by Raskholnikov on Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:03 am
They are called lawyers. THAT system is incredibly efficient, fair, and objective. THIS system is subjective, and open to the interpretation of those who control the stamps. Which leads only to arguments, conflicts, feelings of being treated unfairly and gradual alienation of some of the best map-makers.
A clear distinction should be made between objective and subjective criteria of map=mapking. The objective criteria (clarity, game-playing, color-blindness friendliness, etc) should be met by all maps.
Subjective criteria (theme, artistic direction, etc) should remain untimately within the control of the map maker. The duty to take advice and reply to comments should remain, but if all objective criteria are clearly met, disagreement on subjective criteria should not retard or preclude moving the map to the next stage.
The beta stage should be used more extensively as a testing ground. At this moment, only game-play is really tested. Players should comment also on artistic direction and theme. After a decent interval, depending on how many players played the map in beta and the feedback received, the map should either go back to be revised in the Foundry or be quenched.
This is the only way to reconcile both the Foundry criteria of quality, the criticism and feedback process, the creative autonomy of the map maker - by means of the democratic decision-mnaking process of the majority of CC players giving their verdict at the beta stage.
The CC Map making guidelines should be amended accordingly, to accurately reflect this process.