All You Need To Know To Create a Successful Feature Friday Submission
Every Friday you have the chance to submit your map for a chance to be featured on FCHQ! In addition to having a shot at being featured, you also receive valuable feedback on how to improve your submission going forward.
Before you make that submission, I want to share all you need to know to create a successful Feature Friday submission!
#1. Have a Map Thumbnail and Trailer
Before you even submit your map, think about having a good thumbnail and map trailer. If you do, it will provide the play-test team leader, who is assigned to your map, a better idea of what your map is about! You can set expectations from the start by having a well-put-together package. If you require graphic design work, reach out to the FCHQ graphic design team! They provide amazing work for free and can help get you on the right path to creating a better presentation for your map. Remember nothing beats a good presentation!
#2. Include a Good Description
A good description goes a long way. It can let whoever is play-testing your map know what to expect before coming into your map. For instance, if your map is based on a storyline, let us know! Or if it is a sweaty map, let us know how many rounds it is, and if it includes anything like health per elimination, challenges, etc. This can help prevent confusion plus can make your submission all the better!
#3. List Your Updates
If it is a resubmission, make it a good practice to list your updates. The team leader testing your maps wants to see that you are implementing feedback or at least improving on what was done from the prior submission. Not including this may result in a lost opportunity to prepare your team leader for what is different. You can even include notes of these updates in the pregame, to make sure they are aware of these changes before play-testing begins. When play-testing is over, be sure to remove the notes and you will be good to go!
#4. Pre-Test Your Map
Even though play-testing allows initial testing of your map to check for issues that you might have missed, you can make your submission even more impactful if you pre-test your maps before submission. Finding a way to pre-test your map can be challenging, however here are a few tips on how to get it done!
• Participate in Bonus Play - If a play-test team leader provides the option, go for it! Sign up! Bonus play is simply a way to share your creation without judgment of the map. You can witness if there are any issues to get them fixed as soon as possible!
• Post a Blind Play-test Call - There are many ways you can post a call for a blind playtest, meaning you are not involved in any way. Here are a few places you can post your call:
Twitter
Facebook/Meta
Tik Tok
Instagram
Discord
• Form a Testing Group - This works just like Bonus Play, with the difference being that your testing group will consist primarily of your friends or creative team members. This group will have the same members come together to play-test the maps. (Compared to Bonus Play where you might have new people participate that you may not know.) If you are having a hard time forming a testing group, try to join a creative team. Just check for posts in the LFG-build-team channel in the FCHQ Discord!
That's all you need to know to create a successful Feature Friday Submission! If this article helped you, be awesome and share it to help others!
Happy Creating!