Aspiring mapmakers can get overwhelmed with the task of creating a map all by themselves. Others just don't have time to keep updating a map with every detail requested by the Foundry. Still others don't have access to a good image editing program, or do not know how to start.
If you are interested in being a part of map creation, without the responsibility of an entire map hanging over your head, this is the group for you! We are a collection of part-time cartographers who will work together to produce some of the most mind-blowing maps that Conquer Club has ever seen. Our goal is to be, essentially, the Foundry equivalent of The Society Of The Cooks. We make it easy to get involved in map making by getting your feet wet, without jumping into the Foundry headfirst.
To join this group, go to Control Panel - Usergroups - Mapmakers Guild, select it, and click "Join selected" at the bottom. It may take over a week to approve you, so be patient. Membership requires the approval of pork and me, which you'll get as long as you aren't a complete jerk.
The rules of the group and the reasons for its creation are detailed below.
[spoiler=Rules]Our goal is to produce quality maps as a team. We strive to be open to any new ideas and supportive of the maps that we are producing. Each member can contribute as much or as little as they want. Knowledge of an advanced image editor such as Photoshop, Fireworks, or GIMP is helpful but not required. XML programming is also a useful skill.
If you already have a map in the Foundry and you came here for help, start a new topic in the Guild with a link to your Foundry topic and explain what you need help with. We have members who are experienced with image editing, XML, and all other parts of the map making process.
If you have come up with a new map idea, start a new topic in the Guild. The first post should explain the premise behind your map, and highlight any unique gameplay features. A Rough Draft of the map is preferable but not required. Your goal is to find several members (4 to 8 people or so) who will work on the map with you as it goes through the Foundry. Make sure that at least one of these people is an artist who is skilled at advanced image editing. If you are interested in helping someone create a map, let them know by posting in the topic or sending them a PM.
Once you have assembled a team, your next step is to create a First Draft. This is the first test of teamwork, so make sure that everyone gets along, everything runs smoothly, and so on. If there is more than one artist in the group, make sure they can send files to each other using e-mail, MediaFire, or another method. To post images, use an image hosting site like ImageShack or TinyImg.
Once the First Draft is completed, it's time to start the Foundry process! Many people start here from scratch, but you have the added support of your team as well as a First Draft already completed. At this point, the Guild has served its purpose, so the head of the team should start a new topic in the Drafting Room and post the premise, unique gameplay, and First Draft. Make sure to give credit to each member involved in the project, and list who the artists (or artists) are.
From here you will receive suggestions from the Foundry folks. A key to being successful in the Foundry is addressing each suggestion people make, either accepting it or explaining why it's not a good idea. The artists should make a new draft every few weeks (at minimum) if there are changes to be made.
The Foundry, as its name suggests, is a strenuous process. Some maps can take over a year to be produced. If your map loses support and dies, don’t be upset- the majority of ideas never make it out of The Drafting Room. But, if your map makes it all the way through and gets quenched, congratulations! Your creation will be enjoyed for hours by thousands of players.
[/spoiler][spoiler=Reasons]As some of you may know, a group of this name was created a short while ago, which has since changed its name to "The Map Machine". Porkenbeans originally had the idea; he PM'ed me (we are working on a map together) and I expressed interest. Eventually 10-12 people or so who were interested were brought together. Pork put a certain Sailor in charge of organization of the group, although pork still retained leadership. This was a mistake. Sailor proceeded to make the usergroup, give himself leadership, and demand that all new threads must receive his approval. In the meantime, he set up an inefficient system which essentially gave him control over which maps would be made and which maps wouldn't. An election thread was started by Rocketry without sailor's permission; because he was an illegitimate leader, we felt that we needed a new one. Sailor proceeded to kick pork, me, and Rocketry out of the group, despite the fact that we had contributed ideas (one of the two maps that sailor and his friend were working on was Rocketry's idea, I believe). A few people had expressed interest in me becoming the new leader, which is why I am starting this thread. The old group is inefficient, disorganized, and is not headed anywhere. It's time to start over.[/spoiler]
Post here if you are interested in becoming a founding member of our new group.
Current members:
- john9blue (leader)
- porkenbeans (leader)
- qwert
- FireStar
- cairnswk
- Mr Changsha
- cena-rules
- Rocketry
- scorpion86
- a.sub
- bryguy
- fishydance
- Natewolfman
- karelpietertje
- captainwalrus
- InsomniaRed
- naxus
- killerpit4e
- Merker
- The Neon Peon
- GrimReaper.
- God Emperor Q
- JP007
- miniwally
- psychobkrazy
- neanderpaul14
- ustus
- Bobafet1
- thRett
- Jace22
- colton24
- rdsrds2120
- Scania N113
Full member list
The E-ticket was sent on 4/4/09.
The E-ticket's revenge was sent on 4/23/09.
So what are you waiting for? Join today and leave your mark on some of Conquer Club's best maps!
i prefer your idea john to sailor the society of cooks but with maps this will be interesting 
sign me up
