Patch: January 26th, map test server, bug fixes

[lamster]

================================================== ===============
January 26th, 2011

The map test server is now online. The map test server streamlines the process of testing new maps and collecting feedback.

To upload a map for testing:
1) Visit http://altitudegame.com/map
2) Login using your Altitude email/password (NOTE: Steam users cannot upload maps yet)
3) Click 'Upload map', choose your exported map (*.altx) file, write a brief comment (the comment should make note of any specific feedback you're interested in; it is displayed to every user that tests your map), and click the upload button
4) Your map is now on the test server and ready for testing.

To update an existing map, repeat the steps above using a file with the same name. Users will see the version change and your new comment.

To test maps on the test server:
1) Join the server "Map Test - altitudegame.com/map" from the server list
2) Use the command "/newMaps" to see recently updated maps
3) Use the command "/vote loadMap MAP_NAME" to load a map for testing
NOTE: if the map is already on the server's map list this command is equivalent to changeMap; for new maps this command tells the server to update its mapList, restart, and then change to the new map.
4) Use the /rate <MAP_NAME> <1-5 stars> and /suggest <MAP_NAME> <CONSTRUCTIVE_COMMENT> commands to leave feedback for the map's creator.

Slightly increased the visibility of the Keyboard+Mouse orientation cone.

New control config option mouseIdleDisabled -- prevents the mouse from being grabbed if it remains idle for too long (for mouse users who don't ever want the option to use keyboard controls)
To enable, open ~Altitude/config/options.xml with a text editor and change
mouseIdleDisabled="false"
to
mouseIdleDisabled="true"

Fixed a few bugs

[Tekn0]

First post!!

More Maps FTW!!!

I'm amazed at the devs commitment to this game so far... The best goddamn 4.49 EUROs I've ever spent in my life.

[elxir]

Well that's nifty.

[Nikon]

Simply genius, and yeah I think it's the best $10 I ever spent too. But yeah the map server will be sick!

[Blue]

swwweeeeeeeeeeeeeet

[elxir]

Do you have anything in place to prevent players from just 'hijacking' the server and only using it to play certain maps, and not for its intended purpose?

Also, should people upload ANY map (eg: someone tried to load tbd_asteroids) or should we stick to new maps that nobody really gets to play on the official/popular servers?

Just some thoughts that crossed my mind.

[Demuyt]

In moments like these I realize how happy I am to have paid 20$ instead of 5 <3

Amazing !

By the way: how will you control the maps that will be getting in? Is the server not going to be abused?

[Jayfourke]

Shiny. Look forward to playing some user-created maps... as soon as my ping behaves.

[A Nipple]

Originally Posted by Demuyt

In moments like these I realize how happy I am to have paid 20$ instead of 5 <3

Amazing !

By the way: how will you control the maps that will be getting in? Is the server not going to be abused?

I gota make a map with nipples I could use ll different sizes shapes colours etc! lul

[lamster]

To upload maps you need an Altitude account; if you upload inappropriate maps (nudity, profanity, etc) then you'll be banned from uploading new maps and from accessing the map test server and we'll remove your maps.

The purpose is definitely to test new maps (not replay finished maps); hopefully we won't run into too many issues with users monopolizing the servers to play old maps but if so we'll intervene.

[Flexio]

Ah, almost missed this. Nice work. Certainly seems this new test server will make for a easier and more organized way for map makers to get feedback

Also, do you know how many patches there have been in all now? I think the old splash screen that showed most recent updates told us, but we don't have it anymore... .. .

[Mt.Vesuvius]

Such devoted devs <3

[tgleaf]

Thank you for the map test server. This is awesome! Sooo useful. No more bugging mlopes and others. Yay.

[Ajuk999]

<3 you guys
You guys are making my new year already!

I was on the test server yesterday admiring the commands on the server like rate, suggest, etc.

Good Work guys!

[BobTheJanitor]

This is fantastic, I love new maps. Is there going to be some consideration down the line for maps that prove popular on the test server to move to official status? Thanks for the hard work.

[lamster]

Yes -- we will look to the map test server for popular, well-rated maps to consider for official status.

[innerlyte]

Great job with the map server
A few minor points -- The upload page is a bit spartan. Are you planning on fleshing it out with more CSS? I think it would make the process more accessible for people if it were more aesthetically pleasing (seems superfluous, but I believe it). The ability to include a thumbnail image of the map would be great. Also, perhaps you could include a field for the map author(s). Anyway, I realize this is still in its infantile stage, but the web developer in me made me type that X)

[tgleaf]

Originally Posted by lamster

Yes -- we will look to the map test server for popular, well-rated maps to consider for official status.

Map Test server should be 6v6 or two servers with 5v5 and 6v6. 8v8 kinda ruins some maps.

Edit: bump suggestion for spectator slots on servers

When you try to rate a map the second time, it should say, "You've already rated <map name>."

One more thought: it seems like one of the football servers has an auto message every so often. Can you add a server message that says "Don't forget to /rate and /suggest feedback for this map" ?

[Nikon]

Originally Posted by tgleaf

Map Test server should be 6v6 or two servers with 5v5 and 6v6. 8v8 kinda ruins some maps.

Edit: bump suggestion for spectator slots on servers

When you try to rate a map the second time, it should say, "You've already rated <map name>."

One more thought: it seems like one of the football servers has an auto message every so often. Can you add a server message that says "Don't forget to /rate and /suggest feedback for this map" ?

