I think I see what you're saying. You can have the behavior exist on the hero originally (and offset the additional attribute values by compensating in the veterancy attribute fields). This will allow all stacks given via triggers or data to remain on the hero via death. That's handy. I'll have to try that out.
You probably want to use the "damage response" fields under your behavior and add a validator to the response which checks that the appropriate unit is biological.
To clarify, I believe that (if a system exactly like the one shown were implemented) the most clicked items would (or should) be the headers, sending the player directly to a list (similar to the current browse screen) showing whatever it is that the player is looking for. Three, five, and ten items are definitely not enough for any definitive solution; the ability to go to an actual list is absolutely necessary.
My view of the arcade home screen is that it provides a way for the player to easily access whatever list they're currently interested in viewing. This would be made even more effective with an option to customize the arcade home screen, thereby allowing players to select and arrange lists however they want. For example, some players may be frequently interested in seeing active maps of their favorite categories (the "My Categories" list), where others may prefer to have a different list on their home page.
Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to see people taking the time to understand what I'm saying. I felt that pretty much all of the negative feedback on the Bnet forums came from people who looked at the pictures and ignored the rest.
I'm hopeful that simply having a list that filters maps by the fact that there are active games would greatly boost the functionality of the custom map system. Currently, unless you're looking at the front page of the popularity list, the vast majority of the listed maps have empty lobbies. This dissuades players from clicking anything that's not on the front page, perpetuating the cycle. Hopefully just the fact that players can always find someone else in whatever map they click will do a ton of good for improving the ability for players to get into the games they want. I'm also hopeful that the additional features that Blizzard has put forward (improved Fun or Not, map rankings, etc.) will give a bit of a functionality boost as well.
None taken. Don't let my images give you any sort of insight into my skill as a designer. I literally threw them together (mimicking the style of the original screenshots) to provide a vehicle for demonstrating my suggestions. I suppose Monday's xkcd would illustrate what I was attempting (http://xkcd.com/1028/). I am not in any way hoping that Blizzard will take my images and literally convert them into whatever we see in patch 1.5. The features and functionality are the important part of what I'm suggesting here. I would welcome any thoughts you have as to the actual text of my posts.
Be able to see if the games you've bookmarked has any active lobbies: Great! Don't really care so much for the other suggestions other than author page it sounds pretty good aswell.
Currently "modes" are pretty much worthless, afaik there is not a single map on Bnet that uses this feature because they can just have a vote or whatever ingame and not have to spread the valuable popularity across several modes.
It would perhaps be cool if the players could add tags to maps, this could even get rid of the catagory system.
My suggested changes don't really use modes at all, beyond including them in the category search. I agree that "modes" don't really have a purpose now; my own map uses the in-game mode selection for the very reason you listed.
I also agree that tags would be great; it would allow for maps that are hybrids of the traditional categories. In any case, I believe the ability to directly search for maps with specific tags (or categories) is important as one of the complaints I've seen since SC2 has been released is the inability for players to easily find maps of a certain type.
I'd say the biggest themes of my suggestions are searchable categories (or tags) and the ability for players to see which maps are most pertinent to them individually.
What don't you like about my suggested changes? What do you believe that they lack in terms of added functionality? Where do they fall short in solving the problems I laid out? Are there any problems that I failed to address?
Also, could you link the threads you're referring to? I searched through the first 5 pages of the general chat forums and didn't see anything that seemed to mesh with what you said.
Here's a bit more detail regarding the functionality that I've addressed.
Necessary Custom Map System Functionalities (and Solutions)
1. Find maps currently being played Displaying which maps are currently active would allow players to more easily find maps which are being played. This would also make it easier for players to find others to join them in their favorite maps.
Solution: An "Activity list" will show only maps which are currently being played and have a recently active lobby.
2. Find people to play your favorite map If players find a map they enjoy, they want to be able to easily find others to join them. Unless the map is on the front page of the Popularity list, this is difficult to do.
