Include High Quality User Made Islands with Patches?

[-=seany=- 5]

Has anyone ever given any thought on this? I think people have suggested giving away User created content with patches before, but my suggestion is just high quality user made maps.

Giving away user content like soldier packs or vehicle addons etc would be messy. But an island would be different and very useful to the community.

Some of these maps are fantastic (good enough to rival BiS's own creations) and don't get played or used nearly as much as they should online due to the fact they are a mod that everyone has to get. The default maps are just easier to pick up and play for most people.

Giving away a map like SmokeDog3[PARA]'s Sangin Province Hellmand or IceBreakrs' Isla Duala would give a major refreshing boost to multiplayer. If one of these maps (or other high quality map) where given away with a patch there would be a flurry of new missions made for them for use to play online.

What of the author you ask?

I'm not a content creator for Arma, but I have made content for other games before and I know that I would be stoked if a developer decided to give my creations away with a patch for everyone to enjoy. I'm guessing people like IceBreakr etc would not mind? Maybe they would..but I don't see why, it's not like BiS would be making a profit from them. People have suggested releasing DLC with user content before, but the legal and monetary mine fields are many. With this simple concept of just an Island given away with a patch release, all these complications are gone.

Anyway what do you think?

Edited November 7, 2011 by -=seany=-

[katipo66 94]

Voted no, I'd rather they provide other things like tools for managing/using content mods... There's no need to add them when they are easily available.

But then on reflection a series of Shapur sized islands with diverse terrains geared towards PVP/TVT MP would be cool.

Maps are my favorite download but only a very few might be close to BIS maps Imo.

[metalcraze 290]

No.

"High quality" when it comes to mods is very subjective and besides there are Armaholic and Armedassault. Nobody can be lazy enough to open their browser.

I don't want 5 gig patches containing something I can download anyway.

[Hud Dorph 22]

jesus christ - ofcourse there is a need to get new stuff in official patches - whole ffa mp depends of it - specially with the decreasing multiplayer count on public servers. Needs to be in official patches if to be played on jip servers else very few will join.

Very good idear to put a new island in a patch now and then, getting a little tired of takistan and chernerus and im pretty sure i wont find a server with +20 players on custom map.

[Gunter Severloh 4072]

Theres no point in providing usermade content when you have

Arma2 islands

http://www.armaholic.com/list.php?c=arma2_files_addons_islands

OA islands

http://www.armaholic.com/list.php?c=arma2_oa_files_addons_islands

I'd rather have tools, or BIS made island, let them provide it with something they built,

not something thats already available, that makes no sense it would be redundant.

[-=seany=- 5]

But the idea is to get everyone on the same page. What is the harm in getting great content to all users?

It's easy to be flippant and say, "they can just open their browser and download it". But it's pretty obvious if every one was given the content in a patch lots of servers would immediately adopt and run missions on that new map.

I also find that a lot of servers that run different islands also run other mods which just makes it even more awkward to get on the server and play.

Also, I'm not talking about about any mods, I mean specifically and only Islands of high standard. You cant honestly say Duala is not a well polished map? Maybe you don't like desert maps etc but that's no reason to spite the community :)

Also, why would the patch be 5gb? I only suggested that 1 map would be added per patch and both I suggested are less than 450mb...

Don't think of this idea as a present, or nice bonus in the patch for us...Rather, think of it as a means to get more variety on-line instead of Chernarus of Takistan. I know people can just download them, but again, it's pretty obvious to realise that more people will make use of them if everyone has it! And why not give some props to the creator by acknowledging there excellent and hard work by including it for the whole community to appreciate and enjoy?

I know I put up a poll and asked for peoples opinions, so I should just take what I get and shut up. But the negativity and short-sightedness of a portion of this community is a bit annoying some times.

Ever hear the expression "cut off your nose to spite your face?" ? :)

The fact is, there are all these fantastic maps out there that no one ever uses online because they are addons you have to download - if the where added officially (requiring little work from BIS, unlike requesting new tools..) we would have more maps for everyone to play online. - I can't see what is not to like about that.

Edited November 8, 2011 by -=seany=-

[Beagle 684]

Unnecesary simply because mods are just that...mods.

And in fact I don't want my install to grow further and i really hated the 1GB patches that we had back then in Armed Assault.

