Any chance you "guys" would be interested in rating map ideas, rather than finished products? I think it would give your reviews a lot more power. Yeh know, impact on the design of maps. Of course, a map would need a lot of information, and be reasonably well laid out. The more information given, the more accurately you could rate it.
I seem to see a lot of generic DoTA clone map ideas, "Purple DoTA" "I take dota, make it purple with a custom tileset, give the ability names anime references, and play a Justin Beiber song in the background." Sums up about 1/3 of the maps. If a panel of people told them at the start that it is a bad idea, they might take the hint.
On the other hand, I see a lot of very unique ideas. Some of them, many of them, have weak areas, despite being good in theory. A good review would include ways for editors to greatly improve their map. that is, assuming that a review might also offer a better way to do things.
Come up with some score sheet of importance, and grade map ideas. I personally do not feel like I would have the experience to fairly rate a lot of map types, or would offer to do this; hopefully there can be a qualified team or something, maybe?
Unique Game design: 30 points
The most important thing. Is this game different from a lot of other games? If it is similar, does it stand out more than other games? Is it a copy/paste of dota with the color purple?
Variety: 10 Points
Is there a difference in what players do? will everyone always have ABC, or are there 10,000 ways to play the game? If it is a game type that doesn't use variety, is there at least a lot each player can do? (A-9)
Custom Systems: 10 Points
Dialogs, health bars, shops, cameras, movies, ect. Is everything plain and generic, or does your map have specific systems in place that other maps dont?
Easy to Understand: 10 Points
Is there a way for new players to get "into" the game? Does the game start in a warzone with everyone getting headshot? Is there an interactive, instructive introduction that will teach a first time player the basics, without spending too much time doing so?
Replayability: 10 points
This is what makes a map popular. If it is an RPG, will it be constantly updated? Will it be broad enough that people will want to play every class? Will 9 outta 10 players be a "rogue" class, looking for a healer that NO ONE wants to play? It is a TD, is there something to it that even after you beat it, you join it again, and using the same set-up can lose?
I am overlooking somethings, I am sure. 30 points left over to allot into what you will. Rating out of 100. If nothing else, it will help potential editors get everything on paper before they start.
Use whatever criteria you want, but change the criteria when you play different games. You might not find a game with a particularly unique design, but it could be executed very well (hint: StarCraft II is like this) and be worth a high rating anyway. Also: your "Custom Systems" criterion is redundant and should be shoved into "Unique Game Design". "Variety" and "Replayability" can be combined.
A good reviewer will always refine himself and always change up how he looks at things.
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Any chance you "guys" would be interested in rating map ideas, rather than finished products? I think it would give your reviews a lot more power. Yeh know, impact on the design of maps. Of course, a map would need a lot of information, and be reasonably well laid out. The more information given, the more accurately you could rate it.
I seem to see a lot of generic DoTA clone map ideas, "Purple DoTA" "I take dota, make it purple with a custom tileset, give the ability names anime references, and play a Justin Beiber song in the background." Sums up about 1/3 of the maps. If a panel of people told them at the start that it is a bad idea, they might take the hint.
On the other hand, I see a lot of very unique ideas. Some of them, many of them, have weak areas, despite being good in theory. A good review would include ways for editors to greatly improve their map. that is, assuming that a review might also offer a better way to do things.
Come up with some score sheet of importance, and grade map ideas. I personally do not feel like I would have the experience to fairly rate a lot of map types, or would offer to do this; hopefully there can be a qualified team or something, maybe?
Unique Game design: 30 points The most important thing. Is this game different from a lot of other games? If it is similar, does it stand out more than other games? Is it a copy/paste of dota with the color purple?
Variety: 10 Points Is there a difference in what players do? will everyone always have ABC, or are there 10,000 ways to play the game? If it is a game type that doesn't use variety, is there at least a lot each player can do? (A-9)
Custom Systems: 10 Points Dialogs, health bars, shops, cameras, movies, ect. Is everything plain and generic, or does your map have specific systems in place that other maps dont?
Easy to Understand: 10 Points Is there a way for new players to get "into" the game? Does the game start in a warzone with everyone getting headshot? Is there an interactive, instructive introduction that will teach a first time player the basics, without spending too much time doing so?
Replayability: 10 points This is what makes a map popular. If it is an RPG, will it be constantly updated? Will it be broad enough that people will want to play every class? Will 9 outta 10 players be a "rogue" class, looking for a healer that NO ONE wants to play? It is a TD, is there something to it that even after you beat it, you join it again, and using the same set-up can lose?
I am overlooking somethings, I am sure. 30 points left over to allot into what you will. Rating out of 100. If nothing else, it will help potential editors get everything on paper before they start.
Skype: [email protected] Current Project: Custom Hero Arena! US: battlenet:://starcraft/map/1/263274 EU: battlenet:://starcraft/map/2/186418
Use whatever criteria you want, but change the criteria when you play different games. You might not find a game with a particularly unique design, but it could be executed very well (hint: StarCraft II is like this) and be worth a high rating anyway. Also: your "Custom Systems" criterion is redundant and should be shoved into "Unique Game Design". "Variety" and "Replayability" can be combined.
A good reviewer will always refine himself and always change up how he looks at things.