Better third party map creation/modding for Korea

[Aapje]

What I would like to see improve for Korea with regard to map tooling:

1. Having the tooling freely available for everyone without having to ask 1CGS (either on the website/forum or as part of the installation)

2. The ability to (copy and) modify existing maps

3. The ability to add maps to the game locally, without requiring 1CGS to add them to the official game

 

Why:

 

There are a lot of highly motivated people in this community who are willing to do things in their spare time. But I believe that the current barriers to entry results in a lot of this potential not being used. In particular, people who don't yet have experience with (map) modding are likely to be very unsure about their ability to actually produce something or whether it is something that they enjoy and will stick with. Having to ask permission and put a burden on 1CGS to provide them with tooling, is likely to result in most potential new map modders to not even try. They are likely to feel that the burden on 1CGS is higher than what they are likely can contribute, may not be sure whether they will persist with modding, or otherwise may be afraid to ask.

 

Of course, any expert modder started without experience. Having high barriers to entry, is going to disrupt the pipeline where people go from beginners to experts (or even to employee, as one map modder was hired by 1CGS).

 

The quickest and most easy way to mod a map is of course to start with an existing map and modify it. I believe that this would not only provide a very good way to get people started, but would also allow modders to provide a lot of value with relatively little work. An example is that third party campaigns can be based on a modded map, so people can make their desired scenario in a more realistic way. Another benefit is that people can improve the existing maps. These kind of map mods could even be adopted by 1CGS.

 

A crucial part to lowering the barriers to entry and to also create a much nicer development environment is to allow people to add maps to the game themselves. Then people can easily test out the maps they create, share them, and such. This also greatly improves the reward for map modding, since people will very quickly see results, when they fly their modded map themselves, or when they get feedback from those they shared the map with.

[Mysticpuma]

Imagine giving away a map tool so modders can create their own maps, then they can send them to 1C to have them approved and in a bit of a twist, those that are good enough could be added to a paid for expansion pack....and the modders given a percentage of any profits.

Would that be a way to enthuse the modding community?

[AEthelraedUnraed]

7 hours ago, Aapje said:

What I would like to see improve for Korea with regard to map tooling:

1. Having the tooling freely available for everyone without having to ask 1CGS (either on the website/forum or as part of the installation)

2. The ability to (copy and) modify existing maps

3. The ability to add maps to the game locally, without requiring 1CGS to add them to the official game

1 is already there. Neither me nor, to my knowledge, the Finnish map team has used any special tools that are not freely available already. Edit: except for those developed by yours truly

 

2 is also already there; you can edit the existing maps as much as you like - surface, forest, cities, water, roads, whatever you like. Literally the *only* "locked" stuff is the heightmap: you can edit it, but not play it in-game. But that belongs to your point 3.

 

Point 3, I do agree with you but I can also understand that the Devs want to keep control over what gets into the game, as a kind of quality control and perhaps also to protect their financial interests. Perhaps a compromise is to make custom maps only available offline, and only with Single Missions created in the Editor.

Edited October 11, 2024 by AEthelraedUnraed

[Aapje]

Ok, I got a different impression on 1 and 2 from the forum.

[Stonehouse]

I would add a 4th item to your list. AI non aircraft units and static objects. There are a lot of talented 3d artists in the community and being able to add new naval units like DDs, CAs and BBs (obviously CVs are a special case) and civilian vessels or new rail units or ground vehicles or airfield props to add to immersion would be very useful right now but definitely something that could be useful in future titles like Korea. 

 

 

Edited November 12, 2024 by Stonehouse