Myst Online: URU Live Forums

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Maurus — Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:06 pm

Author: Maurus

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:06 pm

Cool!
One of the things I kind of think is more important than ages (and again, as I said, the whole Myst thing is really just wishful thinking, I know it would be difficult to do.) Is maybe just expanding upon what already exits. Sure we already have a lot of Ae'Gura open, but the interesting thing is, we don't- It would be nice to one day be able to explore an Ae'Gura that has no Drc barriers whatsoever, even if that means we ultimately really only get to see a little bit of something. The Auditorium. The Guild Hall. The library's bottom. Or at least more of that staircase. Heck, It'd be nice to climb the stairs that lead to the rooftops of some of the buildings. I can't imagine that would require much additional work.

But how about a sub-nexus in the guild hall? Like how gahreesen had its own Sub-nexus. The guild hall should, somewhere, have a little nexus that contains links to all of the existing Guild halls (depending on what's available...we're beginning to see the formations of new guilds lately so I'd imagine one day maybe in the distant future we'd see additional guild halls).

Not that this stuff is particularly easy for Cyan to do...but during MOUL I ofen found myself thinking that releasing more areas in Ae'Gura would have been more interesting than the new ages they were releasing.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

veralun — Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:38 pm

Author: veralun

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:38 pm

Good suggestions matthornb

What Cyan could work on.

matthornb — Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:28 pm

Author: matthornb

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 7:28 pm

I agree with much of what has been said here.

The more replayable content the better, and some such content already exists.

I'd like to see Ayoheek and the Gahreseen wall opened at some point; they don't need to be bug-free at first but they should be accessible and at least marginally playable.

Those are two games that, if made to work, would give players something else fun to do in between releases of worlds.

Not that Jalak, hide and seek, soccer with Dusty/Eddie, and marker games aren't fun already.

But those two make sense because they'd be replayable and they're already at least partly complete anyway.

I think the Minkata sparkly is a high priority for fixing, some of the GOW people have already figured out why it wasn't working so it shouldn't prove too difficult to solve the bug.

I know Cyan is in a difficult place now. They can't manage to do much so they need to emphasize what can be done relatively easily given how few people they have assigned to Uru currently.

The Minkata fix is important; it is fairly easy to implement and has major gameplay benefit.

Ayoheek and the Wall are also not extremely hard because they are partially complete already, and they have major gameplay value.

Porting Myst Island would be great but I don't know how involved it would be. I say, if they give us the RealMyst Myst, they should just block off the elevator entirely as well as any linking book. They can give us RealMyst's Myst in a basic form with the eventual possibility that it will be expanded later on. I understand the feelings we all have about Myst, and the fact that we have a realtime 3d model of it already anyway; but I wouldn't bet on a full-featured Myst Island happening anytime soon.

I personally find the inclusion of Myst to be a low priority, I'd love it but don't think it offers the best bang for the buck given our severely limited Cyan team.

As for Bevin vs. hood, I prefer "Bevin" because it feels more IC, more Myst-ish. It's one of those many little details that remind us that we're in Uru - a place with a rich canon and backstory - and not an ordinary MMO.

Let's see, what else?

Cyan needs to implement a system for UCC. That is absolutely critical. That means a new Nexus or some equivalent, and a place to put that Nexus.

I advocate opening some minor part of the Guild Hall area; we've had it barricaded off completely for years now but if ever there was a time to open some of it, that time would be now, seeing as the guilds are becoming central to the function of the game.

There's a barricade blocking off a hallway right now. That's all we have there at the moment. I like the idea of opening the barricade and having the hall lead to a small but decent-looking open area, a hub of sorts surrounded by auditoriums.

In the more or less circular hub room we'd have a Nexus for UCC ages and five doorways leading into five identical meeting rooms or auditoriums differentiated only by minor decals that indicate which guild belongs in which room. Like the Guild Pubs which were easy for Cyan to do five of because they were all the same 3d model but with texture variations. We don't need many texture variations here to get the idea across, just minimal ones.

The auditoriums aren't even necessary. We could just have closed doors that (we imagine) will one day lead into halls for each guild. What we need then, is a decent-looking room at the end of the Guild Hall hallway with some doors and a UCC Nexus.

One room at the end of the hallway. That's all. One room with a Nexus in it. That and of course some of the textures in the hall itself would need to be replaced with higher resolution ones because as it is now, the distant parts of the hall aren't designed to look good up close.

Then once you have the UCC Nexus, it becomes the center for all UCC ages.

