Welcome to the testing ground!
The new standard in map making starts here.
What is the Testing Ground?
The Testing Ground was originally envisaged as an area where map
makers could place their current creations for review and comments
before submitting to the HyperArchive (read the original intro page here). It was hoped that most map makers
would use this forum, thus ensuring that files in the HyperArchive had
been throughly tested beforehand.
Unfortunately, the area was not widely used, and when the Testing Grounds
moved to Marathon Central from Claude Erreras site, it slowly died due
to problems administering the pages.
However, we've decided to reinstate the Testing Grounds as 'The Standard
Way' to submit new maps into the HyperArchive. Maps will remain here
for 2 weeks before being moved over to the main HA pages, during which
time the map author can make changes to the map and upload new copies.
The reason for this change is twofold:
- Quality. We don't want to refuse maps from the HyperArchive for any reason, but people who download maps expect them to be playable and not cause system crashes every few minutes. We hope that by placing maps in the Testing Grounds, map authors will receive positive feedback for fixing bugs and other improvements.
- Time. Neither myself or Steve Campbell really have the time to play every map submitted and get them uploaded. With the new system, we encourage others to play test every map, so when the time comes to move the map across into the main HA, we can base our reviews on other comments (although we will still try to take a look at everything uploaded).
How can this page make my map better?
Let's say you have a cool map idea, and you can't wait to get it on the
HyperArchive. Well, hold on a little... don't be in such a rush. By
filtering your map through these pages, you give people a chance to
comment on your creation and provide ideas for improvement. In the end
it will make your map a hell of
a lot better. Once you have a version of your map that's playable,
upload it to the Testing Ground's, and everyone that frequents these pages
can download the map and provide their comments online or through email.
One of the biggest mistakes map makers tend to make is not actually playing
their map on a network. Well who can blame you? Not everyone has a hub and 8
computers next door ready to run your map! So, the more members at this site
the more likely your map will be tested on a network.
What can I do to make my rough draft good?
When some people make maps, they tend to be lazy. They come up with a
good idea, and then turn it into a map in one sitting. This is the
wrong approach to making quality maps that will be played more than
once, rather than finding it's home in the trash can. So, what's the
right way to make a map then? The answer is simple... use the Testing
Ground!
How do I get started using this site?
Just use the navigation bar below. Take some time to see what's in the
download area, comment on any maps you download, and then upload your
latest map.
Thank you for taking the time to read this page, and we hope to see your maps
on the site soon!
Graphics and original text by Fusion, HTML and updates by Simon.Brownlee@pobox.com
Last change 18 Sep 98