12 Jun 12, 06:45AM
Good stuff, you're right there are way too many great maps out there that never see the light of day.
I know one of the biggest issues in the current (and previous versions) of AC is the fact that all custom media must be downloaded "out-of-game" via 3rd party servers and manually "installed" by the client before the map will run properly. Culvert is a good example, without the custom media, you'll see even more fps drops than usual (it is a big map, has fps drops to begin with, but introduce missing media and network lag into that and it becomes unplayable) - if I remember correctly that was one of the major reasons HI-SKILL servers stopped pushing custom maps (too many lag complaints from people unwilling to download/install the maps)
Hopefully, if the auto-packages downloader is implemented in the next version, that will no longer be an issue, since everyone will be able to download custom media for maps right in-game.
Like you say, the other biggest issue is the unwillingness of server owners to put good custom maps into their maprotation and enforce it. With map voting being enabled, theres a good chance the server will only see official maps and/or ridiculous "noobish" maps being played/voted in. Players have no incentive to play the server's maprotation.
Ladder servers especially should be showcasing all of AC's great maps, not just the official ones. Make a nice maprot, disable map voting, and let the fun begin. :)
I know one of the biggest issues in the current (and previous versions) of AC is the fact that all custom media must be downloaded "out-of-game" via 3rd party servers and manually "installed" by the client before the map will run properly. Culvert is a good example, without the custom media, you'll see even more fps drops than usual (it is a big map, has fps drops to begin with, but introduce missing media and network lag into that and it becomes unplayable) - if I remember correctly that was one of the major reasons HI-SKILL servers stopped pushing custom maps (too many lag complaints from people unwilling to download/install the maps)
Hopefully, if the auto-packages downloader is implemented in the next version, that will no longer be an issue, since everyone will be able to download custom media for maps right in-game.
Like you say, the other biggest issue is the unwillingness of server owners to put good custom maps into their maprotation and enforce it. With map voting being enabled, theres a good chance the server will only see official maps and/or ridiculous "noobish" maps being played/voted in. Players have no incentive to play the server's maprotation.
Ladder servers especially should be showcasing all of AC's great maps, not just the official ones. Make a nice maprot, disable map voting, and let the fun begin. :)