Map Beta Testing

[yeti_c]

* Suggestion Idea: A Beta testing area for maps is necessary.

* Specifics: Either a select few people or the map author or something needs to be able to create a game with the newly uploaded map to be able to fully test the XML.

If possible - then make it a no points game too...

* Why it is needed: A recent number of maps have been uploaded with XML with mistakes in... the map images themselves are scrutinised to the Nth degree... but the XML is never checked... This leads to these problems... XML is notoriously hard to check (due to it's size and boringness) thus I feel this needs to be implemented...

* Priority** (1-5): 5

C.

[Coleman]

I 100% agree with this. Maybe you could make it like the tournament flag. So only certain people can make games on a specific map for a short time after it's uploaded. So it would be instead of tournament hosts a tester group or something.

[Chad22342]

I think that's great.

[DiM]

totally support the idea

[Danram]

excellent idea. I´m just stuck in Age of merchants and won´t keep on playing until bugs are fixed, as it is no fun to play when you don´t know if you can actually make the moves you want to or if you will get the bonuses you plan on.

It is needed urgently...

[DiM]

excellent idea. I´m just stuck in Age of merchants and won´t keep on playing until bugs are fixed, as it is no fun to play when you don´t know if you can actually make the moves you want to or if you will get the bonuses you plan on.

It is needed urgently...

sorry bout that. all issues have been fixed and sent to lack.

on topic:

it seems almost all recent maps have had problems. not just the ones uploaded today but also the last batch of maps. the foundry is so strict when it comes to graphics but the xml part is getting a bit ignored. and especially with the new xml features more problems will arise.

maps are getting more complex thanks to those features and the xml sizes are increasing. for example the AoM xml is 4-5 times larger than other maps and without proper testing mistakes are bound to appear.

i think a team of xml enthusiasts should be put together and given the option to test the maps before they are put up for live play.

[Danram]

DiM and C: I think you made a great map there. Thanks for the work...

[jennifermarie]

I think beta testing is a great idea.

One quick question about age of merchants, Does the island with Gringo and Puerto (i can't read the second part of that name) connect to anything? yes, i know there are greasemonkeys that will tell me, but i can't get firefox right now. Thanks.

[RobinJ]

I have one problem with your suggestion: you only gave it a priority of 1 That should be at least a 4, if not a 5. I think this would be a very important thing that needs to be implemented - it would save a few people's blushes. Perhaps creating more than one game would also need to be done as it is unlikely that every scenario could be covered in one game

[yeti_c]

I have one problem with your suggestion: you only gave it a priority of 1 That should be at least a 4, if not a 5. I think this would be a very important thing that needs to be implemented - it would save a few people's blushes. Perhaps creating more than one game would also need to be done as it is unlikely that every scenario could be covered in one game

Apologies - I meant highest priority... - have changed...

C.

[DiM]

I think beta testing is a great idea.

One quick question about age of merchants, Does the island with Gringo and Puerto (i can't read the second part of that name) connect to anything? yes, i know there are greasemonkeys that will tell me, but i can't get firefox right now. Thanks.

that island connects to the rest of the map through the port (puerto tranquillo)

[AndyDufresne]

This idea has been tossed around for a while, and has been considered, and still is, but unfortunately I don't forsee it anywhere in the near future (but I could be wrong). For now, we'll have to work with the kinks.


--Andy

[Sparqs]

I must add my voice to the call for test facilities. It is vital. I shall return with further discussion, but as Pirate Thursday makes clear, test & release procedures should be of the highest priority. I will be happy to lend my experience in this area.

[AndyDufresne]

I do encourge everyone to submit their best ideas on how this can be done, we'll be listening.


--Andy

[yeti_c]

Andy,

Thank you for your comments...

Here is how I would foresee the system working... (From start to finish of map as an entire process.)

(Note this not only applies to XML proofing but can also apply to gameplay testing - See Mibi's Dday map - that could've done with some playtesting to solve arguments)

1) Map Idea
2) Image Development
3) Final Forge
4) XML Generation & Image Fine tuning.
5) Beta Testing phase
6) Quench.
7) Upload.

