Wanted: game test area

[paulk]

I just think it would be nice if us map makers could try out our maps during the creation fase to check out the xml and tweak it as we go.

I can see it as a special area where you can upload/link to the map and the xml and invite a few players with a special password.

I guess this would be on Lack's desk to decide on.

[gimil]

I just think it would be nice if us map makers could try out our maps during the creation fase to check out the xml and tweak it as we go.

I can see it as a special area where you can upload/link to the map and the xml and invite a few players with a special password.

I guess this would be on Lack's desk to decide on.

Been suggested time and time again.

[tenio]

and lack has said he wants to do this, but time and technical concerns are making it hard

[InkL0sed]

Perhaps someone could set up an independent site specifically designed for this?

[oaktown]

I just think it would be nice if us map makers could try out our maps during the creation fase to check out the xml and tweak it as we go.

I can see it as a special area where you can upload/link to the map and the xml and invite a few players with a special password.

I guess this would be on Lack's desk to decide on.

Been suggested time and time again.

Indeed, it has been suggested many times, but I think most agree it's a good idea. I don't see it on Lack's official to-do list, but that doesn't mean he isn't aware of the interest in such a feature.

Alternatively, I would highly recommend to anybody making a map that they print out a copy, buy some beer (if you're of age), dig up some dice and invite your friends over to play. Real conversation going around a table is going to give you far better insight into a map than a handful of one-line posts in the chat.

[paulk]

...invite your friends over to play...

That only works if you have friends that play. Not that easy when you have moved to a new town and your basic friend stock are online...

I believe it would make more people interested in the map making department if you could test drive maps, and also test different versions of gameplay.

Plus that it would give pretty accurate statistics on what maps were most popular and what ones that just died because no one even wanted to play them.

[yeti_c]

IF there is a test area set up - I can't see just everyone being allowed access... only a select few people will be allowed to partake in the test games - otherwise Highrankers would just play the games here so as not to risk their score.

C.

[BENJIKAT IS DEAD]

IF there is a test area set up - I can't see just everyone being allowed access... only a select few people will be allowed to partake in the test games - otherwise Highrankers would just play the games here so as not to risk their score.

C.

However a fair few "Highrankers" should be included in order to properly put the gameplay through it's paces.

The testing area has 2 key purposes which require very different sets of test players: the technical test - does the objective work / are all the borders correct etc.... and the gameplay test to check for balance of position, bonuses etc - across a slew of game types... (inc assassin as DiM constantly reminds people!)

[yeti_c]

IF there is a test area set up - I can't see just everyone being allowed access... only a select few people will be allowed to partake in the test games - otherwise Highrankers would just play the games here so as not to risk their score.

C.

However a fair few "Highrankers" should be included in order to properly put the gameplay through it's paces.

The testing area has 2 key purposes which require very different sets of test players: the technical test - does the objective work / are all the borders correct etc.... and the gameplay test to check for balance of position, bonuses etc - across a slew of game types... (inc assassin as DiM constantly reminds people!)

As ever - you're spot on.

C.

[DiM]

...invite your friends over to play...

That only works if you have friends that play. Not that easy when you have moved to a new town and your basic friend stock are online...

i constantly play risk with my friends and thus i have the possibility to test my maps. of course this is not a perfect way to test because:
1. i can't play hundreds of games just a few
2. i have a limited range of player profiles (basically just my friends not hundreds )

when i can't play with them i play with myself (shut up) and try to simulate a game. it doesn't work great but it gives me at least some basic ideas.

[DiM]

IF there is a test area set up - I can't see just everyone being allowed access... only a select few people will be allowed to partake in the test games - otherwise Highrankers would just play the games here so as not to risk their score.

C.

However a fair few "Highrankers" should be included in order to properly put the gameplay through it's paces.

