Let me start of by saying I NEVER do this. I have never done this forum thing before, but I honestly don't know where else to turn with my concerns.Originally Posted by DapperHayden007 Go to original post
I've been making maps since FarCry Instincts. I love doing it. It's a major passion of mine.
Here's my concern: I think that the map rating system (thumbs up or down) is sinking potentially phenomenal maps. I'll use myself as an example. I literally just finished a map I've been working on for 3 months (TheAmazingRace 2). I've never been so proud of a map I've made, ever. One day has passed and it has been played 20 times and already is at a 1 1/2 stars. One more day passes and it will fall off the New Extraction page and it will never be seen again. All because of random kids giving it bad reviews. Now, I'm not going to sit on a high horse and say that my maps are better than everyone else's. However, I like to think that I'm a good map maker. I take my time and pay insane attention to detail and try to give players an experience they've never had before on FarCry.
I don't make maps to show off or because they're fun to make. I make maps for the people of FarCry. I want them to have fun and play something that makes them think and pushes their limits as a gamer. But because random kids are getting to my map and rating it poorly before ever giving it a decent shot, it will fall off never to see the light of day. Never to be played by someone who would appreciate the work and enjoy a different experience.
This rating system sunk my first map that I also put an obnoxious amount of time into. I change my approach to my 2nd map and the same thing is happening again.
It seems to me that it is entirely luck. And not map making skill. I mean honestly, go and look at the top rated Extraction Maps for XBox One. "American Sniper" - Someone literally just put a bridge in the middle of the map and plastered a bunch of AI all over it. That is the whole map. "Parkour" - A bunch of buildings floating in the air for people to jump on. No detail, nothing.
I'm not trying to dog on anybodies map, but these are maps ANYBODY could make in a matter of seconds.
I feel that there should be a better way for the more dedicated map makers to get their maps out there, rather than hoping that kids don't give it bad ratings right off the bat and then get lost in "bad rated map limbo".
Am I alone in this? I will not standby while my work is thrown into the map making garbage can
I don't think you'll find any disagreement here - on any of your points.Originally Posted by Mix_Master90 Go to original post
1. The Like/Dislike rating system is ridiculous. Just give us the 5 stars to chose from, or 10 would better.
2. Not being able to control you own published maps is absurd. Allowing someone else to edit and republish your map under the same title is akin to copyright infringement. Not that we need to be that formal here, but you know what I mean.
3. The fact that after a map falls off the "NEW" list, it just disappears into obscurity is a shame.
UBI did not think this through very well, and I have zero expectation of them improving it for FC4. .
@ Mix_Master90
I think these kinds of threads are pointless because as we can all see, the last edit was February. Secondly, there appears to be a strong bias away from the x360. It may be old hardware, but custom maps are available and many are wonderful!
What system are you mapping for?
@rjdrive
Trials Fusion has a nice rating system, with only Like/Dislike/None options. There are no stars, but there is a slider. Still, a short yellow line looks nicer than a single star.
As for the plagiarism point, all maps retain the 'Original Creator' tag so at least it's better than TimeSplitters 3.
" I have zero expectation of them improving it for FC4."
Do you mean FC5?
@Everyone
How about a new forum, run by mappers? Something like Genesis Device, a section for each console/PC, threads with General editing, Idea dumps, player-driven contests.... WHERE ARE THE CONTESTS ANYMORE?![]()
This thread is an open thread for people to forward these Wonderful maps to me in which they get posted to the initial post, I've been away from my laptop for a long time since it broke so that's why i've not been updating it, I am PC based, but If someone forwards a map, I'll gladly do some research into finding a video / images of the map to then post it onto the forums initial post.Originally Posted by JolanXBL Go to original post
I'm just playing my part to try and expose some good quality maps!
I completely agree with you there bud! I spend weeks on end tinkering with maps , like you said , it's a passion of mine , well because its one of the few things I could do well (to an extent) I don't want to come off bragging , but to the ones who spend a good amount of time perfecting a map this rating system hurts us the most , I see tons of bland maps that are top rated and I can still see the object grid from its cover pic . If I want to kill 50 guys charging at me with machetes with infinite ammo / health I can HAPPILY set it up myself , it truly is rediculous that you basically have to search around for good maps (needles) in a haystack full of maps made under 30 mins .Sorry for the negativity peoples , I needed to get that off my chestOriginally Posted by Mix_Master90 Go to original post
Originally Posted by Mix_Master90 Go to original post
Let me start of by saying I NEVER do this.
I do this for a reason, I'm not picking maps out that have the highest rating for this list, I am personally recieving recommendations through this thread, looking for any images/video's of the map, and then I am debating on whether to post them up based not only on their Looks but all three,
-Aesthetics
-Layout
-Gameplay
I Appreciate where your coming from, some maps aren't making the list when they should, and I would add every map which deserves to onto the list if I could, however, It's just not possible.
Here's my reason as to why I'm picking these maps out of the recommendations, I don't claim to be an amazing Level Designer, however I do have the experience to know an amazing quality map when I see one, I've had 7 years experience with Map Editing on Far Cry games alone (so like you, I've been making levels for a LONG time) which has allowed me to find my direction on a career path (hopefully with Ubisoft if the people I now know there are still working there when I finish University) However I'm not trying to brag, not only because I have no idea if working at Ubi will be an option in 2/3 years time but also because I know that nobody is a bad map maker, I see it as everyone has different styles, sure the maps with just a bridge, cars, you and a bunch of rhino's is a basic map, but the gameplay rating on that will be high. It wouldn't make the list for me however because it only scores highly in one of my 3 categories.
You seem to mention the Rating system a lot in this thread, however this tread is nothing entirely to do with the rating system, It's an independant thread pointing out some maps which are great in all 3 aspects based on my opinion.
Here's my concern: I think that the map rating system (thumbs up or down) is sinking potentially phenomenal maps.
I Strongly agree with you on this, A rating system on Far Cry is basically useless, however, even though it caused a lot of controversy, Far Cry 2's style of rating and Finding maps was FAR superior. But even then some people hated the rating system. When I say it's useless, that's what i'm saying based off other peoples words, my own opinion is to bring it back to the days of Far Cry 2's rating system.
I feel that there should be a better way for the more dedicated map makers to get their maps out there
I also agree to this, strongly! and I have an opinion which would be very controversal, but also would help out a LOT for both Gamers playing a future Far Cry game, and Ubisoft when it comes to bringing an idea to the table for getting map makers to get their maps out there, but it would take some dedication from a Small team of "Far Cry Elites" to help with this.
Thanks for the suggestions, Luckily I have FC4 on PC so i'll check them out tomorrowOriginally Posted by azulluna Go to original post![]()
It would be nice to get another round of community maps onto that Recommended List, on the PS4 side there are a few new editors who have put some solid maps out that are easily as good as anything else on the list - would be nice to have a shake up and drop some of the maps of and replace with others that eclipse them in every department.
I feel it's too late and that Far Cry 4 has already been dropped of it's support![]()
Well the Community Developers are still around, with their Twitch Streams on Far Cry 2, If we can get a new round of maps in to recommend, (images and/or video's must be provided) I'll drop them a message to check them out and update the list againOriginally Posted by Anorexic_Buddah Go to original post![]()