Dead Men Walking

Old Server Admin Section => Game Admins => Archived Topics => Left 4 Dead Admins => Topic started by: Benny on February 09, 2009, 08:37:12 AM

Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 09, 2009, 08:37:12 AM
Gents,

Given we have some fairly difficult disciples, I propose we make a sticky in the right section that says...

'Sunday night 1900-2100 is map testing night. Maps will be tested on ColdStore and the password will changed for that session. When scheduled we will post here and you can add your names if interested.

The reason for this is there has been some confusion caused by the testing last night. The maps had flaws, which caused us spawning issues and left players trying to connect and failing. Whilst we want to encourage everyone to participate it's not fair to frustrate people with what looks like an open server.

The Meatlocker will be up throughout, running default maps and we encourage you to jump on there and start a game'

Then we can stop the incessant whinging that occurred last night, because people can't breath and think at the same time.

Thoughts, no objections and I'll post tonight?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 09, 2009, 08:41:10 AM
go for it - personally I would leave in the second last paragraph but that's me :devil:
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Dr Sadako on February 09, 2009, 08:41:12 AM
Sounds good. Check if it is possible to activate fast download for the L4D server as well. My ears are aching after all whinging regarding the fast download not working.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 09, 2009, 09:22:15 AM
Quote from: Dr Sadako;262568Sounds good. Check if it is possible to activate fast download for the L4D server as well. My ears are aching after all whinging regarding the fast download not working.

Hmm, I'm not sure how these people manage to use a forum given the internet is so difficult. From seeing the new map to getting on the server took me 4 minutes....including downloading it twice as the first was corrupted.

What I should have done was post in the forum that it was corrupted and I'm sure it was the servers fault.

$0.02, screw fast download, make them go get it until it's an officially supported map.

(BB can we move the map over to the Coldstore? Also can you let us know how to upload maps to it - or ar eyou happy being on call for that?)

Ta
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 09, 2009, 09:56:18 AM
Quote from: Benny;262577Hmm, I'm not sure how these people manage to use a forum given the internet is so difficult. From seeing the new map to getting on the server took me 4 minutes....including downloading it twice as the first was corrupted.

What I should have done was post in the forum that it was corrupted and I'm sure it was the servers fault.

$0.02, screw fast download, make them go get it until it's an officially supported map.

(BB can we move the map over to the Coldstore? Also can you let us know how to upload maps to it - or ar eyou happy being on call for that?)

Ta
I'll move it across for you and look to see if I can setup a virtual folder for FTP.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 09, 2009, 09:58:41 AM
maps moved
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 09, 2009, 10:13:43 AM
benny you have a PM about ftp access
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 09, 2009, 10:17:55 AM
Thankyou server bloke, appreciated.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: OldBloke on February 09, 2009, 05:19:38 PM
I'm a dissenting voice here. I think it's too early to play with new maps when we're still building a userbase (also not helped by the fact that the maps in question are nowhere near stable).

:2cents:
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 09, 2009, 07:50:38 PM
I agree to an extent. We are desperate for a new map and were hoping this one would help.

I've just posted that I don't expect the map testing to be often, so have no intention of grabbing any old map.

The game is still great and I enjoy the old maps, but imagine....one more decent map!!
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on February 09, 2009, 07:59:50 PM
The map does have potential and the only flaw was the spawn points. When we encountered this during our alpha testing we thought it may have been caused by one of the other maps we tried, as re-starting the server seemed to cure it.

I'll keep an eye on the development of this map, as I am sure others will, and propose another test when this issue has been resolved.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 10, 2009, 10:37:24 PM
I've changed the sticky to generic 'Testing'.

I think we need to discourage straying too far from vanilla but we do need some experimentation so we can make sure we can play 8 player on the 4 player maps etc. We can test scripts, map changes etc so it's a bit more seamless at game time.

The more I think on the maps the more I think it's the familiarity that makes them great at the moment, so we need to watch that balance.

I'm off to figure out how to chain maps so we don't have to friggin restart after every finale.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Liberator on February 21, 2009, 04:41:24 PM
New version of "Death Aboard" is out with a spawn fix for the out of body experiences, as well as other fixes/upgrades. It now has the third map in there as well.

There's also a few new campaigns under development called "Road To Hell" and "Survival 101" , first map of each is out, but no specific versus version.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on February 26, 2009, 12:58:54 PM
So shall we test the new version of Death Aboard? There are three completed levels and they support co-op and versus modes. Reviews continue to be very positive for this campaign.
 