It's not that everybody wants modes at all. I guess the MOST player have a pretty vanilla install in the HDD...at least I don't know a single fellow in my "real world" that uses any mods with the games we play in common at all. And since "islands" or "worlds", the term map is missleading since ArmA uses HUGHE game environments, are also HUGHE in data size I really dont want my already 8GB ArmA II OA + BAF + PMC install to grow further.

the SIX standard maps are more then enough already.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Beagle

[-=seany=- 5]

You mean the TWO maps? Nobody ever uses the other ones online. They are too small.

The reason no one you play with uses mods is beacuse it's a hassle.. that's why it would be great to have everyone get it (an Island) officially, that's the point.

I can't believe you would really be against this beacuse of file size? really? You know Arma 3 is going to take up lots of space right? Are you going to bother with that? If Bis release more DLC for OA will you not get it because of disk space?

I just don't get it, how can you be against the possibility of more content on the basis of how much disk space it will take up, or the extra couple of minutes it might take to download? I just cant get my head around that logic. Being a fan and player of PC games, it's just how things are...Things get better -> File size gets bigger....so... Boycott any advance because of that? How small is your hard disk anyway?

Edited November 8, 2011 by -=seany=-

[FallujahMedic -FM- 867]

I understand completely where you are coming from, though I wish it would include other mods as well sometimes. I've had great ideas for missions, only to find out that it would require 8 different add-ons to work and most people would be too lazy to download them.

It's almost like a BIS "endorsed" or "blessed" island. It has their quality "seal of approval".

For those that say, "well, I can download an island on my own, why do I need to download it with a patch", let me suggest this... If I were to give 20 people enough money to each go to the store to buy a soda, what are the odds that they will all come back with the same soda? Now apply that to islands, what are the odds that 20 people will go out and download Lingor or Thirsk on their own, but what if it were included in a patch? hat would change things wouldn't it?

Just food for thought.

[Beagle 684]

You mean the TWO maps? Nobody ever uses the other ones online. They are too small.

The reason no one you play with uses mods is beacuse it's a hassle.. that's why it would be great to have everyone get it (an Island) officially, that's the point.

I can't believe you would really be against this beacuse of file size? really? You know Arma 3 is going to take up lots of space right? Are you going to bother with that? If Bis release more DLC for OA will you not get it because of disk space?

I just don't get it, how can you be against the possibility of more content on the basis of how much disk space it will take up, or the extra couple of minutes it might take to download? I just cant get my head around that logic. Being a fan and player of PC games, it's just how things are...Things get better -> File size gets bigger....so... Boycott any advance because of that? How small is your hard disk anyway?

Who is nobody I had mission on Zargabad and Utes a lot in the last months on XR Server...playing together with 20-30 other nobodies. The small maps make for Intese firefights without all the A.I. involved...it's far more immersive than the large "go for a 15km voyage and die at your destination" maps.

[soul_assassin 1750]

no reason to force it on people. If its in a patch then people have no choice but to get it, even if they don't want it.

[Joe98 92]

I have Operation Arrowhead, BAF and PMC.

I do not have Arma2. As a result, none of the user made maps works for me.

If BIS produced another add-on like BAF or PMC with more content and/or map(s) I would gladly pay for it (them).

.

.

[metalcraze 290]

The reason no one you play with uses mods is beacuse it's a hassle..

Ughh... In my case everyone I play with uses mods and so am I. Why won't BIS include all 1 TB of them in a patch to cover every single preference of a userbase? I f.e. like Thirsk but don't like Duala, for somebody else it's vice versa.

Installing mods in BIS games is no hassle. Drop a folder into ArmA2 folder, add short text to the shortcut (or even easier - use launcher). All problems gone.

[dmarkwick 261]

I can fully understand the sentiment behind this, but, I have to say that I'm in favour of NOT including user content in patches. That would imply responsibility for non-BIS content, after all if it's forced upon users via official patch then it has to be maintained exactly the same.

I should say that BIS should be responsible for BIS content only.

[dmarkwick 261]

I have Operation Arrowhead, BAF and PMC.

I do not have Arma2. As a result, none of the user made maps works for me.

If BIS produced another add-on like BAF or PMC with more content and/or map(s) I would gladly pay for it (them).

