Rant: Mappers, stop treating the command map as ad space

(Ifurita) #1

This is a personal peeve of mine. I really dislike it when I open the limbo menu or the command map and see the mappers name and logo splashed over a quarter of the map. To me, this is a huge detractor from the finished product. We (I) know who made the map, I don’t care if I see the name on the opening splash screen, but if you’re going to add it to the command map, then you might as well throw up posters on your buildings that says “Remember, this map was made by [insert name here]”

(Drakir) #2

As long as it´s not affecting the CM i dont see why the author should not be able to put his tag on the work he´s done.

Just frasing an old saying “If you cant be seen, then u aint there!”.

(Lockeownzj00) #3

I think it’s fine, actually. So long as it’s not obnoxious–you really don’t want people stealing your map, so you gotta put it somewhere.

(Ifurita) #4

That’s fine and ultimately the mapper can do whatever the hell he/she wants. However, I find it odd that the mapper spends so much time creating an immersive enviroment that makes be believe I am actually in the map, only to see a huge “MADE BY MARKO” every time I go into the limbo menu or open the command map. If you want to do that, you might as well just stencil it on the doors or add custom spawn flags that say that.

(Ifurita) #5

I like it in the splash/start screen. I definately agree that mappers should get due recognition for their work - it’s just a matter of opinion on where to put it.

I suppose that I could add “brought to you by Iffy” on every single fricken page/section of my web site, but I choose not to because I think it would look really silly and detract from the content itself

(Lanz) #6

I don’t do either, I make maps because it’s fun making em, hopefully fun playing em and to look at. I’m not after some kind of recognition or whatever, just find mapping fun and that’s all. If someone really wants to se who made it they can always check my readme as if anyone would care anyway. But to each there own, I don’t mind if people do use the command map for things like thatt anyway.

(RivrStyx) #7

The splash screen is definately enough i think. If i saw it on the command map it would probably turn me off to that mapper. Kinda like trying to stick it in your face constantely who he is. But then some mappers rushed to be the first mapper to release in ET and that turned out not so good maps… some without adding any ET stuff. So i guess theres always those glory hounds sticking it in your face to be known. If your maps good that should be enough without all the advertisements. Splash screen is enough …but thats my opinion…at least don’t make a billboard if you do put it there.

(bsimser) #8

I agree the in-your-face approach is a bit overkill (and can ruin the mood when you call up the map and see a big name plastered on it). However I can also see subtle in-game things like a small poster on a wall in a dark alley that nobody would go down as being ok. Sort of a homage to directors that stick themselves into their movies in a subtle way.

(hummer) #9

Crap… there goes my hopes for a giant picture of a fly yellow hummer for the command map :wink:

(psyduckdemexico) #10

yeah, i really hate that too.

Hey ifurita, betcha you know me.

Im a mexican executable. :cool:

Pheer teh :chef:

(ziege) #11

I don’t care what people do with the blank unused space on their command map. It’s not my map, nothing to do with me. Not all maps are square, but the command map is, so if there’s a huge empty area does it really matter what’s put there to fill it? How about if someone puts the map name instead of their own name, would that still bother you? Why does it matter?

Let other ppl do their maps, you do yours.

Also I’m not sure what you mean by ‘splash screen’ - you mean the little black and white photo with the pin, the loading screen? I’d rather keep that advert-free and just have a black and white photo like the official maps personally.

(Shallow) #12

IMO maps will look more professional and polished if they are presented in a manner that is fairly consistent with the original content in the game, and sensitive to the game’s style and theme.

A command map that has “OMGLOLOL ITS MY MAPZ0r!!!1” in fecking great 3D red letters will make me cringe. However, signatures do not need to be crass and intrusive: for example, a small signature disguised a map key could look very effective if done well.

(system) #13

I use to place only a small “by Fiesling” in my levelshots.
If the map is good and the people like it, they will ask theirself “Hey cool map! Who made it?” and take a look at.
I think quality counts! (erhm ok i should consider this slogan then i make my next map) :wink:

(skinner) #14

they could write it into the alpha channel so there is a slight translucency witht he name on, that way all the command map is visable

(Ifurita) #15

I should have used the term levelshot instead of splash screen. FWIW, I like to see the name of the map and the mapper on the levelshot. It help me remember what I’m going to play and if I like the map, then I want to be able to find other maps by the same guy.

I guess it comes down to style. Some mappers are really good about letting you know who made the map in a subtle/clever way, others just feel like they need to beat you over the head with it … over … and over … and over

(DeAtHmAsTeR) #16

what the hell is wrong with it?

its the mappers map and they can do what they want…

No it isnt pointless advertising - its gettin a good reputation in the mappers world, ( and getting a bad one as it has sometimes happened)

If the mapper wants their name on the map then i say, great, now everyone knows who made it and no one can say "oh no, it was this guy who made it blah blah blah :bash: "

(RivrStyx) #17

Need to get a good reputation in the players world… not the mappers world. If players are annoyed with the advertising distracting them you’ll get a bad rep. The mappers will know who made a map if its decent.

I don’t think anyone can force a mapper not to have an Ad campaign all over their map if they choose to… was just opinions.

(Ifurita) #18

Yes, it’s the mapper’s map, but it’s the player/server community who are you ‘customers’ – the ones who make the choices whether or not to play your map

There is getting your name out and making yourself an annoyance. I am certainly not suggesting that mappers shouldn’t add their name to the map. I think they should, but on the levelshot. Guess it’s up to you to figure out how far you want to push the envelope.

I’ll be the first to acknowledge that I will never be a mapper - I contribute in other ways (FAQ, scripting, etc). I don’t feel like I have to beat people over the head with my name in order to build/defend my rep. It’s the same with good mappers (Menzel, Rummie, and many others).

As consumer of maps, I look for the following:

  1. Immersive, real environments
  2. Technically solid, aethetic maps
  3. Solid game play
  4. A nice sense of creativity

It’s just my opinion that seeing the mapper’s name pop up frequently with a big fat logo takes away from #1.

(Dawg) #19

I think the point is that it is unnecessary and distracts from what the command map is there for. I would add that it makes the product appear unprofessional. What is the purposeof signing there - other than to draw attention to oneself? Is it not enough to identify the map name, mapper, and helpers on the splash screen? Do you think that other mappers and players won’t take the time to find out who made a map they really like if they are curious? Its strikes me as little more than ego-masturbation.

Shallow made a good suggestion in that you can hide the name in the map key or other subtle ways. Bsimser mentioned placing a nondescript poster(I would suggest graffiti too) somewhere to ‘sign’ the work. In either case, the map is labelled in a manner that does not distract from the game mood.

Yes. The map is the work of the mapper and it is their right to do what they want. But as players, we are telling you what we would like to see (or not see, as the case may be) on the products you create. Is that such a bad thing?

EDIT: in the time it took to make this post, there were two other posts that pretty much said all the same stuff. Sorry for sounding redundant! :slight_smile:

Dawg

(ziege) #20

How about if someone puts the map name instead of their own name, would that still bother you?