Canthan Grandmaster Cartographer in a day - What's A-Net going to do about it?

zwei2stein

zwei2stein

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jun 2006

Europe

The German Order [GER]

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
... This is much more of a general question as we all get familiar with the use of mods and the many things they can (and cannot) do. ...
People kinda did that already. Limits of texmods are generally known and were estimated to be harmless weeks (months?) ago.

* PvP exploitation: better radar, better ui. Not giving extra information but providing markers that make life easier. PvP Pros guaranteed that it wont give nonskilled players any measurable advantage simply because unskilled has a lot lesser worries than perfect information, and experiend no longer need it.

* PvE exploitation (ok, exploitation is not prolper name) provides the same: amount of work for *rational* cartographer is *unchanged* by mod. i personally know people who did trzrian cartographer in less than week simply because they learned how to all needed walhugging.

Most common misconception about carto title is that it is about discovering mission bits. Anyone havign their X-th cartographer will tell you that if you are hunting few left sports, you did it wrong since begining by not walhugging. THat title should kinda be about sightseeing, and going out there, dispatchign stuff on your way ... kinda vanquisher-lite.

Mod does not change reality of title: going out there, fighting monsters, hugging walls and doinf complete sweep of area.

What it prevents is "nonfun" part of title: map comparsions, waiting for reply on forums for tips, etc, re-hugging areas /people hate to repeat themselves ... /. They still have to scout information for accessing some specific areas.

Gist is: Lazy person with mod will NOT get title, simply because mods wont cut down amount of needed work.

Antheus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
The suggestion that the visual clarity/fog distinction capacity should get into the game is interesting. Have you ever wondered why we have a radar? For the very reason that people will create map hacks that give them an advantage so we've given everyone a level playing field with the radar. So I can understand the suggestion and it'll be interesting to see what the designers feel about that idea. (And they designers may not know if I don't point it out, so it's all good.)
The map reveal mechanics is in game already.

But since it wasn't designed for exploration from the start, it's very difficult to see where the boundaries lie.

The mod in question makes full and very creative use of everything that the game already provides, but eliminates the "annoyance" factor.

Even more, due to different gamma settings, monitor quality, graphic cards, eyesight and other factors, some areas are truly frustrating to explore. At best, this classifies as usability problem - it doesn't in any way change the mechanics of the title, doesn't give an advantage (maphack/wallhack), nor does it affect the difficulty of game (fighting through every inch of every continent).

Of all the "naked ranger", "transparent UIs", "rainbow colored xp bar" mods, this is one that truly adds value to gameplay - and it's not just a cheap hack. As it happens, it's of such high quality, that if included as-is, it could almost pass as official addition.

the_jos

the_jos

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2006

Hard Mode Legion [HML]

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Karyuu
@the_jos: There are many times where you think you hugged the walls all the way, and then you find out that you're stuck at 99.9% at the end and have no idea what you missed. Maybe you rushed in one tiny section, maybe you didn't push hard enough, etc. The point is that there is no definite way to know when you are finished exploring a zone until BOOM, you have 100% in the title. What would Vanquishing be like if you only got the title once you vanquished everything everywhere without that zone counter?

Well, that would be a true assumption if there was exactly 100% to be explored.
It's not one little area, it's a lot. For example Tyria: the lower part of Lornar's + some other spots. I've also seen maps with a huge part of the Fire Islands still covered.
It's not about a single tiny section, it's about a lot of them.
Further comments on this below.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HawkofStorm
BINGO! You know why people didn't take exploration seriously? BECAUSE TITLES WHERE ADDED 1 YEAR INTO THE GAME!

How the heck was I supposed to know when I beat Prophecies prior to Factions coming out that such a thing as an exploration title would exist? You are saying I wasn't commeted to getting a title before titles even existed. Why, that makes perfect sense to me /sarcasm
Guess what, all my main characters started playing before the titles were released.
It looked like and easy title to get and had proven to be a hard one.
Why? Because I underestimated it at first.

In Tyria, the main missions + bonus track would give you somewhere between 55 and 60%.
Walk around a little and you can get it to 80% easy.

My experience tells me that most people start working on their exploration title between 70 and 80%.
However, being at 80% would still mean revisiting about every area there is.

Now if you don't take exploring serious at that 80%, you are in trouble finding the last 0.5%. Even with the huge amount you don't have to explore to get GMC. That's because it's all tiny little fragments over the map.
Something someone could have easily avoided when he/she started hugging the map from the start.

If you look at the frequently missed Tyrian spots posting, you notice most are right off the beaten track. There are only a few that require some kind of trick.
They cover between 1 and 2% of the map.
It's those kinds of spot that make the title hard to get and that has everything to do with dedication.
You would probably not have explored them if you were not working on the title and when you were working on the title, you did it wrong.
There can be a few exceptions (people who enjoyed the scenery) but those would be a minority.

