theworldofdreams.com

*falls over*
Oh my god! This would be great, It looks astonishing.
I Pray we get this.

ok what am I doing wrong?

I click the link web1000 asks me to sign up.

I type in the address and web 1000 asks me to sign up.

Great work Greywolfe, it would be nice if we can get this!!!!


Herakles

Myr wrote:ok what am I doing wrong?

I click the link web1000 asks me to sign up.

I type in the address and web 1000 asks me to sign up.

I know what you mean, I had this happen to me too. The only way I could get to see the pics was to start with the first one and then click through them. I couldn't directly click on any of the other pics without getting that signup page.

Wings wrote:

Myr wrote:ok what am I doing wrong?

I click the link web1000 asks me to sign up.

I type in the address and web 1000 asks me to sign up.

I know what you mean, I had this happen to me too. The only way I could get to see the pics was to start with the first one and then click through them. I couldn't directly click on any of the other pics without getting that signup page.

all I get is the signup page

I'm not sure what is up with the web1000 server but I am going to move the pics to another server whenever I add the new shots (tonight or tomorrow)

Well I finally got around to adding some more screenshots. I have added 12 new screenshots which include the saw mill, library, and the art gallery. I have also posted the screenshots on a mirror site to make it easier for those that have trouble with web1000. the alternate site is http://photos.yahoo.com/greywolfe_ssc. I would still suggest trying http://eod.web1000.com first, just because the images are a higher resolution and a little easier to see.

Next set of screenshots will include shots of the recently completed city and perhaps a couple shots form the other cities under construction. After I finish all the primary phases of construction I would like to invite a few members to help test the new lands and just basically run around looking for any bad tiles errors etc. So if anyone is interested in helping test, send me a PM.

Thanks,

Greywolfe

Wow! I would like to volunteer for your project.

I also would quite enjoy helping you out. ^_^

I'd LOVE to participate!

Also, I'd love to talk to you sometime online. You think we could meet?

I'm an adept programmer. And although I may be a little outta practice, I'd really like to create one or two things for the project or server...

Eventually that is... I'm not trying to overcloud your project or anything but I'd like to learn more about the pol file implementation... This would help me a lot. ^_^

¬Cindy¬

I didn't know massive changes like this were able to be implemented by players. Though, there's no word from the Admin if this'll be implemented or not (and probably not until it's finished), but it'd be interesting to see the 'official' take on the matter. I for one am interested into how WoD is suddenly going to "acquire" an entirely new landmass, and whether there'll be a quest or not, and the alternate lore (a la Illshenar) and such of the world. Suffice to say, it is an exciting venture with a lot of promise.. I can't say how 'appropriate' it is for WoD as an established shard though: is the player base big enough to warrant this sort of addition?

-M

Marius,

Couple things I wanted to mention. First off this was really just a project I wanted to take up for the learning experience and the fun of building. I had hoped that it would some day be put to use but if the staff decides not to use it when it's complete I would certainly understand.

As for the appropriateness of a new land and the logistics behind it. I have really only made use of a section of map that has been available since the first expansion of UO almost 6 yrs ago. It is not like switching to a different map such as Illshenar or Malas. T2A is on the same map that has the Britannia mainland and dungeons. Basically I overlaid new lands directly on top of T2A. I personally always felt that the landmass of T2A was constructed poorly and way too rough to make it enjoyable to explore let alone settle.

As for the story behind the expansion I actually had something in mind but I am not going to mention it at this time.

The issue is really how would the new land affect the player base, and really it could do one of 2 things.

First off, on the negative side it could spread out the player base too thin. However, I don't see this as much of an issue. There are already excellent forms of communication in place, so players can still message each other whenever they want to setup hunts etc. Also I do not see anything taking over the Brit Bank as the unofficial meeting place.

On the positive side it could respark some interest in players that have been in UO since the dawn of time. I personally have explored Britannia and t2a so many times that there was nothing new for me to see or do. However, by introducing a new land over T2A you now give the older players tons of new areas to explore. It could also be a drawing point for outsiders as well.

All shards are either completely custom or completely stock (map wise). By having only one section custom, you really get the best of both worlds. The comfort of Britannia and the excitement of a new land.

Greywolfe,

I dont know anything about how much time and effort a project like this would consume,but i wanted to say thank you. This is truly amazing and just looking at these pictures of the beautiful places you have created and the attention to detail that you have shown lets me know that anything is possible on WOD. I hope there is a way that T2A can be utilized.

Thanks again,
Aislin

Greywolfe,

Yes, there are certain advantages to expanding the landmass, but the problem I see is that WoD lacks any habitation (other than ownership of static houses and quests) in any city besides Britain - and then, only the bank - with regularity and numbers to warrant the "expansion" of the playing area.

Don't get me wrong, Greywolfe - I love the idea, and I commend you on taking the time and effort to do such a large and ambitious personal project. I'm whittling away at my own custom Neverwinter Night persistant world (PW, or basically 'shard'), though it's not anything I intend to rush. But I do understand the labour of love it entails, and I respect you for it.