Here's my imagined concept for a UCC Nexus interface:

Sorting tabs on left, allowing for listing by rating, date.

Main panel has a list of age names sorted by whatever sorting method the player clicked on.

Clicking on an age name replaces the age list with a better summary of that one age.

Age Name
Author
Date created
Rating by user votes (and a way for the player to vote) [0-10]
Rating by Guild of Maintainers [0-10]
Thumbnail image [like a linking panel]
Concise description of age by author in a single line length;
[ "Canyon made of ice" "Bizarre coral reef" "Massive stone tower" etc]

After a player has visited the UCC Nexus, a UCC Nexus book appears in their Relto. It links directly to the Nexus for UCC, just like the standard Nexus book links to the standard Nexus for cavern areas.

The pedestals in the city are not used for UCC ages, unless Cyan considers one to be exceptionally good. In the event that a highly rated UCC age genuinely achieves Cyan quality, according to Cyan's judgement, it is made available on a pedestal in the city.

Generally speaking, the pedestals and museum spaces are reserved only for official Cyan content or exceptionally high-quality fan ages. Slots on a Relto bookshelf are also reserved for really good ages; all the others can be accessed indirectly through the UCC Nexus linking book.

What would Cyan need to do to implement a system like this?

-Make a single room at the end of a hallway with a Nexus, maybe a second room that is duplicated five times with texture variations.
-Make a UCC Nexus and Nexus pedestal with the same graphics as an ordinary Nexus.
-Make an interface for the new Nexus.
-Add a single UCC Nexus book to Relto the same way they do with any other linking book.
-And, occasionally, add linking books to fan ages in the city, but not very often because only the really great, Cyan-quality ones would be admitted beyond the UCC Nexus.

Would it take effort on Cyan's part? Yes. But as options go for a UCC system, this one does not seem too difficult for Cyan to implement.

Just my ideas...

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Maurus — Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:58 am

Author: Maurus

Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:58 am

Well, no, I didn't have the actual quotes handy- I think I realized that a while in and forgot to change it- but I think calling that hearsay is a little harsh. However, I'd rather not search the DRC forums for that, I was just trying to make a point.

I mean, personally, I think releasing some sort of "enhanced" Myst Island that is more "real" is all well and good, but really not necessary, especially when there's evidence that may suggest that the "real" island is not too much different from the one we're all familiar with.

Besides, why would you wanna give up all that nostalgia?

I have a vision of sitting down on the beaches of Myst Island with a couple of good buddies just relaxing, and personally I hope (though I'm not counting on it) that that one day comes into fruition.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

JWPlatt — Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:31 pm

Author: JWPlatt

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:31 pm

Maurus wrote:

I have two quotes from RAWA that disprove that idea...

If you "have" quotes, you should show them and provide a source link. Otherwise, it's hearsay, paraphrased, not quoted, unconfirmed, and unreliable proof. Close as you might be.

As regards #1, and admittedly to paraphrase, RAWA said that's how it would likely happen because of the expected constraints, not because that's what would be ideal or what he would want.

The quotes can be found on the DRC forum with a little effort.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Maurus — Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:41 pm

Author: Maurus

Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 9:41 pm

Agh, see, I knew someone was going to say this.

I don't care whether of not people think the Myst Island as seen in the Myst games is "accurate" or the "real" Myst Island, I want to see that one, not something else. Besides, I remember two things that RAWA once said that disprove that idea.
1. RAWA once said that if we ever were to see Myst Island in Uru, it was GOING to be the original model.
2. RAWA once said that the living quarters and such that make people believe the island were bigger were in fact down the elevator in the tower- in Myst the elevator only goes up so we never got to see this. This makes these additional locations underground which therefore does not change the island's aboveground appearance.

At least, that's what I remember.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

FloCat — Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:29 am

Author: FloCat

Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:29 am

-Myst Island. We have access to the library, but the island itself is so cool, especially in Myst V. It's strange, because we have access to Myst V's K'veer but not Myst V's Myst island.

-This one isn't really part of my list, and is just wishful thinking, so bear with me- I've always had this vision of what I wish Myst Island could be like in Uru.

I would love to see Myst Island through URU with friends. It would be interesting to see it as "ruins" and maybe be involved in restoring it.

FloCat

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Nalates — Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:48 pm

Author: Nalates

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:48 pm

Ian...

Quote:

...or they could just not say anything and keep us arguing. That's more like them.

you are right...

