squakhawk 7208 Rep Farm Share Posted May 30, 2022 Hi everyone, I mentioned recently in a forum post that Map Development was in its earliest stages. Following that, we're confirming here that indeed the next map is underway. Welcome to Map Development, which is taking a new approach to map creation which will be significantly more involved, drawing on lessons learned from years past, and innovative, new ideas from our experiences with this map as well. Map Development is going to be broken into 3 main stages. The first is the “Discussion” phase. During this phase we're laying the groundwork for next map, and verbally discussing what we want to do and how we want to do it. Considering our previous successes and previous mistakes, how can we improve? What can we do to make the best quality of life changes? How can we, as players, better serve one another to make a memorable and mutually enjoyable experience? During this discussion phase, we will occasionally be reaching out on the forums with some hotly contested issues or things that are better addressed with a more broad opinion. The first of them should come within a couple days of this post. What is phase two and three? Past the discussion phase, phase 2 will be our proper "Working" phase. During this the majority of development will occur with worldpainting, lore writing, and plugin development. During this phase, we harken back to the days of fondly remembered ShiftNative and how he would host map development streams. That's something we're quite fond of and something we'd like to see more. Players will be more openly involved with map development rather than a seclusive 'cult like' nature to it. Phase three will be our “Polish and Implementation” phase. During this, we'll be doing our teasers, trailers, graphics, transition events, advertisements, and so-on. This phase will be where we really get to show off our work and get players, new and old, applied and not, excited about logging onto the server and seeing what's changed. What can we expect? What is the mission for next map? I want to note we won’t be seeing the new map until, at earliest, 2023. We have years of history at our backs. Lord of the Craft is defined by the extremely unique experience of player history defining the server's culture and modern day. Every decision is crafted by a player, and every memorable moment, crafted by a player. We really want to emphasize that for this map. Focusing on player interactions impacting the world and fostering memorable moments, as well as a further improving culture around conflict and roleplay; we want to create an experience that harkens back to maps of old. Our roots and our traditions make Lord of the Craft what it is. Innovation and new ideas are great, but without player freedom to Roleplay and shape the narrative, they are doomed to fail. We want to introduce a map that is Roleplay centric, and caters to having less roadblocks in players’ experience. Less frustrations and less waiting, with more movement, more roleplay, and more time spent doing things you enjoy. Long run times, a convoluted tile system, a difficult-to-achieve resource system, monotonous crafting and an impossible building system; we want to create an experience where players are without hindrance. We want to create a system in which players aren't discouraged from taking big steps, and where players are capable of doing whatever they may put their mind to. We want to create an experience which puts one thing before all else. Roleplay. Things you can expect next map are a smaller map, more diverse and topographical biomes which flow more naturally together, map lore which is utilized within a year of launch (which we have not seen for many maps,) systems which cater to players and player convenience without staff roadblocks or restriction, and more. Techs have been working fantastically on plugin development in the last couple months, and we want to keep that going strong. Staff right now is in an extremely strong and capable spot; working all together, we can make the next map one which we can confidently state that we are proud of. Before, during, and after its launch. How can I get involved? I want to begin with the fact that map development is not a staff-restricted thing. Map Development will be welcome involvement on two main fronts. Forums, and our Discord. Everyone will be able to access the forums, and contribute to discussion and thought with our posts. These posts, Your View's, will focus on players submitting thoughts, criticism, comments and ideas on systems or topics which we want to gather information on. This can range from anything as small as "How was Arcas' ringroad?" to as large as "Should we even have a tile system?". We want to gather thoughts from all players, be they jaded boomer or bright eyed noob. Everyone's opinion is equal and valued. We also have the Map Development discord. In this, we have individuals focused on certain parts of map development- people working on lore, people working on builds, on assets, on worldpainting, and on systems development. Importantly, upon this project, everyone is equal. Even Administration. Everyone on this project has equal say in what they think should happen, how things should be. There is no place for nepotism, no chance for a "cabal", no chance for the wants of a few people to overrule the wants of the many. That is one of our founding doctrines for the development of next map. If you're interested, reach out to any member of Administration or Map Development and state your interest. Map Development's new members are added in by recommendation, and approval from other members of the team. If you haven't been reached out to, worry not. Currently there are about ~15 people on the project. Ideally, we'll double that number by phase 2. There are many members we have in mind as prospects, fantastic additions to map development who can provide invaluable feedback and hard work onto the team who will soon be added, or added when their particular skill set is called for later in the process. We’ll aswell be implementing a Map Development chat in the