Ruben Cassar wrote:Well I don't like the map but I never said so in the thread as I find that disrespectful. I also think it won't work in terms of playability. Think of how many people agree with Andy and Keyogi but do not voice their opinion because they see that the mods already gave the thumbs down. I am one of them.
I haven't been here very long, so I don't know this, but has Andy ever quenched a map which he didn't initially (or ever) like?
I don't think mods' opinions should have any extra value in the early stages. Unless its a map which will cause technical problems for the site, the opinion is just that - an opinion. In the later stages of development, if a mod gives a good
objective reason for killing the map (i.e. too many dissenting votes, etc), then that would mean a lot more, and the supporters would probably need to make a strong argument or shut down development to not waste time and effort. Of course, if the mods will actually refuse to quench a map based on personal opinion, then that would be different, but I doubt that would ever be the case.
You mention playability being a factor in the World 0.5 map's eventual failure. I agree that lack of playability would be a very strong, if not the strongest, argument to kill a map. However, are you thinking unplayable more as "bad for all of the elite players and the standard strategies", or "luck is going to be the primary factor, so it's not fun" (or similar)? As I stated in that thread, not everyone is playing for the win. It's possible that there are enough players who will play a map just because the map gives them a chance to make crazy moves and have a unique experience.
While experienced players can say that a map has horrible playability, and be right most of the time, we don't know how much of an effect that will have on the overall appeal of the map to the majority of CC players.
I think it would be great if there was some sort of playtesting system, even if it was unofficial and/or off-site. A group of players with different goals in mind when playing a game of CC, who are willing to test maps starting from about halfway through development. That would provide some conclusive evidence of both playability and its effect on appeal for a map. I have no idea how we would set that up though, so for now it's just an idea.