Polycount for Level Designers
polycounter lvl 11
Happy Friday all, I'm curious as to if anyone would take a interest in a level design forum similiar in function to polycount. Someplace to not just show WIP but also to discuss level layouts and theory as well.
Now of course I realize plenty of people show off their level designs here at polycount, but the emphasize is always on the art side. I think a place where theory as well as art can be discussed would be beneficial to both professionals and newbies alike as well as not diluting the community here.
Most level design sites/forums right now are engine specific. This forum that I'm explaining would be less engine-centric and allow for more of a general colaboration on design and design theory.
Of course there would probably be individual engine-centric subforums as well as showcase WIP and Finished sections (preferabbly providing download links.)
Alternatly, perhaps we could just get a level design specific subforum here at polycount?
I'm also curious as to how many of you artists out there also put on the level design hat from time to time both in a professional environment and as a hobby as well as how much control you in end up having over your level art (assuming of course you don't get stuck doing all the art yourself.)
Now of course I realize plenty of people show off their level designs here at polycount, but the emphasize is always on the art side. I think a place where theory as well as art can be discussed would be beneficial to both professionals and newbies alike as well as not diluting the community here.
Most level design sites/forums right now are engine specific. This forum that I'm explaining would be less engine-centric and allow for more of a general colaboration on design and design theory.
Of course there would probably be individual engine-centric subforums as well as showcase WIP and Finished sections (preferabbly providing download links.)
Alternatly, perhaps we could just get a level design specific subforum here at polycount?
I'm also curious as to how many of you artists out there also put on the level design hat from time to time both in a professional environment and as a hobby as well as how much control you in end up having over your level art (assuming of course you don't get stuck doing all the art yourself.)
Replies
It would be nice to have a dedicated PC forum on this subject though, but then we would need one for Characters too...the list would be endless
Optimally I think a seperate site and forums would be best, possibly "in association" with polycount however.
Mapcore looks like a good site but from what threads I did look though I saw no actual design talk at all except "hey that looks nice!" and a lot of showing of screenshots. But I suppose that isn't a problem with the site so much as the users/community not asking questions. I certainly don't wish to make a whole new community if there already is one that already exists and is actually fairly popular (despite the fact that I couldn't find them when I looked.) However, that are also pretty much only a showcase forum. Theres not even a subforum for technical questions. Mapcore lacks in many features whatI think a good level design site should have.
I did notice a few professionals on Mapcore though so I know they do lerk there.
Still it would be nice to have a actual PC Subforum or an associated site so it starts already with a built in user base.
Why not just make it a subforum? It doesn't need a whole new site. There are 2 main sections on polycount apart from general discussion, Technical Talk and Pimping/Previews. Just add a 3rd - Level Design.
I agree in that I hate cluttered forums with too many subsections etc, but I don't think having one extra section would have a negative effect.
If there is suddenly a huge influx of maps being posted, i think its something to consider. For now however, i think just keeping that stuff in pimping is fine. By all means though, if you guys have map related stuff that you aren't posting because you dont know where to put it, just throw it in pimping.
People do post environments I guess, but not really level structures, tracks etc.
As for Mapcore, it simply does not fit with the vision I have unless they add a front end with some of the features I have in mind (resources, guest articles, a map database, etc.)
That's why this stuff is better directed at game specific boards. People aren't going to bother with it unless they actively play the game/mod already.
Thanks to all who have already commented in this thread.
Where are all the Level Designers?
Might give you guys some ideas