SC2Mapster

So, what do you guyz think if we publish a map called "Map of the Week" (Category: SC2Mapster).

We start by publishing a popular map like Mafia or Element TD. We all advertise it everywhere. So, the map goes instantly to the first page.
Then, we replace this map every week by another map from SC2Mapster. Since we didn't change the publisher and the map name, it will keep its popularity from the previous week map. The map mode will be the real name of the map (changing the mode name does not affect the popularity).

Every week we change map. This map will never leave the top if we do a good job on balancing each week's map (niche maps between popular ones maybe and if the map is losing popularity too fast, it should be changed). Sixen could be the publisher on US (vjeux on EU?).

This way, everyone on SC2Mapster can have a popular map, and once popular, the owner of the map can publish the map with its official name and get some players. :)

"Map of the Week" is the best ads you can ever had for your map because it reaches all the millions of kids that do not read forums and all the map makers are promoting this same map.

edit:
This idea will become a reality! Please, visit the official thread:
http://www.sc2mapster.com/forums/general/general-chat/24201-official-map-of-the-week

Sounds like a stretch. Also there is a chance it will just get banned for publishing maps not owned by the publisher.

Interesting to say the least. Personally I'd prefer we did more to help each other getting each others maps up there instead.

If we/the mapster community became more closer together and co-ordinated we could say:

• Bump/Commentate on threads all over the other sites. (Advertising helping).
• Organize more group play and testing to bump up the maps popularity.
• Spread the word of mouth of projects.

Of course we'd need to down to earth and honest with each other, giving critical feedback about each others maps.

2 issues with this.

1) Having to give up your source map to the uploader. Not a huge issue.

2) People don't play low pop maps due to the wait time. This won't fix that.

Only blizzard can fix the broken system...

Quote from BasharTeg: Go

Sounds like a stretch. Also there is a chance it will just get banned for publishing maps not owned by the publisher.

So, Blizzard would have to ban 50% of the maps on EU since they are not owned by the publisher. They have already featured maps knowing that the publisher wasn't the owner of the map.

Quote from Fullachain: Go

Interesting to say the least. Personally I'd prefer we did more to help each other getting each others maps up there instead.

If we/the mapster community became more closer together and co-ordinated we could say:
Bump/Commentate on threads all over the other sites. (Advertising helping).
Organize more group play and testing to bump up the maps popularity.
Spread the word of mouth of projects.

Of course we'd need to down to earth and honest with each other, giving critical feedback about each others maps.

It's A WAY EASIER to get 1 map popular than all maps from SC2Mapster. Think about it. Even if we all promote everyone's map, we won't get not even half of them on the top. By doing this, we get all maps on the top.

Quote from Eiviyn: Go

1) Having to give up your source map to the uploader. Not a huge issue.

You should remember that there's no locked map on Battle.net. I think Sixen might be a trustable publisher.

Quote from zenx1: Go

Only blizzard can fix the broken system...

So, you want them to decide the future of the map making community even knowing that they don't seem to care about the community? Keep waiting for them to fix..... I can bring back this same idea on the next Starcraft birthday.

Well Rod I guess it's worth a try.

Only question is how will you/we/they decide on which map?

Quote from Fullachain: Go

Well Rod I guess it's worth a try.

Only question is how will you/we/they decide on which map?

We can have a map list. People upload to someone the maps and the publisher just have to change the mode to the map's name, the category to "SC2Mapster" and the map's name to "Map of the Week."

We change map every week (before 1 week in emergence if it's losing too much popularity). We repeat maps that are increasing the popularity.

My only concern is to get it at the top for the first time. Once on the top, we have less to worry about. Now, to get it on the top we need some huge ads and some author of a popular map to not only ads in his own map, but also share his map to be the first map of the week. Without this bump to the top, the plan doesn't work. With the bump, we have a chance of making all maps on SC2Mapster popular.

As I said, your map stays a week on this "Map of the week." It is time enough for you to make a community and then you will be able to publish your map and get instant players. If your map is fun, it has a way more chances of being popular when you publish it later by yourself.

