Proposal to put curated map assets in a different UGC item

[Jdance_Media]

I propose that curated map developers should be required to put their assets in a separate workshop item to curb the issue regarding asset conflicts and the mass reuploading of these assets.

While curated map developers focus on making assets mainly for their map, it is becoming obvious that almost all curated assets are reused for a different project by other map makers, etc. And that is where reuploads are becoming problematic:

1. When the curated map is updated: There have been numerous cases of players attempting to play on a server that uses a reupload mod and they cannot join because the official version on their end is now different. This happens vice-versa when the server has the official map item, but the player has a reuploaded bundle.
2. When multiple servers use multiple different asset bundle mods for the same curated map: Players cannot freely go between servers without extensively clearing their mods to adjust for certain servers using a different mod for the same exact curated map assets. These mods conflict mainly because some of them are using different versions of the assets.
3. Asset bundle reuploads take away traffic and support from the original developer: A lot of servers use reupload mods for curated map assets. That is a ton of missed workshop page views and subscribers.

Why having a separate required workshop item for assets would resolve this:
By having an assets mod available already, people have less need to reupload the assets from the map. Not only that, but you also increase the traffic and support that the developer(s) get because they uploaded and made the description for the asset bundle mod themselves. Not only that, server owners and map makers would likely greatly appreciate this requirement because it makes their life easier.

You’ve done this prior with Hawaii, where you had the assets separate as a required item. From what I’m aware, the server will automatically install required/child mods if configured to, which is set to true by default. This is doable, and would help to resolve the headache that the reuploads have been causing for players going between servers.

To summarize, make it so all future curated maps have their assets in a separate required mod to combat to issues that server owners, map makers, and players experience often regarding asset bundle reuploads.

[someaussiegaymer]

Yes Nelson this please!!

[KarmaWSYD]

While I wouldn’t expect this to entirely solve the issue (people still re-upload assets even when they’re available as a separate download, e.g., Hawaii assets are still being re-uploaded), it’d likely reduce these issues and promote the people who made the assets. Overall, I do think this would be a beneficial change for everyone involved.

[kvc.6]

This is something I would like standardised but as a dev I do have some concerns. The main reason I’ve personally shyed away from seperating bundles in the past is because Steam’s download manager is nutoriously really jank. I’ve had many situations in my own personal use where Steam simply refuses to download a dependency, or will refuse to install an update (even when unsubbing and resubbing). I (and many others) have had this issue on multiple PCs, so it’s not just a me thing. This is obviously outside of Nelsons control, but if some update was made to the curated agreement, I would appreciate it if the game went out of its way a little more to notify the user of syncronisation issues and how to fix them, since the average user is unaware that the workshop tab 1) exists and 2) has workshop file management and status info. I really appreciate the reupload protections Nelson has already given modders via Asset Bundle Custom Data, since it at least prevents innocent reuploads.

P.S. while we’re at it, it would be nice if the game would notify players via popup, or something on the main menu (or server page?) that they have conflicting master bundles. Just notifying errors like this in the workshop tab is not enough b/c the average player doesn’t check these sections, and these logs are usually flooded after joining a couple modded servers anyway.