Hey guys. I have a really big problem.
Many of my maps haven't been awarded so far. What I am doing wrong? Some buddies have awards in a short period of time. Why not me?
Thanks for your regards.
Sparkster

Did you read this thread? It should help you

Also as I can see from your track list, you mostly build track series. It's not a bad thing at all, but it's not the best way to get more awards and interest imo.

To be honest, I personally only download "single" tracks from MX. I mean, track series are mostly good and funny to play on servers, but they're not as percussive as single tracks. If an author releases a track that has nothing to do with any of his/her track series, it has by definition something special, something different from his/her usual stuff.

For example, Mr.DVD. His track series are hugely played and appreciated online, but I'm more interested by his single tracks like "Insomnia" or "Californication"... and they get more awards.

Maybe I'm wrong but, once again, it's my personal point of view. That said, I'm not at home right now, but I'll consider trying some tracks from you and give you some feedback

400r_ says:
For example, Mr.DVD. His track series are hugely played and appreciated online, but I'm more interested by his single tracks like "Insomnia" or "Californication"... and they get more awards.

Regarding Mr.DvD's Minis, they are also popular as my minis. Just because the has way more minis and I have just begun my Canyon Mini Series (this is a non-campaign series). And I personally have no idea about a single map, yet.

400r_ says:
Maybe I'm wrong but, once again, it's my personal point of view. That said, I'm not at home right now, but I'll consider trying some tracks from you and give you some feedback

Ok thank you, but avoid the multilap maps of the Sparkstedition maps. They may be way too long for you.

I encourage you to build less maps, but then with better quality.
Also you could try yourself in the MTC, because you will receive feedback from other players, which is a good chance to improve your building skills
The next contest starts in November
http://tm.mania-exchange.com/forums/5/monthly-track-contest

haenry says:
I encourage you to build less maps, but then with better quality.

That's hard because, I still have one project left. The completion of the TM2 Valley Sparkstedition.

Hey sparkster,

I've just read this and I only can underline what ripper said.
The given link was also read by me month's ago

I've started mapping just for fun without any targets. A few weeks
later I've found this MX page and I met sic. Propably ALL canyon
players know sic. Luck was on my side, he talk german and he is
a nice guy with a very straight and strong opinion about many things.
I've asked him so many things about mapping and presenting
and there are some things I would NEVER change in the future.

A map needs a nice screenshot, a nice and matching music, all the stuff
which is needed to make a map complete. I mean, GPS, intro, outro, some
HD screens or a Youtube clip maybe.
My personal list of my favorited authors is growing - but it's growing very
slowly. I want and I need a little bit more as only a map to drive. I want
and I search the personality BEHIND and WITHIN the map. It's quite hard for me to explain.
But its the same reason, why I like it to award maps with some extra words
and not only "great map". It's a line without any feeling and it's worth - sorry for
that - NOTHING.

To me, and thats also my personal opinion, I don't want a stadium full of unknown
people - I want the club with a few but known people. As I said - this is my personal
opinion.
In addition and according to my personal taste, I dont wanna drive hundreds of maps
without any personal touch, only to drive them from start to finish - I wanna feel
something while driving there. And THIS starts imho not with a nice intro, it starts
with a nice presentation right here at the MX page.

An absolutely nogo for me are maps without a name. Ascending numbers can't have
any emotions. Mapnames like - "Distortium", "Ampersand", "Radioactive", "Mission accepted",
"Badass", "Take me over", "Nevermind" .... they all sounds already like
"Hmm, sounds like fun^^" and they ALL have more or less personality !

So, I am lightyears away to be known like sic, ripper, zack, airneko, falkers, sam and some more
but I play their maps with blood and sweat and I think thats exactly what mappers want - to stick
people to their maps. Maybe I'm wrong but I think the deepest meaning is clearly visible.

Spend more work in single maps, spend much more work in your presentation and damn
NAME THEM !
If you wanna stay at your series - maybe you should take out your best maps and rework them with all
the stuff which is imho needed. Better solution - start some new maps out of your series.

I've played a few maps from you and they were idd great but ais - I'm avoiding the flood - I wanna relax
in my sunchair at the beach with a nice cocktail.
Check out some maps from the listed mappers and you know what I mean wit cocktails.
Hehehe

HF buddy

One more point ...
I've just watched your received award list from the canyon envi only.
You have replied only one given award by riolu.

I often use examples to explain it a little bit more clearly.
Players awarding your map - its a kind of saying "Thank you"
Why don't you reply ?
Awarding your maps becomes a bad taste of pointless extra work
for players. Start the dialogue and be friendly and funny.
Its a kind of giving and taking on both sides. Not ?!

YOU want them to award your maps - then YOU have to take care of the
players. Not ?!

When |[X-v]|Slow mentions me here I have to say something myself I guess...

Well, I won't tell much here. Only one thing: I already had the idea of telling my opinion on being successful here on MX due to people asking me from time to time. I wasn't sure how I wanted to do it but your question made me decide it's worth a blog-post. Unfortunately I can't post here on MX because all I get is a huge error... so I've quickly set up a wordpress-blog for this.

Here is the Link. I hope this blog is helpful...

... as it seems, he don't even care about his own questions ...

Inspired by your comments I've made this single FS (maybe) map.


Let's see if you like it.