Retrieving Maps From Beyond

What would you guys think about SnarkPit retrieving maps from other authors from around the community who don't recognize us, or even know of us and posting their maps to our database?

The DB entry would be listed under the user: The SnarkPit. but the real author and suitable descriptions (either taken from their source, or written by someone here) would accompany each entry, and relevant screenshots.

The reason I want to move this way is because while SnarkPit is known as a review site, it is more often used as a resource site. We have a fairly large collection of user generated content uploaded by individuals over the years. But if there is something we can all do on the side to start adding to the site, I would imagine it could simply be to build that resource base up and make the database more updated and recent.

I don't currently see a problem with this, but if you guys think there might be any flaws with this idea or comments about, let me know!

Plus if you want to start pointing me in the direction of some of your Source-based favorite maps, I can get started collecting info about them. The more info you make available, the easier it is to create the entry. You can use this thread to post all that if or when you want!

Thanks :),
-Riven

I like the idea. Need help writing a crawler to pick up the (good) maps?

I think it'd still need to be scrutinizing of the maps to add. Otherwise the site would be FPS Banana.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

Good point about finding only the good maps. I think the process should work like it does now, but the scrutiny will filter out the maps before they may get added to the DB. That is, anyone can find a map they like and link it in the thread for wanting it posted to the Pit, and if there aren't any objections before so long of a time, It'll get added. Of course, I'll do the same when finding a bunch of maps; I'll be sure to run it by you guys before I add the ones I find, and we can use this thread to do it.

So that could be a good enough filter system for now eh? I think I'll either start with TF2 maps or Portal 1 maps first, since our DB is still lacking a sufficient number of them and because the mapping communities for those are still really big.

Oh and another thing: The minimum requirements for a map to get uploaded would be a screenshot and of course the actual working map file. If you can't find the description, actual name, or author, then don't fret, I don't have a problem adding them without those, unless you think something else should be required?

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202

I think its a good idea.. would also help in search engines, to get more people to our site.

You could make an additional page to the site with some great maps, but i dont think you should just post any nice maps you come across.

In my eyes snarkpit has a nice thing going with all of your own maps and articles etc. and it might be interesting for readers interested in level design to have a look at examples of classic great maps. I dont think it should be too much about showing loads of maps, but more educational / informative stuff. Perhaps with comments by the poster why its so good so people can learn from it.

This would make it interesting for people to read and not just be (as soon as it has a large number of maps in it) another big list of maps to browse, because i think you'd want people to still be focused on community members' maps.

offtopic: Hi 8) haven't posted in ages, but i got a new pc now and am planning some little level design project again so came on the site to look for some tuts again feels good after all this time, saw you got portal 2 up there too now thats great, want to try some stuff with that game.

Hey Junkyard God! dang, it's been a while hasn't it? Feel free to tell all in the new introduction forum lol. Glad to have ya back!

Good point about making it a learning experience. So, what you're saying is after a nice map has been retrieved for the database, and after an adequate description has been found, we try to encourage or make a post about it saying why we thought this was a good map? Hell, if there is a discussion about it in this thread, that could just get copied into the map's new thread once it is actually added, and have that serve as the reasoning.

But good point, It be something to think about in attempting to implement something like that as a built-in feature in a future iteration of SnarkPit.

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Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202