Dear Mr BB can you please arrange for it to be uploaded to the server? :D
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 26, 2009, 05:25:16 PM
Benny has full FTP access now
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 27, 2009, 08:49:38 AM
That I do, I'll get them uploaded over the next day or so with a view to some testing on Sunday night?

Passworded on ColdStore?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on February 27, 2009, 08:56:07 AM
I'm getting moist just thinking about it. :dribble:
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 27, 2009, 11:12:08 AM
Quote from: Sn00ks;265914I'm getting moist just thinking about it. :dribble:

Right testing cancelled. Lib get out from under his desk, I see you there, this isn't a bloody kindergarten.

You there, stop reading that bloody comic.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Liberator on February 27, 2009, 12:22:07 PM
Quote from: Benny;265934Right testing cancelled. Lib get out from under his desk, I see you there, this isn't a bloody kindergarten.

You there, stop reading that bloody comic.
I knew that webcam was a bad idea.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on February 27, 2009, 12:33:04 PM
But sir he started it!!!
 
Not fair! :crying:
 
OK should we tell the proletariat to download the updated maps and advise them of the proposed time?
 
Or should we wait until closer to the time to ensure we can get on the sever and then tell them? :g:
 
PS Lib fancy running up your server to test the new version this afternoon?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 27, 2009, 08:21:41 PM
As soon as the bloody downloads work I'll get it up. fnarrr...
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 28, 2009, 10:30:51 AM
Ok, so deathaboard still isn't downloading. Going to try bloodhospital in the mean time.

http://www.l4dmaps.com/details.php?file=71
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 28, 2009, 10:48:19 AM
Death Aboard (Working Link) http://files.filefront.com/death+aboardzip/;13298703;/fileinfo.html

City Map
http://l4dmapdb.wikidot.com/map:city-naniwa-arcade
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 28, 2009, 11:54:39 AM
Quote from: Benny;266129Death Aboard (Working Link) http://files.filefront.com/death+aboardzip/;13298703;/fileinfo.html

City Map
http://startdownload.filefront.com/13298703//318c23ad42c24d45ff79ca7ffb5bdcb19b2a452a93d68ef6949fe6c95186be3e5614212e53762bdc//

City Map link doesn't work (it has a session ID in it which was particular to your browsing session. Can you link to file page and we'll get to download page ourselves?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 28, 2009, 12:05:56 PM
http://l4dmapdb.wikidot.com/map:city-naniwa-arcade

link updated, sry.

Files are uploading now, albeit slowly, should all be on by later today.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on February 28, 2009, 12:10:01 PM
Map included in mappack. Direct link to mappack:

http://files.filefront.com/city+naniwa+2+13zip/;13299607;/fileinfo.html
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 28, 2009, 12:30:45 PM
All files should be there. Roll on Sunday.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Liberator on February 28, 2009, 01:08:24 PM
What time are we starting.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on February 28, 2009, 08:35:12 PM
Whenever you like :)

I'll be on just after 7ish, I thin kthe maps are all loaded up, but I'll try them in the morning when no-one's about. There are a few volunteers that have PM'd. Not enough to fill the server though.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 01, 2009, 09:08:42 AM
I'm going to post on the main forum but basically I don't see the point of the password change, so will just point the file links and a proposed time.

Thoughts?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: OldBloke on March 01, 2009, 09:31:02 AM
Quote from: Benny;266258I'm going to post on the main forum but basically I don't see the point of the password change, so will just point the file links and a proposed time.

Thoughts?

As only those who have the map can connect then I agree that a pw change is not needed.

I've got visitors later today so might struggle to be there. Have fun :thumb:
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 01, 2009, 09:34:45 AM
Had a quick run through of the Death Aboard Versus maps and it looks ok.
The co-op map part 1 crashes the server.

I'd suggest we stick to the vs flavour and then go from there. I'm not sure how others do it, but the easiest way to change level other than HLSW is to;

console;
changelevel l4d_vs (then keep hitting down till you find the one you want)
hit return - it will ignore you.
then hit the up arrow and add rcon in front of it. It'll then stay there for the session.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 01, 2009, 03:01:30 PM
I'm going to be late on, my lad has projectile 'arris.

Once he's in bed I'll join. In the interim, I've checked the maps on versus and they look ok, not tried the co-op yet. Password remains unchanged. Don't start with the co-op deathaboard, it's screwed.

I'll try and remove it now, but just in case I fail.

