I've noticed that a the skill of people on this site (in general) is fantastic. Everybody on this site could make a feature worthy map should they put in the time and hard work. However, sometimes when maps like these get posted, they end up being unnoticed and just die with all the old maps that never got noticed along with them. Now, allow me to give an example. My map, Atrium (which I consider my best work) was posted about a week and a half ago. It got one post and within an hour it was on the second page, that one post still lurking (thank you to whoever posted). When I looked back at it, I noticed that one post (by a user who is now in the deepest ruins of banadu) which included no map at all, in fact just a link to meatspin.com (you don't want to know) got more posts than my map. Now, I am not trying to advertise my map, I'm sure everybody reading this has had an experience similar to this. I just want to find out from people with experience, what makes a map rise to the top when it is as good-better as the other maps posted everywhere else? EDIT: I am well aware that this falls under FH status quo recently posted by Shock Theta, but it still doesn't explain why two maps the same in excellence manage to differ so greatly in popularity, and how other maps that are worthy of attention manage to get completely bypassed by the community.
well your map needs to look good with the pictures, so try having great athestics, also try having the gameplay be more than fun. People won't like it and will give it bad review if they download it and then they dont like the gameplay. also a lot of people like it when your post has a good story, description, and if you can't think of anything good to say then click here. They will help you think of creative and interesting things to say. Also try to add banners and action shots, and everything in that matter, it makes the ppost stand out. I hope I could help you will probably get a lot more help from other people too.
IMO, if the map plays well, then I love it. Having a good amount of flow in the map and a great looking layout is what I like to see. I no longer really post in the map forums anymore due to my staff rank. But I do often check the maps out. As of recent I haven't seen much of any that I've liked. I've seen your map Atrium, and I thought it could be better in the case of more flow and original aesthetics. The Bayo-bridges are over-used IMO. But I can't test the actual map out since I have RRoD. And I'm unsure when I'll get my box fixed. So an actual review for the map from me can't be made.
It has to draw attention to your eyes, like a great layout, then have a great gameplay supporting it. Test it anytimes to make sure its at its highiest potential
Merged single boxes 1 millimeter from the ground! Or The creation and maintainence of a specific theme or style, throughout the map.