For what it's worth, when we were talking with Valve staff about how to handle certain things in regards to rules, we told them we were going to promote Workshop but disallow PTI and their response was basically "we don't blame you".

Now recalling, I forgot what also the contest is suppose to promote; Our database where the size limit is doubled.

What happens if a user puts both the file and the Workshop link when uploading? Will both the subscribe and download button appear? If not, do it so it can. The map should be hosted here, but we need to draw some people from the standard workshop.

reepblue wrote:
Now recalling, I forgot what also the contest is suppose to promote; Our database where the size limit is doubled.

What happens if a user puts both the file and the Workshop link when uploading? Will both the subscribe and download button appear? If not, do it so it can. The map should be hosted here, but we need to draw some people from the standard workshop.

Yeah, it does. Check out Photonic and Weighted Wonderland to see what that looks like.

vanSulli wrote:
Okay, sorry. Yeah, autothreading already exists, and contest entries will probably be flagged and moved to a subforum automatically.

You really can't disqualify a map for having a shitty screenshot.

Going against Valve is where you lose me. They exist to serve their communities, not the other way around. If the people want quality, let them eat cake or whatever. Even barring PTI entries, I think Valve would still give us a mention on Facebook or something like they did with TWP if we have nice prizes and have our shit together, and that's basically the best we could get from them either way.

This sort of comes down to the custom content theme; if most people like it, then PTI maps are excluded because they do not support custom content. If we go back the other route, PTI maps are still a possibility.

1)yes. so we won't have to choose a colossal amount. we simply browse the thread, download a bunch of maps, and play. that's all that judges would need to do.
2)I must disagree. I moderate Minecraft downloads on ModDB. regardless of the quality, if a map or the like has a screenshot, which is just a texture of a trollface, or of some group logo, it ALWAYS goes down badly. there is no exception, aside from well established games. and even then, they have entire galleries of screenshots on their profiles.
3)yes. they do exist to serve communities to an extent. which is why they made the PTI. sure, the maps won't be ultraHD. but I cannot accept that they're all horrible. most, yes. made by newcomers to the mapping scene.

If anything, this is a GOOD tool for mappers. it helps newcomers learn the gameplay, before moving on to learning the enviroment. lets be honest, portal 2 is a puzzle game. is it not better for people to learn puzzle making before the enviroment?

The PTI, while not being the prettiest thing in the world, is still good for gameplay. and when you're playing a puzzle game, gameplay is the most vital thing there is. why exclude them for visuals, of the gameplay is very good?

Even so, if it REALLY is so important to have an overlay or whathaveyou, why not do a tutorial that tells users how to export maps, and insert custom textures? PTI maps can be exported easily enough.

Sorry Kizzy, but no amount of arguing is going to convince me the PTI maps can be on par with Hammer maps. It just is not possible. Hell it even limits puzzles because of fixed placement. While yes it's a good starter tool, most people don't go past it, even ones that have potential, because it's much easier to use than Hammer.

Most good PTI maps are not a pure PTI map but a PTI-Hammer Hybrid, which means they can be submitted normally. Therefore I don't see a reason in allowing PTI maps. (unless they've been Hammer Edited)

Now as for the Workshop, I say use it, it's there, people know how to use it by now, we'd get more submissions etc. etc. I don't see many negatives on that one.

Enough of the arguing; I added a poll to the topic; you have a day and a half to vote on PTI issues.
gogogo.

I'v read the last 3 pages and I agree to not allow PTI maps, since I view the PTI as a pen and paper tool. I also agree on having specific judges, since Portal maps wouldn't be as viewed as Portal 2's because 'Workshop. Also, I don't if that's what you meant Kizzy, but judges won't (and can't) ignore an entry because of a screenshot. Final point, I think 2-3 weeks would be good, but school might (will) get in the way.

vanSulli wrote:
Enough of the arguing; I added a poll to the topic; you have a day and a half to vote on PTI issues.
gogogo.

you're giving a fairly inactive forum a day and a half? rushing leads to rushed work, you know.

Kizzycocoa wrote:

vanSulli wrote:
Enough of the arguing; I added a poll to the topic; you have a day and a half to vote on PTI issues.
gogogo.>
you're giving a fairly inactive forum a day and a half? rushing leads to rushed work, you know.

Fairly inactive? Yesterday the page pasted from 10 to 13...

Kopeke wrote:

Kizzycocoa wrote:

vanSulli wrote:
Enough of the arguing; I added a poll to the topic; you have a day and a half to vote on PTI issues.
gogogo.>>
you're giving a fairly inactive forum a day and a half? rushing leads to rushed work, you know. >

Fairly inactive? Yesterday the page pasted from 10 to 13...

Allow PTI but add like 20% bonus points if the map is made in Hammer. If PTI is allowed, it would just encourage more people to join mAI. It's not like they are gonna win anyways compared to Hammer-maps.
EDIT: After the reading the thread, I think we are gonna need alot of testers or else no PTI.

Kopeke wrote:

Kizzycocoa wrote:

vanSulli wrote:
Enough of the arguing; I added a poll to the topic; you have a day and a half to vote on PTI issues.
gogogo.>>
you're giving a fairly inactive forum a day and a half? rushing leads to rushed work, you know. >

Fairly inactive? Yesterday the page pasted from 10 to 13...

Yet the rest of the forum was relatively quiet.

The poll takes place in this part of the forum, so we'll be okay.

The results seem pretty unanimous by now, yes?

Okay, so the way I'm looking at it, we've basically got two potential rulesets here. Neither one, as the poll has decided, should allow PTI maps.

• Van's custom-content centric ruleset
• My more generalized unspecific ruleset

(Note that neither will be used in the form they are in the links, I just put those there in case you forgot what the basic idea of the rule set was)

If anyone has any better ideas or completely different rule set ideas post them now. Poll will be coming within the next day.

The problem with most hammer modified PTI maps is that some people will only add details without optimizing it, changing the lighting, etc. Putting whipped cream on crap won't make it any better.

Also, I like Van's rule set besides the mAI logo bonus point, I don't mind it but I don't think it can make a map better or worst to have it or not. :/

Kopeke wrote:
The problem with most hammer modified PTI maps is that some people will only add details without optimizing it, changing the lighting, etc. Putting whipped cream on crap won't make it any better.

Also, I like Van's rule set besides the mAI logo bonus point, I don't mind it but I don't think it can make a map better or worst to have it or not. :/

p0rtalplayer wrote:

(Note that neither will be used in the form they are in the links, I just put those there in case you forgot what the basic idea of the rule set was)

I'm referring to the "overall theme" here, not specific rules.

Well, that's a fair chunk of the community cut from the contest. Publicity will certainly be affected.

Regardless, I disagree with the one map per person rules. I think we should be allowed to submit a few. Maybe a max of three.

Otherwise, my map will be a puzzle with a strange puzzle hidden in the map somewhere. I'd rather keep them separate.

I was thinking that you could submit up to a map pack of up to 3 or so maps; that way people who really needed it could use the extra space and people who didn't make a million (or 3 separate) entries don't have a disadvantage. Also, it cuts down on entries, which is better for judging.

The poll has been updated - go vote now.

It's running for 2 days, at the end of which we will select a base ruleset to work with.

what are the rules that're listed even?! I'm lost.