The Problem With Custom Maps

[kraljevo8]

So, I've spent some time playing maps like Death Aboard and other custom maps (though most being rather boring or poorly made) and I've come to a conclusion: trying to find custom maps are a waste of time.

Why?

The same problems that we currently have with quick matching apply to searching for custom maps, only in more serious degree: pings, mods, time to find a server, and pubstomps.

Why should I spend 10 minutes trying to find a game via server browser (or Versus>Online>Find game in lobby) only to end up with either 160ms, all-talk plus low-grav, or a team of trash-talking pubstompers?

Am I complaining about the situation? No, but I think a new system needs to be developed (and will not be developed) because the current one is far too complicated to even be worthwhile.

Discussion? Ideas?

Disclaimer: Before I get any "omg get frendz nub" type of replies, I'll let you know that even with a friends list of about 100, maybe 20 have any custom maps worth playing. Now try and get half of your friends (that actually have the map) onto the same server or in the same lobby at the same time. It's even worse than starting an all-friends game on valve-made map.

[DiggerDogg]

Thanks for the heads up. I kind of figured custom maps would start out like that. Hopefully, more people will have time to add custom maps to their machines and the situation you describe will be at least somewhat improved.

...later...

Woh!

There's a whole forum dedicated to custom maps.

[-|V|- Snacks]

Agreed Kral. Sadly, I don't even bother with custom maps. I went through a campaign of one once just with a few teammates and then that was it.

If i'm not reverse pubstomping, or scrimming, i'm joining random games, not talking to my teammates, and just doing 25s.

It's sad.

[Krakn3Dfx]

Originally Posted by kraljevo8

So, I've spent some time playing maps like Death Aboard and other custom maps (though most being rather boring or poorly made) and I've come to a conclusion: custom maps are a waste of time.

It's been less than 2 weeks since the update that allowed for add-on maps was implemented into the game.

Yes, obviously this is a huge failure.

[Marquis Posa]

Originally Posted by kraljevo8

Am I complaining about the situation? No, but I think a new system needs to be developed (and will not be developed) because the current one is far too complicated to even be worthwhile.

wrong.
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/a.../steamnews.jpg
significant upgrade incomming.

[OiScout]

Originally Posted by kraljevo8

The same problems that we currently have with quick matching apply to searching for custom maps, only in more serious degree: pings, mods, time to find a server, and pubstomps.

Why should I spend 10 minutes trying to find a game via server browser (or Versus>Online>Find game in lobby) only to end up with either 160ms, all-talk plus low-grav, or a team of trash-talking pubstompers?

So in essence, the whole game is a waste of time then.

Also, if it takes you 10minutes to find a game through server browser ... I don't know what to say.

Hell, I did it yesterday with zero problems, got 5 of my friends to play it(and only two of em had it installed already). Had like three people rage, yet it filled up quite fast every time.

What they really need to fix, is the ability to delete when you're looking at Extras>Addons. Because seriously, it's a pain to get there. C:>Program Files>Steam>steamapps>common>left 4 dead>l4d>addons.

[tlmadden_73]

I think eventually there will be some good maps .. but it will take time for the cream to rise to the top.

I just fear balance issues ... not enough spawn points (places to block LOS) ... places where the SI can get stuck ... gatling guns in good places (but not TOO good) ... making maps too easy or too hard.

Some people just want to download and play a good map ... not beta-test it.

The campaigns we have are pretty good balance-wise in my opinion ...

It's a shame though the dev team didn't work on Survivor maps enough though .. some of those official ones are utter crap because of Tanks getting lost, SI getting stuck in places and not respawning, etc. (Not to mention the glitch spots where NONE of the zombies can see you despite being in the open (on top of the luggage pile in Dead Air 5 anyone?)

[kraljevo8]

Originally Posted by DiggerDogg

Thanks for the heads up. I kind of figured custom maps would start out like that. Hopefully, more people will have time to add custom maps to their machines and the situation you describe will be at least somewhat improved.

...later...

Woh!

There's a whole forum dedicated to custom maps.

And yet there's still less than 30 servers (out of the 4000 I let refresh) running the maps. Less than 5 of which have players in them. Of those 3-4, there is 1 with a ping less than 150. And that server is just a pubstomping clan. Jesus, people just really want to be the devil's advocate on forums.