"Map of the Week" is the best ads you can ever had for your map because it reaches all the millions of kids that do not read forums.

I actually think that would be pretty easy. Also note that map popularity is reset once ever week, on EU it's every Friday morning, so from then onwards that would be the optimal 'window' to mass host a game.

My main concern would be that the maps put up there are actually Fun and that Bad Maps aren't 'forced' up there.

@Fullachain: Go

All maps should have a chance in the "Map of the Week"
However, whoever publishes then should be in alert. If it's losing popularity too fast, the map must be changed immediately. So, the bad maps won't stay too long.

I actually think this could work out.

But just as fullachain mentioned - how to decide which maps to host? You say every map should have its chance. Does that mean you want to manage the selection via FIFO-Queue? Or will there be a poll-system?

Bringing the map to the top shouldn't be the problem. Since there's only one map to push, the whole community could help. It's in their own interest.

Hmm, I like the idea

@MaNtEc0r: Go

I think a public poll would be best

@D1000: Go

Agreed. A public pool. We have to mix popular and unpopular maps.

- niche maps between popular maps.
- fast-paced maps between long maps.
- maps with low replayability between maps with high replayability.
- popular maps ready for an emergence call if the "Map of the Week" popularity starts to go down.

I still think it will be hard to get it popular. We need some big ads and we need to start with an already popular map.

A poll for removing a map would take too long. We would need a moderator to oversee this. This moderator will need several maps available to him as well. I'd say at least 5 in queue for each week. But I think we, as a community, could take all the time necessary to vote on this pool.

I honestly don't see a good way to get this off the ground though. The starting map would have to be REALLY GOOD to get people off of page 1 and into the lobby. The other option I can think of is to have a map that is already on page 1 remove their map from the public and publish it exclusively in the Map of the Week.

Quote from BasharTeg: Go

I honestly don't see a good way to get this off the ground though. The starting map would have to be REALLY GOOD to get people off of page 1 and into the lobby. The other option I can think of is to have a map that is already on page 1 remove their map from the public and publish it exclusively in the Map of the Week.

This is the only thing that is being a hindrance to this plan. We need an already popular map for the Map of the Week to take off.

I don't think anyone would remove their map to publish it exclusively on the Map of the Week. It would be the ideal, but it's asking too much.

And of course, we have extra ads. Sixen could feature on the 1st page for like a month (since it's everyone's maps). Whoever has a blog or website, just do it. And we can keep bumping threads on teamliquid and the b.net forums for a whole month.

And every member on SC2Mapster can also promote this map on the loading screen of their maps.

On the first day, we play this map for like 10 hours. Everyone.... :P

edit:
I'm trying to raise iCJug to the first page. People say iCJug is the best koth out there. It's just not on 1st page yet because people said they "would rather play a trash map than wait in lobby." Once iCJug gets on the 1st page, it won't leave, and I'll be able to ads this plan on the loading screen. Also, Mafia and EleTD could also ads. Ads on 3 maps from different categories, you bet we can raise this "map of the week" to the top.

I only think this will really work if tried and tested maps are put on there. Ones have we all or atleast the majority of us have tested extensively and grilled the maker heavily to polish/refine to a very high standard. Pretty much like a Sc2mapster featured.

The 'give every map a chance' I think is doomed to failure, there must be some restrictions and time. Ideally we'd want it to gain a good reputation amongst the whole bnet.

@zeldarules28: Go

Erm??? I don't quite get why that was addressed at me sorry? Maybe you misread my post lol :p

I was talking about us all here making sure the maps we put on there have earnt their space. Nothing to do with Blizz or their rules.

So in other words, people don't just submit a map here, never to be seen again. Making us all push it up for nothing. We want committed people willing to put alot effort into improving their map, listening to feedback and then eventually it gets on there if we all vote for it?

That's what I'd like to see atleast.

Lol alright. Well I don't think blizzard would care even in the slightest.