Custom Map download time a killer..

[hoRRex]

I have a feeling there is going to be allot of community created maps made for fortress forever in the future. What i feel might have hindered the popularity of community created maps in other fortress games such as TFC was the time it takes the average user/noob to download these maps from the server. The average player doesn't like waiting half the map or even longer in some cases staring at a blank screen as the map downloads, so they simply disconnect and join a server that they don't have to download first.

If there was something that could be done to decrease the time it takes to download these custom maps from the server in FF i think it may benefit the popularity of custom maps. Id enjoy it if custom maps were more popular as its fun for me to play new maps more often rather than the same old over and over again for 10 years.

Or another approach may be to create or use an existing mini game that can be played while a map downloads from the server, this might keep the interest of the map dowloadee long enough for the map to finish downloading.

Another idea could be to show a series of random FF images or if possible a sideshow of images from the map actually being downloaded which could include the maps strategies, game play style and tips on the maps layout (made by the maps creator) This is probably not possible but it would be a nice addition if implemented.

I thought id put forward my ideas on this matter as i enjoy playing custom maps and i would like to see them played on a regular basis or to just increase the availability of custom created maps to everyone.