Mapraider.com

Originally posted by Endren: "An excellent site, the best one out there for UT2004 maps and reviews! I like the map rating system as well. However, Maybe it's just the scientist in me, but I feel it could use calibration. Perhaps it's just me, but there have been several times that I wish I could moderate someone else's 'unfair' vote of my rating unfair in return. There is quite simply a lot of grey area in the rating/moderation system. I've rated maps within 0.4 of their standing rating and been moderated 'unfair', and then I've rated maps +/-3.0 of their standing rating and been moderated 'fair'. In any experiment, test, trial, etc. one of the first things a researcher usually does is acclimatize the data collectors to the rating/judging system. Ok.. I'll cut to the point. Why not establish a database of sample maps with 'official' ratings? New raters view these, and compare all new material to them. I admit that, given the three categories maps are rated on (gameplay, construction, and computer AI), coming up with a rating standard would be difficult. Gameplay, in particular, is a very subjective category. Computer AI is probably the easiest of the three. Does the computer AI handle EXACTLY like a human player of comparable skill? Absolutely yes is a 10. Absolutely no, can't shoot it's way out of a paper bag is a zero. Construction is the second easiest.. so far, I've seen very few maps in the system that get rated a 10 construction. I feel like a comparison of what percentage of total features these maps might have compared with what the Engine is truly capable of might work as a comparison. I also feel like architectural/geologic realism should play a factor in the construction rating. On to gameplay.. this one probably causes the most fluctuation in rating from rater to rater. What one person feels makes a great game another person can't stand. Me, for example.. I play on a Mac. Open GL handles a bit different than other renderers.. I may get FPS problems when other players don't.. I'd give the map a low rating, they wouldn't. Also.. I'm one of those rare all-keyboard players. No mouse.. no trackball.. just keys baby ;) I first started playing first-person shooters with Bungie's Marathon.. *bow head in honor* Anyway, enough reminiscing. The point is, I have to track vertical motion with keys, meaning terrain meshes are the bane of my existence. Onslaught maps, in general, make me sad. Basic moral of my story.. the gameplay rating isn't going to be an easy one to standardize. Good luck there :) Ok, I've rambled on long enough. Once again, a wonderful site. Any thought of expanding to other file types? There are a few decent sites out there for UT2004 mods and models, but none with a rating/review system like mapraider!"

"non-understandment"