TO-DO list

[adude159753]

Tournaments shouldn't cost alot because then it would deter those who have few shards but want to join.

Additional comments: By the way Lopdo, when do you plan to release the map editor since you have now finished it.

[NicTyn]

How about achievements give you an amount of coins based on difficulty? Even if it's a petty amount, you would have something to show without jumping on the useless cheevy bandwagon. And if you ever reach level 54, well, you might as well get a sizeable chunk towards dragons. Speaking of which, if you had another sale, like maybe for christmas, would the discount apply to dragons?

[Lopdo]

achievements will award shards and xp, not coins, dragons and lifetime are only for paying players I am not sure about next sale, I didn't thought about it yet

[adude159753]

Lopdo, I think the achievements should have a progress bar so that we know how far we have progressed, especially for the longer achievements.

[BelgarionRiva]

Greetings Lopdo,

I am taking the time to write this in order for you to take note of what you can do to improve/start over the yet-to-be-released map editor.

From what I understand, this is what you plan to do with the map editor:
You let players submit maps to you, you check them individually, and based on your opinion of them, you allow them to exist or you deny them. (Sure, you have criteria like size, resemblance to other maps, playability, but in big part, it is *your* opinion, not your customers' opinions'.)

There are multiple templates on the internet of various games with map editors and none of them follow the method you described above.

The first thing you have to remember, is the reason why you make a map editor. You are making a map editor to augment the popularity of your game exponentially. By making a map editor, players can create their own maps and can show them to their friends. The game will grow exponentially if the map editor is handled appropriately.

Here are the reasons why your method is a bad idea:

-There will be an overwhelming number of players making maps. You have been promising map editor for a very very long time. I, for one, will be spending weekends making maps and having fun with the editor and I am sure I am not the only one. You will not have time to check them all, reply in a fashionable time and satisfy the demand.
-You can only verify/correct so many maps before stopping to support the game. You must realize that you must create a game that is self sustainable and that does not require your immediate and full attention 24h a day. This is not an massively multi player online role playing game, this is an online board game.
-Your opinion does not matter. I do not mean to be rude, this is your game, but frankly, what you think about the maps will, in no way, affects the popularity of the maps.

Here is how to correct the yet-to-be situation:

The solution is simple. First a player makes a map, saves the drafts, then submits it and is obliged to play it with 8 players(player that made the map is taken to the lobby and players join the map just like any of your maps). At the end of the round (or when players quit), the 7 other players are forced to rate the map from 0(horrible) to 5(awesome). If the map has a rating of over 1/5, keep it for a week. If the rating does not go over 3/5 by the end of the week, eliminate it. If it goes over 3/5, keep it forever and display all the maps in a map database, graded by popularity and/or rating. When players rate maps for the first time, put a report button which is there for offensively shaped maps, etc. If any of the 7 players reported a map, the map will be taken off automatically and inspected by you before you take a personal decision with it. Give players the chance to report maps any time during the first week and you will not have problems with penis shaped maps, maps spelling undesirable words, etc.

This is a very intuitive and simple method that promotes user innovation and makes everyone enjoy the full extent of the game, without fearing map moderation, or waiting for their map to be played. This is the method used in N Game(PSP/DSi/PC) and in Little Big Planet(PS3/PSP). Both games made millions of dollars with *only* the map editor. You cannot make much money if you have to individually correct every map.


Other details you should note:

-The chances that 7 players find a map in a penis shape and none report it is about 0.78% (Assuming a 50/50 chance they will report it). While it is possible for this situation to arise; the map will probably be erased within the first few minutes of creation, if it gets accepted. (By being reported by other players). You would be surprised at the number of players that love to be "moderators".

-Abuse of map editing. This can be handled in multiple ways. You can either put a perma-ban notice after a first offence, or limit the number of "offensive" maps a player can make before the map having to go through you.

-Abuse of report button. If a player reports a game once or multiple times without any reason, disable the right for that player to join any maps that are being tested for the first time. Simple as that.

The most important thing about any game feature that gives players modding accessibility, is the ability to self regulate that system. You can only make as much money as you have employees. By self regulating the system, you enter what is called a social network, where the players partially become the employees and contribute to the popularity of the game/website/software/etc; thus ending in better maps, better popularity and greater overall interest of all Vortex War users.

If you have any questions, post them here or email me.

Thank you for your time and consideration Lopdo,

BelgarionRiva

[Lopdo]

I will not deny/allow maps based on what I like. Whatever you create and passes few simple rules will be allowed to go through, my opinion doesn't matter. Some maps will be on the edge of rules and this is only place where I might be subjective.

I would love to make it fully automatic and community enforced, but I can't for few technical reasons which I hope will be solved over time. There is also big issue of traffic and storage space that costs quite a lot of money (compared to revenue) so number of maps you can make is limited.

And last thing, map editor is already finished, it should go live in few days, but I do expect to change it a lot (as I changed game itself, few people might remember how it looked at the beginning) based on player's input, my needs and technical limitations.

Thanks for your input, but what you are presenting is solution for ideal world, VW is, sadly, far from it

[BelgarionRiva]

I understand. I discussed things over with a buddy and if you ever want to implement a system that resembles what I described above, he is claiming he can code the system with ease. He is a VW player. I'll give his username upon request.

Again, thank you for your time.

[Lopdo]

I know how to do it, it is simply not possible at the moment

[Robomajor]

1) BelgarionRiva, your post was well written.

2) For a that you can get only by winning tournaments, I suggest a gladiator race. They have +5% attack, defense, and spawn. And if you win a tournament and already have the race, you just get bonus shards/war coins.

[Joriom]

Your to-dos list lacks:

a) take a nap
b) rest a bit
c) go out with your girl
But i like it anyway.