Want your map tested quicker?

Or you could get a more legitimate test from the Testers Guild. Probably won't be as fast though.

 

Of course you also get what you wait for. I thorough play-testing of your map to find it's limits, strengths, and weaknesses. People that actually care about the success and betterment of your map.

Your average person you meet over matchmaking. - Loud, obnoxious, doesn't care about you or your map, and will constantly remind you how much your map "sux" regardless of how nice it actually is.

So I could go to a fast food restaurant so I won't starve, but I could also go to a nice restaurant where the staff doesn't ask if I want fries with that unless I damn well ask them to say it.

Point is, one might find a few willing people (my bet is no more than 3 or 4 on average would be willing to join a custom game anyway) but chances are they won't give you the proper feedback a map really needs to become better. Either everyone will say they loved it or they'll say thay hated it. (the latter being more likely if my experiences over matchmaking have taught me anything).

Best to stick to the pros

edit: Quick point to address what you said about different skill ranges. Bad players will be bad at anything, there really isn't a point making sure a map is idiot proof. Take a look at Spire or Paradiso. Guarantee you at least 1 to 2 people a game will walk off a ledge into water. So getting an idea how your map plays to bad players is a pointless endeavor. As far as ok - expert range goes, you don't think its just the testers guild that tests your maps do you? Time zones + availability means its hard to find 8 people to test a map, so while a few of the testers might be the "pro" testers, they're filling out the rest of the team with whoever's on their friend list at the time who's willing to join, lack of skill and all. (I've been invited to test a bunch of maps and I can take care of myself but I'm not pro).

 

I refuse to rely on any tester organization of any kind for my map... And no offense to the guild here, there's only a small handful of 'em I'd every consider listening to. Your best bet for running good tests on a map is to network. Build a network of friends who are also forgers and are reliable for running tests games. Of course you have to return the courtesy to them, but there isn't anything wrong with that now.
Reviewing in theatre is also great. I use theatre extensively when I'm working on the spawn system for a map as well as seeing the different paths players take.

OT: In regards to the testers guild... In all honestly, I can't help but feel its more or less a crutch for forgers who are either unsure of themselves or lack any friends who can give legitimate feedback. While it may be good for new forgers to submit their maps to, any established forger should be fine without it all in the same.

 

Essentially building a network of friends can get people on your map to play it... however, the feedback they provide doesn't mean it's in your best interests to change your map to how they want it. Picking people up in BTB can often mean you get a lot of "noobs" who just like vehicle spam, and only play vehicle spam maps. If you're building a BTB map, then obviously, players from that playlist will be able to give decent..ish.. feedback if any at all.

It still doesn't mean that their feedback is still correct though just because they play in that playlist often enough. Feedback is an opinionated review of events from one persons perspective... basing all map changes on one persons opinion could drive the mass majority of people away from the map.

Also, people who don't give feedback offen are less inclined to give you any negative feedback, especially if they've only just met you in a random matchmaking game. Although it's a good enough idea to make more friends, it's not really a great idea for gaining reliable feedback quickly as you have to earn trust and understanding between your "new friends".

I'm not sure this topic should be compared to the use of the Tester's Guild either... they're in two entirely different classes of testing. One is experienced, the other isn't. It's like saving money for a new car. You could save for longer and get a ferrari... or save for a few weeks and buy an old reliant robin with no reverse gear... there's a massive difference between those so normal people wouldn't compare them.

Finally... I don't think this topic belongs in Forge Discussion and should be moved to Customs Lobby as it's essentially promoting custom games.

 

I still don't think all this happened inside a week...
But it's an alternative that some people may appreciate and use. It just needs to be located in the Custom's Lobby as it's primary focus is to hold Custom Games.

 

The only downside of the whole testing debate is that no matter which approach you take, whether its test with "n00bs" or "pro" forgers, your always going to come up short on adequate test time. To truly fine tune a map you need to run test after test after test. Take for example my map Amalgam; I've had the map built for about two weeks now but it still isn't released as I'm still tweaking it. I've ran a couple customs on it every day and have slowly switched out/rearranged pieces as well as thrown out the spawn system and built it from scratch multiple times.
The testers guild might get a couple of games max in on one map, but they have by no means tested it to its maximum potential. I also highly doubt that many of them understand the spawn system, let alone even bother checking out an individual map's spawn system in forge or theater replays. Simply said, the testers guild is inadequate for extensive tests/feed back. And that is where having a network of talented/experienced forge buddies comes in to play.
With my approach however, testing is most feasible. You have to be very selective with who you bring into your network as they need to be an experienced player/forger as well as a positive asset that isn't afraid to speak their mind. My personal network of buddies that I test with are all high caliber/experienced forgers and/or MLG hopefuls that have thorough knowledge of map flow and game play mechanics. In ever test run of the map there have been at least 4 of us in the game, split even between the teams to give the new players a chance. I've taken feedback both good and bad, but the end result has been a very fine tuned map that showcases excellent game-oriented design.
And of course its not all test games either. Every one in the group will pop into each others forgers and give their critiques from time to time. Its really a team effort when you think about it... And in that aspect I really don't give my buddies enough credit when I release my maps.
A good friend is one that keeps you honest. A forge buddy should be the same.

 

An easy solution is go into the chatbox. A lot of times, there are people in there that are willing to play.

The problem with your method is that in MM, you get A LOT of douches and kids I wouldn't trust to test a map.

 

The chatbox is good for being ignored or mocked, when your name isn't well known.

 

Back when I was an active guild member, we always took a look at the map in forge first, we ran several games on it and we analyzed the gameplay in the theater, took screenshots and captured videos. I doubt that this way of testing changed very much in Reach

 

Amen!
Some of the guys in there are cool though. Actually, most are. But there are a few elitist douches who think their stuff don't stink. But thats a norm to expect on a forum. There will always be an elitist click. Sadly, it really does hurt this forum as many strong forgers are brushed off to the side for more "prominent" names. Just take a look at the featured maps section and say if you can see a trend. Not saying any of those maps aren't good, but I think there might be something askew with the selection process...

/rant.