Keithark

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Nov 2006

Be Aggressive B E Aggressive [AGRO]

E/Me

Where is this mod?? I have searched (maybe wrong threads or something) but cannot find a mod for download. I have no computer knowledge so would I even be able to use it? I have 98.3%, 98.7%, and 99.1% (in order of release) on the 3 chapters and cannot see anywhere I have missed so would love to finally be able to complete the titles.

Devronius

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

Portsmouth, UK

Flowers Of Evil

There's a link to the page on the first page of this thread. You can find the mods on GuildWiki.

sykoone

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mystical Chaos

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keithark
Where is this mod?? I have searched (maybe wrong threads or something) but cannot find a mod for download.
The mod itself is on the wiki's player made modification page, found here. Texmod, which is required to run the mod is linked from this page.

This links are all through the official wiki, due to the policy set in place by the originators of the modding page. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me.

Torqual

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/Mo

The above post demonstrates perfectly why the 'cartography made easy' layer should be implemented in the standard GW client, and not just a tool of 'the modding community'.

Here's a link for you. It appears I have now become Head of Sales for the 'Cartography made easy" mod.

http://www.wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/G..._modifications

There are a couple of mods fairly early on in the page.

Good luck finishing your titles!

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Here's a big list of mods if you're interested, Skyoone:

http://guildwarsguru.com/forum/showt...php?t=10208601

Quote:
Originally Posted by Antheus
Even more, due to different gamma settings, monitor quality, graphic cards, eyesight and other factors, some areas are truly frustrating to explore.
Case in point: Echovald Forest.

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

@the_jos: The sheer number of people who struggle with this title and who have asked for advice and help on various boards, shows that players who get 100% without some difficulty are very rare. If your players are struggling and its primarily due to visuals and being unable to tell what tiny percentage you might have missed, I think some reevaluation is in order. And face it, there are plenty of opportunities for you to not wall-hug closely enough. You run instead of walk for a split second and a portion of the fog remains. Have this compound over a couple of zones, and you might very well discover yourself missing .1% by the end and without any idea where that last bit might be. "I'm going to revisit every zone" isn't an option, and neither is "I'm going to just stare at the fog and try to figure out where that fog shouldn't be."

It's very easy to find yourself with portions still fogged, and much harder to find out where to clear it at the end, if you don't do some map comparisons or change that dang fog.

Torqual

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/Mo

Echovald and Jade were the worst. Also anything with sea on the edge of it, so some bits of Kaineng. Impossible to see where unfogging was required, so complete shoulder-scrape used taking hours. I hated it, but I will never have to do it again. On reflection, it's the never having to do it again that is the best bit.

Very true what Karyuu says also....without mod you need to GO SLOW otherwise you can miss hitting a pinpoint due to server lag.... and never know it.

Mordakai

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

The argument that titles are supposed to be hard is fine. But even the most difficult titles tell you what you need in order to finish it (ie, one more Elite skill, one more mission completed, etc).

Cartography is unique in my mind because it is so hard to tell what areas need to be "explored." As many have pointed out, it is not always obvious, and there is no list of skills or mission map to refer to to quickly determine what are you missed!

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordakai
The argument that titles are supposed to be hard is fine. But even the most difficult titles tell you what you need in order to finish it (ie, one more Elite skill, one more mission completed, etc).
Possibly the best and most precise summary of what I was trying to say. Thank you

... And don't anybody reply with "ie, one more percent"! With the other examples, you have a very easy way of finding out where to go to complete that title. When it comes to your own personal map, good luck!

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Karyuu
@the_jos: The sheer number of people who struggle with this title and who have asked for advice and help on various boards, shows that players who get 100% without some difficulty are very rare.
Your assuming that ...

1) 100% of GWs players post on the guru.
2)100% of players have posted their opinions in this thread.

...now I think its far to say both arent true! You cant come to a conclusion that because the majority of posters in this thread seem to be having exploration issues, that the same can be said for the ENTIRE guild wars community.

Obviously if someone posts a thread concerning the bad sides to exploration, you are going to get a everyone who agrees crawling out the wood-work to /sign it. Its also obvious that the majority of posts are going to be along the lines of "I hate exploration, its too hard, make it easier" in a thread like this.

That is no reflection on the opinion of everyone in the entire game. There are going to be 1000s of players who have no problems exploring, who dont even read the guru, while others dont bother posting because they managed fine.

Please dont make comments suggesting that one thread, speaks for the entire views of all guild wars players. They dont all post in here and we're probably the minority who do.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordakai
The argument that titles are supposed to be hard is fine. But even the most difficult titles tell you what you need in order to finish it (ie, one more Elite skill, one more mission completed, etc).

