Some interesting developments in the area of building are afoot. I'll try and outline the basics of them here, but first of all I would like to issue an invitation to anyone who has the slightest interest in area building, whether it is describing areas or writing fiendishly complex quests, to get involved - we have a large area admin team now and will do our best to help you get started on something you feel comfortable doing!
Latest area developments:
1) We have switched to using a Version Control System for areas, this means that multiple people can work on the same offline file at the same time. It also means that getting an offline area file from your computer into the game is very simple - a single in-game command on the test port, and then a copyover and shazam, your new area file is in place!
2) The old web-based uploader has been changed to just do area testing, using the same validation techniques that are in place with the VCS system, which means they should always be up to date - unlike FKCheck, which I think hasn't been updated in several eons.
3) All players should have access to all builder forums now, except for 'Builder Administration Discussion', which is a forum we use for admin stuff like tracking who has tested which area and how much.
4) The area administration plan has been modified to:
a) Initial discussion about the area
b) Builder makes area, either offline or online
c) Builder submits area for initial review
d) Code council testers test the area to destruction, offering mucho feedback to builder
e) Builder updates area and re-submits it for final review
f) At this point, multiple area admins will review the area for a number of criteria, and there will usually be more updates required at this point
g) After final review is complete, the area is brought online to the main game port.
5) While reviewing a number of 'in-progress' areas, there are several that seem very close to completion, but lack currently active owners. Some need alot of work, some need only a small amount, but most of all they need someone to work on the premise and concept, then see it through to completion. I still have 38 more areas to update and put online for this stage, and when I have them all online, I will be looking for people to review them and then finish them off. I will post a list of 5-6 areas which need a new owner shortly!
6) While looking at the game as a whole, and the kinds of applications for new areas that we get in, there seem to be lots of volunteers to build areas like temples or shopping districts, but not very many people want to build combat/quest adventure areas. I would like to try and brainstorm with people for what kinds of areas we most need, and where we need them, I'll start another thread for that in here.
Finally, I'd just to like to say: get involved if you are interested
Cheers,
M