Releasing A Map? Read This First!

Avatar
msleeper
4,095 Posts
Member
Posted Aug 20, 2010
This is an Automated Post Forum ONLY!

You cannot make new threads in this forum. A new thread will be automatically created for you when you upload a file through the Download Database. The contents of your upload's post will automatially be made into a thread, so that forum users can comment on your download here on our forums.

If you have any questions, concerns, bug reports or ideas about our download system, feel free to post them!

Advertisement
Registered users don't see ads! Register now!
Avatar
msleeper
4,095 Posts
Member
Posted May 12, 2011
Replied 8 months later
We would like to encourage all map authors to please upload your maps in a ZIP, RAR, or some other common compressed format! It's easier on us and better for the end users.

While you're at it, it wouldn't hurt if you included a README.TXT with install instructions for your map! We get a lot of "how do I play the map I downloaded" questions, and again including this file would help end users play your map.

Thanks!

Avatar
msleeper
4,095 Posts
Member
Posted May 19, 2011
Replied 6 days later
An update to the above post: Uncompressed files are no longer able to be uploaded. All files uploaded must be in a ZIP, RAR, or some other common compressed format.
Avatar
msleeper
4,095 Posts
Member
Posted May 24, 2011
Replied 4 days later
Mappers - If you are releasing a new/updated version of your map, be sure you upload the new ZIP/RAR/7z/other compressed file with a new, unique filename! Your download will not work properly if you do not do this.

I am working on a better solution to this issue, but in the meantime, please be sure new uploads (including updates) have unique filenames. Thanks.

Avatar
WinstonSmith
940 Posts
Posted May 25, 2011
Replied 17 hours later
Just a note: It appears that you can't upload VPKs either.

So, as stated, compression is your friend.

Avatar
msleeper
4,095 Posts
Member
Posted May 25, 2011
Replied 6 hours later

WinstonSmith wrote:
Just a note: It appears that you can't upload VPKs either.

So, as stated, compression is your friend.

That is correct, Winston. VPKs are not an actual compression, they are just an uncompressed storage mechanism that the Source engine recognizes. So you will still need to upload the VPK into a RAR/ZIP/7z. You can also include your Readme.txt in the RAR with your VPK as well!

Advertisement
Registered users don't see ads! Register now!
Avatar
WinstonSmith
940 Posts
Posted May 30, 2011
Replied 4 days later
In addition PRT and LIN files (Hammer's visleaf and leak files respectively) are now blacklisted filetypes, because 1) these are not map files and 2) even if you genuinely need to upload them you should pack them in a compressed format.