What's wrong with you people!?!?

[WarGimp]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

If what you are saying was possible in BF2, imagine what would happen when 3-4 people download the map when 50 people are playing in the server. Also downloading from the game server while in the game would result in at least 50% less performance compared to your internet browser.

This isn't exacly right.
It's possible to autp DL maps without having it impact server preformance at all.

The trick is to use a redirect. The client can DL custom maps and/our content from a different server via a redirect. The game server just tells the client where to look and what to look for. 1 packet is all that needs to be passed. Done.

The one one of the few things that Tribes:Vengence did was to implement this feature. It worked very well... other than an interface gaf that could have easily been patched. VUG was too cheap to put out a single stinkin gameplay/interface patch.

[glaucoma]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

This is a little known fact.

Many custom map and mod servers are now "ranked". I'm not telling a lie. They are "unofficially" ranked. ABR www.bf2scripts.com have released their server files and you can now earn medals, badges etc. on mod servers. All of our project reality servers are now "ranked".

There's point 3 from taken care of.

1. You only have yourself to blame for this. It's extremely simple. Click on my sig and away you go. Remember to download and install the mod (PRMM v0.2) AND the hotfix (PRMM v0.2 REV 1).

2. Not true. Nowadays you will usually find at least one populated PRMM server and if you join at peak US times you will find it full and others busy.

I'm not concerned about this. As soon as our full mod and others are released there will be so much new content out there that the majority of players will be on mod and custom map servers in the future.

And what is EA's stance on this? Erase all stats, destroy the planet, we will not negotiate?
Won't be attracting many players if each of them goes through a stats wipe for it afterwards.
Just curious.

[IRONxMortlock]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

^

This is completely seperate to EA and their ranked "world" and as far as I am aware, it is sanctioned by EA and many mods intend to use it. We didn't make ABR but most admins who run PRMM use it on their servers. Currently medals etc. are awarded based on the same criteria as EA's system. We will soon be making our own custom ranks and awards.

With ABR you play on seperate ranked "worlds". The options are endless. In my opinion, diversity is one thing that is really lacking in BF2 and ABR helps to provide more.

You can learn more about ABR here www.bf2scripts.com and don't forget to also check out Project Reality.

[imported_Phenomenomenon]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

Can I use my unlocks on custom map servers?

[canadianmadcow]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

didnt even know about custom maps

[Odedge]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

I used to make maps for Raven Shield (Unreal engine) and understand all of the highs and lows of custom maps. The problem with the BF 2 world is mainly two things.

1. Ranks. People have seemed to embrace this feature and may find it more enjoyable than the game itself. While I like the challenge of going for awards and badges from time to time, it's not the reason I play. I have all of the unlocks, most ribbons, a decent number of badges and a few medals. I won't get another rank and probably can get a fore more of the other stuff.

2. The other problem, as mentioned before, is that servers can't auto download a custom map. So that means one of two things. A server will have a very limited amount of maps. Or a player will have to disconnect from a server to go and find, install, and reconnect to the server to go play it. By that time, the server is probably onto a new map.

For me, I am looking forwarded to the mods. The tend to have the more talented people working on it. You will get nice models, features, and custom maps that are delivered to the player in simple updates.

[WarGimp]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

Can I use my unlocks on custom map servers?

You have to re-earn 'em.

Think of it this way: Starting out on a locally ranked server is the same as starting a new account in EA's BF2 rankings. Everyone starts at the start and gets their rewards as the progress.

The only major differance is that locally ranked servers don't share info with any other server. What you earn there (or not) stays there.

Er... am I making sence?

[fungi]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

What kind of worked for Far Cry and custom maps (couldn't download them in game either) was someone throwing together a map pack of the "good" custom maps.

Didn't really work for the masses (if you can say FarCry had masses) because many players out there never browse the game forums but helped those that did know when they joined a server running say "map pack 1" that they had all the maps.

[Boojie]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

El Alamein XXL, and Wake Island Air Show, great maps,,

Wake has 10 carriers, with floating spawn points high in the sky, great map..

This kept me up last night thinking about it. 10 carriers on Wake has to be wicked. I'm not sure about the spawn point in the sky (what do I do...use a parachute?).

I considered a custom map only once, the Reality Mod (or something named like that). But then I noticed it had a feature (dont quote me) where you dont see the name of the person you kill (ie. upper left portion of screen). I dunno...I like knowing who killed me. Sometimes one guy will constant kill me and I'll go after him...and he'll kill me again...and I'll go after him...(repeat 5-6 times). It becomes a 1 on 1 match that I'll usually lose, but it's pretty damn fun to chase down the bastard who keeps making you cry "uncle" (or "medic!").

But I was at work today talking about trying the custom maps with a buddy. To venture into a foreign map, not knowing where their artillery is...to not know the nooks and crannies of where to hide or the good sniper points. That seems awfully tempting.

I'd be willing to do the downloads; that seems easy enough. The only thing holding me back is the candy...that colorful candy we all call ribbons and medals. I got my ground defense badge yesterday and it was better than a warm Guiness. That drumroll is too much. It's the Pavlov effect. When I hear that drumroll it's like an orgasm. It's like Christmas. All I can think is "what did I get!!!.

ABR seems promising if it is shared among the custom map community. I'd be willing to get my knees dirty and go back to private to reap the rewards of team play with serious guys out there, where I wont see spawn camping and bunnyhopping.

So, yes...10 carriers on Wake...I fell asleep with that thought. :p

[tjmhay]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

I would consider playing them if there were screenshots of them available. I'm not going to download something I know nothing about when i have a download cap on my internet.

[Donkey]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

El Alamein XXL, and Wake Island Air Show, great maps,,

Wake has 10 carriers, with floating spawn points high in the sky, great map..

El Alamein XXL is an awesome map and has since turned me on to play other custom maps...

[IRONxMortlock]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

Can I use my unlocks on custom map servers?

This will depend upon the server. If the admin allows global unlocks then yes, you will be able to use your unlocks. If they don't then you will not be able to.

[imported_Jonthebrit]

Re: What's wrong with you people!?!?

I usually play unranked (HDS/Yukon/OAP) servers because I like the play better when people aren't really too bothered about points and more for the team (doesn't always work that way).

Custom maps sound like fun but I really know nothing at all about them or how they work. I don't get a great deal of play time also and like to load up a game and jump straight into the action.

Are there many UK/Euro custom map servers? Do they see much traffic? Would this mean if I went to a regular BF2 server I would have modified content and be unable to play there because I had custom maps installed?

I'm also a bit anal about downloading stuff off the web that isn't from a trusted provider. For me it's mainly the time thing. I want to play when I have time ... not spend time trying to download stuff and find an active server. If these things weren't an issue then I'd definately try custom map play.