Cartography is unique in my mind because it is so hard to tell what areas need to be "explored." As many have pointed out, it is not always obvious, and there is no list of skills or mission map to refer to to quickly determine what are you missed!
Is there something wrong with having atleast one title which requires your complete inititive to achieve? Without any help or advice?

Fried Tech

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2007

[Yeti]

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
I would suggest that you reread and understand something. There's very little position-taking in my comments.
your right, you cant take a position if you dont know anything....jk

sykoone

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mystical Chaos

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryant Again
Here's a big list of mods if you're interested, Skyoone:
I'm aware of the list. All it is, though, is a mirror of the link I posted. Since hosting the index on the wiki requires you to have all mod links on that page, rather than on user pages, I tend to point to that one anytime I link, rather than to my talk page on the mod, which can be found here.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Torqual
It appears I have now become Head of Sales for the 'Cartography made easy" mod.
You pretty much have. We've had more downloads of the Tyria/Gwen mod since you started this post than in the first month of its release. It's the most popular by far of the three campaigns.

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

I'm actually going to agree with Karyuu there, Freeked. I *highly* doubt that some person getting this on their first try without any assistance at all is not going to get it complete.

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Its also obvious that the majority of posts are going to be along the lines of "I hate exploration, its too hard, make it easier" in a thread like this.
Again. I wouldn't call wall-hugging in a forced 45-degree angle 95% of the time "exploring".

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Is there something wrong with having atleast one title which requires your complete inititive to achieve? Without any help or advice?
Is there something wrong with having any help at all for a title? And that's not so much Mordakai's point, anyways.

YunSooJin

YunSooJin

Pyromaniac

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/W

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fried Tech
your right, you cant take a position if you dont know anything....jk
LOL 123456789

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Your assuming that ...

1) 100% of GWs players post on the guru.
2)100% of players have posted their opinions in this thread.
We've posted in other threads before, you and I, where we both argued that point - that GWG is not a fair representative of the community. However, I wasn't going off of GWG alone. I visit other forums as well, I have friends who don't post anywhere, and if a subject truly interests me then I actually Google for more info, stumbling onto blogs, webpages, etc. The amount of people who have difficulty with the cartographer title outweighs those who consider it easy, and use no comparisons of any sort with completed maps of others.

Quote:
You cant come to a conclusion that because the majority of posters in this thread seem to be having exploration issues, that the same can be said for the ENTIRE guild wars community.
Did you notice how many help requests for Cartography are in this entire forum alone, not just this single thread? And how absolutely large some of those other threads have become?

Quote:
Its also obvious that the majority of posts are going to be along the lines of "I hate exploration, its too hard, make it easier" in a thread like this.
But instead, "The fog is really difficult to distinguish from the actual map sometimes, and ends up being a strain on the eyes. Please consider tweaking the system."

Quote:
Please dont make comments suggesting that one thread, speaks for the entire views of all guild wars players.
When did I do that? Please don't put words in my mouth either.

Consider something that I posted earlier:

Strictly from a design standpoint, if something as simple as a color change greatly increases the efficiency of an activity, the original might not have been the best choice.

lakatz

lakatz

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

Yeah it's unfair and cheating! And it's unfair and cheating to early man that we make fire with matches now instead of sticks... electric matches no less... wtf is this world coming to???

I propose we stop progress NOW!

EDIT: Btw, I got my Legendary Grandmaster Cartographer using Photoshop. And I don't for a second begrudge the invention of the texmod tool or it's use since. Kudos to the guy who figured this one out.

puffzilla

puffzilla

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2006

The Black Hand Gang [BHG]

W/

Once you have a set of screen captures of 100% complete there isn't any reason you shouldn't be able to find the missing spots easily. I've analyzed maps for a lot of guildies. Using XP default ImageViewer and comparing 2 maps is so easy. This is just a slightly easier in game verson of the same thing. But if someone takes 5 minutes to read about the file compare then they'll find out this is pretty much a no brainer title.

I haven't shown my legendary carto title much anyways. And I for one don't really care if other use it. It won't make me think any differently about my title.

Torqual

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by sykoone
You pretty much have. We've had more downloads of the Tyria/Gwen mod since you started this post than in the first month of its release. It's the most popular by far of the three campaigns.
Excellent! Maybe a launch on GWOnline next? I'll cook up some suitable QQ's.

pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Karyuu
You've effectively took care of your own argument, then.
you still don't see the point, lol, if you do it with short cut, admit it, its a short cut, and its EASIER so admit it that there are people who does it the "non-shortcut" who is putting in more efforts. Can't have it both ways you know.

just look at what people who use texmod says. if it isn't easier and reduced the time that you will eventually get 100% of the map un-fogged. there's no reasons what so ever that players would want to use it.

happy days.