Solution: A "Bookmarks" section on the main Arcade screen will show players which of their favorite maps are currently being played. Looking for more players for your Malum Ruina match? Create a game and all players who have bookmarked that map will see that there's an active game on their main Arcade screen.
3. Find new maps that appeal to your gaming style Many players have preferred custom map types. When they're looking for something new, it's hard to find similar maps to those that they already enjoy, unless they know the name of the map they're seeking. For example, someone looking for new Survival maps can't simply search for the word "survival", as most Survival maps don't actually have the word "survival" in their titles.
Solution: Searchable categories will allow players to find all maps of the same play style as their favorites. A "My Categories" section on the main Arcade will show players when active lobbies are available for games of their favorite categories. Clicking on the category will lead them to a screen which shows exactly which maps are being played and seeking more players.
4. Find new maps by your favorite mapmaker Enjoy maps made by a particular author? Currently, the only way to find other maps by the same author is visiting a mapping website and searching for that author. Most players don't want to be bothered to put that much effort into finding new maps.
Solution: Click a link on the map's information page in order to visit the mapmaker's profile. There, you can see what other maps they've made. Also, what if you could bookmark a mapmaker, so that you could get an announcement on your main Arcade page whenever they publicly publish a new map?
5. Provide map feedback All mapmakers, newbie and experienced, need feedback on their maps. Sometimes, it's difficult to get players to provide brutally honest feedback when the author is in the game with them. When the author isn't around, most players don't want to be bothered to figure out how to report that the map that they've just played has a few bugs.
Solution: A link in the map's info page will send the player directly to the map's official Battle.net thread, where any feedback can be easily posted. No longer will players need to search the internet for wherever that custom maps forum is hidden.
0
@Kueken531: Go
I think I see what you're saying. You can have the behavior exist on the hero originally (and offset the additional attribute values by compensating in the veterancy attribute fields). This will allow all stacks given via triggers or data to remain on the hero via death. That's handy. I'll have to try that out.
0
@Kueken531: Go
Can you do that on the fly during a game? If not, you might as well modify the attributes in the 0th level of your veterancy behavior.
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@Asday: Go
You may want to use data for this, depending on the trigger actions you're planning to use.
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@Bilxor: Go
You probably want to use the "damage response" fields under your behavior and add a validator to the response which checks that the appropriate unit is biological.
0
@DrSuperEvil: Go
I haven't been able to get it to work, at least.
Edit: that is, you can retexture them, but achieving team colors in that manner doesn't seem to work.
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@Blazart: Go
Try giving the unit a version of the "move" ability which has the "smart" flag unchecked.
0
@Neonsz: Go
Modify the "chance" field on the "Apply Behavior" effect you're using for the stun.
0
@vdogamr: Go
Thanks for the verification.
0
@Lonami: Go
To clarify, I believe that (if a system exactly like the one shown were implemented) the most clicked items would (or should) be the headers, sending the player directly to a list (similar to the current browse screen) showing whatever it is that the player is looking for. Three, five, and ten items are definitely not enough for any definitive solution; the ability to go to an actual list is absolutely necessary.
My view of the arcade home screen is that it provides a way for the player to easily access whatever list they're currently interested in viewing. This would be made even more effective with an option to customize the arcade home screen, thereby allowing players to select and arrange lists however they want. For example, some players may be frequently interested in seeing active maps of their favorite categories (the "My Categories" list), where others may prefer to have a different list on their home page.
0
@Nebuli2: Go
Thanks for the feedback. It's nice to see people taking the time to understand what I'm saying. I felt that pretty much all of the negative feedback on the Bnet forums came from people who looked at the pictures and ignored the rest.
I'm hopeful that simply having a list that filters maps by the fact that there are active games would greatly boost the functionality of the custom map system. Currently, unless you're looking at the front page of the popularity list, the vast majority of the listed maps have empty lobbies. This dissuades players from clicking anything that's not on the front page, perpetuating the cycle. Hopefully just the fact that players can always find someone else in whatever map they click will do a ton of good for improving the ability for players to get into the games they want. I'm also hopeful that the additional features that Blizzard has put forward (improved Fun or Not, map rankings, etc.) will give a bit of a functionality boost as well.
