Difference between revisions of "Map Submissions"
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Map Quests | Map Quests |
Revision as of 21:31, 17 November 2012
So, you've decided that you want to make a map for one of our many areas, but where do you begin? In the attempts to provide a clear and concise set of maps to help adventurers traverse the World of Jord, it's important to understand and comply to a few basic standards so that everyone can quickly and easily use the information that is supplied by people just like you. Below are some simple guidelines to help you maximize the potential of your idea while keeping consistent with some easily recognizable standards. Please take some time to browse them before you begin creating your map. If you have any question that aren't addressed in part or completely regarding the creation and submission of area maps, then please don't hesitate to direct your questions and concerns to the immortal staff or the caretaker of the maps archive.
I. Submission Avenues
Map Quests
On occasion, the need to update or create maps for existing or new areas comes about, and an immortal or two may provide a special occasion to submit a map for said area or areas. Quests allow players like yourself to provide a valuable service to the game we all love while receiving a reward for your time and efforts. This generally requires the player or players to perform a task or set of tasks in return for the right or ability to submit a map. This may take form in a variety of ways, and neither one is guaranteed at any one time. Also, please be understand that merely entering the quest does not always entitle a player or character to provide maps - that is dependent upon the quest and the immortal(s) administering the quest. While we here at SlothMUD don't typically provide equipment as a reward for map submissions, we do provide alternatives that will help you in your adventures. Examples of such rewards may be but are not limited to:
1. Godlevel Sanctuary Potion(s) 2. Drachma Rewards 3. Character Attribute Reroll 4. Use of a Special Item (i.e. Holy Hand Grenade)
Player Submissions
Over time, the World of Jord changes and may or may not resemble the world that it once did. Sometimes areas get updated and may no longer contain complete or valid information. When this happens, adventurers are bound to spot the changes. Should you find this to be true, you can always contact the immortal staff regarding your interest to update a map or maps by simply contacting us directly by email or on the game. As the Immortal staff work hard to provide the best game experience they can for all of you, it might, in many cases, be more pertinent to contact them through email using this address:
wiki@slothmud.org
Requests for Updates
Occasionally, you may find that a map needs to be created or update, but you don't want to be the one to do it for any number of reasons. That's fine. Simply feel free to contact us at the following email address below or ingame, and we will be sure to check it out. We certainly thank you for your requests.
wiki@slothmud.org
The Update Agenda
We here at SlothMUD realize that some maps need to be updated. Some areas have yet to be mapped at all. whatever the reason, we have identified several maps that need to be provided or updated to better represent the game and our revised level of standard. Please ne mindful, however, that occasionally the decision to forego a standard or guidelines may be made, but that does not mean we won't continue to require adherence to existing standards. The following maps currently are slated for updating or creation, and are in no particular order:
1. The Temple of Neptune 2. The Sieged Castle 3. Cavern of Star City 4. Caverns of the Matterhorn 5. Ch'ung Kuo
II.GUIDELINES
So, now you've contacted the Immortal Staff and you're ready to start creating your map. You think you've got a good handle on where everything is in your area, and what sort of things are contained therein. Well, before you start, metaphorically putting the quill to the parchment, you are going to want to know ahead of time what is likely to be accepted and what is not. After all, you don't want to pour your soul into a map only to start over, right? Neither would we! So, please take some time to become familiar with the guidelines outlined below. A word of note, however: keep in mind that these are guidelines and not rules. What this means is that you should try your hardest to adhere to the guidelines, but occasionally the guidelines will be be averted in favor of something that may prove to be useful, aesthetically pleasing, or of greater functional value. Again, these are things that are up to the discretion of the Immortal staff. Otherwise, enjoy.
Dimensions
An important aspect of making maps is the question, "How big do I want to make my map?" Well, it's important to have a map that is large enough to see without enlarging it, but we also don't want a map that becomes fuzzy or distorted when we do decide to enlarge it. Moreover, we don't want to have to spend too much time scrolling over to see a portion of the map that we may need. As a general guideline, it's probably best to try to aim for maps that are around the 1200-1300 pixel wide range. Unless the map demands it, it's probably best to aim for a vertical dimension of around 800-900 pixels. IT's not necssary to aim for this if there's only ten rooms in the area you are mapping, and therefore you may wish to aim for something smaller. But if you have five hundred rooms in an area, we do ask that you respect the horizontal guideline. For vertical adjustments, please take the time to view the section under Map Orientation.
Map Orientation
Don't you just hate it when you're exploring some place with your buddies, and the map on the website takes more time to manipulate than it would otherwise to just rush in unawares? Me too! After all, time is money and you've got gold to loot and enemy camps to pillage! But in all honesty, it's always nice to be prepared. One of the ways we can achieve this is by using proper orientation with our mapmaking. Maps are only to be rectangular or square. Rectangles should be no more than 1200 to 1300 pixels wide (horizontal), but there are no current limits as to how long (vertical) a map can be. In other words, we would rather maps need to be scrolled up and down to see another portion rather than left and right (portrait style rather than landscape). We, the Immortal Staff, do however ask you that if someone has to scroll more than three pages to see all of your map, that you may wish to contact us about the issue or shrink some of your map's content when possible while remaining relatively consistent with the guidelines contained herein.
1. Rectangles a. Landscape b. Portrait 2. Squares 1. Corner to Corner 2. Side to Side 3. Top to Bottom C. Spacing and Text 1. Borders 2. Fonts a. Size b. Type 3. Area Features a. Wandering Mobs b. Equipment c. Traps d. Quest Mobs e. Recall Locations f. Shopkeepers g. Terrain D. The Compass Rose 1. Orientation 2. Text vs Image 3. Free Examples E. Use of Color 1. Acceptable Colors 2. Unacceptable Colors 2. The Use of Contrast 3. Backgrounds a. White b. Transparent 5. Base Color F. Use of Images 1. Black and White Images 2. Color Images 3. Image Size 4. Multiple Images G. Legends and Tables H. Signatures
III. Additional Information
A. Contact Information B. The visually Impaired B. Error Reporting