Releasing a map
Ok, so I'm almost done my map. Any tips on releasing the map to maximize the chances on people seeing and playing it? Obviously I am going to be putting it up on this site because even though I haven't posted much, this place has been a big help and I'd love to see the community grow from somebody downloading maps that are hosted here, you know? So are there any other half-life 2 forums/sites that is the norm for people who release maps to tell in order to maximize the exposure of the map and this site for hosting it?
I would recommend, as soon as you have a workably complete version, to put it up in the WIP section. As Linus says, "Release early, release often." This will likely get you quite a bit of good feedback so that you Release version (the version you want to distribute as widely as you can) will be in its best shape.
As for other good release places, I don't know of many, because TWP frankly seems to be the best game in town.
As for other good release places, I don't know of many, because TWP frankly seems to be the best game in town.
agreed, i HAVE searched for ALOT of different sites and found several. TWP was not the first one i found, but its the ONLY one i use now. cuz of its diversity (what with the work in progress section, release section, wiki/tutorials, and forums) this place has all you need. However, if you check the front page you will find some affiliates. http://www.myaperturelabs.com/ being one of them. and this was one of the other sites i have/do use alot. (and i think its ok listing it here as its on the main page of TWP 
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hey thanks for the info. Just signed up for aperturelabs.com too. Seems like a good secondary site. I've been working on the map for a while and have had some really good testers throughout the process, so I'm hoping to just go straight to a release so all of you get a "fresh and full" experience of it, you know? Theres nothing too complicated in it that needs extensive play testing, but I feel pretty confident with the internal play tests that have been done so far. Just gotta finish up some sounds and it'll be done hopefully the next day or two. Still should i release it to WIP just to be safe and have it moved to "released?" after some people play it successfully? Now to just cross my fingers and hope it doesn't blow up any of your computers.
I would say if it is as polished as you wish it were, and you don't think that it has any outstanding omissions or flaws, as well as having it privately playtested, then it is an excellent candidate for the Release boards.
me personally would never release a WIP... as i'm such a perfectionist. would only want people to judge my "finished" work. if you are as close to complete as you feel you are, then i suggest you wait. and release it. when i first came to this site i didn't even DOWNLOAD WIPs because i like the nice clean polished finish look. but luckily we got some really tallented mapers here... so now i D/L WIPs....
but mostly cuz i have such an addiction to play portal that i will play anything (even the POS-maps) (though (luckily) those are few and far between here)