.

.

Why not buy ArmA2 and imagine it as new content? ;) Which, for you, it would be. Chernarus is the best BIS map by far IMO.

Edited November 8, 2011 by DMarkwick

[NoRailgunner 0]

Patches are primarily made to fix issues/bugs not to add (new) customer-made content.

Who from BIS has the time to find, to evaluate (check all the things) and to decide which communtiy made island is "great" and "worth" to implement it into an official upgrade?

Why are some players too lazy to download and use community made content from newssites/forum/updaters? :rolleyes:

[-=seany=- 5]

What the hell is wrong with you people, is it purely just to nay say?

This is win win for everyone, but all you can do is moan and think up stupid responses to shoot a good idea down, like;

"People shouldn't be so lazy." - Not everyone who plays Arma visits all the mod sites all the time. AND AGAIN - you know that if everyone has it, it will be used more...am I talking to myself here?

"I have no hard disk space" - face palm

"Don't Force it on people"... what? are you for real? Did you complain when Bis Forced us to have the A10 in Arma1?

"Too much work for Bis" - please...the work would be minimal and it would be positive for the community etc, give recognition to great work. But oh yeah, it's more fun to nay say..

"Responsibility for BIS" Believe me, we are well used to putting up with bugs in Arma. Chances are a high quality user map would have less bugs than the official ones. Besides it's ONE high quality map.... But go ahead and twist my words so you can moan, be negative and shoot down my idea. All they have to do is have a disclaimer ffs.

Is it a prerequisite of being an Arma fan to shoot your self in to foot and fail to see the big picture?

This has to be THE most negative bunch of game fans I have ever had the misfortune to share a community with. All I can think is that you guys find it more fun to be stereo typical Internet nay sayers to make your self feel better or some thing. Not one of you has given a valid reason why this would not be great for every one.

But fine, you all made your point. I should have predicted this community would be more interested in stamping on a good idea than embracing some thing nice for everyone in last months of Amra2s life. How can you not see the benefit/ enjoyment this would bring to many people (and the game and company you so feverishly support)...damn most game communities are only to grateful at the prospect of free content for everyone, but not here...oh no.

I give up.

Edited November 8, 2011 by -=seany=-

[dm 9]

No.

QA is hard enough for content created at BIS, let alone with community made stuff.

Pro tip: Things that look nice on the surface can often be horribly horrible underneath...

Edit to add:

I give up.

Lol, u mad.

There is a LOT more to adding things to the game "officially" than just stuffing it into the patch installer. It would be a huge undertaking for one or two staff at BI (often the config and/or terrain guy(s) who there is only one of (each, respectively) and is already busy with A3)

Edited November 8, 2011 by DM

[-=seany=- 5]

No.

QA is hard enough for content created at BIS, let alone with community made stuff.

Pro tip: Things that look nice on the surface can often be horribly horrible underneath...

Do you know what I am suggesting? Or do you just scan the thread title and presume the rest? Have you ever played on a quality Island like Duala?

I did not say:" Hey guys lets add loads of random mods to new patches..would'nt that be sweet?..."

No, I agree that would be terrible, and your statement above ^ is why.

That's why I suggested ONE HIGH QUALITY MAP

There is a LOT more to adding things to the game "officially" than just stuffing it into the patch installer. It would be a huge undertaking for one or two staff at BI (often the config and/or terrain guy(s) who there is only one of (each, respectively) and is already busy with A3)

And I doubt it would be as much difficulty as you make out...Its a high quality finished map I am suggesting ( in case no-one has realised that by now...). If a BiS comes in here and say it would be too much work then fine, but your not BiS and really have no clue how hard it would be for them...So why not support a good idea until other wise?

Edited November 8, 2011 by -=seany=-

[mobeus 10]

Has anyone ever given any thought on this? I think people have suggested giving away User created content with patches before, but my suggestion is just high quality user made maps.

Giving away user content like soldier packs or vehicle addons etc would be messy. But an island would be different and very useful to the community.

Some of these maps are fantastic (good enough to rival BiS's own creations) and don't get played or used nearly as much as they should online due to the fact they are a mod that everyone has to get. The default maps are just easier to pick up and play for most people.