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Ian Atrus — Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:16 pm

Author: Ian Atrus

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:16 pm

All this could easily be solved by Cyan. They could say that they were different 'hoods in 2003 and instances in MOUL, they can say they always were different 'hoods, they can say the DRC made a wrong translation and Bevin is not a name but the actual D'ni word for Neighborhood...

...or they could just not say anything and keep us arguing. That's more like them.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Erik — Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:25 am

Author: Erik

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:25 am

I'm all for the changes regarding the 'hoods. Gondar, at one time the DRC noted at their website that they restored 200 'hoods. How can that be if they were all instances? Also, the DRC didn't know anything about instancing and Yeesha magic before, so during Prologue the 'hoods were all different 'hoods, not instances IMO.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Gondar — Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:27 pm

Author: Gondar

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:27 pm

Calling them hoods makes us sound like gangsters.. and they just run around and shoot things and be generally unsafe.

Sorry. I still think "bevin" IS the appropriate term. Sorry, but evidence suggests it is, despite any in the past. This fits with the whole thing remarked by RAWA about allowing people to pinpoint you to a specific spot in the cavern. The hoods can be, even ignorin the GZ. And it's the same exact spot (now if this is technological limitations, ok, but then why rename them?)

As for Myst.. I'd be satisfied with an age "like" Myst. As in it looks like the Myst in the games but can't be the real myst, just some close instance. Heck, if it wasn't 150% against our FCA age liscences and against my ability, I'd make one myself for us to be in, with working stuffs.

Really. Even a port from Myst 5 with rain removed might be acceptable..

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Ian Atrus — Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:18 pm

Author: Ian Atrus

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:18 pm

Garamoth wrote:

'hood sounds a little too rapper for me. 'nuff said

I think there's a pun in there, somewhere.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Garamoth — Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:41 pm

Author: Garamoth

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:41 pm

Maurus wrote:

-Change "Bevin" back to "neighborhood."

I never liked that idea... Bevin feels just right to me, it's a "Kleenex" word. Besides, neighborhood takes too long to type and 'hood sounds a little too rapper for me. 'nuff said

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Bogardan Mage — Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:05 am

Author: Bogardan Mage

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:05 am

Maurus wrote:

-Myst Island. We have access to the library, but the island itself is so cool, especially in Myst V. It's strange, because we have access to Myst V's K'veer but not Myst V's Myst island.

Oooh continuity... Hurts your brain, it does. Let me try to explain the issue:

Dryhad Productions Presents:
The Convoluted State of Canon in the Myst Franchise

For various reasons which we won't go in to, there are multiple layers of canon in this franchise. I won't go into all of them, and quite frankly it can be a little difficult to tell where one ends and another begins, but we'll start with the Uru layer.

In Uru canon, Uru is real and the restoration of D'ni is actually happening. Or was, anyway. For some reason the technology to write changes in the fabric of reality doesn't appeal to investors. Go figure. Anyways, in this layer, outside sources of information such as the Myst games and books record real events but are not real themselves. They're just games or books based on true stories, and conflicts with Uru's canon is simply "artistic license". One brand of artistic license is changes for technical reasons; it was simply not reasonable to convert all of some ages into game form. This is the case with Myst Island, in the Uru canon it's much larger than it is in the Myst layer. Unfortunately, the technical limitations still exist and they can't make an "accurate" Myst Island.

As far as Myst V goes, that's a different layer again. How exactly it relates to the canon of the earlier Myst series is not quite clear, as it takes place in the time of Uru involving the general storyline of Uru, and the player character is not the same person. I still question the canonicity of Myst V being a game in the Uru layer, considering who the player character has since been revealed to be. Nevertheless, it can generally be concluded that as all endings featuring Myst are "bad" (and more importantly, not the course of events according to Uru's canon), the Myst Island we see in the game is pure speculation and conjecture.

So that's why Myst Island is a real problem for Uru.

Re: Since it's being rereleased anyway...

Wafna — Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:21 am

Author: Wafna

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:21 am

Rudolfson wrote:

Explain to a late arriver to Mystonline that never played CC, what the story is with Bevins/Neighborhoods and Bevin the one you want to make public like Kirel. Please.

In the original prologue version of Uru and in the offline Uru versions, the neighborhoods in general were called neighborhoods, and Bevin and Kirel were the proper names of two individual neighborhoods. In MOUL, Bevin was used for all neighborhoods in general. So prologue would have had "(DRC 1) Neighborhood", but MOUL would have had "(DRC 1) Bevin".

Edit: There is thread discussing it here:http://www.mystonline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=177395&highlight=&sid=02b8b764064cbd9774712b2a7839f1d2