This week we have focused heavily on new features that are very useful (for publishers and admins) in order for content to be monetized and handled appropriately. This allows us to progress with our monetization efforts at the same time which seems to be a demanding request. Let's go over some of the new features and updates below.
News Edits:
- Updated Outsourcing News
- Unreleased items can be deleted instead of abandoned.
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Archiving Content
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We noticed that when a file is no longer supported, many publishers don't want to abandon or delete the item. Instead they would rather hold onto the item for sentimental value. We understand this situation so we have created the Archive feature for publishers to keep and organize their historic content.
When a publisher goes to abandon/remove an item, they will notice the new Archive feature. Archiving content allows users to toss a released item into the archives. This will allow the publisher to keep the item, url, stats, comments, and other data for historic purposes.
You can view your archived content from the My Maps/Mods > Archives.
When to archive content:
- The item may no longer work or function properly.
- The item contains too many bugs or problems.
- The item is incomplete with no plans to finish.
- To keep the item as a historic reference.
Archived content examples:
https://beta.gamemaps.com/details/14832
https://beta.gamemaps.com/details/16273
https://beta.gamemaps.com/details/9456
85% Complete | Whats Left?
- Segregating archived content on player profiles.
- Adding indicators to identify archived content when browsing.
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Outsourcing Content
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(Note: This feature is restricted to administrators only until the feature is fully implemented and tested on a larger scale. It will be primarily used to handle disputes at this time.)
Outsourcing content allows admins/users to outsource downloads to another location such as the Steam Workshop. This is particularly useful when resolving ownership disputes, stolen content and/or when there is a complaint from another party.
If the disputer/owner wants the download removed, we will resolve the issue by outsourcing the download to another service or platform. The item can still be discovered on GameMaps but downloaded elsewhere.
When to outsource content:
- When the original developer asks for the listing to be removed.
- To resolve ownership disputes, stolen content, and conflicts.
- To use GameMaps as a method to promote outsourced content.
Terms and conditions: Publishers must be aware that outsourced content can NOT receive awards, rewards, or medals, and/or participate in events, contests, or win prizes unless the item has GameMaps support.
Outsourced content examples:
https://beta.gamemaps.com/details/17759
https://beta.gamemaps.com/details/16485
90% Complete | What's Left?
- Adding indicators to identify outsourced content when browsing.
- Full scale testing and integration to prepare a stable public release.
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Monetization Updates
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A lot of the updates this week enable us to proceed with our monetization efforts so we can appropriately handle situations. The monetization progress has started and you can view its ongoing process from the url below.
https://beta.gamemaps.com/discussions/28
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Additional Updates
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- When abandoning content you can now select from a list of pre-defined reasons.
- Unreleased items can now be deleted instead of abandoned.
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Forward looking updates.
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Our forward looking updates remain unchanged as we are currently working on the following tasks...
- Content monetization and member administration.
- The ability to add and manage new games to the platform.
- Fixing the bugs and completing requests from the community at the forum discussions.
- Improving your browsing experience to show top content, trending content, and adding more ways to discover content.
We appreciate your feedback and patience.
Thanks for supporting GameMaps!
- The GameMaps Team 
GameMaps (System) 
Archiving Content. Since archiving is implemented then I think abandoned content should visible only to Publisher and Developer. Some of the reasons in the list of reason to archive are strange. "The item received too many negative feedback" "The item is not popular enough" I don't see why someone would choose this options. Both of this reasons will show the bad character of the Publisher and/or Developer. "The original developer requested removal" If original developer requested removal then why this content would be marked as archived. It should be removed. "Item is a duplicate" If its a duplicate then there is no reason to keep this content on the site. Just remove it. "Merged or replaced with another item" Not sure how merge would work. If two items has been merged then the archived item should be removed. "The item can be downloaded elsewhere" What happens when I choose this one? Will the link to download it elsewhere appear or do I need to specify link during archiving? "I don't want to use Gamemaps" If someone don't want to use Gamemaps then they would just remove/hide their content or use "I prefer to use Steam Workshop". I think there is a big question here to ask. Why are we not allowed to remove our own content and instead abandon it so admins can remove it? Outsourcing Content. This is a great feature, but keep it admins only because it can be abused. Thieves could just link stolen content to their Steam Workshop page and gain traffic. Also if someone uploads the same content multiple times over some period of time then this will increase traffic and popularity on Steam Workshop. Gamemaps could turn into farming site for traffic. "If the disputer/owner wants the download removed, we will resolve the issue by outsourcing the download to another service or platform. The item can still be discovered on GameMaps but downloaded elsewhere." What if the content is a reupload and disputer/owner wants the download to be removed so only his version is on Gamemaps? In this case removal or merge is the solution. And outsourcing will only increase traffic on another service/platform for example Steam Workshop.
