The Foundry FAQ

[seamusk]

I'm gonna help as much as I can. But more would obviously be helpful. My brain was swisscheese yesterday though from too much hurling.

[wcaclimbing]

Stamping

Q:
I think my map is ready to get a stamp (Idea, Gameplay, Graphics, XML), but none of the foundry staff has come and commented on my map. What do I do to get that stamp?

A:
Don't worry, the CAs haven't forgotten about you. They are just very busy all the time and might have not checked on your map in a few days.
First, read this page. It includes information about every stamp:
http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=40463
If your map fits all the requirements listed for the stamp, send a PM to one of the foundry staff members that is responsible for giving that stamp and ask them to take a look at your map (or send it to more than one if you can't figure out who gives the stamp you are asking for). They will come and either:
A. give you a stamp.
B. give you some suggestions that you need to do before you get the stamp.

---------------
Disclaimer: if anyone has a better answer than the one I gave, feel free to post it. Thats how I got my stamp for Oasis, so I'm guessing it would work the same for all maps.
---------------

[seamusk]

Honestly, there may be no point to this because I've been watching what maps gets pinned versus what maps get stamps and which don't and the only criteria that I have seen actually applied is that the mods know the map maker. Until that gets fixed new map makers are going to wonder why a map that meets the criteria isn't being pinned when others that don't are.

[TaCktiX]

There's a point, and it's a bit broader than the one I came up with originally. Over the past week I've seen so many mis-posted topics it's not funny. Outside awareness of Foundry "rules" is ridiculously low. Having an FAQ around will alleviate at least some of that.

As for what gets stickied, yes, experienced mapmakers get their stuff stickied faster. They have proven that they will keep with a project, and bring it up through meaningful updates that address feedback. Newer mapmakers typically have to wait longer as they haven't proven anything other than enough enthusiasm to start a map. I had provided 4 versions of The Citadel before it got a sticky, and 8 versions before it left the Ideas forum. Sure it stinks being the newbie, but it's a one-time thing as long as you stay the course and finish the map.

[seamusk]

As for what gets stickied, yes, experienced mapmakers get their stuff stickied faster. They have proven that they will keep with a project, and bring it up through meaningful updates that address feedback. Newer mapmakers typically have to wait longer as they haven't proven anything other than enough enthusiasm to start a map. I had provided 4 versions of The Citadel before it got a sticky, and 8 versions before it left the Ideas forum. Sure it stinks being the newbie, but it's a one-time thing as long as you stay the course and finish the map.

If this is the case then that information needs to be in the handbook. But also, an explanation of what it means to have "that they will keep with a project, and bring it through meaningful updates that address feedback." I've been doing that as aggressively as anyone. But again the problem that caused me to post in the first place is that this is not written criteria but appears to be some kind of unwritten law of the cartography brotherhood. If you want more folks in the map forums commenting and critiquing it would help to not appear like an exclusive group. I might add, there is nothing in the handbook that states that new mapmakers must do x before y happens.

[t-o-m]

i agree - you say, tack, that you have to proove that you can make a map before they will do things - how can people show they can do things if theyre not given the chance.
although it is not as harsh as it sounds, dont worry - your map will get there.

i found this 'contraversy' a lot wih ruben caeser. nice guy, but it seems that the cartographers LOVE HIM!
in the map ideas his map gets stickied before anyones, idea passed before anyones, and other stamps (not a big deal when the map deserves them) first.
but ah well...

it doesnt matter that much - you should enjoy making the map

[TaCktiX]

It's not as biased as it seems. Everything Ruben has posted of late was a fully-formed graphically good-looking map on first draft. Explanations of things were more or less clear (with some quickly suggested edits), the borders weren't jagged, the entire thing looked good on first draft. One thing that experienced mapmakers have that first-time people don't is a full idea of what's necessary for a good-looking map. A mapmaker who gets everything necessary for sticky on the first draft, then of course he'll be stickied faster than the person who didn't (albeit, unknowingly). If you look at all the newer mapmaker topics, you'll notice common threads of "things they missed." Learn from these mistakes, and don't do them next time, and you'll end out with the same speedy sticky that Ruben gets.

