Releasing a Map: Difference between revisions

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After going through a map's [[pre-publication evaluation#Maps|pre-publication evaluation]], you can publish your map in many ways:
 
===Final compile===
 
* Examine the compile log to ensure there are [[Compile_Errors|no compile errors]], you could also use the [http://www.interlopers.net/errors/ Interlopers Compile Checker.]
 
* When you load the map into the game, check the console to ensure there are no errors or warnings.
 
* Make sure you have compiled the map with Normal VIS and RAD. Do not ever release a map compiled with Fast VIS or RAD.
 
* Remember to run the [[Cubemaps|buildcubemaps]] command in the console before releasing your finished product, otherwise reflections will not work properly.
 
===Distributing custom content===
 
If you have custom models, sounds, textures or materials, you must either:
 
* Bundle them into the map BSP file (using [[Using Bspzip to Embed Custom Content|Bspzip]], [[Map Analyst]], [[Pakrat]], etc.). See
[[Using Bspzip to Embed Custom Content]], or
 
* Add a ".res" [[Map Resource File]] to your map release to let the server know there's files that should accompany the BSP when it's downloaded.
 
If you don't do this, then anyone downloading the map through a server whilst playing will not get your custom content.
 
===Game specific considerations===
 
* For Counter-Strike: Source or Day of Defeat: Source, create a ".txt" file with the same name as the map. This text will be displayed to players when the map starts. Lines are wrapped.
 
* For Counter-Stirke: Source edit the bot [[Navigation Meshes|Navigation Mesh]] so bots will behave more intelligently in your map.
 
* For Counter-Strike: Source or Day of Defeat: Source create a [[Level Overviews|level overview]] material.
 
* For Counter-Stike: Source, run the map with only bots playing, 10 a side, and see whether either side has an outright advantage. There is no substitute for human players, but bots will typically show up the obvious design flaws in a map (poorly positioned meeting points, not enough entrances/exits in critical areas, and so on)
 
===Uploading/Public release===
 
* When your map is all done, You can upload it at some useful websites, so that other people can download and play it.  
* When your map is all done, You can upload it at some useful websites, so that other people can download and play it.  
* A list of file hosting websites is available [[File_Hosting_Sites|here]].
* A list of file hosting websites is available [[File_Hosting_Sites|here]].
 
* On the other hand, if you do have a server of your own that you could store your BSP file on, you could use the [[sv_downloadurl]] commands.<br>For example, if you create a sub-domain on your website mymaps.example.com, then set the following command on your server: <code>sv_downloadurl mymaps.example.com</code><br>This would tell clients connecting to your server to directly download the BSP file from that url, instead of directly downloading from the server.
* On the other hand, if you do have a server of your own that you could store your BSP file on, you could use the [[sv_allowupload]] and [[sv_downloadurl]] commands.
*You may wish to contact [[News_Site_List|news sites]] to publicize your map's release.
 
:For example, if you create a sub-domain on your website mymaps.example.com, then set the following commands on your server:
 
sv_downloadurl mymaps.example.com
sv_allowupload 0
 
:This would tell clients connecting to your server to directly download the BSP file from that url, instead of directly downloading from the server.
*You may wish to contact [[News_Site_List|news sites]] to publicise your map's release.


==See also==
==See also==


* [[How To Take Screenshots]]
* [[How To Take Screenshots]]
 
[[category:Level Design]]
[[category:Level design Tutorials]][[Category:Publicity & Publication]]
[[Category:Publicity & Publication]]

Revision as of 13:56, 11 October 2006

After going through a map's pre-publication evaluation, you can publish your map in many ways:

  • When your map is all done, You can upload it at some useful websites, so that other people can download and play it.
  • A list of file hosting websites is available here.
  • On the other hand, if you do have a server of your own that you could store your BSP file on, you could use the sv_downloadurl commands.
    For example, if you create a sub-domain on your website mymaps.example.com, then set the following command on your server: sv_downloadurl mymaps.example.com
    This would tell clients connecting to your server to directly download the BSP file from that url, instead of directly downloading from the server.
  • You may wish to contact news sites to publicize your map's release.

See also

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