I noticed in another thread that someone was asked by Estarra to redo the Ethereal map (since its currently out of date), and that this caused people problems with novices...

Well I'm curious now. Why wasn't -I- asked to update the map? Is it that ugly?

>Ash> I liked Dags map, actually
it lacked a few rooms, but it was very easy to navigate with it

See, people who hate me even like my map

I don't see why anyone needs to create a full-fledged IC novice character just to map, and why this can't be done just by two people in different orgs cooperating. Exactly why is Exarius' mapper better than everyone else's that gives him free reign to make alts, use them and subsequently abuse them?

I think it's unfair that all the maps are tending towards being done by one person only, there's plenty of other good map-makers, and those who have already done good maps of places are being thrown aside in favour of Exarius', rather than asking them to update. I also think it impacts on the game as a whole if these resources end up being purely done by one person, and removes the emphasis on the variety of talented people we have which I think is a major strength of the game.

And to come back into line with what Dag said, and having read the same map, if they want a character to map somewhere that requires them to be a part of an organisation, they should either ask someone of that org, or create a non-RP character, like the guides, with the right abilities to let them wander to the required places without dependance on IC factors.

Edit: re Verithrax: You don't even need that. I based my work on previous knowledge and maps, and asked someone for a map of the crow's nest to get my ethereal map up to date. It may not be pretty, but it's 100% accurate without having to make a glom character for that part.

Your map was pretty, havent looked at it recently cause I can navigate pretty easily up there.

Additionally, the administration should never step in to give a player superpowers for OOC reasons, specially where this conflicts with IC consistency and enjoyment of the game.

I didn't mean superpowers. I meant a premade character, a la guides, with say, divine fire, invisibility, trans planar, and -no rp function-.

That's not superpower, it's a way to map if they really only want one person doing it. It's also hard to abuse 'cos the divine tend to log every single action done by the guides and this could be subject to the same principles.

The 'superpower' I meant was the right to ignore Commune rules. I agree that creating a fully OOC character with guide-like abilities would be best.

Yeah, on the whole though I'd rather have mapping open to everyone with a will, rather than just ending up with one person doing it all.

I agree. There's no point in enforcing a monopoly or giving people unequal treatment; say a new map of ethereal is needed, offer 100 credits, watch the free market take care of things.

Or just ask me to update my map for free

Yeah, I think bragging about it was a really bad idea and causes yet another problem for our long-suffering admin to deal with.

On the plus side however, at least you know now that an updated Ethereal map is something Estarra wants... and I bet anything you submitted would be most appreciated!

Edit: Ahem, or not.

I've asked Exarius to do some maps so we have a consistent look on the webpage, which I feel is more professional and aesthetically pleasing. Please don't think I'm denigrating anyone's ability!

Eep! He better stay away from aetherspace!

No little huts!

No one does aetherspace better than you, baby!










Er.... did that sound right?

Would be nice if he was actually mapping and not puttering around doing quests in Newton.

He's Level 8 right now, questing on Smoke Mountain, with adept nature, novice totems, and the healing skillset.

I'm actually really annoyed. He's certainly making no effort to do what he's there to do and go, as he claimed he was going to.

I'd say while it might be nice to have that bit of consistency, it puts off other people who might want to make potentially very good resources for the website, and it also as I said earlier it also plays down the variety of talented people we have which in itself can draw in more players.

This also doesn't answer the grumbling about the breaches of RP being made in the name of mapmaking >.>

I agree with you and I'm not sure why people are complaining, the other maps are still accessible.

It's up to the admin who they choose to map for them. You don't democratically elect the plumber who gets to wade through your home's pipes, do you?