by introducing moving objects in the maps, Nothing too complex, just the object, collidable yes/no, pivot point and some sort of description of how it moves in time.
A couple of benefits:
- unlimited new game modes (examples: race, with a start gate that opens at a certain time; puzzle, where the planes must cross a map filled with obstacles; ball/tbd variations with moving bases/goals; anything else that comes to your mind)
- all this would greatly improve the community participations in making the altitude "world" growing
IMHO, of course.
I'm not really into game programming, hence I have no idea of how much time a major update like this could take. Or even if it could be implemented at all. lamster what do you think?