Reddonquixote's BAT thread

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Well, the lower post count is probably due to the fact that initally you needed more advice and support, whereas meanwhile you have reached such a skill level that there is not that much to do except for drooling over the pictures and hoping for the BATs to be released soon.

 

As far as I am concerned myself, your latest BATs tend towards massive 'special purpose' applications, whereas I am more interested in versatile RCI stuff, so that (in addition to your skill increase) is also part of the reason why I don't comment that much these days.

 

Concerning the STEX trolls, I recently wrote that into the comments for one of Darknono's building: Take it as a compliment. A miserable and bitter person would never hate anyone who is equally miserable or absolutely average. In general, such trolls tend to hate people towards whom they feel inferior, i.e. people who create something great and are loved for it (unlike the trolls). It's still stupid, but you can't be everybody's darling. TBH, there have been moments in my life when I found it almost reassuring when some people didn't like me because if people like those did like me, I'd really have to ask myself a few critical questions.

[gutterclub 2,729]

 TBH, there have been moments in my life when I found it almost reassuring when some people didn't like me because if people like those did like me, I'd really have to ask myself a few critical questions.

 

Haha! Speaks the truth

 

I wouldn't worry too much about feedback, your BATs are great and you should have confidence in them to forge ahead with how you think they should look. Most of us around chip in with the odd remark but as a rule there isn't too much we can tell you

[Roger51 381]

Hahahaha interesting comments do happen on these forums a bit!! I can see your theory, and I really hope it works, and does seem to be working so far Love your BATs and should really comment more on threads again, but your pics normally stun everyone and they need to find their eyes and jaws before leaving a comment on your thread.

 

Have to agree with Mr T's comment about the Trolls, can be frustrating.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Thanks.. interesting series of comments..

 

um...starting with Roger, thanks for those comments I'm still relatively new to BATing but I have found by the time a BAT is almost ready for release I'm sick of looking at it, I'm ready to move onto the next one, and I release something which I end up wanting to fix 3 weeks later. My current theory is if I have a few projects on the go then I can switch it around a bit, not get so sick of looking at one thing, and by having a break, I can see the problems a bit better. I don't believe any of my projects will remain unfinished for too long, I've put too much into them already, and in the long run hopefully they will be better when they are released (That's the theory anyway!)

 

In terms of motivation, its not BATing I lose motivation for, to be honest its just BAT threads and the whole online world. There was a time not too long ago you could post something and be inundated with advice and support, these days posts can go 3-4 days without barely a single comment from anybody, and thats easy to interpret as disinterest. Couple that with people on the STEX lately who like slapping low scores on BATs that BATers have poured their hearts and souls into.. that's where waning motivation comes from.

 

Anyway, enough of that whinging...Good news! I've finished exporting all the models for 101 Collins, just need to Mod them, then they will be ready for upload. With any luck should be up on the STEX tonight, definitely tomorrow

 

Oh, nearly missed Francis90b... yeah, its an interesting building, I never had a lot of appreciation for it before I started BATing it. I remember one of my 1st year University lecturers giving a slide show on architecturally significant buidings and this was one of them, along side Pompadou Centre and the Louvre.. I'm like... I don't see the connection... maybe he was just fulfilling a need to having something Australian in there lol... but actually, this was significantly harder to model than St Pauls Cathedral that I did a couple days before it. There's not much too it, everything has to be right, or its very obviously wrong. Anyway, I have new found appreciation for it now

Well on a note, your work is very well appreciated. Ignore the low ratings, after all you did win a Trixie for this! I've found spots for most of your buildings so we don't just say "oh looks lovely etc", they're getting used.

[Jasoncw 11,840]

The thing with comments is that people usually comment for reasons, so if you don't give a reason to comment then people won't. 

 

So if your projects are coming along well and there's nothing really to say then people will read the thread and not say much.  And then sometimes people will make a simple comment showing their appreciation, but most of the time will just happily lurk the thread.  And then Simtropolis is kind of seasonal.  It seems like the site is busiest in the fall and quietest during the summer.

 

But don't take a lack of comments as disinterest, take it as passive contentment. 

 

 

The downrating on the STEX that's been happening lately is imo unacceptable.  Almost all files from now to about a month ago have been downrated.  I'm trying to do what I can do about it on my end, which isn't much, but I'd definitely like to get some action on this issue.

[Jack_wilds 550]

don't be so concerned with the ebb and flow of responses... see what jasoncw consider what he says as he has endured the full spectrum of the posting aspect of batting around... I for one like your work, enjoy watching the progress, mostly nothing to pick on so I 'like' the progress... also I'd advise to balance the work load to not get so ahead of yourself it becomes self defeating... take a couple three doable to complete and work on 'em till done... as twrecks says don't fall into the 'simfoxing trap'...

 

also I for one will not troll and despise the foolish childishness practice... I rarely vote 3 but for a batter that shows promise and most likely continue to work at it... if something is less than a 3 to me I don't vote or download it... otherwise its 4 and 5's with texture management and use as the determination... if I am particularly liking of a project will actually say something hopefully state something of substance to hear...

