The Idea

What follows is not my own idea, it had been expressed in the TF MAPMAKERS mailing list several months ago. Unfortunately I do not have any of the original thread on the topic, nor do I know who had actually voiced this idea to begin with. Since then, many people have mulled over the idea but as of yet, I haven't seen it made public. If anyone can further inform me of a similar movement or if you would like to help with this project, feel free to contact me.

Wouldn't it be great if by a small note in the server name field in GAMESPY, you could know exactly what maps the server has in rotation? That is just one of the many advantages gained by putting our efforts together and creating a system of MAP PACKS.

The Problem

The vote maps, created by Sgt. Thundercok are very popular, and offer a great deal of flexibility to the players. Giving them the choice of up to 40 maps! The 2 major disadvantages I have found with using VOTE maps on a server are very straight forward.

• Most players will join games in progress, that fit a certain quota of current players. The VOTE servers CAN be busy, but as I have often seen, they are usually empty, unless an organised effort is made to get a game going.
• Players will have to d/l the maps in question, once the current players select which map to play. Sometimes without prior knowledge of the map specifics. As we also know, the maps are downloaded in uncompressed format, taking up a great deal more time than most are willing to spare.

Don't get me wrong, I think the VOTE maps are great! But these main disadvantages are probably the main reason why most vote servers are empty or if they are being played, most players will drop once a new map is selected due to those above two reasons.

The discussion on the TFMAPMAKERS mailing list was geared towards an effort to make new maps more available to the public. To offer a medium from which a variety of maps, new and old could be put in rotation on servers.

So much effort has been put forth by mapmakers, to offer their unique or re-tooled visions to the TF playing community. But there is evidently a large time delay between the release of a new map, and the public reaction. Server administrators are also touched by this problem, since servers that offer a radical variety get little or no traffic whereas if they offer the same old classics, they find themselves in the same predicament because so many servers offer the SAME thing, that traffic will always depend on very hard to predict factors. Even very popular servers see their traffic slowed depending on maps in rotation.

The Goals

A solution to all those problems? Let's not get carried away, the real goal I would like to achieve is far less complex and utopic.

• A specific tag in the SERVER NAME field would inform players of maps in rotation.
• Map packs would be formed with the ratio of 1 classic map 3 other maps. Exact details on map pack selection of content will be explained later.
• Map packs will have links to the .zip of the entire pack, or individual maps for download if the player already has some of the maps in question.
• Supporting web pages would mirror the map pack news and additions. Reviews, tips and comments would be available to the players on these web pages, to help make the transition as painless as possible to players who may have very little experience on maps other than the classics.
• There is no real need for support of this idea beyond the acceptance of the pack naming conventions and a centralised body of community members who will be responsible for the continuing support of the project. Participating server admins will have no need to join any sort of organisation, unless they wish to. Considering the success of such a project resides mainly in their hands, in their acceptance, I would not dare ask for more!

The conversation on the mailing list had died down quickly, and I haven't seen any effort being made towards those goals. Below you will find my interpretation and own personal stylings on that original idea of TF Map Packs.

The Project

It is vital to such a project to be centralised. It has been my plan to promote this project through the creation of my clan web page. Where it will reside once the project materialises is not of any concern at the momment. I don't think I can pull this off on my own. Nor would I want to leave so much responsability on one set of shoulders. The ideal distribution and implementation of such a project is not something I have spent much time thinking of. That would be something to be discussed once a group of interested parties could be put together. The following are a few ideas concerning details of this project. They are in no way set in stone, or complete.

• Map packs should not be more than 2 megs each (compressed). 4 maps maximum in each pack, to help keep an even revolution of activity.
• Map packs should contain 1 classic map, and 3 lesser known maps. It would also be a good idea to keep the 'theme' or 'scoring style' of maps consistent in each map pack. Giving players who enjoy one, a similar but yet refreshing taste of something new. For example, it would be, in my opinion, counterproductive to put 3 capture the flag maps in the same pack as a SniperWar style map, or similarly class restricted map. How about NIGHT maps? Map pack themes could be used to generate some interest in both the player community, but also in the map making community.
• A centralised distribution net would have to be established. Map packs should be well documented and the web site should give a detailed review of each map contained within including links to the mapmaker for feedback and other such stylings.

This is the project so far. I would like to hear from those who had the endurance to read through this, and comments are as always, quite welcome. -grimm [502]

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