I don't consider myself a forger. I've made maps in the past, they weren't good, but I've made them. But I haven't completed the process on any of them. I have had any of them "published", I haven't had the experience of tediously going through my maps until the veins in my brain explode. I haven't had the experience of victory. I work so hard and I come to the conclusion that my expectations were not met and the satisfaction just isn't there. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being creative and offering something unique to share, but it's not like there has ever been one hit wonder "Forgers", right? I mean, we use to the term to describe people who consistently push out maps through the process and we see their names over and over again, but how do you define someone like me? Someone who doesn't see the light at the end of the tunnel? Someone who doesn't have a history of deeds, only a history of intentions? Should we empower these kinds of people? Am I worth being part of the Forge community?
I've been doing it since Halo 3. You must have the experience with all things Forge since the begining of Forge. Simple as that. See my elite status? It means I'm better than new users. Just look... Oh wait?! What's this? LEGENDARY?! Oooooh heeellllll nah! Bring back my "Halo 3 Era"! Spoiler But in all seriousness, I'm joking. Well kind of. I got used to seeing Halo 3 Era. But if you make stuff in Forger, than you're a Forger.
This is a very nihilist thread lol just enjoy playing the game rather then spending the time to label yourself.
By definition, a Forger is anyone who uses Forge as a means to create maps. Plain and simple. No other person determines if you fit that bill. To that same affect, no amount of "accolades" determine that. Someone with a map in MM is just a Forger like anyone else. The misconception in the community is that you need to have a huge cult following to be a "good Forger". By no means do you need fans nor recognition to be good. Unfortunately though, we parade that ideal around. Those with recognition are treated better than those without in some cases. I think the goal of a Forge Community is to break away from that. It's about discussing ideas, testing maps, talking about the hobby and more often to not, arguing about Forge lol. It's not about who is #1, it's about refining your skill in an environment that encourages you to do so. It's about defining a personal style in a growing creative platform. That being said. Any Forger has a place in the community. You bring just as much to the table as anyone else. Your voice and a controller.
Forge has always been a therapeutic activity for me. Ways of making the gears in my head turn. I've always found pleasure in it. But now I ask myself the same questions recently. Is what I do, making a difference in any matter? Professionally, I hope so. You just have to be aware of what you want out of it.
You want to be noticed, then reach out to the community. The more engaged you are in game, the more people will recognize you on here.
I'd like to thank everyone for their feedback in this thread. I apologize for the apparent pessimist tone that was carried with the OP, and believe I can simply accredit it to stress from school being back. I think what I really should be asking is how you guys find time to forge with school and how to stay motivated to forge. I noticed that some of you just forge impromptu but I always have some sort of plan going in and it's a real artistic struggle. So yeah; thank you, you are the taut string that has held on to my hope when I lost it.