Incoming one of Windy's infamous WALLS OF TEXT.
I know that this has been discussed before, and some new maps added, but I see any real permanent solution to this question that has been confirmed. I know some of the team members and other community members have discussed possible revamps of current maps, or just complete overhauls of them. We did get Sky's Rim, and a few other maps added to the standard package...but maybe more should/could be done?
I don't mean to offend the map maker(s) when I say I was somewhat disappointed with the standard maps' layouts, and lack of details in them. They just didn't seem to be too creative for the most part, and were very empty. Atlantis has some ruins, but otherwise is all the same color, and virtually empty of anything you'd expect in an ocean environment. No colorful coral or anything to make it feel like there was real depth to the map. Fluorite Plains is one of the major offenders though, being extremely vast, lacking vegetation, and being a big reason for server death.
I've seen some amazing...and I mean awe-inducing maps made by some of the members of this community. You could tell that they put a lot of love in their maps, and really did their best to make a thrilling, and exciting environment to explore. Any members that have downloaded Red's map pack, or explored some of the maps in the Finished Maps sub-forum can agree with me on that. We have some downright creative people on here, that could do wonders for this game, and really make it an attractive playing environment. We even have members making new meshes and particles that are works of art. Why not let all this talent and creativity work its magic on some of the main maps?
If possible, I'd love to see some of our best of the best, our most creative, artistic, and affluent map makers and artists be allowed to work on a map patch that could be official for the game. Or if they didn't want to participate in such a large way, give permission for the game to use some of their inventions in official maps to bring a bit more life to them. It would be wonderful if FH had some really creative maps to replace some of the more vacant ones, and more maps attached to each other so people can be more widespread, and explore.
Putting together a group to work on this could be possibly determined by a contest, where all interested in joining the team show off what they consider as their prize work, their best piece they have created. Judges could be moderators, or people assigned as judges to determine who has the skill and mettle to design pieces/maps/particles/etc. for the game in an official team. There could be a section for each contribution to a map (ex: layouts, meshes, particles, etc.).
If a contest would be too much of an ordeal, maybe people could be asked to join from the work already created and displayed on the site. There are many finished maps that can be looked at, and maybe people that have gone above and beyond in their designs could be chosen to work on official maps. The only problem with that would be having to scan through all the threads, having to enter all those maps, and trying to determine if the person actually created all those items themselves. That, and great artists could accidentally be looked over, because there are so many to scan through.
We've got moderators and admins that are very creative, but lack the time to really put their ideas for maps to use with all the other jobs they have to do around here. I think it would be a great help to them, and the community, if some other members were allowed to work on this section of the game.
Of course, this would all sink if Kovu doesn't agree to the idea. But he seems too busy (or doesn't want to bother) to really work on the maps, so why not let some other members that want to contribute take this over?
Anyway, this is an idea I cooked up in a matter of minutes, so I'm sure it has holes in it, but maybe could be useful in creating some ideas for this place. Also apologies if this hassss been discussed in such a way before. Didn't see a thread for it, so thought I might as well make one.
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