In fact, my issue isn't with you, or the project at all; simply the question of whether WoD is fit for having it, and indeed worthy of doing so. With the player base as I understand it at the moment, certainly even Britannia is more than large enough, save for the fact that there are limited hunting areas and housing locations, which will always be a factor so long as there is a finite amount of space. I do believe that OSI made the mistake of expanding their landmass without thoroughly going over the quality of the previous map first, and thus it felt rushed and cheap. I'm certainly not insinuating that yours will be this way, but I do argue that in order to have a great *expanded* Britannia, we need a great Bitannia first.

As to what that entails? I daresay look at the poll, and use that as a guide. Certainly, if anyone, the players know what they want, and thus that is the way WoD should be encouraged to go.

Please understand that this isn't an attack on your lovely mini-shard. I've seen the pictures, and from what I can see, they're fantastic! I certainly admire your taste with the buildings, they have a good sense of architecture about them. In any case, I say again; this isn't an attack on you or your mini-shard - I just desire the questions (and arguments!) that I have be challenged and in all due respect, you've met them intellectually and eloquently. I can tell you really have put your heart into it, and if it came down to a vote, I'd cast my lot in with you.

That doesn't stop me from arguing otherwise, though.

- Marius the Irrepressible
Champion of the Needless Opinion

Without saying whether or not we'll use this (how's that for noncommittal? ) I have just one thought on the "unused landmass" issue. I used to be of the persuasion that opening up new lands was pointless because so little of what we have is being used, and because it would spread us out so thin. But I think at this point WoD needs something new just for the sake of being new. We all need a change of pace to keep things interesting, and let's face it, hunting the same areas for five years can get rather dull. In this case, having new places to explore probably trumps the playerbase/landmass size issue. I can definitely see it attacting old and new players alike.

That said, I think it's wonderful to see this kind of initiative and creativity, and even better that we're given the freedom to use or not use it without any strings attached. There are other issues to consider before we can use this, however, so we'll wait and see what happens.

Marius,

First let me say that I have no problem with you arguing the opposition on this subject, but let me say I like a good discussion as well, so here goes...

As for gathering places, that is one area that I will agree. I am personally not fond of using the bank as a gathering place especially since there are so many other places that could provide a much more interesting atmosphere. I miss the way players spent much more time gathering at private structures on OSI. Now with thousands of players on a public server it necessitates that small groups of players find other places to congregate. Unfortunately no matter how large WOD or any private shard gets it is never going to truly capture that same need. There is just no easy way to have the players socialize at different locations. I don't think the size of the map would change that issue in any way. It would take a conscious effort from the player base to change that habit.

Marius wrote:In fact, my issue isn't with you, or the project at all; simply the question of whether WoD is fit for having it, and indeed worthy of doing so. With the player base as I understand it at the moment, certainly even Britannia is more than large enough, save for the fact that there are limited hunting areas and housing locations, which will always be a factor so long as there is a finite amount of space. I do believe that OSI made the mistake of expanding their landmass without thoroughly going over the quality of the previous map first, and thus it felt rushed and cheap. I'm certainly not insinuating that yours will be this way, but I do argue that in order to have a great *expanded* Britannia, we need a great Britannia first.

Well I partially agree with you. I don't really think that the Britannia land mass is flawed. Sure there are parts that could be better but nothing is perfect. I think they dropped the ball when they designed T2A. The Britannia map is 6144/4096. The map can not change size; it's locked by the client. T2A is a corner of that map (5120, 2304 x 6144, 4096). So in essence it is part of Britannia. To be honest what I have done is taken a large section of the Britannia map that was completely empty (for our purposes) and placed some land, some buildings, and some dungeons. Sure you can look at it as an expansion but really I am just revamping a poorly constructed section of an existing map.

Now it may just be me but generally I look forward to change. Sure it is nice to have things safe and normal such as Britannia. However, I don't think that the shard can really grow as a community if nothing ever changes. Players will come in, stay for a while, get bored, and leave. After all the whole reason I left OSI in the first place was to go find a shard that was not afraid to take the chances that OSI never would. I enjoyed the fact that each shard had its own unique scripts and features etc. I never understood the shards that would strive to make themselves a carbon copy of OSI. I figure if someone wants it to look, act, and play like OSI then just play OSI. I feel that WOD is supposed to be a unique entity. When someone comes here it should be like no other shard they have been to.

The amusing part is when I first started this project I actually made a totally new map that would have dropped in replacing everything. Eventually I ended up scaling it down and just replacing t2a. But I think the point is that first off, the project is still a good month or two from being complete. Even when it is complete there is nothing that says it is going to be used. I do think there should be a few changes thrown in to WOD just to keep things fresh. New lands may not be the answer but I would certainly like to see something new and exciting. Anyhow I have rambled on long enough.

Take Care,

Greywolfe

P.S. Did I mention the new library hint...hint (lol)

P.P.S. It could be interesting to do a mini poll on the forums to gage reaction by the player base to determine if this is something that they might be interested in.