Originally Posted by Krakn3Dfx

It's been less than 2 weeks since the update that allowed for add-on maps was implemented into the game.

Yes, obviously this is a huge failure.

In the first two weeks of L4D, I had a ton of fun. Why? Because the current issues weren't issues. We had access to new content (it was new at the time) and we were all enjoying it. Now it's all getting old and the only thing most of us looked forward to was the release of SDK and the ability to easily access the content made thereof. The system is bulky and difficult to use EFFECTIVELY (meaning to produce an even remotely enjoyable experience). It is very difficult to get a decent game going on any of the new maps.

Originally Posted by OiScout

So in essence, the whole game is a waste of time then.

Also, if it takes you 10minutes to find a game through server browser ... I don't know what to say.

Hell, I did it yesterday with zero problems, got 5 of my friends to play it(and only two of em had it installed already). Had like three people rage, yet it filled up quite fast every time.

What they really need to fix, is the ability to delete when you're looking at Extras>Addons. Because seriously, it's a pain to get there. C:>Program Files>Steam>steamapps>common>left 4 dead>l4d>addons.

No, the whole game itself isn't so bad, since there are 4 campaigns that people have readily available on good/close, vanilla servers, you can avoid pubstomp games (because there's always another game you could join), and it doesn't take too long to quickmatch.

As for taking ten minutes, I'm curious as to how you found a good, vanilla server that had a mostly-full game, and not a pubstomp.

The whole issue is that in order to get a new map, you have to go out of your way and download a stand-alone file, possibly reboot your game, and THEN find a server. In games like CS, DoD, HLDM, etc. you could just click on a server with decent ping and get all the files required in less than 2 min.

[DiggerDogg]

Just added Deathaboard and Dam-it to my server. Server fills up in about 20 seconds. I guess not everybody hates custom maps. Cool.

[kagura]

noticed death aboard being played quite a lot on my server, but i suppose that's not surprising since it's likely the only west coast server with the map that isn't littered with bad settings and plugins. l4d seriously has the worst sadmin base of any game i've ever played.

although, i haven't been able to experience this first hand, since my lobbies never fill up.

[kraljevo8]

Originally Posted by DiggerDogg

Just added Deathaboard and Dam-it to my server. Server fills up in about 20 seconds. I guess not everybody hates custom maps. Cool.

Where is your server located? I'd love to play a vs game on it.

Also, I don't hate custom maps. I just think valve made a poor choice about how to make them available.

[Honolulu]

i can fill a death aboard server faster then death toll.

I barely play any other campaign since it came out. can't wait for more campaigns that aren't as easy as valve ones.

[flowrevlis]

You are entitled to your opinion, but here is mine.

You are pubbing this game still and that is completely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to begin with. You are in a top L4D team and you still actually pub this game?

The other thing I will say is that if you can't get your friends to try out a custom map together, then that is pretty sad, I have a few more friends on my list than you, but I could EASILY field more than enough for a single game.

So basically you are saying custom maps are a waste of time don't make them, way to send a great message to the community where there are possible map makers who can make a GOOD custom map for competitive play.

This thread makes me sick.

[mikk84]

It's a true statement, but also it's pretty easy to find a Death Aboard game via the actual matchmaker these days. So at the least you can avoid the travesty that is the L4D serverbrowser for that one map.

[kraljevo8]

Originally Posted by flowrevlis

You are entitled to your opinion, but here is mine.

You are pubbing this game still and that is completely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ to begin with. You are in a top L4D team and you still actually pub this game?

The other thing I will say is that if you can't get your friends to try out a custom map together, then that is pretty sad, I have a few more friends on my list than you, but I could EASILY field more than enough for a single game.

So basically you are saying custom maps are a waste of time don't make them, way to send a great message to the community where there are possible map makers who can make a GOOD custom map for competitive play.

This thread makes me sick.

I said custom maps are a waste of time, but I probably should've said trying to play them with the current system is a waste of time more than half of the attempts. Poor wording on my part, my bad.

I personally love Death Aboard, and I'm really excited to try out Dead Before Dawn and I Hate Mountains. I don't see how anyone can be happy with the current system of acquiring a map.