Please don't release beta maps!

[Braska]

Ok, I'm sure everybody visiting this forum has noticed that there are A LOT of beta maps going around, and all this creates confusion about which version is the newest and if it really is the final one.
On the other hand people releasing the maps are getting flamed, which I don't find good either.

The solution is very simple: Don't post beta maps here. Post screenshots, layouts, videos, whatever. But not the map itself.
Now for playtesting, ask some friends, and if they don't have the time, just ask here! It's that simple. Simply put a message in the thread about your map that you need a handful of people to join your (of course password protected) server to try gameplay out. Then after playtesting you can release the map in it's final state and everybody will have instant fun.

Everybody would gain from this:
The people playing will only have one map to download, so no confusion if it is a final version.
The mapper can ask the people on the server to do special actions, and later talk with them in a chat or so, because they were really testing that map and looking for errors, not like most people here just playing beta maps. And the mappers won't get flames for releasing different versions of their map (as it happens quite a lot here... )


So what do you think? If we stick to this, things would get much better IMO.

 

[DoctorGordon]

No, more people testing the map the more chance an error will be located.

Ppl need to be a little more conscious about what maps they've played, and not mindlessly join whatever server with whatever map.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

The more critical the feedback you get, the better. The public are better at being critical than your friends are. Most people just completely kiss your arse.
Personally, I'd rather not release public betas, but it helps immeasurably. However, one beta should be sufficient - releasing several is definitely overkill.

 

[Maxi]

Atleast, DO NOT RELEASE THE BETA MAP WITH THE SAME NAME AS THE FINAL MAP PLEASE!

Use something like _rc1 or something after the name.

 

[rocklegendfm99]

when you get a new version of a map get rid of the old one

 

[DoctorGordon]

Anyone who names their beta the same as their intended final release needs to be skinned with a pair of pliers

 

[Gdawg!!-!]

beta testing is sweet.
you get to put your input into it.

 

[von*ferret]

lol people actually agree with me.

 

[Mechagodzilla]

Just put 'beta' in the name. Simple.

 

[Riggz]

I like betas. It's cool watching the developments of maps. Inspires me to want to start mapping..but I just love playing too much and don't have the patience. The more opinions the better. At the end of the day, it's those people that will play the map and put it on their servers. I'm sure mappers don't want to put all that time in a map just to have it shelved.

We all know how we don't like games that are released that feel like their beta with all the mistakes in them.

There should be like an unofficial naming standard for maps that everyone uses. eg. dm_ownage-beta1, dm_ownage-beta2 and finally when it's done dm_ownage.

 

[Tynan]

Release your betas, but only with a marker on the filename.

I use RC1, RC2, RC3 etc (release candidate).

 

[chestburster]

beta testing is sweet.
you get to put your input into it.

but that´s only a matter of luck to get input for betas.

 

[sabre0001]

id say its better to set up a testing group and be able to talk about results later...Friends arent great for testing because a lot dont map/edit, play on a serious basis (not talking pro here) or just dont want to say...'well it sucks to be honest'

 

[Zeus]

If you don't like betas don't play them. It's that simple. As a mapper I release betas to see what the majority wants to see in my map. I can't tell what the public wants unless I have their critiques.