Giving away a map like SmokeDog3[PARA]'s Sangin Province Hellmand or IceBreakrs' Isla Duala would give a major refreshing boost to multiplayer. If one of these maps (or other high quality map) where given away with a patch there would be a flurry of new missions made for them for use to play online.

What of the author you ask?

I'm not a content creator for Arma, but I have made content for other games before and I know that I would be stoked if a developer decided to give my creations away with a patch for everyone to enjoy. I'm guessing people like IceBreakr etc would not mind? Maybe they would..but I don't see why, it's not like BiS would be making a profit from them. People have suggested releasing DLC with user content before, but the legal and monetary mine fields are many. With this simple concept of just an Island given away with a patch release, all these complications are gone.

Anyway what do you think?

it's a good idea.

[dm 9]

Do you know what I am suggesting? Or do you just scan the thread title and presume the rest?

Thread title and poll asks:

Include High Quality User Made Islands with Patches?

IslandS, plural. Dont shout at me because you worded your title wrong...

Have you ever played on a quality Island like Duala?

Yes.

Have you ever created content for ArmA?

I'm not a content creator for Arma

Taking that as a "no". I, on the other hand, do so regularly.

BI would have to:

Choose terrains from the many available.

Do an extensive IP rights check (does that island use textures, height data, sounds or anything from another game or from some non-commercially-exploitable source?)

Do an extensive QA test

Do an extensive source file check (make sure the terrain its self and the configs adhere to certain standards, as well as make sure that any and all required content has all the required lods and other technical details) <- this is NOT a trivial undertaking, especially if the island has a lot of custom content.

All of this is, as I said before, handled by 2 or 3 guys within the company, and they're already busy on ArmA3. So where, pray tell, does the time to do this come from?

And I doubt it would be as much difficulty as you make out...Its a high quality finished map I am suggesting ( in case no-one has realised that by now...). If a BiS comes in here and say it would be too much work then fine, but your not BiS and really have no clue how hard it would be for them...

I'm not BIS, but I DO know how hard it would be. :)

So why not support a good idea until other wise?

Dont make a thread with a poll (and asking the question) if all you want to hear is positive support ;)

Edited November 8, 2011 by DM

[-=seany=- 5]

Well done..finally some valid reasons explaining why this might be difficult..was that so hard? Your right, I don't create content so I don't understand all the ins and outs of what might be required.

But you still don't work for Bis and still don't really know how hard it would be for them or what resources would required. My poll was not to get gamers telling me what (they think) is and what is not possible, but to see if the community would like to have a user made map included with a patch. So why not answer in that light? Imagine BiS asked the same question, would you tell them it wasn't possible?

All I wanted to know is who would be interested and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.

I thought this would be more an injection of an idea into the community for people to consider who hadn't thought of it before. And maybe to show BIS how much interest there would be in such a thing...let them worry about the technical problems.

But you are all to quick to tell why it wont work or give some other nonsensical reason why you for some reason don't want every one to enjoy new content...for free.

[2nd ranger 282]

We can already enjoy new content for free. By downloading it from a mod website.

All I wanted to know is who would be interested and I can't see why anyone wouldn't.

Yeah. YOU can't. You're just getting annoyed now because people don't agree with your BRILLIANT idea. The reasoning behind your idea is valid, but it is more hassle than it's worth.

I don't think your example of Duala is a good one, not because it isn't a good island, but because to play on Duala you really need to have some African units or it would be a bit silly. So now you need to download something else anyway.

let [bIS] worry about the technical problems.

They have enough technical problems to be worried about.

[HyperU2 11]

Not needed, they're so easy to get now.

[-=seany=- 5]

I don't think your example of Duala is a good one, not because it isn't a good island, but because to play on Duala you really need to have some African units or it would be a bit silly.

Eh?

Yeah. YOU can't. You're just getting annoyed now because people don't agree with your BRILLIANT idea. The reasoning behind your idea is valid, but it is more hassle than it's worth.

You even agree its a valid idea! What "hassle" will it cause you or any one? It appears to be more hassle now with people having to go and download it, that's why there are bugger all missions online on user made maps

Not needed, they're so easy to get now.

So you don't agree that if a great Island was released with a patch for everyone, more people would use it online?

Edited November 8, 2011 by -=seany=-