Comments on: Home From Scratch: Geography

By: SealWyf_

SealWyf_ — Fri, 24 May 2013 23:53:39 +0000

I like that idea. It should be quite possible with the current technology, even if only as a set of slide shows. Having NPC guide characters in various spaces should be possible as well — they could be like the NPC characters in the Heavy Water spaces, especially D2O.

By: dblrainbowgirl

dblrainbowgirl — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:01:52 +0000

How about a virtual tour guide? Someone to guide you through the initial map? The tour guide could be an interactive game that asks the user questions, and uses the answers to guide the person to certain spaces.

For example…the tour guide asks: “do you like dancing?…let me show you some spaces with dance floors. While we are visiting, I can show you how to use your controller to dance…”

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:08:04 +0000

Interesting idea Seal, but I tend to agree with Gary. I think a map like that would have the drawback of distance. In Red Dead Redemption for example you can take stage coaches or trains to reach a destination, it is okay sometimes to sit an look at the scenery but it takes way too long, so most of the time you just jump to where you want to go or choose the option of jumping while in the train or coach. The same is true in Skyrim, once you get all of the major cities mapped by taking a wagon ride you can explore much easier.
I think that though the idea of having a cohesive map is great, it might also limit the development of the MMO because too big would equal too much work to get around and turn people off. The only way I can see it working is if you are given the options like the aforementioned games to jump or ride. Nice article!

By: Gary160974

Gary160974 — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:08:28 +0000

Second life is a nightmare travelling, it is massive and impossible to get from place to place by real life methods as thats all you would be doing is travelling, Better off just jumping between spaces. The one thing that nearly all the other social mmos have, that home doesnt, is spaces set up for what social group you wanna join in on. Second life I can go to a space thats reserved for users that are virtual vampires and they can bite you if your not a vampire and turn you, the music in the background sets the feel and its dark urban zone. Or if I wanna go ballroom dancing I can, the music and room sets that feel again. nearly every area has a theme that users can relate to, not like home where lots of spaces where there really isnt a theme except trying to advertise something or sell you something. Dont get me wrong there are warehouse loads of goods sold in other social mmos but there tend to be set around a social theme like music tastes or lifestyle tastes

By: Godzprototype

Godzprototype — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:17:48 +0000

I would expect a map.

And resonable means to get where I was going, from any of those locations on said map.

I really look forward to the future. Fabulous article series Seal. Keep at it!