> Welcome to the Forge Maps in Matchmaking FAQ! This FAQ will present information regarding the popular topic of how to get your forge maps into Matchmaking. I will be providing information on how the process was started along to where it originated from, to where it stands now so anyone who just comes across this can become “in the loop” with what is/was going on. All information is gathered from 343 Industries/ Bungie Employee statements and/or posts, my own personal knowledge and experience and information obtained from the community members involved in the process/group.
> Updates:
> 11/16/11 - FAQ Release!
> 11/20/11 - Pinned in the Top forum topics
> 7/21/12 - Updated info as to who the Cartographers are
Q. How long have Community Maps been used?
The first Community Map was put into Matchmaking in Reach’s October, 2010 Matchmaking Update. That map has been removed recently. From the point of Bungie starting to put Community Maps in, they continued to till their final Update to Reach in July, putting in many great Community Maps.
Q. What was the process that was being used at the time?
Bungie at the time, recruited various Leading Community Members from all across Bungie/Halo/Forge/Gaming Communities out there to form Community Cartographers where the “Community Representatives” (as they are called) recommended Community Forged Maps to Bungie in the goal to help people get their maps onto Matchmaking.
Q. Is this process being used now/will it be?
We can believe it is after hearing confirmations from known Representatives stating they have been given info disclosing what is going on and of course and 343i hinting to us in an Update a while back stating;
“Part of running that particular show is listening to the feedback you leave on our forums, across our social networks, and other places you frequently congregate. During one of our customary eavesdropping rounds, we couldn’t help but notice a few of you behaving rather oddly. Doing such things like stockpiling two weeks’ worth of emergency food rations instead of neutrally-placed flags. Or wondering, sometimes in all caps, if playlists will be updated come August and beyond. I’d like to take a moment to tell you that you don’t need to make alternative arrangements for your pet moas quite yet. Rest assured, your Halo adventures will continue to exist just as they do today.”
People are guessing it could relate to forgers to not stop forging and continue to allow the Cartographers to snag your maps if the opportunity comes. But pretty much, it is safe to say that the system is back. We can also assume that they will be an official statement on the matter coming on some recent time.
Q. Who are the Cartographers?
They are just your average joe community members that have been hand selected to help 343i find great community maps for Reach’s Matchmaking.
Q. Is there any sort of list of who the members are?
By clicking the “Members” button on the top right of the page, and then searching by their Role “Community Cartographers” you can find the list of all the current members of the Community Cartographers.
Q. What do the Cartographers have access to?
All members of the group have a forum page only they and members of 343i can access in which maps for consideration are submitted and feedback is given about those submitted maps.
Q: How do I get a Cartographer to submit my Map?
These Reps are from Communities all over the place. Most have their own area in which they search for Maps. Just do a little research to find out where they lurk. If they stumble upon your Map and like it, they will submit it.
Some places:
Blueprint
Zombie Cartographers (Infection Maps ONLY)
Reaching Perfection.com
Forgers Index
*note, these aren’t the only places you can submit, there are MANY more, you just gotta to your research.
You could also be a little more direct about it and PM it to them, though this may not always be the best approach.
Q: What kind of Maps are submitted to Community Cartographers?
Pretty much any kind, Slayer, CTF, KoTH, Assult, Oddball, Invasion, Race, ect. But when a Cartographer goes to submit a map, usually they submit it towards a specific Gametype or section like Slayer, Objective, Invasion, ect.
What about Maps like MLG and Grifball? Can those be submitted?
Yes! But not to Community Cartographers. MLGpro.com picks their own Maps so they can be posted on that site, and GrifballHub.com picks their own Maps as well so you may as well want to post there.
Q: If your own Map is submitted to Community Cartographers, are you informed about it?
Some Cartographers will notify you, but not always though. Depends on if they want to or not. For the most part, everything that goes on in the group is confidential so not much word is supposed to come out and be spread around.
Q. If my map is submitted, does that mean it is going into Matchmaking?
No! This is the most common misunderstanding. All it means is one Cartographer liked it enough to push it to be tested by 343i. Most maps do not pass the testing’s and are rejected.
Q: Will authors be given an opportunity to revise their maps or are they stuck with the versions they submitted?
Depends on what the Cartographer who submitted your map thinks. If they decide the Map is worth it, they may contact they author requesting revisions. Just remember that you should never submit an unfinished product. This will allow for the best of the best to surface and give those maps a chance to get better with revisions down the road if necessary.
Q: If your own map passes 343i’s Playtesting’s and has been approved by them for Matchmaking, will the author be notified?
From what I have seen, yes. But, you never know. They may not inform you.
> I hope this FAQ has helped you to better understand the system and will allow more people’s forge map creations to be shown and given a fair chance. Any questions you may still have may be posted below and I or someone else will answer it.