In looking through all the custom maps I have played over the past two weeks something just striked me...there is no standard in map prefix. For instance with Day of Defeat all maps start with dod_ for Counter Strike defuse maps; de_

It just doesn't seem very professional to have one map called "stewsawesomecoolmap" and another called pl_obstacle

....

A little too early in the Portal community life to expect any form of naming standard to be followed; but yes, it should be (eventually), and I would think that beginning with 'por_" would be the logical choice.

Its what I am going to do, anyway.

Thats because all of the portal maps don't start with anything but yeah we should have maps named with "pl_<mapname>".

When i usually download a map i have to alt tab out of the game just to see what it's name was, now i realize thats my fault but usually people have the prefix as "pl" or "por" or even "portal_"

I think now is actually the best time to put forth a standard, that way everyone that follows will use it instead of trying to get people to change later on

Portal doesn't have different game modes like Counterstrike or Team Fortress 2. Is there really a point to having a prefix?

I'd say we should do "twp_", but I might be a bit biased.

But yeah I'm with Shmitz, there's no point in having a prefix since that whole concept was introduced with CS when the prefix signified the gameplay type.

not really much need for a prefix, unless you're using a well known maop name from a different steam game.

just dont call your map something stupid like "bobs_awesome_super_dooper_portal_map_made_of_pure_pwnage.bsp"

youme wrote:
not really much need for a prefix, unless you're using a well known maop name from a different steam game.

just dont call your map something stupid like "bobs_awesome_super_dooper_portal_map_made_of_pure_pwnage.bsp"

Aww, now I need a name for my map again.

heh, nice one

Day of Defeat is just flag captures but all their maps start with dod_

Its a broad based identifier and it looks more professional. Its also easier for players to remember maps, I can't tell you how many times I have to alt tab about because I can't remember someones map they named after themselves instead of being original and making up a quality name that reflects the map.

don't know this command then? "maps *"

it lists all the .bsp files in the maps folder.

ive been mapping for about 5 years in hl and hl2 i know how to bring up all the commands and my experience is why im stressing this point. The more streamlined and professional something is the more it catches on. I really cant understand why you guys are throwing up so much flak on just adding a little bit before your map name?

eventually people will have about 50 custom maps loaded each, all with the same prefix... which is just as unhelpful as all 50 of them having no prefix.
But I can see where your coming from, there should probably be some standardised prefix. I went for pt_... because the way i pronounce it the P and T are the most prominat letters. although ptl_ or pl_ or por_ or even portal_ would do fine.

Well this problem goes hand in hand with the other issue I know plagues mappers. Naming sequences, you name a map jonssuperportal.bsp and you release it. Then a few hours later you find you are missing a texture or something so you re-compile and re-release jonssuperportal.bsp but you don't rename it....thats no good. When putting out a map for the first time don't use the name you really want to be the final. Put out something like this instead jonssuperportal_r1.bsp. Then just add up the "release" canadites until your satisfied and then you can go with jonssuperportal.bsp.

But "espen180_portal02" is okay right?

It's not so much flak as much as, at least in my case, just simply not sharing the opinion that it adds to "professionality". If it adds no meaning to a map because it does not differentiate it from any other map for the same game, then I am more inclined to not include it for artistic reasons. In fact, I would have to say it is counter to the idea of streamlining, since it would be effectively dead weight at the beginning of every map name.

Actually I was thinking, we could come up with a different prefix pretaining to the type of portal maps. Say a map thats heavy into a puzzles gets one prefix while a map that is mostly just flinging gets another.

You're forgetting that most people who make linear fling maps think they made a clever puzzle.

Let's also not forget about the Bonus Map scripts (which EVERYONE should be using now!), which negates the need for such map file name conventions. When you load up your map via the Bonus Map screen, it displays a real name for the map and not "fy_de_dust_party2007_beta45".

hmmm.. many mappers on other sites are using a "pl_" prefix I think that that makes sense.