So, new TF2 blog update, they’re doing a thing with TF2maps.net. Valve is giving one lucky mapper the chance of having their work in an official TF2 map. What’s this exactly mean? A mapper at Valve probably isn’t feeling like finishing a map, so now they’re getting the community to do it. The pay for this? Nothing, really, they just get mentioned somewhere.
Yes, for the rest of us this does mean more free stuff, but it does seem kind of funny that Valve can just get the community to do any kind of content with the promise of some TF2-related reward. Sure you get your name up there somewhere but work like this usually gets paid in real money.
July 17th, 2010 at 10:08 am
On the other hand, having your work included in a Valve game is already a pretty valuable reference. One that could probably earn you quite a bit of money later.
July 17th, 2010 at 10:24 am
I always find these blog posts such as these expressing outrage at a contest amusing. If, in fact, the reward is insultingly inproportionate to the work required, then the market will respond accordingly, and nobody will turn in a response. Valve can hardly force people to respond to the contest, now can they?
July 17th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Yeah, agreed. I don’t think you can really mark them down for this. Having a map in one of the most acclaimed games of all time is no petty thing. This isn’t even something new, is it? They’ve had plenty of community maps in updates.
It is funny that Valve is crowdsourcing nowadays, but I think it’s a perfectly valid strategy, ESPECIALLY for TF2. And it’s not like Valve hasn’t been putting stuff in anyways. Crowdsourcing when properly used can be really beneficial, and I think for TF2 it’s perfectly fine, if not fantastic (did I mention that it’s one of the most acclaimed games of all time?). I’m actually sort of surprised crowdsourcing hasn’t happened earlier with TF2.
July 17th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
Actually, people who made custom maps that went official got checks for 3000 dollars.
July 17th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Taking a look at the map, it didn’t look particularly well-designed. And the contest is just to detail it. seems like it will be sniper and engie-friendly.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:07 am
@Mana – I never said this was a bad thing, after all we still get the finished product for free. I just find it funny how this community content thing picked up so much these recent times.
@temp – I wasn’t aware of this…Got a link or something? I’d like to read more.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:15 am
I don’t really mind the contests, Valve has mentioned in the past that they’d like to see the defined difference between the developer and the player being broken down, so this is all part of the process, I would say. Besides, its a valid tactic, and having your work included in a big game from such a big company is not anything to scoff at, and it could help you find a job if the person was interested in becoming a part of the industry. I personally would love to get my work officialized by Valve, 3000 dollars or not. @Nattaboy – I think its still too early to say much about the map, mate. I’ll have to actually play it a few times to really judge it properly.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:02 am
I really don’t care who does it and why, nor what the reward is. I just want more.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Its also that TF2 is three years old now, costs only $20, and probably is not their product of highest priority. In that regard it makes sense to open it up and let the community do most of the work so the valve team can better spend their time on things like… Episode 3… wait what…
July 19th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Ah, I see. But yeah, I totally agree. “Wow, people want to make stuff for our game? Let’s let them!” Good ol’ crowdsourcing.