Custom Maps Not Being Used Enough

Is it just me or is Empires not the best to map.
My problem is altough custom maps are nice, how many people play them if they arn't offical.
The test sever is barely alive, and there are good maps.
When I was in a BSID sever and I wanted to play some custom maps, half of them had no interest and the other 40% needed to download the maps first.
Why does it seem like people don't care like these custom maps that much overall?

 

Basically, if the map doesn't get put into a patch, you wasted your time. Having to download a 30-40 MB file when you join a server without FTP download doesn't sound like much fun either.

 

If that is the case should new versions of Empires like 1.8 have a upgraded version with more maps in them?
Should there also just be mega download patchs with like 5 levels?
What should be done there.

 

slap them in a zip and put it on the download page?

 

I think official map packs are the answer.

That way, the main installer can remain small, but they are still accessible for anyone who might want to play them. Some kind of official endorsement from the team (even if it's just selecting the top 5 and packaging them together) will help a lot with the confidence of the community, and will definately make people want to play them more.

Maybe people could vote on the forums for what they would like to see included?

 

All finished maps should be in the official installer to give the game more depth.

 

2 problems with that. what is the definiton of finished, and what about crappy maps?

 

The only crappy me for me is the map that all vechials can go into the walls.

And by finised there realy is no way to say it is done.
Every map released so far can use a patch to fix/upgrade it. Yes every map I have seen.

Just keep making packs of 5 and specail update packs for the best is all I can say really. I can do this tommorow if you want.

 

How about themed packs? So an entire campaign could be created as one package by the community. Just to add some consistency across rounds.

I'd love to play out a campaign rather than the current isolated games. I'm sure there are enough community mappers to whack together 4 or 5 maps on a particular theme.

Sounds a bit too much like a community project though :D

 

or, 1 zealous writer to write plots for all the current maps (and custom ones if this idea floats) to connect them.

eg, after NF failed to contain the empirial army in its hidden base in the industrial district of (some city) [escort], they retreated through the hills leaveing a small force to delay the empire in their pursuit [slaughtered], to finally regroup in the wastelands [wastelands (duh)]

 

Problem there is what would you do if the other side is.
The maps needed would go up fast,
1+2*2*2*2
That would be a lot of maps for a five round campain.

 

probably more interesting just to create lots of differently scenariod maps, though I would LOVE to see a final level for each team, one attacking the NF main base, and one attacking the BE fortress.

lots of res at start for attackers to expand fast, plenty of res points for the Defenders.

 

i didnt mean to have the discriptions change based on perminant maps, just assume a totally arbitrary victory/loss to advance the plot of the individual map.

basically, im just sick of seeing the same meassage on the change sides menu and want it to detail the plot instead of ineptly expaining the game. mabey this is wrong thread?

 

Well, i've had some ideas for storybased maps, but due to time constraints its a bit hard to make it all happen.

 

I originally meant it would just be linear, and once the outcome halted the campaign (the attackers are destroyed, whatever) then it would stop.

I can see how time would be a problem though. It's much more realistic to just get some good quality individual maps out there.

 

Most of the really good maps have gone into empires allready, haven't they?

There might simply not be that manny good customs maps out?

Should i have read the topic before replying?

 

Yes read the topic fully.
It is true a few custom maps anrt the best but there are good ones and why would some people want to map if you guys don't seem to care.

 

Bump and a new thing to say.
YOU PEOPLE DON'T SUPPORT NON-OFFICIAL MAPPERS ENOUGH.
I mean it. The custom map sever is down, probably because no one plays.
The amount of responses here are pathetic to us non-official mappers.
Like I said before it isn't just about me, a lot of other mappers don't get enough credit.

 

Cyber, you really do have a chip on your shoulder about this, don't you? Your last couple of posts that I've read have all made a point of bringing it up lol.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. This is still a beta version, and with a relatively small player base you cannot expect a huge response. Give it some time, and eventually people will catch on.

About the support; if you mean from the dev team, then I think they can be forgiven for having enough on their plates. But if you mean from the community, then sure, try to stir up some interest. But I wouldn't start calling people pathetic just because they don't jump around in the mapping forum all the time.

Chill for a bit, and interest will pick up.

 

You are right, I think maybe a bit.
I just like mapping here but I don't think there is enough community even for the people here.
Also I was a little hyper last night.A very little hyper.