But that... is what I've done. *shrugs* And it is a basic map.
It's a simple back drop to build on. I didn't want to add too much as it may encroach on people's creativity. But yes, it could probably do with some map models and more detailed texturing, although I didn't want to texture too much as I wanted the theme to be fairly flexible.
I agree that it's a little on the small size. A size 12 map takes a long time to render and I figured that people who are new to SB wouldn't want to be waiting up to 5 minutes every time they tweaked their lighting.

Using the height map tool can be quite confusing and tedious to first time mappers, but it can really sell a map if you use it well. If you're experienced you're probably better off doing it yourself as you know what you want and how to get it, but newbies may not, and that's who the map is aimed at.

Anyhoo, thanks for your input. I'm not expecting five stars and the front page, but if it makes building a little easier for newbies that'll do.

Take five minutes out of your time to read the blurb. I think this is an awesome and noble effort.

Edit: Use '/outline 1' to show the grid of the geometry. There are also variables to auto select the correct grid size for editing.

Thank you very much! I nearly fell off of my chair this morning when I saw it on the front page.
I'll make sure I use the outline display when I take a screen shot of any future projects. Hopefully the lighting gives a reasonable idea of the layout of the map, but it might be better to show more detail.

unfortunatly all your maps are 5 minutes. (btw: great template!)

Thanks a lot! :D
It might be a long time coming I'm afraid. It took me 2 days to get the car park lighting right and I'm considering rebuilding the hospital interior as a separate level to keep loading times down.
Still... Rome wasn't built in a day I guess.

It looks like you've got some good resources for a more realistic feeling map. If you'd like to discuss how you can help help, send a message to sauerhillproject[at]live[dot]co[dot]uk
It'll be good to have somebody to help reduce the workload.
Thanks!

In contrast, some people (myself included) learn more from the works/examples from others rather than from reading a bunch of monotonous text.

I've basically taught myself everything (programming, map design, collaboration) simply by just doing it. My opinion is; there should be more demo maps like these that people can use for inspiration and education. One day I just grabbed Sauerbraten and said "This looks cool.. nobody seems to be doing much with it." and started hacking.

How does having a map handed to you teach you anything? How does teaching yourself equate to learning from others? You aren't making any sense. Why does this five minute map get star content? This site is really lame.

With the site redesigns and more focus put on creating useful content, many more nodes are becoming starred than that in the past. I promote maps based on a variety of different things, including usefulness to the public.

Spend 10 years learning about all areas of development; I have learnt in that time - PHP, Javascript, Perl, CGI/C, C/C++, Turbo and Delphi Pascal, OpenGL, Cube 2. All from examining the work of other people or tutorials (there's very little help for Cube - you have to just dive into the code - but after 3 years I am considered an "expert" now). I never finished high school and I never went to college/university.

Now, once you get all those skills, join in on the community and actually offer to help do something productive. I am totally sick of all these people bitching and complaining when they're not even helping, I've been doing it for over three years now mostly by myself.

I have said many times Quadropolis and the rest of the Cube community is looking for development help, and I'm still yet to see one f***ing person offer real help instead of fanciful ideas and whinging.

If I seem a bit upset, it is because I am. I have done so much work in this community and I still get bloody abused by these people who think they know better. I don't care if you think this site is lame, if the community wants better they should get in and do something about it, this sort of comment is unproductive and sickens me to my stomach.

</end-rant>

I agree.

Who cares what you've learned? These maps don't teach anyone anything. If someone is smart enough to make a map, then they can do it themselves. If not, then too bad. I spent countless hours on my maps, and I get nothing but a "MEH", so f*** you! Shut this f***ing piece of s*** site down if you recognize only s***.

Edit by Quin: Had to clean up the language, feel free to express yourself but please keep the language neutral and family-friendly.

That is like comparing apples to oranges. You are making maps for people to play on, and hence they are compared to other maps of the same type - of which yours probably did not measure up all too well.

This type of content is entirely different, it is for the purposes of education and not gameplay. I fully appreciate your right to express your opinion - as I do mine, but you seem to miss a key point in the argument - this map is not graded on the same curve as deathmatch maps!

There are quite a number of moderators on Quadropolis who are capable of starring content - not just me. It is ENTIRELY at their discretion which ones they see fit to promote to the front page.

I've spent a lot of time working on my maps too in the past, and when I've submitted them hoping for at least four stars I get a 3 and some complaints, but instead of throwing my rattle out of the pram and going into a rant I've dealt with it, taken the comments and tried to build a better map.
To be honest I wasn't expecting to be front paged, but the front page doesn't necessarily mean it's the best, it's just different. The maps themselves may not be superb, but obviously Quin likes the concept and thus wanted others to see and expand upon this concept.
If you're building maps for status and adoration you're doing it for the wrong reasons. If you're going to get upset because you didn't get five stars and a street parade you may as well stop building now and hide under a rock for the rest of your life for fear of having your ego dented.
If you've got constructive criticism which can help me an other mappers improve our work, then please share, but if all you've got is jealous rants and abusive language you can keep it to yourself.

I will remove this entire conversation thread upon your request, it is not fair to have an argument on your node. I simply ask you let it sit for a little longer so the point is made and everyone gets a chance to see the outcome.

It doesn't bother me. :) I'm pretty sure that there are a great deal of people who have the same attitude, so if it stops at least one person seeing mapping as a competition rather than an exhibition it'll be worth the hassle.

Following your comment on there not being enough support -which I've found myself- I'm knocking together a little light hearted site to explain basic mapping technique for novices to intermediates. Lots of bold text, clear titles and screen shots. I'm thinking of writing some tutorials to help develop skills and perhaps develop some maps which tie in to projects.
Any good?

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www.cubecreators.webs.com
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Maybe not overly professional, but certainly a decent primer. My only gripe would be how you're writing it like you would say it, rather than writing it more like an article.

Rather than setting up yet another site you might want to consider applying for edit access to the wiki, and maybe in time even the blog. I also officially handle the included documentation, and more recently the cube websites, so if you're really serious you might want to catch up with me on IRC or something.

If this map is made 4 use for beginners, then its bad 2 place on here.
Most editing beginners, doesnt even know this website, so they cant get that map on here anyway =s.

That's not something within our control, mappers should end up here anyway.

I know how to use height map, and I hate making things at random. I rather somebody else do it for me. This map is the perfect starter map.

Not a bad idea at all, if DarkStar and other people are interested I'd be willing to set it up.

DarkStar: If you are interested, you are welcome to come up with the rules for the competition, etc. If you feel you'd like to make another map for a competition "start kit", that would work too.

It's been a while since we've had one, as there hasn't really been any interest in them, and nobody has had any good ideas for starting one until now.

I'm all for anything which encourages creativity and gets people teaching the newbies. The thing which slightly worries me about the idea of template maps is that it may inhibit creativity rather than encourage it. If you do too much it may make mappers lazy. I think that if we tried to create some decent landscapes with lots of flat ground for building on and some map models, it could inspire people to build with the theme.
With the right balance, I think it could work. A flat plane feels like a blank piece of paper to me - intimidating. If we could simply create an environment in which to build, I think it may get people more inspired.

My map pack is a pretty crude example of what could be done. I'm sure that people with more skill and imagination than myself could make something impressive.