Hello Greenhood, All of the options a user can select when archiving or abandoning content are based on actual reasons someone has specified in the past. The reasons arent exactly to justify why an item is archived or abandoned but so that administrators can handle the item appropriately. If someone selected "The original developer requested removal" when archiving content, then we know our admins need to take further action. If they archived content and selected "This item is a duplicate" then we know it needs to be merged or deleted by admins. The idea is to create transparency why someone has chose to perform the action. It makes it easier for admins to correctly handle the situation if needed. Another reason is because our Archiving and Abandon also use the identical lists of reasons. At this time, there isnt a unique list of option to choose depending on if its abandoned or archived. We may adapt and update this situation as we get more data to work with. # ""I don't want to use Gamemaps" # If someone don't want to use Gamemaps then they would just remove/hide their content or use "I prefer to use Steam Workshop"." --- I agree, this option isnt really necessary considering they have similar options to choose such as "You can download the item elsewhere" and "I prefer to use the Steam Workshop". So this particular option may be removed. # "I think there is a big question here to ask. Why are we not allowed to remove our own content and instead abandon it so admins can remove it?" --- Abandon is technically a delete function, all items abandoned are at risk of being permanently deleted. We give the users a period of time to resolve issues, change their minds, and have time to think about an action before they regret their decision. Because once an item is deleted by an admin, it can not be restored. Abandon however is as close to a delete as you can get, it removes the item from the site, it cant be browsed, searched or discovered. The only way to get to an abandoned (deleted) item is by visiting the url directly. Keep in mind we have extensive experience with tens of thousands of publishers who contact us asking if an item can be restored, or there has even been instances where their accounts were hijacked, even by their brothers or sisters and someone deleted all their content. The abandon feature is an additional security measure to ensure an item has acted on with true intent. In addition we also noticed people have been using the abandon feature similar to an Archive option. They dont want to delete the item, but at the same time they want to keep the item for historic purposes. This is why the archive feature has been born. I cant imagine the amount of emails we would get if we didn't give them the ability to archive content before deleting it. # ""If the disputer/owner wants the download removed, we will resolve the issue by outsourcing the download to another service or platform. The item can still be discovered on GameMaps but downloaded elsewhere." What if the content is a reupload and disputer/owner wants the download to be removed so only his version is on Gamemaps? In this case removal or merge is the solution." --- Correct, if an item is a re-upload on GameMaps and he owner wants it removed , a merge is most appropriate. There are a handful of existing mods that fall into this category such as Helms Deep. The merge option is still in planned development in addition to being able to transfer an item to another account. Both of these features will provide more solutions to current and future situations. Hope this answers your questions and provides more clarity. Regards
the 2 archived items on my account can be fully deleted, please do so. they are items that are duplicates and already uploaded, so they're unnecessary. the author of the "hunt down the freeman map" had returned to this site to handle it himself. this is just one example why you should allow users to be in more full control of their content. there are times where sometimes content does need to be completely deleted, not just abandoned or archived. this whole archiving feature needs more work... as it seems to also allow comments and reviews again. the comments and reviews just continue further abuse from other issues, such as guests for example. there's also been a user going around abusing the reviews just because it's content that doesn't work. the other Helm's Deep (the one that's "archived" was just a test of adding back some music. there should only be the one actively updated version that is not archived on my account. that being said, you'd see they 2 archived items on my account can safely be removed. try to realize it from an author's perspective... occasions where real owners are here... there are times where content is truly abandoned or deleted for a reason... please respect this.
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In the situation with Helm's Deep in the past... This is fine. You should be aware of a serious malicious history with it that would take time to fully understand. My version is safe and clean for everyone and it's the right one to have uploaded here. I just wanted you to be aware of the controversial past and negative history of Helm's Deep. Serious_Samurai was malicious when he ported the map into L4D2. was later exposed by Jaiz on YouTube with the help of the community. feel free to find the video about it or contact me privately and I'll explain. like I said, in the situation with Helm's Deep it's best you know the truth. however, from my own research, it sounds like it already started with the original Left 4 Dead 1 version here. I'm not trying to sound greedy or biased or selfish. But if you do the necessary research you'd see you're better off with my version. I had also contacted the original developers, Age of Chivalry. They gave me their permission... Same as Jaiz on workshop. If you truly care about your members, including safety, mine should be the only version. Trust me, do some research on the map. there is nothing to lose just deleting Serious Samurai's. it's a ZERO file size item so it's a waste anyway. my understanding is you had some drama with this already in the original "L4D Maps" days. to the point the real owners and creators from Age Of Chivalry got involved with you. you should honestly learn from the mistakes and the past. he is also now gone from the Steam community and workshop for various good reasons. and was replaced for those same reasons.