Eagle_Eye
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![[*]](./images/ultragrey/default_icon.gif) posted on 28-12-07 at 21:26 |
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Map Rating..
I'd like to encourage members to start rating maps, now that the database is starting to grow..
Here's the guidlines I wrote for DFBarracks, I'd like them used here as well.
My Opinion
No one should go giving out 10/10's unless you were so blown away by everything about the map you had no other choice.
The Guidelines
Start out with 10 points, reduce as you go..
Map Comment should contain fair comment on positive and negative aspects of the map..
Do NOT rate your own map under a different user name.
Do NOT rate a fellow Team Mates Map, it may be taken as being biased, and may cause Flaming.
If you rate a map, always leave a comment.
1. Text File
The Zip should contain a text file pertaining to what game the map is for, the version number, what mods are required to run the map, brief
description, or the description used as the main text for the download..any other useful stuff
Suggested - 1 point for not being included.
2. Little or no lag...
Game runs well, does not suffer video lag due to too many different items.
Is there too much smoke, fire barrels and light posts to cause frame rate issues for slower machines?
Suggested - 1 point for being laggy
3. Playability..
Must be functionable w/out major glitches. Must keep psp placements, hotzone & flag placements and above all spawn point placements must be thought
out and implemented in a manner that keeps game flowing.
Suggested - 1 point
4. Construction...
Are the objects and items used properly?
Do ladders work correctly?
Do walls lack end pieces and have gaps?
Do things float off the ground causing possible glitches?
Are items stacked properly (correct z values)?
Do items flash or shimmer because of overlapping?
Is there objects sunk into floors or rooftops that look bad?
Do vehicles follow waypoints and do they travel w/out warping through things like trees and other objects?
Did a mapper place AI in multiplayer maps and if so for what purpose?
Does the map have sound markers and tiles? (These are always a plus when used correctly).
Has the mapper taken extra time to fix any glitches caused by terrain building?
Does the map have ample amount of armories?
Suggested point loss may be a few here since this covers most detail..say - 1/2 a point for each
5. Originality
Has the map maker used original ideas in game play or custom items etc. or has it been done before by someone else?
May make up points here..
6. Sky Writing
The idea is to make a map that isn't spoiled by Sky Tags..sure, place a tag, but it must be discreet..
Suggested - 1 point
7. Realistic AI’s
Mainly for Coop here..do the AI have super human abilities..can they see through fog..or trees..
Has the mapper reduced AI vision to fix the above..
Checking the mis file here will help if supplied..
Suggested - 1 point
8. Story Line
Bonus here if the mapper has created a story line for you to follow..makes for a bit more realism knowing why your there..killing everthing in
site..
Suggested + 1 point
9. Fairplay
Is this a Multiplayer Team Game..
Do both sides have no Advantage over the other..
Suggested - 1 point
10. Goals
For Multiplayer Human v's Human, is there something to fight over..say a PsP..
Does the map have a Waypoint Alpha? Is it central..? {not for Coop}
For Coop, are the goals well defined, do they all work..
Suggested - 1 point
11. Use of Terrain
Has the mapper gone for the easy way out, and used a flat terrain?
Have they spent ages developing the map on a complicated Terrain..
Suggested - 1 point or + 1 if it's really well used.
EE
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Lioness29
Sergeant
Posts: 727
Registered: 7-10-07
Location: Shropshire, U.K.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Struggling to relearn map making 
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 03:25 |
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EE - I assume this means all maps in database?
As I have already uploaded maps to database and you have only just come up with 'ratings' I also assume that my maps get rated the same way as any
new maps being uploaded 
I'm not worried about it as I have had maps rated before at Novahq net and it's nothing new to me and I know all the maps are playable because I've
played them all.
Ok - np 
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 07:08 |
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The rating system and comments have always been in place here. I think I have rated a couple..
What we found at DFB was that members posted maps, then waited for a "DFB" rating. Members like the feedback, and the tips we give them.