[gimil]

Another point is an experienced map maker with support for his idea is twice as likely to be committed their map through the full process than a new map maker.

[t-o-m]

i think the process is fair...

[seamusk]

I don't agree with Tack. I see maps by experienced mapmakers that are lacking what other newer mapmakers have getting the nod despite poor workmanship.

And once again, Gimil's comment goes back to where we started. If folks are going to judge a map by the map maker instead of the map and the work put into it, then that needs to be explained. We all develop reputations at things but it makes the whole map making process less friendly to newcomers this way. If anything, the process should be reversed to help facilitate the ability of newcomers to build on their initial ambitions. Obviously the same standards should be applied, particularly as you get deeper in the process but, if you are going to show quality leniency it shouldn't be with the experienced folks. It is experienced map makers who should be given a more critical eye since they ought to know better and have the experience to have things look more right up front. I don't see how given a newcomer an advanced idea tag or idea stamp for work well done would take away from the process.

[TaCktiX]

One unmentioned thing about the Idea stamp: if the map gets it, it is expected to be Quenched eventually, save chronic change in the mapmaker's availability. All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason. An experienced mapmaker with a quenched map isn't going to let that happen, a newcomer may/may not, who knows? It's erring on the side of caution, really.

As for the FAQ, I'm going to write up an exhaustive list of questions after the 1st Newsletter issue goes out the door (expect it by this weekend!), then answer them. I've just been too busy with my two maps, the Stats, and the Newsletter, among other things, to pour the necessary time into this as of yet.

[AndyDufresne]

Some ideas fall apart after they receive the Idea Stamp (And even before we had stamps, once they were moved)...so it doesn't necessarily mean "we expect Quench."


--Andy

[seamusk]

All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason.

I understand the concern but if the worst case scenario is that a map sits idle in the foundry for a while is it really that important to be so overly critical of new map makers work? I would think that the encouragement provided by giving those nods far outweighs the expense there. In any case, another option would be to simply apply the standards equally and have a basic rule in the foundry that idle maps get bounced back or something. All you would need to do is have a mod clean up once a month. Much cleaner and fairer in my opinion. From organizational experience you'll lose people and have some idle maps, but what you never want to lose is that handful of quality mapmakers who might be turned off by the unexpressed requirements and overly critical eye on maps created by newbies.

[Qwert]

TaCktiX wrote:
All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason.

In some point you are right,but aim a experienced mapmaker(i hope so)and i dont have any privileges,to mine map go faster then map of new map makers.Many map who start 1 or 2 month after mine,finish faster then mine,but these is some other problem.
Alos one thing what anoing me,its small map. In new FAQ,need to put in first place small map,and every new project must start with small map.

[gimil]

TaCktiX wrote:
All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason.

In some point you are right,but aim a experienced mapmaker(i hope so)and i dont have any privileges,to mine map go faster then map of new map makers.Many map who start 1 or 2 month after mine,finish faster then mine,but these is some other problem.
Alos one thing what anoing me,its small map. In new FAQ,need to put in first place small map,and every new project must start with small map.

Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

[t-o-m]

TaCktiX wrote:
All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason.

In some point you are right,but aim a experienced mapmaker(i hope so)and i dont have any privileges,to mine map go faster then map of new map makers.Many map who start 1 or 2 month after mine,finish faster then mine,but these is some other problem.
Alos one thing what anoing me,its small map. In new FAQ,need to put in first place small map,and every new project must start with small map.

Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

i think it would be good if people just produced a small map once in a while, not much graphics on, just showing how things would differ/make problems

[cairnswk]

TaCktiX wrote:
All the C.A.'s are reluctant to Idea stamp anything from newer people until they've gone above and beyond and shown in reality more than the experienced mapmaker has to to get the same. It is known that an experienced mapmaker knows the workload required and will "stick to it." It is not known that about newer folks. Ever since the stamping system came into existence, the C.A.'s have been trying to minimize maps that make it out of the Ideas forum only to be abandoned shortly thereafter by the mapmaker for whatever reason.

