Has nothing to do with selfish. Its your time you are spending on it, noone else even has the slightest amout of rights to the product you make with that time. Honestly, it seems like to me you are just looking for an excuse to make watered down boring "public" friendly maps.
Well, you don't have to contribute to the arcade if you don't want to. I just feel if you're going to put all that time and effort into something, you may as well make something everyone can enjoy.
Like I said before I don't feel it should be the biggest focus. Never said it shouldn't have a place. Also not sure where the make a map for yourself alone came from. What I was going for is if you are not passionate about what you do it'll likely turn out crap. There are some map makers who hate the projects they work on and only continue because it might be on that list for a little while. In my opinion that's very bad for a project.
Of course you have to be passionate about it. But how does wanting an active community mean you lack passion for the project?
I'm saying your focus should be what you are passionate about and not making the most played list. Maps that only focus on that are generally very generic and bland because the creator makes it into a science about how many people play it. I'm not saying you should have that goal I just feel like there are too many maps that only care about that.
It's also worth noting that while there were UMS websites and forums in SC:BW there wasn't any sort of rating system really. I think just about everyone can agree maps were a lot more entertaining on that system.
It isn't about being on the most played list, it's about your game actually being active. A map with heavy multiplayer focus will simply not do well if it isn't getting enough attention. And it's pretty bold to assume that anyone who takes this into consideration is making a "generic and bland" map.
Generally the maps that focuses on these sorts of elements have the best replayability, and that's important for any kind of game. When you make a game with only you as the player in mind, you're limiting your game's potential.
Now, now, that' a bold statement. I believe for most of us this is a hobby in the first place. There are other 'productive' (in the sense you are actually making things) hobbies like painting, photography, model making, collecting stuff or whatever but I have yet to hear the statement that these are silly to do for yourself. Personally, I make maps that I would like to play, perhaps with friends. In your point of view this might be silly but be aware that speaking like this about something that others love can offend them easily.
I'll even go as far as calling it selfish.
Spending hundreds to thousands of hours making a game for yourself? Never intending anyone else to play it other than your friends? Seems like a waste to me.
People could go back and forth for days about this. But here's the question: If you could get a definitive answer (which you can't), what would that accomplish? If "it's dying" are you going to quit? I'm curious to see what you intended on doing with the responses to this thread.
My intent was to learn if other people noticed the same thing and if it is discouraging anyone from making maps. I think it's pretty important considering the popularity of Starcraft 2 directly effects our maps.
I agree, it is a little disappointing to see some of the really talented map makers are focused only on creating top played or something. People should make what they are passionate about instead of focusing all effort on stats. I'm OK with people doing that but I hate when someone shoots down an idea of mine because "There's no way that's even gunna make the top 10 list."
As far as the thread goes I agree with most of the others people have been making these threads for years and SC2 keeps trucking so I don't think there is anything to worry about until after LoTV comes out.
Considering how much time you have to invest into making a map that will last longer than a few playthrough, and the fact that you need other players to make certain types of maps work, it's kind of silly just to make maps for yourself.
Well, you don't have to contribute to the arcade if you don't want to. I just feel if you're going to put all that time and effort into something, you may as well make something everyone can enjoy.
Of course you have to be passionate about it. But how does wanting an active community mean you lack passion for the project?
It isn't about being on the most played list, it's about your game actually being active. A map with heavy multiplayer focus will simply not do well if it isn't getting enough attention. And it's pretty bold to assume that anyone who takes this into consideration is making a "generic and bland" map.
Generally the maps that focuses on these sorts of elements have the best replayability, and that's important for any kind of game. When you make a game with only you as the player in mind, you're limiting your game's potential.
But that's just my opinion.
I'll even go as far as calling it selfish.
Spending hundreds to thousands of hours making a game for yourself? Never intending anyone else to play it other than your friends? Seems like a waste to me.
My intent was to learn if other people noticed the same thing and if it is discouraging anyone from making maps. I think it's pretty important considering the popularity of Starcraft 2 directly effects our maps.
With your logic, why discuss anything?
Considering how much time you have to invest into making a map that will last longer than a few playthrough, and the fact that you need other players to make certain types of maps work, it's kind of silly just to make maps for yourself.
Is it just me or does it feel like the reviews are coming in a lot slower on all maps?
I know the next expansion will bring back a lot of new people in. But it's just kind of depressing seeing SC2 not being as active as it should be.