Official Client Map Display

[gorboth]

So Eowul is working on finding a good way to have a map available for people to look at while they play the game using the official client. He and I have been trying not to throw things at one another as we discuss the pros and cons of two main approaches. Please read the above, consider what you think would be best for the game. I suppose a few important considerations might be things like:

• User interface
• Easy to understand
• Visually appealing
• Sets Genesis apart

Please vote! Add comments below to explain your preference.

Thanks,
G.

[Laurel]

Voted second option. Reason:
automappers' effects need to be manually adjusted at times to really mirror the paths - will you allow the official client to create local files that will be read+write for users?

[Eowul]

Voted second option. Reason:
automappers' effects need to be manually adjusted at times to really mirror the paths - will you allow the official client to create local files that will be read+write for users?

The idea is to provide default maps of the various domains in the automapper scenario, that do not include the more hidden areas. Those could be added manually by the user. Modification of the magic map on the users side would involve ascii maps and mapping room locations to coordinates, not sure how feasable that is for the average user.

[Eowul]

Btw, for those that voted without posting a motivation, could you please add that? It really helps to know why you picked either option.

[Zar]

I think that in-game maps keep style of the game. It will make wizard to be more creative when they draw these maps.
And they will be auto updated if wizards changes them. I guess redrawing Zmud style map will be a task.

On other hand, There a lot of areas where magic map doesn't work.

[gorboth]

I think that in-game maps keep style of the game. It will make wizard to be more creative when they draw these maps.
And they will be auto updated if wizards changes them. I guess redrawing Zmud style map will be a task.

On other hand, There a lot of areas where magic map doesn't work.

Quite true. However, creating maps is something we are motivated to do if, for example, we were to decide that it will be encorporated into the official client. Serpine recently created maps for all of Cirath in a matter of just a few days.

G.

[Targun]

If possibility to choose between the views is out of the question then I would vote for zmud-like style. As much as I always liked ASCII maps and 'there is no school like an old school' approach; if the game is to attract new players, then regular maps are vastly superior offering:

1. Better and easier to implement customization
2. Clear and easy to understand format
3. Serve as a graphical medium which softens the shock of the overflowing text
4. Present the ability to hold a lot more information with a clear and intuitive menu
5. Do not add another milestone step to grasp how to edit a text map in a text game.

Just answer yourself a question: how much you rely on the maps that are stored on Genesis libraries and how much your own, highly customized maps for Zmud.

ASCII map adds to atmosphere, while regular-client map, offers much more user friendly interface.

[Icarus]

I voted for the zMud / CMud style, as I'm quite used to them by now. However, a system where magic map from the game is automatically translated into client map would be nice, but what hinders it from giving options of seeing it in the way you want?

Also, without the chance of labeling rooms and using the map for speedwalk, preferably with aliases, and I would probably stay with my current client (CMud) as it's what allows me to be among the fastest runners in the realms, and thus also the greediest equipment hog around

Ic

[Arcon]

I would like to see the magical map as it is but expanding as we explore. No new windows nor anything just us having to "exa the map". So either we know the area and don't have to use the map or we have to take our time and study the map before moving.

Also it would be great with somthing that would stop speedwalking etc. It is ridiculous how some can run from southern Ithilien to Shire in one sec. There should be something keeping us from crossing a continent in a second.

[Aristos]

I find our official client's and in-game map implementation much better than, say, the mapping implement of other muds like, for example, Discworld MUD. They somehow embed the map in small snippets that appear left of the long desc of the room. It's pretty confusing and robs you of the big picture.