But tg, what if you want to change your rating?

[kirbmasta]

Lammy, I think I love you! FINALLY we have an official version of Blue Hawks old Community Maps server, which shut down quite some time ago...

I think I'll have to get back into map making

[Mandrad]

Nothing to add. TYVM

[Nikon]

Man, it works so well! I've gotten a ton of feedback already on every one of my maps.

[Pieface]

Great idea, sweet implementation! In addition to what's already been said, would you guys consider scheduling days (maybe once a month) where you'll log in and encourage people to get a 5v5/6v6 game going so that the maps can be tested in a more competitive environment? To this end, allowing us to start and stop tournaments would be useful.

[Rmike59]

I like your player developer interaction. Even though I am new here I see how good the devs are. The only place I have seen something like this is a online gaming website, the Casual Collective where I am volunteer alpha testing a game there. Also they interact with regular players too.

[Tekn0]

Originally Posted by elxir

Do you have anything in place to prevent players from just 'hijacking' the server and only using it to play certain maps, and not for its intended purpose?

Not sure how this can be implemented, but this is also a problem on pubs where 2 random jackasses join and mutually vote kick anyone on a 14/14 public server and they play 1v1 with 2 bots on each time...

[tgleaf]

Originally Posted by Tekn0

Not sure how this can be implemented, but this is also a problem on pubs where 2 random jackasses join and mutually vote kick anyone on a 14/14 public server and they play 1v1 with 2 bots on each time...

Wow, that takes dedication and the luck of being able to vote again when the next person joins. The solution is to send a PM to the admin if you know who it is.

To elixir's point, I was gonna suggest a password for the Map Test server. The downside would be fewer players playing and rating the maps.

[SPeciaL]

Originally Posted by lamster

New control config option mouseIdleDisabled -- prevents the mouse from being grabbed if it remains idle for too long

Whats this?

[ryebone]

Originally Posted by SPeciaL

Whats this?

Here's what I THINK this change did: in the past, if you idled for a few seconds, the mouse would automatically recenter itself in the game window. This was especially problematic because for me in ladder because, as a windowed-mode player, I would often accidentally join a game when trying to move the window around, because I think I'm clicking on the taskbar but I end up clicking in the game instead.

I don't know if this change was made with that purpose in mind, but it certainly is helpful for me THANKS.

[Longscope]

Originally Posted by lamster

================================================== ===============
January 26th, 2011
New control config option mouseIdleDisabled -- prevents the mouse from being grabbed if it remains idle for too long (for mouse users who don't ever want the option to use keyboard controls)
To enable, open ~Altitude/config/options.xml with a text editor and change
mouseIdleDisabled="false"
to
mouseIdleDisabled="true"

Fixed a few bugs

I haven't found this in my options.xml
Closest thing I found was this
"disableMouseGrab="false"

Am I missing something?

[Karl]

you should have a line like:

<controlOptions mouseControlMode="TRUE" gamepadController="NONE" lockGamepadConfig="false" mouseIdleDisabled="false" mirandaReverseReorientMouse="false" cursorType="1" cursorColor="-65536">

[BobTheJanitor]

Does that map server have a rotation? Admittedly I only checked it out for a minute last night, but it looks like it's just defaulting to a lobby map that isn't really a map. There's a lot of useful info on it, but having a server that sits on a non-playable map at all times isn't exactly conducive to getting people to play on it. Like the only way you could get games going is to have a bunch of people ready to join, or go on there and vote in a map and play against a bot while you wait for people to show up.

[Premier Stalin]

Originally Posted by ryebone

This was especially problematic because for me in ladder because, as a windowed-mode player, I would often accidentally join a game when trying to move the window around.

And everyone thought I was bull****ting. w/e.

[tgleaf]

We might want a Map Test Server thread, but for now this will do.

There seem to be some inconsistencies with the displayed data.

For example, for my map ball_pulse, it shows a rating of 4.70/5 stars (3 votes), but on the details page (https://altitudegame.com/map/mapDeta...4-6c175300b5e5), it only shows one vote for 5.00/5 stars. Where are the other votes? Do they only show up if someone adds a suggestion? It would be nice to see all votes, since a 4.00 map could be the result of a whole bunch of 4.00 votes or the result of even numbers of 3.00 and 5.00 votes, for example.

[sunshineduck]

whatever fix it was that stopped ampersands from breaking the /listplayers function, THANK YOU. makes my life soooo much easier.

[Mt.Vesuvius]

It seems as if you forgot to add tbd bouncehouse on the test server...

[Duck Duck Pwn]

Originally Posted by kirbmasta

Lammy, I think I love you! FINALLY we have an official version of Blue Hawks old Community Maps server, which shut down quite some time ago...

I think I'll have to get back into map making

That was the greatest server ever.

tbd bouncehouses

nuff said

[Mt.Vesuvius]

When I had checked, no1 had uploaded bouncehouse.. who's gonna be my knight in shining armor?

[Duck Duck Pwn]

Originally Posted by Mt.Vesuvius

When I had checked, no1 had uploaded bouncehouse.. who's gonna be my knight in shining armor?

Done and done.

[Mt.Vesuvius]

I luv u. A month or two ago we actually had a bouncehouse party on my brothers server.

[innerlyte]

Ratings are lost on map update. Could you guys fix please? Thanks!