 

hang in there take advantage of the down under winter and see what you can finish in a good timely pace... best wishes

[Jasoncw 11,840]

oh and also i meant northern hemisphere seasons.  I guess it's winter down there isn't it? 

[Roger51 381]

oh and also i meant northern hemisphere seasons.  I guess it's winter down there isn't it? 

 

 

Hahahaha it's always winter in Melbourne!! 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

oh and also i meant northern hemisphere seasons. I guess it's winter down there isn't it?

Hahahaha it's always winter in Melbourne!!

Ugh, don't get us started on the weather down here...

[Bipin 3,402]

In terms of motivation, its not BATing I lose motivation for, to be honest its just BAT threads and the whole online world. There was a time not too long ago you could post something and be inundated with advice and support, these days posts can go 3-4 days without barely a single comment from anybody, and thats easy to interpret as disinterest. Couple that with people on the STEX lately who like slapping low scores on BATs that BATers have poured their hearts and souls into.. that's where waning motivation comes from.

 

Thank you for speaking what I've always felt As a fellow BATer. Among many others, I'm sure we can all attest to this, especially the latter part. Whenever someone complains or nitpicks about little details where it isn't warranted (as in, anyone who isn't well respected and accomplished - ie. Jasoncw, darn42, NYBT, HKBAT members etc.) I feel as though they are ignorant about what really goes into a BAT; how much heart, and how many tears, so to speak. Often a BAT truly is a labor of love; akin to the haute couture of a private designer or Italian cobbler, for instance. One doesn't take those item for granted, so why should one take BATs for granted; they don't just appear out of nowhere - BATers must balance real life challenges with those in the BATing world, for they are so adamant to produce an exceptional product free of charge for the end user.

 

When people disregard or downvote a BAT based simply upon trivial  issues such as "not using a different type of grass", or not using the right metal for a structure (yes, there is more than one metal out there) I feel as though the individual is insensitive to both the difficulty and artistic license that lies behind BAT creation, and thus I respond accordingly. Furthermore, I see many others do the same albeit seldom to the extent I do (if you've ever seen some of the comment sections for my BATs, you know what I mean). To this end, I'd like to say that one mustn't judge the behaviour of a peer in a position that the judging individual is yet to reside.

[Cockatoo 2,256]

Don't feel bad because you feel as if people aren't taking an interest in your work. If anything, they're taking more of an interest than they were before. They're just not posting about it.

 

While I don't often post in your thread, I almost always read it. And the reason I don't post is the same reason that I don't post in a lot of the most experienced BATers threads. I have nothing to offer that you don't already know. This was obviously different when you were starting out, but now that you're established, you're one of the ones who need the least help to make awesome stuff. This is compounded by the fact that you're one of the fastest learners we've ever had.

[Vlasky 1,803]

I'm going to jump on this wagon too.

I feel for you. I really do. The same feeling you're talking about is with me ever since I started being active in this community. If it was my thread(s), I felt like I wasn't getting enough feedback. If it were for my BATs, I felt like they didn't get enough attention. If it were for all the projects I've started, helped out on, contributed, commented, I felt like I wasn't getting enough gratitude.

Than I've realized something: such legends of this community like Jasoncw, nofunk, T Wrecks, Amthaak, SimHoTToDDy have became my friends and supported me in all of my processes I've went trough. I've also realized that other top BATters like Aaron Graham, anotn, Francis90b, who also became my friends, imho never got recognition they truly deserve, but still continued to participate, help out and improve their work.  

You know, it's all about how you choose to view it. That is why I always take my time to reply to people who comment in my threads or BATs. If they show their appreciation by taking time to comment, I can as well be polite enough to reply to them. In the end, you should take it as it is, appreciate what you have and disregard what you think you should have. 

Now, in your case, you climbed to the very top in such a short period of time, you got almost all of the legends of the community to comment in your thread and don't take it for granted. It means they appreciate your work. If nothing, look at the download count of your uploads. That says plenty, don't it? I hope this helped. 

[Hamish 1,369]

 

In terms of motivation, its not BATing I lose motivation for, to be honest its just BAT threads and the whole online world. There was a time not too long ago you could post something and be inundated with advice and support, these days posts can go 3-4 days without barely a single comment from anybody, and thats easy to interpret as disinterest. Couple that with people on the STEX lately who like slapping low scores on BATs that BATers have poured their hearts and souls into.. that's where waning motivation comes from.

 

Well, its because your getting too good

Your doing some really fantastic work, and if everything looks good on the surface, then I personally won't add any advice, because its either already sorted out, or I know you know that its an issue. And if there is an issue, someone has probably pointed it out before I get a chance.

Yours is one of the BAT threads I will go into and read every time I browse the BAT forum.

