Personalized Map Filters [SUGGESTION]

[WidowMakers]

Concise description:

• Have personal favorite map filters so everyone can categorize maps as they see fit.

Specifics:

• For example, each person would have a tab in their profile to setup and organize maps into filters. These filters would be fully customizable for each user. The name and number of maps in each filter set would be up to each individual. Initially there would be only 2 filters:ALL MAPS filter and BETA. These filters cannot be deleted or renamed. After a person setups, say a SMALL MAP filter, it will be available to them as a sorting option in the GAME FINDER or JOIN A GAME screens.

This will improve the following aspects of the site:

• It would allow each users to determine themselves how maps should be sorted. It would also eliminate the issues surrounding different opinions as to what map is complex or what maps should be not played. Then the map selection screen could go back to showing thumbnails again since people can setup filters. There will be no need to show 130 thumbnails, only the 20 or so per personal filter.

[Woodruff]

Suggestion:Allow personalized filters (like PM inbox folders) that each member can set themselves.

If we did this, then ...

1) no one should have any issue with keeping all maps.
2) Classification and filtering is up to each individual
3) The map selection screen can be cleaned up
4) We will all be happy.

Everyone would have a default BETA filter for when new maps come out. (cannot be deleted)
And if a person does not customize anything, the default filter is called ALL MAPS

Person A

-Geography
-Abstract
-Maps I HATE
-BETA

Person B

-Small
-Medium
-Large
-Complex
-Clan Maps
-BETA

Person C

-Maps I Like
-Maps I don't
-BETA

WM

This is an outstanding suggestion. It makes tremendous sense and would lead to a much more enjoyable experience for everyone.

[chipv]

A script matching exactly this description was done quite a while ago so you can use this in the meantime

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=59119

[AAFitz]

I litterally just posted nearly this same suggestion, though expanded it to include grouping on the join a game page, and on the map page alike

It would help new players know the dangers or at least the characteristics of maps immediately, and would help all of us find the maps we like quickly.

there are so many, I certainly can not keep track of them now...and we seem to have gone beyond the alphabetical listing.

It was the queen herpes thread that inspired it.... the current display is a little overbearing. Im sure how this is done will depend greatly on programming ease to some degree...but it does seem like its time.

the game finder is great, but not extremely easy to use, and seeing them grouped all in one place will be much better. It will solve many issues at once, especially if it is applied to the join a game pages...which right now is simply to large to be useful

[sully800]

Putting maps into categories has been suggested a million times, and generally rejected because some group on CC would have to arbitrarily decide if a map is Easy or Medium or whatever. The big worry is that those categories could negative impact a map's popularity.

The beauty of this suggestion is that each individual user would choose their own categories. Therefore the people would be deciding the map's popularity as it should be. It also makes it quite easy to put maps into multiple categories if desired. Let's get this implemented ASAP!

A script matching exactly this description was done quite a while ago so you can use this in the meantime

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=59119

Chip, thanks as always for everything you do around here! I didn't know about this particular script, but it's a good example of how to implement this suggestion.

[AndyDufresne]

This is indeed probably one of the beautiful solutions to the difficult problem of map organization and categorization.

When a map leaves BETA, would there be another mandatory filter for "Post-BETA" or "Yet to be filtered" maps---so people are made aware of new maps still (often people don't want to play maps that are in beta, or tournaments avoid beta maps, etc). I know we use headlines, but they may not be enough, especially when people start to filter things---they still should be made aware of new maps.


--Andy

[sully800]

This is indeed probably one of the beautiful solutions to the difficult problem of map organization and categorization.

When a map leaves BETA, would there be another mandatory filter for "Post-BETA" or "Yet to be filtered" maps---so people are made aware of new maps still (often people don't want to play maps that are in beta, or tournaments avoid beta maps, etc). I know we use headlines, but they may not be enough, especially when people start to filter things---they still should be made aware of new maps.


--Andy

Yet to be filtered is a good idea. It would let the user know there is a map not in any category without being intrusive (sending a pop up or private message would be annoying). If the user chooses not to put the map in a personal category that is fine, it would just remain in the "Yet to be filtered" category. Once placed in a users category it would automatically be removed from "yet to be filtered".

I still like the idea of some automatic categories. Top 10, 25 and 50 maps that the user has played (either all time or in a certain time frame). Additionally top 10, 25 or 50 maps played by everyone on the site (once again, you could choose 'all time' or a certain time frame). These auto categories, like Beta and "yet to be filtered", could be selected on the game finder or start/join a game, but you would not have the option of personalizing them in your control panel since they are automatic.

[Woodruff]

A script matching exactly this description was done quite a while ago so you can use this in the meantime

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=59119

You rock. (But these need to be advertised better...didn't know about it.)

[AndyDufresne]

So Widowmakers (specifically, since he is the "operator" of the first post), and others---make sure to keep a detailed first post, including suggestions made below the first post, and also following the form.


--Andy

[Elijah S]

While I think WM's idea is concrete and would make it easier to search maps, I also feel that the map foundry is in need of some better direction.
With a large number of projects being intoduced all the time, despite their efforts to keep up, I think foundry personnel are overwhelmed and unable to maintain the degree of quality expected.
Too many poor - mediocre maps have passed through the system, many of which receive very little gameplay.
I'm onboard with a number of others who suggest locking the foundry, developing a collective opinion on organization and procedures, and, when a reasonable direction is determined, re-opening.

I personally also believe that, in addition to having the filters WM suggests, weeding out some of the less-played maps would be another step in the right direction.

[Woodruff]

I personally also believe that, in addition to having the filters WM suggests, weeding out some of the less-played maps would be another step in the right direction.

Some of the "less played maps" would also be SOME players' favorite maps. I'd hate to see that happen, particularly given that it really doesn't serve ANY purpose other than saving just a bit of space (not much either).

[AndyDufresne]

I really like this suggestion, but knowing Lack, it is probably too big to get done in one fell-swoop. However, a good step in this direction would at least be a "My Favorite Maps" filter...which then could lead to more and numerous other filters.


--Andy