EDIT - removed from server
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 02, 2009, 02:21:16 PM
I ran the Death Aboard co-op on my own dedicated server and it ran fine, swapped between maps and everything.:g:
 
The other map you had listed, City Naniwa, is co-op only, hence the reason it didn't work for versus. :doh:
 
Other campaigns listed on www.l4dmaps.com (http://www.l4dmaps.com) that support versus are:-
 
Dead City (one out of five maps completed)
The Mortuary (one out of five maps completed)
Spray and Pray (one out of x maps completed)
Orange (All five levels completed, no textures just a test campaign)
and
Dead before Dawn (yet to be released)
 
None there worth trying, yet.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 02, 2009, 04:26:57 PM
Odd....I'll reload all the maps onto the server later, perhaps a corrupt file somewhere..


With regard the testing, I think it went well. I'd be happy to have the map on the server for use as and when.

I'd suggest that Sundays be random map night and all other nights we stick to the main maps for now. Once the final maps of the campaign are released we can then look to fast-download and enable in the rotation?

There are of course caveats, if there are 3 of you on and it's midnight, do what you like :)
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 08, 2009, 01:55:44 PM
There's a new beta for Death Aboard, can it please be uploaded to the server?
http://www.l4dmaps.com/download.php?file=33
Title: Map Testing
Post by: OldBloke on March 08, 2009, 01:58:32 PM
Quote from: Sn00ks;267392There's a new beta for Death Aboard, can it please be uploaded to the server?
http://www.l4dmaps.com/download.php?file=33

You need to post the request here (http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=319).
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on March 08, 2009, 02:36:46 PM
Quote from: OldBloke;267393You need to post the request here (http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=319).

Correct but I'm a nice guy so I'm downloading it now
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 08, 2009, 03:00:54 PM
:doh:

it's gettting more like work, what with a formal change request process :norty:

OK thanks BB.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Anonymous on March 08, 2009, 03:01:47 PM
Its there but fastdownload does not work for L4D because they haven't enabled it in code :doh: - wasted an hour of my life looking at that.

Each user will need to download the files themselves.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 08, 2009, 07:17:32 PM
Let's get it on then!!

Downloading now, I've been missus'd all weekend, it's enough to make me want to puke....all over all of you.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 16, 2009, 10:20:39 PM
Found this campaign http://www.l4dmaps.com/download.php?file=70
Dead City. Seems to be getting some good reviews. Fancy giving it a play test on Sunday?


It's abit of a huge download 422MB so might be a bit too big?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 17, 2009, 08:56:08 AM
Let's do it.

I'll download tonight.  Are we all happy to add the other campaign to the circulation? We just need the mod to stop it binning the server at the end of each.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 17, 2009, 08:58:29 AM
I think for a bit of variety we should add it. I think the concensus is that the levels are good and it is just the swapping between them that is the problem, at the moment. Hopefully the mod will fix this?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: OldBloke on March 17, 2009, 09:39:44 AM
Downloading :D
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Dr Sadako on March 17, 2009, 09:49:11 AM
Maybe we should put this on the ftp for badgeholders to be able to download? The connection isn't the best to that site.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 17, 2009, 10:25:34 AM
Aarrggh, he's updated Dead City this morning and I've got to download it all again! :crying:
 
Might be worth checking you've got the latest version Beta 4.1.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 19, 2009, 07:00:19 AM
Uploaded to ColdStore last night, tested switch this morning, and after a slight pause, looks ok.....


Sunday then :)

(I'll work on the compo after the customers have finished reaming me today - shitty week)
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Dr Sadako on March 19, 2009, 07:26:34 AM
The file is available from my site as well.

Dead City zip (407 Mb) (http://www.lugnagatan.net/mats/l4d/l4d_deadcity.zip)
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 19, 2009, 11:31:42 AM
Thanks Mats.

If anyone can check the server today, whilst no-one else is on, that would be helpful.

Failing that I'll test it tonight once the usual throng moves along.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Liberator on March 27, 2009, 12:05:09 PM
Dead City has been updated.

But are we really bothered about it.

Frequent comments on the server are of the opinion that it seems far too dark and maze like, designed to confuse you more than anything else.

Not a patch on Death Aboard.
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Sn00ks on March 27, 2009, 12:58:02 PM
But isn't that also a good thing. Too many samey samey maps can be boring?
I agree it is a bit maze like and once people get to know it they'll have a definite advantage over other that don't. But that adds to the atmosphere and if you're never sure where the hordes are coming from or which way to go doesn't that make it a bit more exciting?
The latest version is supposed to have a reduced map sizes so maybe he's listened to all the comments about that aspect?
Title: Map Testing
Post by: Benny on March 27, 2009, 02:44:52 PM
I'd say we get Death Aboard into the cycle and go from there.

Dead City looks like it has potential, but it is confusing. Let's get Death Aboard in and settled, then we can introduce Dead City as a 'specials' night?