Hello November. You are that time of year when some of us complain about it beginning to snow, or getting colder, or getting only slight colder, or still being hot. For the latter two I have no sympathy. As November marches forward priorities shift. More time is spent indoors; socializing with family, eating meals, studying and most certainly gaming.
That's what we're here for; keeping you gaming for as many hours a day as we possibly can. Winter can be depressing for some people, but we're your bro and we ain't never gonna let you get down. So to keep you in the know about all the Forge Hub business we've wrote you this little Site Update. Thank me later.
No Ridiculous Title for Promotions?
I don't have to answer that. As a matter of fact I don't even have to tell you who was promoted. However, I am going to anyway. AdventBlood happens to be our newest loyal straight off the grind of testing. As with all our Testers Guild loyals, his hard work and constant dedication has delivered him to a whole new cool. Make sure to say hi to Advent if you see him, but don't give him any thanks. Those thanks are mine.
Testers Guild Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V
He did not! Oh yes I did. The Testers Guild is going as strong as ever. If you haven't heard about the Testers Guild, it's a sector of the TRC guild that focuses on testing your unfinished maps. There has been a lot of traffic lately with the release of Halo: Reach, so do appreciate that it may take the testers a few days to get to your map.
However, if you need to get some testing done then the Testers Guild is your best option. If you just want to help out the community, you could always take the first step and join up with the Testers Guild here.
Back in the Swing of Things
For those of you wondering what had happened to our famed Reviewers, never fear for the Review Hub is back in action and meaner than ever before. If you'd like to take a closer look at the Review Hub, or look into joining their ranks you should stop on down. Otherwise, you might as well read up on their opinions of some fine Reach maps.
Speed Element : 6.6/10 - Organite
Phantasm : 7.4/10 - Noxiw
Deck 07 : 6.2/10 - MickRaider
Atrium v2 : 7.2/10 - MickRaider
Everybody's Got Favorites
If you weren't aware, What's A Scope? recently brought back the beloved Forge Hub Favorites. Forge Hub Favorites is a community voted list of maps that gets front paged bi-weekly. It's your maps; chosen, nominated and voted by you. Nominations for the return edition of FHF have been ongoing, but it's not too late to turn the tide by submitting your vote on this weeks top nominations. If you'd like to do so, take a trip down here. Otherwise, make sure to keep an eye out for the results and the new nomination thread next Sunday. You can give Scope a Thank You.
A Round of Applause
I must commend thee Community. Never in my Forge Hub career have I seen such drive, such enthusiasm, such talent displayed all in one place. Forgotten Treasures II was a colossal success (no, that's not a hint at the results). More feature worthy maps have been produced by this contest than by every other contest combined; and that's saying something as we've had some pretty successful ones in the past. Now there is one drawback to this - voting becomes much more difficult and complicated, and thus more time consuming. So I implore you community, for the best results be patient. They're coming. And community, Thank You.
Picture is not indicative of winner, just showing off some awesomness that was entered
Thank God It's the Sunday Before TGIF
Just another reminder that TGIF is coming up this week. General sign ups begin on Wednesday, so don't forget to throw down your name and let us know that you are coming. On a side note, if anyone wants to host (and you've been around the forum long enough for us to know your name), drop me a line and let me know with your details filled out in the form below. We may just require your help.
Host's Gamertag: [HOST'S GAMERTAG]
Start Time: [0:00pm EST]
End Time: [0:00pm EST]
Rules: [PARTY RULES]
Schedule: [PARTY SCHEDULE]
Finally a Reason to Forge
Bungie's Forgetacular contests close date is fast approaching. All entries must be submitted in the appropriate format by November 28th, 2010. If you weren't aware of the contest, you should probably take a look at the full details in Bungie's post. Keep in mind though, the Contest is only open to Americans (unfortunately). Hopefully some great new maps will be added to matchmaking after the close of this contest.
How Do I Make Maps?
If you missed it, last week Chris Carney, one of the Multiplayer designers over at Bungie threw up his philosophy on map design. With the improved Forge tools Reach has given us, the focus for the general populace has shifted from "how do I put the box in the wall" to "how do I make a good map". With his article Carny aims to teach Forgers how to better design their maps and work on improving gameplay. While the Cage seems to be a love/hate kinda map, it's used as a great example. Carney has delivered a must read for new forgers and those simply looking to improve their map's gameplay. Check it out.
Pearly Whites
Silly me, almost forgot these.
Retroactive - Col Keller
Montana Invasion - Larry Tanng
Minesweeper v2 - Redeemer 3xNSoD
Shaman - D4ni3l G
Peace.
It's about that time again. Yes, I know you are terribly sad to see me go but don't worry friend, I'll be back soon enough. In the mean time, make sure to post some maps, join the Testers Guild, sign up for TGIF, vote on FHF and anything else you can possibly do that's Forge Hub related. Anyway, you are welcome. Oh, and Happy Birthday.