[2015 (Feb-March)] Map Description Rule Changes

[StoPCampinGn00b]

Recently, people have been going around saying you need X, X and X for your description or else it will not be approved.

Here is the current rule:
•Submitted Map Resources need to have a good description on the Hive. It is a good idea to include map title, author, features list, short gameplay explanation, a credits list, screenshots, a changelog, etc.
A map description that only contains "Hope you like it, my first map" or "power core v3 new updates, see loadingscreen good map" will be rejected.

Here it states it is a good idea to include the following. What do you feel should be requirements and what should be highly recommended.

Use this as a fancy template:
Required:
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX

Highly Recommended:
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX

 

[Chaosy]

I'd say the following is NEEDED:

Map Title
Author
Story/Lore
Gameplay Description
Features
Screenshots

 

[Sylvie]

Agree with Chaosy in the most. But Screenshots aren't nedded, in my opinion. That would be highly recommended, not needed.

 

[Deleted member 238589]

Since you mentioned it, I don't see why screenshots are being forced upon map makers. If they choose to use them, the map will be more attractive to players, and if not, it's their problem. That's the way I see it.

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

Alright. Let's try:
Required
Map Title
Author
General Information / Gameplay Description
Credits
Changelog

Recommended
Screenshots
Story / Lore
Features List
Video

 

[Shadow Fury]

Agreed. I remember that when I first came a map reviewer, nobody pretended screenshots. I assisted this "screenies mania" after some months I reviewed maps. It seemed that more and more people where becoming interested in seeing screenshots in map descriptions until this reached such a degree that screenshots became mandatory (while they've never been so)

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

Hmm. Thanks for the opinions. In less than 24 hours or so I'll see if I can change the rules

 

[Chaosy]

In my opinion, a description that doesn't successfully describe a map, is not even good enough for a 2/5 with a approval. With that said, not having either features/story included is.. I don't even find words to describe it.

I guess screenshots aren't needed, but I don't see any reason not to include it.

 

[Shadow Fury]

Poor Map Submission Rules, they are suffering from frequent changes

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

I guess screenshots aren't needed, but I don't see any reason not to include it

The thing is, asking for a screenshot to be added takes up time. Most wouldn't upload it on the same day. At the same time, don't you think it's little unjust to set a map to needs fix just because the description is pretty enough? It should be required to be informative, but it should not be required to make it appealing.

 

[Chaosy]

They've plenty of time to take screenshots. For example they can upload the map and meanwhile while it's being uploaded you can start to take screenshots. In the end, you can play through ANY map in singleplayer with whosyourdaddy within one hour. So the screenshots might be delayed a little, but 99% of the downloaders would still get the screenshots in time.

Not to mention the fact that you could've taken the screenshots while developing.

Blaming time is a really lame excuse.

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

I didn't exactly mean time as in the the time the author has to put in, it's more of how half the maps uploaded do not include them. We wait for them to add screenshots, which most times takes days.

I want to eliminate that time frame. Besides, I'll be adding legal ease's screenshot tutorial to the description rule. AFAIK, over the past almost two years in the pending section, I've always been seeing a complaints / unfavorable responses about the screenshots rule at least once every two weeks.

 

[Daffa]

about the screenshots rule at least once every two week.

Fixed it for ya

Anyway, I think screenshot quite mandatory if we really want to capture audience. I don't think anyone would really bother with a map if it offers no SS and no proof from anyone it has quality in it =/

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

SS

Hehe. I wonder who is actually going to use that abbreviation.

Anyway, I think screenshot quite mandatory if we really want to capture audience. I don't think anyone would really bother with a map if it offers no SS and no proof from anyone it has quality in it =/

I need Hive 2 group features... :3

I'll ask if I can create a poll in site discussion about this. Honestly, going into this discussion I wanted to make screenshots mandatory, but I somehow swapped sides.

 

[Daffa]

I was bored typing Screenshots so I call it SS

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

I was bored typing Screenshots so I call it SS

As for most cases why abbreviations were created. Actually, it would be more common to say it's more time consuming to type out the whole word instead of an abbr. Bad pun intended.

Anyway, I realized this does not at all need permission. Thread: http://www.hiveworkshop.com/forums/site-discussion-97/map-submission-rules-screenshots-tax-263064/

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

The staff has come to a conclusion.

Submitted Map Resources need to have a good detailed description on the Hive. It must include a thorough explanation of the gameplay and a credits list. We recommend that you also include a features list, screenshots and a changelog.
A map description that only contains "Hope you like it, my first map" or "power core v3 new updates, see loadingscreen good map" will be rejected.

If you see other users telling others that things are required that are no longer, it would be greatly appreciated if you would kindly tell them that the rule has been updated.