I think the fact that Blizzard has set the submission date as less than two weeks away shows they don't understand how long it can take to make an actual good map, and might explain why the majority of their maps aren't very good.

Weavel

Finland9222 Posts

January 28 2016 21:38 GMT

#28

Saw this thread and was thrilled.

After reading the post can't help but shake my head.

purakushi

United States3301 Posts

January 28 2016 21:42 GMT

#29

Those design restrictions

The_Templar

your Country52797 Posts

January 28 2016 21:43 GMT

#30

On January 29 2016 06:36 SetGuitarsToKill wrote:
I think the fact that Blizzard has set the submission date as less than two weeks away shows they don't understand how long it can take to make an actual good map, and might explain why the majority of their maps aren't very good.

Absolutely. I can make a map in 2-3 days, but I'm probably only about as good as Blizzard on their better days. The mapmakers who will (hopefully) win pay attention to every detail and make complex design decisions, and that takes a lot of time.

Topin

Peru10108 Posts

January 28 2016 21:47 GMT

#31

On January 29 2016 06:33 blade55555 wrote:
I love the "We are looking for creative maps" "please maintain same mineral/gas count on every base". Dunno why they are so stubborn with that.

this! come one its being years!!!!!!!

ZeroCartin

Costa Rica2390 Posts

January 28 2016 21:49 GMT

#32

Everyone is so negative around Here. TIME FOR OPTIMISM - I Believe this is a good thing!

On map variety: BW had tons of maps that were non-standard that allowed you to make specific builds for each map and prepare a match with the map in mind. I can think of maps like ParanOid Android, Katrina, Destination, etc. Standard maps are indeed important so that people get the grasp of things, but I think maps with a concept are much better for the scene since it could allow for so much build order variety and games looking really different from each other.

On mapmaking community: It is GREAT to see Blizzard opening their doors to the mapmaking community to change the maps. I hope this is done more frequently as time goes by. I know a lot of really talented map makers out there ready for a challenge

PtyBisKuit

France13 Posts

January 28 2016 21:53 GMT

#33

I really like the idea but isn't 10 days too short ?

I mean, they could have let the same map pool for Season 2 and start on february 1st a contest for Season 3 map pool. With more than two months people would have had enough time to create good maps. With some videos/articles to give ideas or advice plus a reward for participants, it could have a great impact on the community.

So good idea but not best execution to my mind.

Uvantak

Uruguay1381 Posts

January 28 2016 21:57 GMT

#34

ZeroCartin, what you are seeing right now is not a challenge for mapmakers, this is taking the rug out from under us. Over the years we have built a community and made contacts so to get our work used, time and time again, Blizzard has closed the doors to any initiative done by our part, now by removing the community aspect from the only mapmaking tournament there's left they are basically using us as a resource to feed their wills instead of us being a creative workforce and be recognized as that.

andiCR

Costa Rica2273 Posts

January 28 2016 21:59 GMT

#35

On January 29 2016 06:49 ZeroCartin wrote:
Everyone is so negative around Here. TIME FOR OPTIMISM - I Believe this is a good thing!

On map variety: BW had tons of maps that were non-standard that allowed you to make specific builds for each map and prepare a match with the map in mind. I can think of maps like ParanOid Android, Katrina, Destination, etc. Standard maps are indeed important so that people get the grasp of things, but I think maps with a concept are much better for the scene since it could allow for so much build order variety and games looking really different from each other.

On mapmaking community: It is GREAT to see Blizzard opening their doors to the mapmaking community to change the maps. I hope this is done more frequently as time goes by. I know a lot of really talented map makers out there ready for a challenge

I agree 100%. Although interesting maps might prove unbalanced in the long run, having all the maps being very similar between each other also handicaps mapmaker creativity.

Darkness2k11

Chile313 Posts

January 28 2016 22:12 GMT

#36

I really don't like the fact that the map makers won't receive any rewards for their hard work.

DinoMight

United States3725 Posts

January 28 2016 22:13 GMT

#37

Guys, some feedback from someone who is not a map designer for 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 maps.

Please consider these things:

1) You cannot always scout ALL your opponents in a 4v4 player map. And every player cannot prepare for every strategy at the same time. I can't have a turret for Oracles, a Wall for Lings, Vikings, and also whatever the hell stops Ravagers all off one base. Please... make it easy for allies to help each other. Put them close together at the start...

2) Everyone should have access to at least one easy to secure expansion. Maps where someone doesn't get to expand often turn into a cheese fest. Cheese should be an option, not a requirement. Scouting and preparation should be rewarded when defending cheese.

3) Maps where lings and Muta are less effective, please. We don't need back rocks everywhere and giant empty spaces with tons of angles. There's always the one guy spammig lings and then transitioning into 50 muta with gas he took from his allies. This really fucking sucks, but it' because of the way maps are designed for team games. Mass lig is way too strong in the early game on these huge open maps with huge ramps..

I usually roll random or Terran in team games. Not really biased in any way, I think. I do like cheesing from time to time for fun. But also, I hate scouting cheese and being literally unable to react because of the maps.

tokinho

United States792 Posts

January 28 2016 22:17 GMT

#38

@mapmakers, Remember, Terrans need room to drop. Right now its really hard to drop and terrans struggle. They do not have pickup range either. Also, giving other races free golds makes it hard to play terran.

KingofdaHipHop

United States25602 Posts

January 28 2016 22:22 GMT

#39

What I don't understand is what the stigma with standard maps at Blizzard is. Look at the lists for all the greatest games of the past few years we've had. Only a few of them are great because of the "circumstances of map creativity" but the vast majority of them are great because of the types of games that we saw play out on standard maps, both "standard and non-standard" games (macro, cheese, whatever).

Having a unique feature isn't necessarily terrible - Habitation Station was a little quirky but made for amazing 'standard' macro games - but having a gimmick for the sake of having a gimmick doesn't create consistent, quality entertainment as a viewer or as a player. Standard maps are great.

Charoisaur

Germany16061 Posts

January 28 2016 22:25 GMT

#40

If blizzard takes ulrena as role example for a good interesting map I ... I don't know what to say.
I wonder where they get the feedback from that their maps are so great and interesting, almost all players hate them (pro or not)
Are that the viewers?
Then why are the viewer numbers getting lower and lower when the game has so awesome maps. DKs plan of attracting more viewers by adding gimmicky and stupid maps doesn't seem to work.
It seems like the only guy in the world who enjoys those maps is david kim and because david kim only listens to david kim the entire player base has to deal with this crap.
I guess Iloveoov was right and blizzard doesn't care at all about making sc2 more popular "go play other games, right"