SC2Mapster

Quote from MrFlamegoat >>

Another update for everyone:

 

Slowly making it through all of the stuff that came through after the end of the year. There was a lot! Not just from you guys. I'm still going to put together a larger list, but for those of you that are following this thread I wanted to let you guys know since I got swamped the moment I stepped back into the office.

 

We've put in a temporary fix for the site wide limit on file attachments on the forums (by upping it to a large amount) - but will be removing the restriction altogether for this community in the future. Test this and let me know if it works, if not I'll go throw hotdogs at the developers!

 

I have a list of other little things I hope to have fixed up for you guys by the end of next week. Don't get your hopes up too high, but I'm focusing on things like the reply feature in the forums, embeds, attachments etc. I want to get the community features and content creation tools back to full speed.

Im trying to upload an actual map file, of the United States, as an asset and it wont let me. Which is ironic because, not sure how it is now but, we used to have to provide a map file in order to create a project and I hated that idea. Now I want to provide a map file and I cant.

I hate the idea of having to provide a map file to create a project because, I want to use sc2mapster as a place to link my players. I don't want to provide the map file to all my players... If any of my games get traction, someone could try to edit the map and upload their own version. Just want a place to post screenshots of the game where players can talk to the creators of their games and discuss strategy with each other. 

I want this site to replace everything that I use skype for, which is completely used for group and project management. Live chat and group chat, voice chat, screensharing, filesharing... Being able to talk and share our screens has been the most effective way to teach people the ways of the galaxy editor. 

I like this like button

What is "Paste" at the top of this page? Also, where did all the groups/teams go? Game development usually happens with groups of people. Removing that feature would be a step in the wrong direction I think.

Also Found my old post:

What kinds of features are coming?

Project Showcasing & Live Chat

Hopefully live chat with groups/channels and dragndrop file sharing? perhaps a proper way of showcasing our projects, WITHOUT needing to provide the actual project file? We need a place for people to link from the starcraft 2 arcades, from our map info section, where players can talk to the developers outside of the sc2 arcade, share feedback, screenshots, and discuss strategy. A Showcase-place where we developers can provide patch-notes and heads ups, just as you have done here for the site..

Profile Types & 5 Star Ratings

There needs to be profile types and a 5 star rating system. Aside from Admin, Moderator, Author, and Member. The profile types need to be more specific to what we are here for; Admin, Moderator, Developer, Tester, and Player. Because the bottom line is that Developers need more testers. If profiles had ratings, I as a developer could go to find a Tester with high ratings and expect my interactions to be of quality.

Climbing Rank/Incentive

In order for a Player to become a Tester, they would have to receive a set amount of ratings from Developers. This would give new members something to come here for, as well as solve a problem on the arcade; It's hard to find Testers. In order for a Player to get promoted to Developer they could climb up to the Tester rank and continue to test games, receive more ratings and by that time they'll have an understanding of the development process to earn the Developer profile type. Perhaps some profile picture achievements.

Portfolio for Developers

This is where people go as they start dabbling in the game developing process. I personally know 3 people who started here and became paid professionals. There are 3 factors that get people hired, Who you know, Portfolio, How many places receive your resume... and yes, in that order. Who you know gets addressed here with the improved form of communication with live chat. The groups within live chat and drag n drop file sharing allow for smoother interactions leading to contacts you will stay in touch with in the future. The Portfolio would get addressed by automatically adding images uploaded for our projects to a simple viewer on our Developer profiles. Easy-to-navigate portfolios have been key in the hiring process for Crystal Dynamics, Ubisoft, and Blizzard. Employers will just skip a person if the portfolio isn't smooth. An arrow on both sides of the images is enough. Videos of games being played would be great too, but maybe that's asking too much? It is a reasonable request considering this is a site that supports sc2 map development.

I have 32 people in a Skype channel right now that would be more active on sc2mapster IF any of these features were added. This does not include how many people who have been removed from the group since 2012 due to their inability to take this process seriously, because of the missing features.

Hope this helps. This is what I'll be implementing into my own site for bridging the gaps between unreal and unity as well as the players and developers within.

Quoting someone just to like something they said would extend these threads more than the alternative. Also, Just edited my signature? thing at the bottom of my posts. Clicked save and the page just flickered. Would like a "saved" or "info updated" text to confirm. Felt weird leaving that page not knowing if my stuff would stick.

I want a like button!

This is a text-based layout of a site that I am working on. Key features aim to enhance the quality of the interactions as well as address critical points of a game developers career. These things are:

-Testing

-Portfolio

-Networking

I have deleted some content that included memberships, incentives for activity to keep my site different. If interested in the missing pieces we can discuss them in private. The main reason for creating my site is because of the features this one was lacking and because I started a Masters program in Game Development at the Academy of Art University. I wanted to address the 3 critical points mentioned above: Networking, Testing and portfolio creation.. as well as bringing Unity, Unreal, and Maya communities together.

One place Allows Game Developers and Players to Interact.
Site Features:
• Published Content Compiles to Developer Portfolio and Displays on Sites Home Page
• Profile Types to Distinguish Between Types of Developers and Players/Testers
• 5 Star Profile Ratings to Recognize Quality of: Developer Support, Created Content, and Player/Tester Interactions
• 5 Star Content Rating System for Developers Created Items
Players/Testers can:
• Discuss Strategy with Sites Community via Showcases
• Rate Profiles and Content
Developers can:
• Discuss Strategy with Sites Community via Showcases
• Rate Profiles and Content
• Can Earn Gold Points by Testing/Playing/Creating for other Devs
> Create Project Groups and Separate Chat Groups
> File Sharing (Drag and drop to live chat, or attach to posted messages)
> Showcase Projects (Models, Games, Animations, Textures, Scripts etc.)
> Post Upcoming Patches/Content, Current Events for Showcases
> Sell Assets for Gold Points or Cash
Player<Tester<Developer<Moderator<Admin
Players can test games to upgrade their accounts from Player to Tester.
“Testers” are preferred over “Player” types as it indicates commitment to the game developing process.
The “Tester” upgrade will increase how often that Profile receives ratings which results in increased QA for developers.
This will encourage “Player” Types to test for the profile upgrade.
From Tester to Developer; you can earn “Developer” by testing for other Developers.

Hope this helps. If interested, Contact me, I have with sc2mapster and Team Genesis since 2012.

https://www.sc2mapster.com/announcements/sc2mapster-getting-an-upgrade/#comments

Is missing and I had some very good suggestions! Spent time writing out some key features that would help developers find testers, increasing activity etc. Please let me know if you read them.