Add in a map-rating feature, and also to search only for map

[zen330]

The suggestion is pretty self-explanatory, with 252 maps there are bound to be some that people like, some that people don’t, and some in between. Also there are bound to be more complex and less complex maps that would suit some players and not others.

While a hardcore RISK player might enjoy figuring out the complexities of all the maps here I’m thinking there are numerous maps that most players simply won’t enjoy playing, and that having maps rated would help people find maps they like and avoid those they won’t. A map could be overly complex for most people to want to play, or it could simply be “bad” in one or more ways.

The suggested addition then is simply to have the option (shown clearly to all players at the end-game screen) for players to rate the map they just played on a scale of 1-10. This rating could then be added in to the “Game Finder” and “Start Games” tabs so that people could limit the games they start or join to a ratings range (eg. 7+/10).

Other possible additions could be to further distinguish the map score based on 1v1 games vs. team games (possibly even vs. doubles, triples, and quads), or perhaps even the ratings given by higher-rated vs. lower-rated players, or even (also) rating the maps on complexity. A comment section could even be added in to make suggestions for map changes.

The theoretical benefits of this could be as follows:
- Players could more easily avoid “bad” maps and be steered towards “good” ones.
- Players new to this site would be more easily retained (and perhaps recommend the site to others and/or converted into paying members) if they were steered towards the more enjoyable maps.
- Map makers could either change undesirable features of existing maps or be steered towards making better maps in the future (even figuring out general trends of maps deemed enjoyable vs. unenjoyable would be useful).

A related idea would be the ability of a game-starter to limit players to a certain ratings range, potentially good for both lower- and higher-rated players looking to play amongst people in a more even match, especially via team games.

[CBlake]

This is a really strong suggestion IMO. The map list is a MAZE and can be extremely confusing.

I'd take it a step further to have options to sort the map list by: Rating, Difficulty, Setting Compatibility

Having some sort of smart prompt that recommends maps based on the setting you choose would be clutch. For example if you have 10 players. What are the best maps to handle that player volume? Playing doubles? Which maps are best for that?

I think having filters/buckets on the page would make creation more streamlined, especially for newer players

[zen330]

Yes I agree with all of that, those changes would be a major improvement I think.

Related, for any larger maps (I’m assuming some exist or could be modified) I’m thinking it might be good to have even larger team possibilities, anywhere from 5x5 up to 8x8 or even higher (I know of one site that goes as high as 12x12s).