Area names

[Drakaen]

just something i have in my mind...

is there aset time when the areas names will change? (z40-whatever)

[perk31]

I don't know.  It started as a way to keep me on track as I created the top half of the map, but I think it helps keep you from getting lost.  I had actually intended to make a post regarding this today.

The map is obviously a grid, with Churberg gates being located in J27, I27, K27, and J28.  The X axis (east/west) starts at A on the west and progresses down the alphabet going east.  The Y axis starts at 0 and counts up as you go north.

In a game where you can travel in any direction, until something physically impedes your progress, having the map coordinate as the area name will keep you from getting lost and wondering forever, and the first map is a small 500 external areas not including cities.  Not to mention that I don’t have to hunt through 100 maps called forest to find the area I need.

I realize that in game it is a cheesy naming system so if the players want it changed I don’t mind.  I can create an item that gives your relative position in the game to help players find their way around, which I think I’ll do anyway.

Please post your comments about this here and I'll create a poll for this question.

[wurm657]

I agree that the area's will have to be named...eventually.
 Griding them is the only way you'll ever be able to find anything during the Alpha. By the time you go Beta, however, I think those areas all need to be named to enhance the "realism".

[Podilarius]

I agree that the area's will have to be named...eventually.
 Griding them is the only way you'll ever be able to find anything during the Alpha. By the time you go Beta, however, I think those areas all need to be named to enhance the "realism".

The idea is that this is a map ... The areas are named based off their grid location. The more realistic way is not to name them at all. The areas with names are those in a City or Special area (ie Goblin Caves, Cherburg, ...). The alternative it to have 500 areas named forest. This doesn't help any. We will look into this some more. For now though it willbe grid locations for names as this is easier to keep track of.

[Drakaen]

well it can be set up like this " J27-city outskirts "

[perk31]

well it can be set up like this " J27-city outskirts "

So do you think the areas should be labled something like M21: Grassland instead of just M21 or just Grassland?  

When I started I had intended to name large areas the same, such as Dresden Plains.  So every area in that region would have the same name.  But I thought players would really get lost, even with a map showing the relative location of different places.  At the time I thought naming the area after the map grid solved that problem and mine as well.

The reason I bring this up is to put forward an idea for consideration.  

I can name large areas alike, so 50 areas might contain the same name.  Then I can label those areas on the map, which I will get posted as soon as I dig out my scanner.  Then players can use the IG map I'm working on to see where they are.  Unfortunately I don't know how effective I can make the map.  I have one that is working but it gives coordinates relative to 0Lat/0Long.  Using the map in J27 would give you 27N 10E.  I could also make the posted map include the grid coordinates so you would know specifically where places are.

It will make future development harder, but not as hard as having no names are 4 generic names, and the game play will be more realistic.

Obviously you will still have a great chance of getting lost, but I'm also cutting down the generic spawns outside.

[Podilarius]

well it can be set up like this " J27-city outskirts "

this works for me ... just have to come up with something creative for like j31 where nothing is around it ... perhaps j31 - Northern Plains. Allows for regional names and specific location within the map.  

[Drakaen]

well the reason for the other part is that you would still have the corrd. but also have a name so when a groups sitting around they can say "i was in the northern plains and fought some goblin" ect. ect.

[perk31]

Sounds good to me.  Check out the map, which you can buy in the magic shop.  Should be available tomorrow.