rabbiton wrote:DiM wrote:rabbiton wrote:to summarize: what you need is user-testing. i can't imagine it's that hard to implement compared to the value it will return. i'd suggest lobbying the management.
a testing facility has been suggested soooooo many times and so far nothing.
that's why some map makers test them at home with friends.
i think it's the least lackattack should do to:
1. support his mapmakers that do enormous amounts of work for free, and
2. produce better maps for all users
further, i don't see that it's especially complex. you need:
1. a db flag on each map to indicate status ('test' in this case)
2. simple logic to hold test maps out of live play
2. the special ability for some individuals to set up games on test maps
3. simple logic that stops maps in test status from issuing points, or changing stats
maybe i'm missing something but in the scheme of things, for the value it would return, it seems a no-brainer
true words rabbiton but so far the request for a testing area has been denied or at least postponed until an undefined date. perhaps lack has other priorities because to be honest i'm sure he understands the advantages of such a facility.
the problem i don't understand is why it takes so long especially since testing is possible and it has been done before (for speed games or for the 7 and 8 player games)
despite lack's latest answer for allowing maps to be tested (see bellow) i still hope sometime in the future (hopefully soon) we'll have this possibility.
lackattack on 19 Mar 2008 20:36 wrote:Sorry DiM but I can't offer map playtesting to cartographers.