Map Development - Guildelines and hints (READ BEFORE POSTING!)

[Rui]

Welcome to

The Map Development Forum

The Map Development forum was created for the users to post threads about their incoming maps. If you have a project you are working on and wish to share with the rest of the community, you may do so, but you have to agree with all the rules below.
These guidelines were written aiming for the better functioning of not only the Map Development forum but also their child-forums, where they also apply (unless otherwise stated).

1. All the content of your message must respect the Site Rules.
   
   
2. Any message irrelevant, non-constructive and/or noncontributory to the thread can be deleted at any time by the moderators of the Map Development forum or respective child-forum. Examples of this kind of message would be short-length, unnecessary posts or talks about adding another user to an instant messenger tool's contact list. Inspiring messages ("hey the project sounds good") also apply, as do the common "when is it done?" messages – it's done when it's done.
   
   • Should you commit three or more infractions of this kind, you will be exposed to receiving negative reputation from any staff member with moderation powers over the Map Development forum (or child-forum).
   
   
3. A post made by a banned user may be soft-deleted or physically removed at any time.
   
   
4. You may only post threads concerning your map. Topics regarding someone else's project are not accepted and will be soft-deleted without warning.
   
   • When editing somebody else's map, you have got to have permission from the original author, but you need to back that up with substantial evidence. This does not apply to open source maps (maps that are not protected).
   
   
5. If your thread is not related to a map project, it will be moved to the appropriate forum. Upon moving them, the moderator should leave a redirection link that will last 24 hours (1 day).
   • This does not apply if the thread is recycled (moved to the Recycle Bin), in which case the moderator may choose any expiration time ranging from 10 hours to no redirection link.
   
   
6. All the files attached to the post must agree with the respective rules of their type.
   • 100% completed Maps should be uploaded in the Hive's Map Resource Section and must, as stated before, agree with the Map Rules.
   • Unfinished maps may NOT be uploaded and should always be attached to the main post where users may download the file.
     
     
     • If you want to temporarily upload a file for someone, you should use our Pastebin.
   
   
   
7. When posting in the Map Development forum itself, you have the right to criticize the work of others. Obviously, they have the right to criticize your own work as well.
   • Be reminded that the content of that critique may not violate any of these guidelines.
     Violating this rule grants the moderator the right to delete your post.
   
   
8. If your thread has been hijacked (meaning, if one or more users have started to discuss unrelated matters in your thread), you may report one of those messages if you wish to have your thread cleaned. The moderators directly responsible for the Map Development forum then have the obligation to clean (delete) any messages unrelated to the thread's initial theme, including yours.
   
   • NOTE: If other users hijack your thread with the intention of insulting or provoking you, the best thing to do is to not reply and report the offensive message.
     
     • If you reply with more insults, the moderator has the additional right to close your thread with no previous notice.

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These newly posted Map Development Rules have immediate effects. If you do not agree with them, please do not post on the Map Development forum.
Thank you.

16:48 UTC/GMT, the 1st of November, 2008

Credits

These Map Development Rules were originally written by Rui.
Many thanks to the contributions of Ash, Gilles, Hawkwing, PurplePoot, Rising_Dusk and Septimus for suggesting various improvements.

[Archian]

When creating a thread try add the following information to your first post (see below). Minor variations are allowed, you may use the following list as a guideline. Maps should be attached to your first post. Use the map title as the name of your thread, names such as "my first map" are not allowed to be used as thread titles.

Needed info for creating a thread

• Map name
• Name of the creator(s)
• Current stage of the map (alpha, beta, finished?)
• Summary of the map gameplay/objectives
• Map features
• Miscellaneous Info (credits?)

Friendly tips

• Categorise your text. Having a wall of text will not get people interested in the project.
• Use headlines, colors and bold text to make your thread more appealing to the reader.
• Screenshots! Dont just tell about it, show it!
• When updating the map, you should update your first post rather than hiding the update in middle of the thread. Especially the new version of your map should be reattached to your first post.