Rating needs to be a positive experience, giving constructive criticism, and ideas where the map could be improved..if indeed it does need
improving.
EE
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chrislew200~RSU~
Private
Posts: 30
Registered: 7-9-06
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Mood: No Mood
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 08:10 |
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provided there is no mud slinging or straight out talking down a map the system will work fine, inappropriate or useless comments will just screw it
up for everyone.
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Iceman
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 08:35 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by chrislew200~RSU~
provided there is no mud slinging or straight out talking down a map the system will work fine, inappropriate or useless comments will just screw it
up for everyone. |
I totally agree with you chrislew200~RSU~.
We will endeavor to monitor the rating system and anyone who starts mud slinging will be spoken to.
To re-quote EE
Rating needs to be a positive experience, giving constructive criticism, and ideas where the map could be improved..if indeed it does need
improving.
I have every faith in the characters of the members and those chosen as Map Raters.
Iceman
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Lioness29
Sergeant
Posts: 727
Registered: 7-10-07
Location: Shropshire, U.K.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Struggling to relearn map making
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 09:49 |
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Who exactly will be rating the maps, team reload members or the people that download the maps?
The reason I ask is because one map I uploaded to Novahq, (several years ago now) who gave me a decent rating, but people who downloaded the maps
could also give a rating and comment and one particular person was very rude and unpleasant with his comment and it was very hurtful and uncalled
for.
Some people do such things just for the 'hell' of it, but it isn't so funny to the person who spent hours making the map
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 10:00 |
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As it stands right now, any member can rate any file...and also add a comment.
I can make it so only Staff members can do this.
So, if you do rate a file, make sure you leave a comment as well.
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Chrispy
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 997
Registered: 28-10-06
Location: Peria, New Zealand
Member Is Offline
Mood:
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 10:27 |
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Regarding the ratings, a lot of people on the net aren't too realistic about how they rate things. I tend to rate things realistically. So if the map
was cool, I don't instantly give it a "10" - I'd give it something else. Only if it were the best of the best I'd consider a 10.
I know a lot of people on the net who just randomly rate things due to instinct...
Chris
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 10:35 |
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That's why I posted this thread, we want people to use a system of some kind..
We can make some people into Moderators and their function will be to map rate, using the guidelines, and the general members will not be able to rate
at all.
EE
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Iceman
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 12:41 |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Eagle_Eye
That's why I posted this thread, we want people to use a system of some kind..
We can make some people into Moderators and their function will be to map rate, using the guidelines, and the general members will not be able to rate
at all.
EE |
That sounds plausible, but I believe anyone should be able to rate a map, program etc.
To answer Lioness29
I am afraid it is a part of life that a small minority will do things to hurt and belittle map or program designers.
The thing is to ignore the minority and not respond to there pettiness and smallness of mind.
People like that do so, to see if they will get a bite which gives them a foot in the door to start a flame war.
Unjustified comments can be removed if warranted, but at the end of the day they only show them selfs up for what they are as human beings.
If the consensus of the members on this site wish to limit it designated map rating moderators I will go along with the majority.
EE I hate polls but do you want to set one up to get this issue sorted so we can all move on and achieve our goals and aspirations in our chosen
fields.
Let the Democratic process begin....
Iceman
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MIA
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 posted on 29-12-07 at 13:46 |
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Personally I'm in two minds over ratings of any sort, mainly because you can't please everyone. There are sites that used to get my maps but no
longer do, because they allowed people to come in and mess with you just because they could and not because it was warrented.
I had one the other day that gave me a five simply because it was too hard for him, and the map I'm talking about was 'The Curse,' granted it was a
challenge but he didn't take into account the map as a whole.
Another experience that happened to me was also at barracks, where someone came in and was giving me the exact same comments in each of my maps, then
scoring me a one for each map. I very nearly never let barracks have another map of mine because they didn't do anything about it.
So if you read the first line of this narrative you'll understand why I'm in two minds.