Main LOTC Discord for a bit more casual communication. In any case, if you are interested in lending your help and support to the server as a whole, I highly recommend joining staff under whatever branch you see yourself most fit to. In the end, we all want to see a map which is fun. We want to have a map that is memorable. A map that is without trouble from the first day of its launch. While hiccups are expected, to have a map which people dread from the start is a mistake, one which we all want to avoid. Thus, our new direction. A direction which favors roleplay, which works for the players, which is without frustrating roadblocks and restrictions. We want to create something incredible for this server we all enjoy. More posts to come, cool shit on the way. Looking forward to it guys. Take it easy. Thanks, Squak & The Map Development Team 144 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HogoBojo 3937 Share Posted May 30, 2022 I'm super excited to get to work on Map Development with everyone currently on the Project, and look forward to working alongside many more in the days to come. 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ydegirl 1718 Share Posted May 30, 2022 NOo!h*i(@!(yu@()uiwosp)QJWAOIBFROVCLKBSOPGFQNJFDAC VIOLKSB VGPOSNEDGVB 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orlanth 3478 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Finally. Get me off Almaris. My full critique here since I think the discord chat get swept up a bit quicker. Tech Suggestions: Name the new map something cooler than 'Almaris' Either remove or resize tiles to make them more significant and make borders touch each other much more frequently. Remove Auction Houses or make them regional so that you can only auction things off to certain places. Remove travel hubs or make them one way so that you are dropped in the map but don't get a fast track back to CT. Nodes are much better than resource pits and should stay, although they should be monitored carefully for better economy. Make sure to have everything as accessible as possible (this can be through shop chests as well like we have now) Bring back the shop of wonders (although maybe change what its contents are). This is a good idea if for no other reason than people don't want energy elixirs as their 30 day milestone @Llir. :( World Design Suggestions: Make the world smaller and flatter. I'm not saying don't have mountains and stuff because those are vital for good world design, but rather don't make them impossible to cross and a pain when navigating the map. Do not let map lore compromise map design. I feel that one of the biggest problems with Almaris is that so much land is unused because of event sites that never saw use either, and a lot of land is made unusable by these sights (See the mountains right next to haense that have incredibly crazy holes in them.) CT should be either in the center of the map, or disconnected entirely to the point it's not even the same world. The latter should have 1 way drop spots that put you in the world but can't take you back to CT. Implement pre-built roads between nations and through areas. The ring road of Arcas encouraged walking and travel RP and also just made everything feel connected. Currently if you wanted to take a road from Any nation at north-hub to any nation at south hub, you cannot do that and I feel that creates a big disconnect in immersion. Water should be used for connection rather than disconnection. For example, rivers should run between places (For example the river on the northern section of almaris) and lakes should be small enough to see the other side and run around. Currently on Almaris there are bodies of water that separate areas from each other and it can be devastating. The disconnection of South Hub from the rest of the world and the Haelunor island are good examples of this. 21 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
irrl 229 Share Posted May 30, 2022 actual rp on lotc? man 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satinkira 5643 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Excited for the new map - by god we need it 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
King_Kunuk 887 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Make the map bigger please and thank you 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xarkly 12489 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Interesting + memorable biomes, and an actually story to the map are sorely needed. 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
1_Language_1 1668 Share Posted May 30, 2022 rip minae 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimplySeo 5044 Share Posted May 30, 2022 it could be a superflat for all I care so long as it isn't released half-finished and broken this time. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
discojazz 306 Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) Soooo excited to see what's to come....as long as there's a solid desert <3 Habibi vibes always Edited May 30, 2022 by discojazz 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite Snipes 3542 Share Posted May 30, 2022 Please make the map smaller and give the dwarves a mountain with a fjord. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnusualBrit 2041 Share Posted May 30, 2022 hi can you make the map only mountains thank you 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
camocat9 1021 Share Posted May 30, 2022 3 minutes ago, Lionhz said: Make the map small, please and thank you. 5 minutes ago, SquakHawk said: Things you can expect next map are a smaller map, I hope they stick to this, because a small map will really do wonders for helping out with more natural feeling roleplay. We've been in Almaris for so long and there are just so many different things that don't work all that well with the goals that the server wants to achieve. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
seannie 6770 Share Posted May 30, 2022 cloud temple in the skies when 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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