I shall now expand on point 5.

Once the image is finalised & XML generated then the Beta test phase can begin.

First up - each member of the test team has a scan through the XML using eye, and the XML testing thingy...

Then is the Test Team Leader needs to be able to create a (private) game with the 5 test team members. Any settings can be used - but obviously the most useful will be standard, no cards, unlimited.

The Test team then play the game to test the XML...
ensuring that they
1) Capture all territories from all borders.
2) Capture all continents.
3) Deploy to all territories.
4) Fortify to all territories.
5) Break all continents.
6) Capture all special case continents.
7) All Special new features are tested.

For completeness - this game should be awarded no points (But if this isn't easily done then the test team can share the wins out between them).

Be under no illusions - this game will not be much fun - and correct communication between all members is necessary.

If play testing is required (determined on a map by map basis) then a number of private games can be created by the test team leader who can then send out some PM's to whomever to play test the map... (The whole test team isn't needed for the play testing... they should all be part of one game each.)

Playtesting will then be focused on whatever the foundry feels needs
testing... be it doubles, triples, continent bonuses etc.

Requirements for this to work
1) Test Team Leader
2) 5 Test Team Members
3) Ability to add a password to "beta" maps on the "Start a game" screen that allows access to the map for the Test Team Leader. This is the only code change necessary

C.

[yeti_c]

Also here are a list of possible Test Team members that I have noticed getting involved in XML...

Coleman
Forza AZ

C.

[DiM]

i think this tool would be extremely useful if it could work with xmls from an external site:

http://www.multiblah.com/cc_tester/

i've tried it with this link for the xml:

http://fs09n4.sendspace.com/dl/b9ae3d87bb6f25100500dbca02673777/467bb47a23bc1fe8/k9veth/AoM_003.xml

and it does not load it

[Forza AZ]

I have no problem in taking a look at the XML of new maps before they get online (I look at the XML anyway already to know what connections and bonusses there are). So maybe you can send the XML and the map image to me (and a few other people) to manually check if all bonusses and connections are correct (I don't know how to check the coordinates, but I think they are checked already by someone else?).

[DiM]

is there anyway to make the above tester work with an external xml?

i've tried all kinds of file hosting sites and none of the links provided by those sites works.

however it works if i provide an external jpg image. so it should work with and externally hosted xml. but how?

[gimil]

is there anyway to make the above tester work with an external xml?

i've tried all kinds of file hosting sites and none of the links provided by those sites works.

however it works if i provide an external jpg image. so it should work with and externally hosted xml. but how?

ripway.com is the site i used to upload my XML for portugal. you need to remeber also to save you XML file as:

mymap.XML

thats if your using wordpad

[Forza AZ]

is there anyway to make the above tester work with an external xml?

i've tried all kinds of file hosting sites and none of the links provided by those sites works.

however it works if i provide an external jpg image. so it should work with and externally hosted xml. but how?

I does work. I just uploaded your latest version and the map image to my own webspace and put in those links in the XML-tester, and it works. So maybe it's just that the free filehosting-links don't work.

[DiM]

really. it could be the free filehosting.

crap.

forza. could you post here a link to the xml you uploaded on your site?

i want to check it myself before i leave town.

[Forza AZ]

really. it could be the free filehosting.

crap.

forza. could you post here a link to the xml you uploaded on your site?

i want to check it myself before i leave town.

XML AoM

[Coleman]

I do encourge everyone to submit their best ideas on how this can be done, we'll be listening.


--Andy

I'd say just make it a flag like tournament hosts. Then just only let them (the testers) see the maps and make private games.

[wcaclimbing]

The easiest way to do this would be for lack to upload the map to the site, but NOT put a link to the map on "Game finder", "Start a game", and the "join a game" pages. then he could just tell the xml makers the link to the map so THEY can start a game, but no one else can find it or start their own.