This topic covers boxes generally, as in contained 'maps' with stuff crammed in and passed on to certain people who play them regardless of the quality - one window 'challenges' being the extreme and most controversial 'variety'

Seven I wouldn't be so hard on yourself, from that trailer I saw more effort and work than all the 'challenge' maps put together 

Centric I couldn't agree more - having pride [true pride not false pride] in your work helps immensely, having a "That'll do" approach will get you nowhere

Regarding time, there's nowhere saying you must spend at least 6 months on a project

Heck sometimes people who have spent long periods occasionally get bored and postpone/abandon projects only to move onto something else which has reinvigorated their interest and often they incorporate features that may have gone into the previous project/s

Look at the Christmas contest on YouAlwaysWin, these maps had about 2 months and from what I've seen so far they've been so much better than ANY box 'map' that it would be insulting to even think of comparing them - it proves you don't need forever to create something fun with replay value

Overall I think having a solid idea of what you want people to get out of your creation, an achievable set of goals and a reasonable time-frame are key to success and longevity
You may release something now which you feel has pushed you and then find during production you've picked up skills and become more efficient thus making future projects more achievable and even better - it all snowballs [seasonal reference lol] and eventually you could become a great mapper/modder/scripter/whatever you turn your hand to

Last but by no means least stevie, can always count of you to say it how it is lol - I can't add to what you said [surely said enough already  ], simply thanks for reinforcing that these 'maps' need not exist anymore as there are ample already out there if you really wish to play such creations, though I'd wonder why anyone would in the first place...  ???

well... i have very strong and loud opinions on this matter seeing as box maps are released daily on ZM (if your lucky, weekly) and i could rant on for ages, but everyone here as said my mind so I won't but i agree 100% with all of this. Some people said it took them 3 months to create a box map and that christmas contest people were putting up quality looking wips merely days after the contest was announced