@DogmaiSEA: Go
None taken. Don't let my images give you any sort of insight into my skill as a designer. I literally threw them together (mimicking the style of the original screenshots) to provide a vehicle for demonstrating my suggestions. I suppose Monday's xkcd would illustrate what I was attempting (http://xkcd.com/1028/). I am not in any way hoping that Blizzard will take my images and literally convert them into whatever we see in patch 1.5. The features and functionality are the important part of what I'm suggesting here. I would welcome any thoughts you have as to the actual text of my posts.
0
@Zero0018: Go
Also, buffs will disappear on hero death, so you'll need to handle them through triggers or a death prevention buff if you want them to persist.
0
My suggested changes don't really use modes at all, beyond including them in the category search. I agree that "modes" don't really have a purpose now; my own map uses the in-game mode selection for the very reason you listed.
I also agree that tags would be great; it would allow for maps that are hybrids of the traditional categories. In any case, I believe the ability to directly search for maps with specific tags (or categories) is important as one of the complaints I've seen since SC2 has been released is the inability for players to easily find maps of a certain type.
I'd say the biggest themes of my suggestions are searchable categories (or tags) and the ability for players to see which maps are most pertinent to them individually.
0
@crasslsass: Go
Since you're asking for a generic trigger/data solution, you might want to ask your question in this forum:
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/development/map-development/
0
@zenx1: Go
What don't you like about my suggested changes? What do you believe that they lack in terms of added functionality? Where do they fall short in solving the problems I laid out? Are there any problems that I failed to address?
Also, could you link the threads you're referring to? I searched through the first 5 pages of the general chat forums and didn't see anything that seemed to mesh with what you said.
0
Here's a bit more detail regarding the functionality that I've addressed.
Necessary Custom Map System Functionalities (and Solutions)
1. Find maps currently being played
Displaying which maps are currently active would allow players to more easily find maps which are being played. This would also make it easier for players to find others to join them in their favorite maps.
Solution:
An "Activity list" will show only maps which are currently being played and have a recently active lobby.
2. Find people to play your favorite map
If players find a map they enjoy, they want to be able to easily find others to join them. Unless the map is on the front page of the Popularity list, this is difficult to do.
Solution:
A "Bookmarks" section on the main Arcade screen will show players which of their favorite maps are currently being played. Looking for more players for your Malum Ruina match? Create a game and all players who have bookmarked that map will see that there's an active game on their main Arcade screen.
3. Find new maps that appeal to your gaming style
Many players have preferred custom map types. When they're looking for something new, it's hard to find similar maps to those that they already enjoy, unless they know the name of the map they're seeking. For example, someone looking for new Survival maps can't simply search for the word "survival", as most Survival maps don't actually have the word "survival" in their titles.
Solution:
Searchable categories will allow players to find all maps of the same play style as their favorites. A "My Categories" section on the main Arcade will show players when active lobbies are available for games of their favorite categories. Clicking on the category will lead them to a screen which shows exactly which maps are being played and seeking more players.
4. Find new maps by your favorite mapmaker
Enjoy maps made by a particular author? Currently, the only way to find other maps by the same author is visiting a mapping website and searching for that author. Most players don't want to be bothered to put that much effort into finding new maps.
Solution:
Click a link on the map's information page in order to visit the mapmaker's profile. There, you can see what other maps they've made. Also, what if you could bookmark a mapmaker, so that you could get an announcement on your main Arcade page whenever they publicly publish a new map?
5. Provide map feedback
All mapmakers, newbie and experienced, need feedback on their maps. Sometimes, it's difficult to get players to provide brutally honest feedback when the author is in the game with them. When the author isn't around, most players don't want to be bothered to figure out how to report that the map that they've just played has a few bugs.
Solution:
A link in the map's info page will send the player directly to the map's official Battle.net thread, where any feedback can be easily posted. No longer will players need to search the internet for wherever that custom maps forum is hidden.