[SUGGESTION] Multiplayer Editor

[Canyondrive]

Multiplayer Editor


Why?

Since Shootmania is a multiplayer based game; all maps are multiplayer maps, many modes are team based; so why not giving the community the possibility to create maps together?


What?

Any Player editing a map can start a multiplayer session.
Other players can join by entering a password or via session ID that is created when you open your Editor.
Players will receive notifications when you enter the editor, so instead of Player xyz is available it states: Player xyz is building a map - Join here.

The host of this session is responsible builder, he can kick the other player, save the map, adjusts the goals/spawns to the script.
Probably it would be best to only have one player building at a time , so that the host decides who is the one to build and who has to watch.
It would help players build a map since they can meet in teamspeak, talk about it/discuss it while they are building it.
Players should also be able to test the map together. Especially they should be able to test it with the real script settings.

The biggest advantage would be that you don't always have to calculate shadows before testing a map.
As Mania exchange offers the possibility to upload Dual-Maps, those maps could be uploaded in that section.

Would be great to get some feedback by officials and by other mappers!!!!
Feel free to comment on the technical possibilities since we have no clue about that!

Regards
Devota UrinStein and Devota Drive

[TMarc]

The idea by itself is not really new, this was also already asked a few times for TrackMania already in the past,
but though it is very complex, it could be very fun.
I'm for it

[UrinStein]

I never played TM Canyon so I was was unaware of that.

Actually I don't think, it is as helpful in Trackmania as in Shootmania.
In Trackmania it does not matter if there is only one player on the map or multiple players. Everyone is driving for themselves.
In Shootmania you need to compare paths or find out if places are really fit for fighting. Like in Elite too open areas might be an advantage for Railgun while narrow places often are a disadvantage.
It's so hard to build a fair map without testing it and in a multiplayer-only game it is impossible to test a map in single player...

[Rots]

That would be an awesome idea but, i guess, hard to make it come real :s I'm totaly for it... being able to create "mapping server" to host a couple of buds with voice chat

[Wabbitface]

A multiplayer map editor would fantastic for ShootMania and I think the game needs it.

I've created a couple maps already using my friends help, by using twitch.tv livestreaming, my friends can see what I'm building and come up with some ideas.


Update on drive's ideas with some of mine

Any player editing a map can start a multiplayer session and invite their buddy to it.
Updates status on ManiaPlanet automatically and lets buddies know that you are building a map through the notification system.
The host of this session is responsible builder, he can kick the other player, save the map, add password & compute shadows.
Players should also be able to test the map together. Especially they should be able to test it with the real script settings.
When testing the map, the Host initiates Test Mode, all builders can now place their test pilot vehicle on the map.
All players can edit at the same time, they all have their individual (undo/redo's), The host can rollback their changes easily using a simple interface whether they are online or offline.
Added chat functionality
Host can set max players that can help edit the map, some people have powerful enough PC's & fast internet connection.
Buttons to hide some UI, such as the chat, library etc. so the builder can see more. (for the chat, whenever someone types something, the button flashes to notify the builder)
Players that build a map can meet in teamspeak, talk about it/discuss it while they are building it.


The biggest advantage would be that you don't always have to calculate shadows before testing a map.
As Mania exchange offers the possibility to upload Dual-Maps, those maps could be uploaded in that section.

And the last change I can think of is Host builder can edit who the map was created by. This I feel is a 'must' as there have been many situations where a friend needs to send their map to you to either fix something (script related) or just to compute the shadows if their PC is better at doing it.


-Wabbitface

[UrinStein]

Thank you Wabbit for those really good extra ideas. :D

[zarexz]

If I could invite only one buddy at the time just for test-drive purpose will already be one super awesome feature

EDIT: That drooling Homer should be an emoticon here hm?

[TMarc]

It doesn't matter if you are playing the map for yourself or not.
Also in TrackMania you can form teams and there are game modes team based.
A parallel multiplayer editor would be something great for all titles, not only FPS or quests

[tcq]

I can remember that someone programmed a multiplayer editor and there was a video somwhere on MX, but I can't find it. As far as I know this made it never out of the alpha/beta stage.

[magnetik]

TGYoshi made it, the video is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znyKIID_nU

It hasn't been released yet