MIA
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PREDATOR-53rd
Corporal
Posts: 310
Registered: 5-8-06
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 14:04 |
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I'm all for map ratings, there has been times when I have built maps and thought they should have been atleast an 8.
But after reading the comments and going back through the map I see why they where rated the way they were.
Trees off the ground, build corners not on the ground, 50 cals up off the ground, 50 cal legs sticking out of buildings, glitches in concrete slab put
together, many more faults.
Map rating has forced me into paying much more to the detail of my mapping. Good and Bad.
Yes your right MIA some people just try to piss you off. I never did pay much attention to the slaying of one of my maps, but have paided attention to
inprovement details.
Not everyone will follow the rules set forth, So you and all other will have to do as I have and look for the help offered by true and honest
ratings.
Let the ratings make you a better mapper/designer by looking past the BS
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 14:30 |
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OK, I have set the Rating Access on all the Map Sections to Staff only..
So, any Staff who rate, will give a fair rating, with a detailed account of who, why, where, when etc.....
They will state their rating in their comment, cos we can't actually see who gave a certain rating..
EE
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Lioness29
Sergeant
Posts: 727
Registered: 7-10-07
Location: Shropshire, U.K.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Struggling to relearn map making
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 15:22 |
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I have nothing against map ratings as long as they are done fairly, meaning what is good for one map is good for all maps,
no matter who made it, friend or foe, staff member or just member.
Sorry if that sounds rude, I don't mean it to be, but I tend to be a bit sensitive about my maps as I spend so long a time making them, hence all my
queries about coop mapping. I want to do them right
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 15:32 |
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Map Rating with comments should be a positive thing..
Sure, we all like to think our maps are the best, and the rating by someone with a history should be a learning experience, and, should be treated as
one by all parties.
The idea of ratings has been abused in the past, hence I have removed all access to those except Staff. I can remove the access altogether, or, assign
certain names to that list, or just Admin, no junior Staff..
If the majority don't want rating at all, then I'll just turn off the ratings altogether...democracy in action..
If anyone wants a rating/comment or just a review then I can find time to do them here and there if that member sends me a U2U and a copy of the
map..all can be done out of view of others if need be..
I learned a lot about mapping from the comments of anoshi, who, will always be the "Master Mapper" in my eyes.
EE
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Lioness29
Sergeant
Posts: 727
Registered: 7-10-07
Location: Shropshire, U.K.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Struggling to relearn map making
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| posted on 29-12-07 at 16:11 |
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Point taken EE.
I must admit I am extremely critical about peoples' maps and notice any faults instantly, especially on my own maps. In fact I find myself looking
for them when I am supposed to be playing a game much to the annoyance of the others I am playing the game with, as we chat on T/S while we play.
I'm afraid having been a map maker for several years has that effect on me 
Yes I had a 'mentor' too in my early days of map making and he was very critical of all the faults in my maps, and that made me more careful and to
make sure as I didn't make the same mistakes again.
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Eagle_Eye
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| posted on 5-1-08 at 12:22 |
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Sorry, I forgot to post in here the other day, I thought I did..
I turned off all rating in the map section only..
Comments still on..
Until we get some sort of line on this..
EE
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Lioness29
Sergeant
Posts: 727
Registered: 7-10-07
Location: Shropshire, U.K.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Struggling to relearn map making
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| posted on 6-1-08 at 09:56 |
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I was wondering what had happened to the map rating after I uploaded that SO coop map the other day and there was no rating on it - probably a godsend
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Fireant
Private
Posts: 20
Registered: 9-7-06
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Mood: No Mood
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| posted on 15-1-08 at 17:18 |
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Rateings should be done objectively...
Look at it from a 3rd person standpoint. Before I became an Admin at DFB, I was and still am a very tough rater. However, I'm always objective and
open to the maps I rate. I look at all the things EE mentioned in the above and then some.
Playability is a huge issue.
This also depends on the game type. Some folks cant fairly rate a TDM map, because they dont know the style because all they play is DM maps...
Vice-Versa.
