CC is evolving we have many maps now (56+a few more quenched + a few more in FF), but has anybody actually sat down, analyzed playability the stats, compared them to the discussion threads of each map and draw a conclusion? i don't think so. it seems there is somewhat of an inconsistency in the process. some maps get quenched really fast and some take ages. one would say, yes of course because the map maker does a great job and thus the map is quickly quenched. well, actually it's the other way around, all of the hasty quenched maps have proved to be huge disappointments while the ones that took longer actually did good.
i don't know how a map with 15 pages of discussion can be final forged. i had 15 pages on the AoR thread when it was in map ideas subforum.
i've seen a thing happen, a map is made, it gets a few initial supporters (any map has them no matter how crappy it is) and after 2 updates it is moved to main foundry where it sits for a month and the discussion completely dies when the thread has just 10 pages. then andy comes along and thinks that just because nobody comments then the map is ready for FF and so the map gets to FF and because it has no supporters and the others don't care about it it may actually get quenched. some people may give occasional comments and a few more tweaks will be done, but nothing major because FF is not the place for major updates.
i chose not to give names because anybody can take a look at the map stats and then compare those with the number of pages the threads have. do we really need to put up for live play any crappy map that has no support? who's to blame here?
i believe the responsibility falls on all shoulders.
1. the map maker. if he feels the map has no supporters then he should abandon it. working on a map by yourself with no support is pointless. also graphical issues should be easy to spot by simply comparing your map with the latest quenches.
2. the foundry leaders. they have the responsibility of supporting a map when it needs support or unplugging it's life support machines when it falls into a deep coma. final forging a map with 15 pages is silly and the fact that the map has no posts is a clear indicator that the map is not ready for ff.
3. the foundry community as a whole. i see too many people that stick to their thread and that's all they do. again i will not give any names but we are here to produce quality maps, we aren't here to compete we aren't here to brag with our graphic skills or map ideas, we are here to collaborate. some map makers don't post in other threads for fear of aiding the competition or out of jealousy or who knows for what reason. that's not normal. same goes for the non-map maker posters we have. some people come to the foundry called by a friend to post in a thread. well why not look at other maps also why hold tight to just one? the foundry needs your opinion.
perhaps the foundry needs some new rules, or a few more attendants, or more open minded cartographers. i don't know exactly what it needs but it definitely needs something extra.
i dream of a foundry where each map maker posts in other map threads, where each visitor knows how to post and where to post and gives good feedback, where any new idea is greeted with an open mind no matter how absurd it may seem, where map makers aren't afraid to share tutorials and brushes and give tips to less talented people., a place where high quality maps are produced and where everybody can come and visit and contribute to this great site.
and with these words i say goodbye. i won't be leaving the foundry but i will be turning into the "i don't care about other maps except my own" map maker i've been talking about. i will continue to produce maps because i like it but i will not get involved into anything else. and this goes for the CC site as a whole, i've spent too much of my time and energy trying to improve things with few results, or at least fewer than i expected. goodbye.
PS: it has been a quality half a year filled with satisfaction but also disappointments, a half a year in which i made a few good friends but also many foes. respect to all the people that deserve it (again no names cause you know who you are)
anyway, although we dont get on u still add alot to the foundry 
We all need to be responsive to criticism, and be able to critique constructively and not in a negative manner (there is a difference between blunt and negative, and I know it).
