Fanmade continent creator

[dyslecix]

I think it would be a good idea to create some fan tools for people to create continents with. That way the global pop per server could be much higher, because I think the servers will fill up way fast when this game releases. They probably don't want to create too many continents because it takes time/money, and they don't want to put that much of an investment from the very beginning. They could submit continents to devs and the devs pick the best ones to insert into the game. Maybe the winner of contests such as this would win some station cash or something. This could save dev's time/money, and it would increase the server cap, which is also a good thing. Your guys thoughts?

[fishirboy]

Its a nice idea, pretty much just a thing were we could be able to show off what we made and try and get it into the game.

[Geist]

It's true, they're not just throwing boulders around and elevating/lowering land across a continent, they're also balancing it, making sure there's cover here, a good sniping spot, good ambush point, all kinds of options for all kinds of fights.

They're not gonna trust a fan to give a continent that level of dedication, not to mention it would probably take way too long for a single person to do it.

[Winfernal]

This is one of few games i don't support an idea like this...

[dyslecix]

Not going to happen. Maps here are far far too complex. Hell a development team of 60 has taken how long and just one map finished? This ain't CoD fellas.

LMAO, comparing it to CoD, since when has cod had a MAP CREATOR?

[dyslecix]

Don't think I have but I guess you would know, you were probably playing it with your sister earlier on you Xbox?
lol, ok. What an idiot. and you said "Don't think I have" Wow, learn your english man. Don't think you have what? You're not even reading the sentence I wrote correctly, dumbass.

[CrystalViolet]

Dust has a system where you can insert facilities into sockets on the map. Something like this might be possible in PS2 if things were made to be modular. If we're talking Outfit controlled facilities, balance of the terrain and capture points becomes less relevant as the metagame would be to make the base as defensible as possible.

[MacXXcaM]

lol, ok. What an idiot. and you said "Don't think I have" Wow, learn your english man. Don't think you have what? You're not even reading the sentence I wrote correctly, dumbass.

...have compared it to CoD (I think)

No fan made stuff in an MMO. It has to work for everybody so best would be you let SOE do it.

[I SandRock]

No

[Mastachief]

Seriously they have one dude that just makes sure the soil is flushed up just right against bases/rocks and such like.

They really have hand crafted them.

[TeaLeaf]

Even if they released a level editor, we probably wouldn't see a finished continent for at least 10 years.

[RNFB]

LMAO, comparing it to CoD, since when has cod had a MAP CREATOR?

Many CoDs have had a map maker....

[kaffis]

Modding tools and map creation tools make sense in a peer-hosted (or publicly hosted server) environment.

This is neither. There will be a limited number of servers to select from, and so there isn't room for servers serving up mods and community content for a niche subset of the market to either enjoy or shop around for a better offering. In addition, you only need to find 11-31 (depending on the game and map) other players who share your unique mix of preferences to have a thriving game on that server.

The key to mod/custom map content is that if I don't like what a server's running (because it's crap or catering to a fringe playstyle that may or may not be at odds with the rest of the game's design principles), I can move on and select from hundreds of other ones that choose to run something more akin to my tastes. SOE can't afford to run that many, nor fragment its userbase that far even if it could afford to, since it needs to pack thousands of players into each server-space to provide the player density to support its massive game edict.

[Top Sgt]

LMAO, comparing it to CoD, since when has cod had a MAP CREATOR?

he's saying this is not TINY small maps like cod and simple structures and re used vehicles all over like cod uses over and over and over

[ChipMHazard]

Would be far to difficult to make properly not to mention time consuming. Also SOE would have to test every nook and cranny before allowing players on the map.
So like others have written before me, not going to happen:D

[dyslecix]

Modding tools and map creation tools make sense in a peer-hosted (or publicly hosted server) environment.

This is neither. There will be a limited number of servers to select from, and so there isn't room for servers serving up mods and community content for a niche subset of the market to either enjoy or shop around for a better offering. In addition, you only need to find 11-31 (depending on the game and map) other players who share your unique mix of preferences to have a thriving game on that server.

The key to mod/custom map content is that if I don't like what a server's running (because it's crap or catering to a fringe playstyle that may or may not be at odds with the rest of the game's design principles), I can move on and select from hundreds of other ones that choose to run something more akin to my tastes. SOE can't afford to run that many, nor fragment its userbase that far even if it could afford to, since it needs to pack thousands of players into each server-space to provide the player density to support its massive game edict.

I don't mean fragment the user base. Just so that SOE make tools for people to create a continent with and then submit to the dev's, so that they can choose which to put into the game. I wouldn't want it as open as you're saying for it to be. They will have to add continents either way, this is no different. It would save them the time to focus on other parts of the game, if they made tools for people to use.

[I SandRock]

They'd have to check every inch of the map and test it for bugs, glitches, easy exploitable areas, imbalances, performance, quality etc.
They're better off doing it themselves and doing it better.

Ain't gonna happen hombre.

[SixShooter]

With every inch of the continents being hand crafted by the dev team, I think it's pretty ridiculous to think that they could just give users "a set of tools" to create their own continent.

[WarbirdTD]

I understand the desire to help, but you'd need to have so many man-hours to get the level of quality of a continent like Indar, that you'd need to have a forum community like this one to make any real progress. And what happens when the PS2 devs say, "No, not the artistic approach we want to take"?

One thing I will say tho... I think SOE may be underestimating the number of players that will be flooding the servers at launch. I get the feeling that 3 continents will just not be enough for each server at launch.

[kaffis]

I don't mean fragment the user base. Just so that SOE make tools for people to create a continent with and then submit to the dev's, so that they can choose which to put into the game. I wouldn't want it as open as you're saying for it to be. They will have to add continents either way, this is no different. It would save them the time to focus on other parts of the game, if they made tools for people to use.
This is, still, pretty mad in a system where one can't run their own servers. *All* of the testing and review would have to be done post-submission, with the creators having no ability to even try things out and see if they feel "right" to *themselves* first.

That's way more effort reviewing submissions than creating a few under the direction of in-house folks who have experience and access to the design docs and guidelines and whatnot that would govern the review process anyways.

[Sabot]

Too many things that can go wrong with player made maps... and the devs will have to test all of them. It will probably take longer than just making it right themselves in the first place.

[Revanmug]

LMAO, comparing it to CoD, since when has cod had a MAP CREATOR?

Cod2 and the first MW had mod tools (which was extremely used by the community to create maps and game mod) but don't worry, you can still follow the hate train, act retardly and look cool!

[Dloan]

It would be silly to assume that SOE have a monopoly on talent.

[I SandRock]

One thing I will say tho... I think SOE may be underestimating the number of players that will be flooding the servers at launch. I get the feeling that 3 continents will just not be enough for each server at launch.

How does that matter? Who says they intend to fill all 3 continents full with players at all times anyway? There will be multiple servers, not just one, either way. Perhaps in the future we will have 10 continents and we will also have a similar conquest system as with Planetside 1, where you need to hold a continent to capture another, etc. Or like cave locks, a continent locks down at a certain time and there are only 3 open at a time, moving the battle along nicely and providing a more static reward for capturing territory. After a lock down you will get a steady income of resources based on the territory you have there for awhile. Making capturing territory more useful. But anyway, that's all in the future. So I don't see how they need more continents because of server pop, if all 3 are full then thats fine. People can go to a different server ;)