Skulltag's new Skullstuff

[harbringer]

kristus said:

So you're one of those guys that ask stupid questions which answers are in the Text file.

Not exactly. What I meant was, until I run into any problem, then I look at the text file. If that little obscure file has no solution whatsoever, then I come here, with hope that I was just didn't over look something in the game, that it may actually be a little complex, tricky or possibly a little hidden. Sorry If I forgot this part.

[Bloodshedder]

harbringer said:

Text file gives little, if anything about the wad itself.

So if most authors neglect to put any backstory or description of their WADs in the text files, how is anyone going to convince them to do such a thing in order that it can go along with a review? Lack of description of a WAD is a problem that lies with both a) those too lazy to read the text file, if it is indeed fleshed out with that information, and b) the authors who don't bother to put such information in the text file in the first place.

[myk]

harbringer said:
Text file gives little, if anything about the wad itself. But I suppose I could determine the quality of maps from the "Storyline". The text file really is only useful in the fact that it gives info like it works for this engine, or it has new graphics. But other than that, absolutely nothing about the levels other than the obscure "Tech type maps" or "Hellish".

It's totally up to the author to decide what he puts in the text file, or an accompanying text, maybe something like release.txt, that he puts in the ZIP along with the standard template based text file and the wad or whatever. That they don't explain the wad to you is probably because they made it so you would play it and judge it for yourself, or at least get an idea by reading comments done by reviewers and commentators. Additionally nothing stops authors from setting up a page explaining stuff about the wad if they want, that they'll keep running/hosted as long as they care to.

If the authors don't care to write all this stuff you think should be in the text files, why do you think they'd care to post it somewhere else on the Internet? Also, what is the point? That function is clearly covered by reviewers/previewers, who can independently judge the wad without being subjectively tied to it. Not only that, but in many cases wads receive multiple reviews or comments, giving the reader a more concrete idea of them.

[Naked Snake]

What's the point of a story for a WAD? Yeah, it was cute when mapping was still new, but if it's just a "shoot shit, grab keys and go to the exit" map, then what does the story matter? Will knowing that my Marine's vacation full of sexy chicks and good drinks was interupted by a horde of demons really impact the gameplay or give me actual motivation to want to complete the map? Probably not.

Scripted WADs don't really need a backstory in the text-file. They can flesh out the details in-game if they give a shit. Text-files to accompany WADs, IMO, shouldn't be used for a little fan-fic, it should be just the facts. Title, author, creds, map info, etc.

Simple, uncluttered and easy to zip through if you really even need to check it. The only reasons I would read a txt is to see what port a map needs or to get the author's e-mail if I wanted to use resources or something.

[Th0r]

I should prolly point out that the reviewers arent shooting for "nice" but "helpful and objective"

[kristus]

Again, reviews are supposed to be helpful for the audience of the wads, not the creator. If people want constructive criticism to help them evolve, there's plenty of people they could ask, preferably people whom they respect the opinion of.

You should also not listen to just one person, and you should also be careful to not just do exactly as they tell you, cause if you do that you'll just end up mimicing them. Just like so many people are mimicing Agent Spork's style these days.