In some point you are right,but aim a experienced mapmaker(i hope so)and i dont have any privileges,to mine map go faster then map of new map makers.Many map who start 1 or 2 month after mine,finish faster then mine,but these is some other problem.
Alos one thing what anoing me,its small map. In new FAQ,need to put in first place small map,and every new project must start with small map.

Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

Well, all my maps start small, but just because one maker does that or several mapmakers work that way there is no reason why this should be stipulation in the FAQ. Mapmakers are creative or they should be if they're attempting maps, and they should be allowed the freedom to chose the method...it could be recommendation only because some find it easier to propogate from small up to large given that army shadows have to be allowed for and fitted into the small map.

[Qwert]

gimil
Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

Why? because these is much importan then big map, map maker can vaste hes time in big,but when he transver to small then some thing can bee problem ti implement on small.In these way we can help to things going good from begining.

[gimil]

gimil
Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

Why? because these is much importan then big map, map maker can vaste hes time in big,but when he transver to small then some thing can bee problem ti implement on small.In these way we can help to things going good from begining.

And people do this (DiM being the most common) because thats how they prefer to work. If there small map isnt as clear as the large they understand that the map wont be quenched. This is a creative and artistic process. We try our best not to restrict creative freedom where possible.

[DiM]

gimil
Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

Why? because these is much importan then big map, map maker can vaste hes time in big,but when he transver to small then some thing can bee problem ti implement on small.In these way we can help to things going good from begining.

And people do this (DiM being the most common) because thats how they prefer to work. If there small map isnt as clear as the large they understand that the map wont be quenched. This is a creative and artistic process. We try our best not to restrict creative freedom where possible.

actually you are wrong. i'm probably the only map maker that starts with the big map and does the small only near the end of the process.
i do this because i like working with big images.

BUT each time i do the update i also do a quick resize to check if the small is fine.

[gimil]

gimil
Why would you demand that everyone starts with small map? I dont think there is any reason to restrict the freedom of the map makers in this case . . .

Why? because these is much importan then big map, map maker can vaste hes time in big,but when he transver to small then some thing can bee problem ti implement on small.In these way we can help to things going good from begining.

And people do this (DiM being the most common) because thats how they prefer to work. If there small map isnt as clear as the large they understand that the map wont be quenched. This is a creative and artistic process. We try our best not to restrict creative freedom where possible.

actually you are wrong. i'm probably the only map maker that starts with the big map and does the small only near the end of the process.
i do this because i like working with big images.

BUT each time i do the update i also do a quick resize to check if the small is fine.

Regardless if your the only my point still stands

[Qwert]

We try our best not to restrict creative freedom where possible.

630px is not restrictive freedom.I want to say,that is better to warning all new map makers that is better to start map using size for small images.
Ok,maybe you can add these word:

-recommendation-its better to start project in small map size.

[gimil]

If we where to put such a recommendation in it would have to put the pro's and cons of starting with either a large or a small.

[Qwert]

by gimil on Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:41 pm

If we where to put such a recommendation in it would have to put the pro's and cons of starting with either a large or a small.

Aim not quit understand.
I several time ask in some topic where i see that map is much big(well in alloved size for big map),to see small version,and map maker reply,that he still not working on small map,so i can not give feedback for Army shadows or names or terittoires size.because mine interest is to see how its look on small map,because i all map start in small dimension(only WWII EUROPE start with big,but i manage to create in small to).

[wcaclimbing]

Not sure about the rest of you, but I make my stuff large size first. well technically, double-large size. twice the size of a regular large map, so i can get a lot of details. I just resize it down to the size i need. so then its a big picture, resize it to 800 across for large, 600 across for small. with the image that big there is no loss in image quality.
If someone asked me for a small image and I wasn't ready, I wouldn't post it. Because starting with Large first, I want to get the large version perfect, so then I can just shrink it and be done. Posting a small version along with it would be extra work for each update, because you'd have to get a second image together. I'd prefer to just finish the large version, so everyone likes it, and THEN post the small, so its already basically finished.
About the map size limits, those are the actual limits, you can't go past them (to my knowledge) and get a bigger map quenched.