Or its a friend of theirs and they whip out a high rate on a map that most likely deserves 1/2 of that... Bias'ed rateing.
The best raters are folks that have years of experience and gameing time in playing the games of the Nova series. Basically, 'been there, done
that.' type of folks.
Played all game types so many times, its almost an instinct to know what a map will play like.
I know a ton of folks that dont know the 1st thing about making a map. but they know what they want and are great at calling it out. Sometimes the
customer IS right...LOL.
Just my 2 cents here.
Cheers!
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JET
Gomer !!!
Posts: 827
Registered: 7-4-06
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Need a Beer
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| posted on 15-1-08 at 17:53 |
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A point i feel strongly about is Every rating should also have a comment with it. no rating of 10 without a why, or a rating of 1 without. regardless
of the rating there needs to be a comment.
1 rating but 0 comments should get the rating removed.
also another thing is discussing a rating should be done in the forums, maybe a map rating discussion forum? this way the knowlege that can be gained
from what people like/dislike can be easily found and learned from.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day. --George Carlin |
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Green12
Recruit
Posts: 1
Registered: 15-10-09
Member Is Offline
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| posted on 15-10-09 at 17:36 |
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Rating needs to be a positive experience, giving constructive criticism, and ideas where the map could be improved..if indeed it does need
improving.
I have every faith in the characters of the members and those chosen as Map Raters.
Regards
Green
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Iceman
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| posted on 12-8-11 at 15:51 |
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I think we should put it to a poll
Do the members want to rate maps or nit to rate maps
Iceman
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Baldo_the_Don
Administrator
Posts: 942
Registered: 12-5-08
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Mood: Nervous, but cheerful.
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| posted on 13-8-11 at 05:10 |
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I think YouTube's simple Like / Don't Like system is a good way to go. Boils the quantification sap of the rating right down to the syrup, doesn't
it?
I've made comments at NW2 about how player ratings should be tracked, and I think those same suggestions would be good for the Reload's map
ratings.
Ratings one way or the other, the best single data source for telling you whether a map's worth getting or not is the comments, anyway.
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ShadowZ
Administrator
Posts: 486
Registered: 20-2-09
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Not enough hours in a day
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| posted on 13-8-11 at 05:51 |
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I agree with Baldo, the Like/Don't Like system makes rating quick and easy.
The downside to the system is that it takes quite a few ratings before you'll get quality data out of the ratings...
Plus, the comments as Baldo said are usually the best way of determining whether or not you should get it.
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Iceman
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| posted on 13-8-11 at 08:12 |
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Ok baldo_the_don, Seeing as you know more about this than I would you set it up for us.
Oh and by the way Baldo due to your considerable support to this site I am making you a Super Moderator many thanks Baldo and welcome to the staff.
Thanks
Iceman
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Baldo_the_Don
Administrator
Posts: 942
Registered: 12-5-08
Member Is Offline
Mood: Nervous, but cheerful.
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| posted on 13-8-11 at 20:52 |
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Gobsmacked. Need to think (well, worry, really). Grateful for such respect all the same! Wow.
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M*O*B
Map Maker
Posts: 55
Registered: 31-3-09
Location: Southern New England
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always Good
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| posted on 23-8-11 at 23:15 |
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OMG Baldo's a Super Moderator? The chickens have really come home to roost. LOL
Congratulations Baldo, do a good job or you'll be included in the likes/dislikes area very quickly.
Got your Dome map and have sent a reply back to you.
Regarding the ratings system, In my opinion, if someone is going to put some rating or score for or against a map, then they need to have their name
attributed to the rating the way it used to be on DFBarracks. Recently I've noticed on NOVAHQ that someone has a hair across their posterior against
me and are giving all my map and others I sometimes work with a map rating of 1 star with no comments. Now I can give a rats azz whether someone has
an ax to grind, but for younger folks trying to make maps it could be very discouraging so if someone gives any type of rating or value judgement on a
map, they should have to own up to it by identifying who they are and why they voted the way they did.
M*O*B
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