The testing area has 2 key purposes which require very different sets of test players: the technical test - does the objective work / are all the borders correct etc.... and the gameplay test to check for balance of position, bonuses etc - across a slew of game types... (inc assassin as DiM constantly reminds people!)

i believe the test area will be available by invitation only. it will probably consist of the map maker xml coder plus various other contributors to the map. so no chance of strange people joining.

PS: as for the assassin yes i constantly point that out because many people ignore it and this can lead to maps like doodle where a good deployment in assassin can end the game in turn 1.

[InkL0sed]

Perhaps someone could set up an independent site specifically designed for this?

Can nobody do this?

[t-o-m]

an inderpendant site, would someone want to set up a site out of their own money just to 'host' a programme/file.

if you were having a site for it, you may aswel just make the programme then give the file for CC to put on thier map making tools, instead of setting up a whole new site for it.

would there be anyone who would invest their time into doing that?

[bryguy]

Perhaps someone could set up an independent site specifically designed for this?

Can nobody do this?

actually all u really need is the xml for it, the map image, and the xsl coding that goes with the xml and says what the xml does.

Why do i know this? my dads job uses xsl/xml and he bought a tutorial book!!

i might give it a shot.....

edit: replace xsl with xls (i think..)

edit (again): im gonna have to ask my dad for his book...

[InkL0sed]

Perhaps someone could set up an independent site specifically designed for this?

Can nobody do this?

actually all u really need is the xml for it, the map image, and the xsl coding that goes with the xml and says what the xml does.

Why do i know this? my dads job uses xsl/xml and he bought a tutorial book!!

i might give it a shot.....

edit: replace xsl with xls (i think..)

edit (again): im gonna have to ask my dad for his book...

Good luck. Seriously.

Also, I suggest getting someone who already knows html and/or xml to help you with it.

[bryguy]

Can nobody do this?

actually all u really need is the xml for it, the map image, and the xsl coding that goes with the xml and says what the xml does.

Why do i know this? my dads job uses xsl/xml and he bought a tutorial book!!

i might give it a shot.....

edit: replace xsl with xls (i think..)

edit (again): im gonna have to ask my dad for his book...

Good luck. Seriously.

Also, I suggest getting someone who already knows html and/or xml to help you with it.

i know some html (was a wiz at it at one point, better go dig up my html book....) and know the xml for cc, but after looking in my dads book i realize that the easiest thing is to get the actual coding from lack. Eh ill give it a shot anyways, but it would probably take forever.....

[t-o-m]

yeh, or just get your dad to do it!

[shadowsteel9]

in regards to the people invited to the test games, i suggest a series of atleast 2 games.the first consisting of mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and the Cartographers. the second consisting of The mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and i propose the creation of a usergroup that would be the called the Analysts or something to that extent. Their job would be to access the overall enjoyability of the game

[InkL0sed]

in regards to the people invited to the test games, i suggest a series of atleast 2 games.the first consisting of mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and the Cartographers. the second consisting of The mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and i propose the creation of a usergroup that would be the called the Analysts or something to that extent. Their job would be to access the overall enjoyability of the game

Well, let bryguy get the site working before we talk about that stuff, it will probably take quite a while.

[bryguy]

in regards to the people invited to the test games, i suggest a series of atleast 2 games.the first consisting of mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and the Cartographers. the second consisting of The mapmaker(s), the xml coder, and i propose the creation of a usergroup that would be the called the Analysts or something to that extent. Their job would be to access the overall enjoyability of the game

Well, let bryguy get the site working before we talk about that stuff, it will probably take quite a while.

a LONG while, the book is like 600 pages long

luckily i have http://www.w3schools.com/Xsl/default.asp and http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp

[t-o-m]

luckily i have http://www.w3schools.com/Xsl/default.asp and http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp

woaaw, interesting sites

[bryguy]

luckily i have http://www.w3schools.com/Xsl/default.asp and http://www.w3schools.com/xml/default.asp

woaaw, interesting sites

yea, but just browse thru them and u can see how complex this stuff is

[t-o-m]

i will when i have some time..

[rgbubba]

Yes we should have a test area! I would help out alot.