naming convention

Drown

Has there been any though as to how maps should be named. Lots of folks are calling their maps 'ns2_name' or 'ns_name' which really isn't a necessary convention anymore, is it? Or maybe it is. If there are mods or alternate game styles having that could be useful, but I was wondering if there was any official thoughts or plans on this? I mean it would look a little odd if when we released combat maps and called them 'co2_name' or 'co_ns2_name', as it wouldn't be right to go with 'co_name'.

Syknik

Don't take my word on this but everything i've seen the devs put has always been ns_map.. Is that official? i'm not entirely sure, but my best guess would be that maps will be same as NS1, ns_mapname.

Slycaster

Obviously it's speculation, but yeah, most like likely ns_name or ns2_name.

alibi

99% ns2_
proven here: <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/news/2010/6/design_of_ns2_tram" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/news/2010...ign_of_ns2_tram</a>
and logically for the sake of remakes.

Private

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<!--quoteo(post=0:date=:name=Twitter)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Twitter)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->We put together a blog post on the design and look of ns2_tram.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think it's safe to assume that maps for vanilla NS2 will be named ns2_<whatever>.

Feha

I think that just like games using the source engine the names will start with the 2 first (or similar) letters of the game(mode), and then "_mapname".

Normal maps will most likely be named ns_something, while mods will either use those maps, or custom made which probably like games such as gmod, use 2 first (or similar) letters of the mods name, like I said at start.

Insane

We've been using "ns2_mapname" as a convention so far.

Kouji_San

Why no gameplay related names similar to TF2...

pSyk0mAn

It's ns2 gameplay :P
..everything else comes later like co_ or siege_

Kouji_San

true, but those are coming and we probably need a list :P

[bleh]
koth
pl
plr
convoy
ctf
[/bleh]
flaytona

Thaldarin

I don't really understand why the naming convention of ns2_ still exists. New engine, new format with .level; it's unnecessary.

RobB

The only thing i could imagine is for backwards compatibility in the future, with new game modes and such.
But in the end you don't need it, thanks to lua.


Gamemode = *see below*
"" RTS (standard RTS NS2 mode)
"co" Combat
"sg" Siege
"xc" escape
"or" overrun
"su" suicide bombing

- you wouldnt even have to name the file like the map's name, but that would go against good programming practices.

Slycaster

It's a dedicated server searching method that's so old yet so good. Look at how TF2 does it:

ctf_2fort
pl_goldrush

And in NS2 terms

ns2 = Standard gameplay
co = Combat (inevitable due to LUA)
sg = Siege or some variant

It's a simple easy way to distinguish game modes.

RobB

Yet, you don't have to.
The server has to answer anyway, so it doesn't matter if you send 16 bits (2 letters) more or less.
I rather the server sort it out through lua variables than mapnames as, especially with cross over maps, it can get messy.

Imo the best TF2 Maps are Payload Maps with Checkpoints, i.e. cranetop or how its named.
You can't search for that type of maps as they are either CP_ or PL_, but nothing else.

And it gets really annoying with maps that have no actual game mode, like Achievement_, Surf_ and DM_ maps.

alibi

^ agreed. Game mode really needs its own category string for filtering.. and IMO they should all be prefixed ns2_.. but strictly filename. Don't even show ns2_ in the browser at all.