[Map Pack] IX-Pack {v1g released} [Jan 3 2015]

[achtung]

Uh, woops. Really sorry guys. I thought I was being all prompt and useful.

[Mr. X]

Oh, it's not that big of a deal.  Technically you DID surprise everyone still...quite literally everyone!


On another note, since I've already heard a comment about the new Sandopolis, all I heard was bitching about that original song so I tried to liven it up a bit.  Now I hear I've butchered it.  I can't win.

[ice]

Try to lower the number of death traps in pharaoh's tomb, it's virtually unplayable in DM situations with a large number of people

[Atticus]

That message on XDM02 is full of win. xD

[MusashiAA]

ivory, y u no fix cliffside fear crow high cliffs?

And don't give me that "i dun haev classes mod in mind while desinging maps" BS

The thing breaks (class) games, and is just there to mock class mods. It is an issue.

[Ivory]

Whoops. Turns out I missed a section of cliff. My bad.

Now onto more pressing matters. I've been looking at the IX-Pack lately and been thinking. There are a lot of maps. 25 maps IDM maps. Everyone has their favorite maps, but overall, I feel there are a bunch of maps, specifically the IDM16+ era that are stylistically different from IDM01-15. Then I had a crazy idea I talked over with a few members. The idea was project IX-Reconstructed. The purpose is to cut the slack and make what remains a higher quality product. I have 25 IDM maps, and I'm looking to cut that amount down to 12-15 maps, whatever is left goes to IX-Legacy. The remaining maps would receive heavy work to make smaller, more concise maps. I'm looking to kill the larger juggernauts in IX, along with some of my most hated maps IDM11. XDM maps would remain untouched, as this is Mr. X's choice in the matter (Though he does have two maps he feels are the weakest of the XDM bunch).

Afterwards, I can look at giving the same treatment to the cut maps and slowly rebuilding IX back up, unless smaller proves to be better for IX.

In theory, IX would be smaller in filesize. Have a smaller amount of maps, but maps I pay closer attention too. And should, in theory, be more desirable to host due to the above. Of course, this may be a completely moronic idea. But hey, not all ideas are good. That's why it's time to ask the community that plays I, think this a good idea or not?

[Mendez]

I actually would be interested in seeing something like this happen. Of course, the old maps would still be there in the legacy pack and you would make pure maps that you can take full pride in. Of course, people still want quantity over quality at times (coughcoughcoughcoughcoughcoughcscmcoughcoughcoughcough) and some folks really don't care what maps they play on, as long as it's fun to play on. That's probably one of the reasons Amp is still hosted huehue If you feel you can really make your maps stand out from the rest of the community, and I mean REALLY REALLY, EVERY MAP IS XDM02 TIMES 10 WITH SEXIER MUSIC AND VISUALS AND FUN, then devote yourself to that time. I'd only ask this one silly metaphorical question though:
If you could play a beautiful song to a crowd of only 10 people and nobody else, would it still be worth playing?

[BiscuitSlash]

I say no to it. I prefer to have quantity and quality, and this map pack nails that. Getting rid of half the maps wont make up for the improvements that the other maps get IMO. Partly the reason behind me wanting to host this and CSCMP is because of the amount of maps and how much more it adds to the game, so yeah, I say no.

[Beed28]

I vote no. I like it with the way it is.

Also... I thought Ivory was too busy working on the MM8 expansion? I was kinda expecting a new update for IX would come out after the MM8 expansion.

And didn't Wadhost get taken down?

[Hallan Parva]

You presented two great options: cut maps for IX-Legacy and improve the ones that are left, or leave all the maps in and attempt to improve them all. They're fine options, but if ANYONE knows how I think it's you Ivory, and I'm not one to just take things how they are. So, I present a third option.

I am in agreement with an "IX-Reconstructed", as you call it, but I'm not too keen on the idea of throwing the scrapped maps in IX-Legacy with the rest of the unrefined metal. As you've said before IX-Legacy is a place where bad map concepts go to die quietly (Wave Trench and the old Gravity Mine seem to fit the bill; great in theory but awkward in practice) and I don't feel that maps that are simply "weaker" than the others should receive the same treatment.

Instead, I was thinking you could create a new pack titled "IX-Classic" where the chopped maps would peacefully reside. Like you said earlier, your main focus would be on the IX-Reconstructed pack and improving its content, but every now and then you could also improve the maps in IX-Classic. Basically, the difference between the Classic and Legacy packs is this: Legacy contains every scrapped version of a certain stage and gets updated as levels are changed, whereas Classic is still "canon" like Reconstructed; it's just that Classic is updated far less frequently than Reconstructed is.

[Jennifer]

-snip-

This. This is the best idea I've seen, and it would make the IXPack better for everyone. On the Plus side, it'll also save file size incase people don't want to host Classic as often.

[Magnet Dood]

fourth option- only have IDM25 in the pack and make it ginormus

Smash's idea sounds good in my opinion. I vote for that.

Though I think something I'd REALLY appreciate is if you made more CTF maps to jumpstart that game mode again. A large portion of the community enjoys it, but due to the lack of CTF maps themselves, it would be refreshing to see a large CTF pack from two of Cutstuff's greatest map makers.

Just a theory, take it or leave it. Back to the point- Smashbros' idea would be best in my eyes.

Also, question. Since you two both made Wood Man's Revenge and Clockwork Factory, both of which are getting changed for v3a, are the current versions going into IX Legacy, or IX Misc? Or will both be scrapped altogether?

[Gumballtoid]

If it will increase the overall quality of the map pack, I say give 'em the axe. Besides, if we ever want to play those maps again, we can always download IX-Legacy. Quality > quantity, in my opinion.

[Mr. X]

I just want to say for the record, my two maps being cut would be XDM10 (which I want to improve desperately but had absolutely no ideas for a good layout, hence the lack of changes) and XDM07 (I don't think it's horrible, I just don't think it's that good either).

[Hallan Parva]

if you cut XDM07 before you take out XDM06 I will eat your children