 

Is there really a down voting issue on the STEX? Because I'm looking at it now, most files have 5 stars (those that deserve 5 anyway), and If they don't have 5, its because they are just under a 4.5 rating. If we were seeing a sudden fall to 2 or 3 stars, then there would be a problem, but at the moment it seems like most files are getting ratings that they deserve. If we want to discuss downrating on the STEX further, I'd suggest messaging me or another admin, and we can try sort something out, because if the content creators on the site feel like there is an issue, then we may as well discuss the problem, see if we can come up with a solution. This invitation is open to everybody by the way.

 

At the moment though, I wouldn't be too disheartened. As you can see, your post has really dragged those that lurk out of the shadows, so while you may not get many responses, you are being heard, there just isn't anything for us to comment about

[weixc812 509]

I do understand there're fewer and fewer players concerning SC4 BATing or Modding nowadays, but the core players mostly stayed. I check my e-mail box everyday since I can get notifications of the new posts to this thread. Even though I can only see your pics through proxy(because of Chinese National Firewall), I really enjoy your updates, as I add reputation to nearly every one of your posts. I feel obliged to do so and will not stop following all the wonderful threads here.

    Thank you for your enthusiasm and persistence. To honest players like me, your work really means a lot.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Is there really a down voting issue on the STEX?

Yes, there is. In the long run the downvotes get outweighed by positive votes rushing in, but if you watch the rating of uploads in the first days after STEX submission, you may notice how the rating will take a plunge at some moment before it recovers. It is unlikely that such a plunge could be the result of anything else than a 1-star rating. I think jason has monitored the phenomenon more closely. Now of course there may be the case where someone misclicked, and there also may be people who mistake 1/5 for the best rating. However, those would be sporadical cases, and apparently it often occurs in waves, like someone is on a downrating spree just to create some mischief. There really should be a way for admins (and/or STEX mods?) to see who voted what - just to find out people who downrate good stuff systematically, of course.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

 

Is there really a down voting issue on the STEX?

Yes, there is. In the long run the downvotes get outweighed by positive votes rushing in, but if you watch the rating of uploads in the first days after STEX submission, you may notice how the rating will take a plunge at some moment before it recovers. It is unlikely that such a plunge could be the result of anything else than a 1-star rating. I think jason has monitored the phenomenon more closely. Now of course there may be the case where someone misclicked, and there also may be people who mistake 1/5 for the best rating. However, those would be sporadical cases, and apparently it often occurs in waves, like someone is on a downrating spree just to create some mischief. There really should be a way for admins (and/or STEX mods?) to see who voted what - just to find out people who downrate good stuff systematically, of course.

 

I thought you could change your vote afterward if you desired?

[T Wrecks 10,209]

Can you? I'm reluctant to try it, for obvious reasons... "Whoops, looks like the 1 star can't be changed any more."

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Having just read all of these comments I'm truly awed by both the level of response and quality of response. I really didn't expect that   ... A lot of exceptionally nice things have been said, I won't respond to each, its gone on for nearly a whole page already, but I am very grateful for the encouraging words and I promise I will keep working hard to produce better BATs, and I won't sulk anymore

 

I'll just say it has been helpful for me to know others have felt this way as well and I hope others have felt better from the discussion this has generated as well

Now back to work, I promised to have 101 Collins on the STEX tonight at the latest, but gee, preparing BATs for the STEX is a bugger of a job! I'll keep plugging away but don't be too surprised if its not up until the weekend now.

[Fellon63 5]

I'm one of the lurkers.   I read a majority of the BAT threads.  And I am in awe of the beautiful buildings being created.  I would be happy to have just a fraction of the skill you display.  My extremely amaturish atempts at 3D modeling will always be a work in progress!

 

So to get to the point.  Keep up the incredible work.  Much to be proud of here.

[Sgt Pepper 864]

Sorry to just lurk. I don't mean to discourage you, it's just you're doing so well with this there's hardly anything I can say.  

 

You've certainly have vastly improved since you're first upload!

[Darknono35 3,137]

Just perfect, can't wait to see it uploaded

[elavery 1,013]

Great work here; while I don't post much, I do visit this thread daily to see the progress.  Don't let a few idiots get you down.

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Hi everyone,

 

Finally 101 Collins Street is up on the STEX now.

 

 

Enjoy!

[muxcomee 35]

THANKYOUU IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL <3

[Darknono35 3,137]

Your 101 Collins street is awesome, keep it up Reddon

[Fargo 543]

The diagonal version is much appreciated.

[Toothless Stitch 2,901]

Congrats to another awesome upload! What a shame I'm not plaing SC4 right now! 

[SimCoug 5,973]

Yes, thanks so much for including a diagonal model!

[Roger51 381]

Thanks for 101 Collins, it is perfect for nearly every single city of mine!! 

 

Excuse my first post for creating such a lengthy venting/discussing thread that should have been for your wonderful BATs

[Reddonquixote 4,338]

Hi, thanks everyone who has posted nice comments since my last post. And I'm glad the diagonal version was liked as well, I will do more of those

 

I haven't posted anything for a couple of days, here's the first night render for the Herald and Weekly Times Building. I just realised I never posted any updated day renders from when i fixed up the recessing along the top windows, I will post those in my next update. Let me know what you think