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

Sure pumpkin, it's a shortcut to frustrating guessing and longer time spent using Photoshop with difference layers.

Is it being lazy? No. It's being sensible.

Do you think I will go "Wow, you spent all that time speculating where that last percent is instead of using a guide to help you out"? No. I will laugh and shake my head.

Mordakai

Mordakai

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Aug 2005

Kyhlo

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Please dont make comments suggesting that one thread, speaks for the entire views of all guild wars players. They dont all post in here and we're probably the minority who do.
I would guess that those who have completed Cartography titles are a minority as well...


Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Is there something wrong with having atleast one title which requires your complete inititive to achieve? Without any help or advice?
It's inconsistent. Why does it bother you that there's a text mod that makes getting a title a little easier? To me, it's the same as a wiki walkhrough or an Elite skill location guide. I suppose some people never use those resources, but I see no reason to fault those that do.

And, anyway, your theoritical example does not exist. People have been helping others with Cartography titles since it launched. This is just the latest iteration. If you don't want the help, don't use it.

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryant Again
....
Again. I wouldn't call wall-hugging in a forced 45-degree angle 95% of the time "exploring".....
I have no idea how that relates to what I wrote!

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
I have no idea how that relates to what I wrote!
You said:

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
"I hate exploration, its too hard, make it easier"
Now you weren't talking about yourself hating exploration, but instead pointing out that people should be *enjoying* the exploration. My point is that there is *little* exploration because of having to be forced into a viewpoint and hugging the wall the entire time you are mapping an area.

freekedoutfish

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

E/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryant Again
You said:



Now you weren't talking about yourself hating exploration, but instead pointing out that people should be *enjoying* the exploration. My point is that there is *little* exploration because of having to be forced into a viewpoint and hugging the wall the entire time you are mapping an area.
Well that your opinion about exploration, but that doesnt speak for the entire GWs community just because a small % post certain views in the guru.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mordakai

And, anyway, your theoritical example does not exist. People have been helping others with Cartography titles since it launched. This is just the latest iteration. If you don't want the help, don't use it.
what "theoretical example" did I mention?

I just said you cant argue that the majority of the entire GWs community finds exploration hard purely based on the small % who post in the guru. As above!

Jongo River

Jongo River

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

This is the only sample of GW players we have access to, though. It's a touch churlish to write-off the opinions here because they're "not everybody".

I'd also suggest those who care enough to pursue titles are the most likely to be reading forums.

Amon Warrior

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
The suggestion that the visual clarity/fog distinction capacity should get into the game is interesting. Have you ever wondered why we have a radar? For the very reason that people will create map hacks that give them an advantage so we've given everyone a level playing field with the radar. So I can understand the suggestion and it'll be interesting to see what the designers feel about that idea. (And they designers may not know if I don't point it out, so it's all good.)
Excellent!

Come on designers, do your magic!... Pretty please...?

Gaile Gray

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fried Tech
your right, you cant take a position if you dont know anything....jk
Which is why you are wisely not taking a position on my having or not having taken a position about the taking of positions?

Great, we're on the same page!

Skyy High

Skyy High

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: May 2006

R/

Got a Jack Sparrow feel to that one Gaile...

Gaile Gray

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyy High
Got a Jack Sparrow feel to that one Gaile...
That's Captain Jack Sparrow.

Bryant Again

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by freekedoutfish
Well that your opinion about exploration, but that doesnt speak for the entire GWs community just because a small % post certain views in the guru.
No. That's not my opinion of exploration. It's not even an opinion. It's what the cartography title IS: Wall-hugging.

Sure, there's the big bit in the middle of areas you map, but that's done through the main-campaign.

Dallcingi

Dallcingi

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

USA

The Black Parades [死人死]

Mo/

It is not Anets fault that people made mods to make it easier... Anet does not look down upon mods in general.

FyrFytr998

FyrFytr998

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Connecticut USA

[ITPR]

W/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
That's Captain Jack Sparrow.
Savvy?

123455678

pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

Good that we all agree this mod made the task EASIER.

Karyuu, you do not have to go WOW, you did it the hard way, just know you didn't and don't argue that it is the same effort that both players who used mod and players who don't use mod. because its not the same effort.

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

I consider "effort" different "waste of time" - if you're not using texmod, I presume you're not using Photoshop either and are relying strictly on the in-game map alone. If that's what you want to do, by all means. But I personally think that method to be needlessly drawn out and inefficient.

If you tell me that I didn't do something the hard way, I will agree. I think I took the smart way. But I don't think anyone has any right to call me lazy.

pumpkin pie

pumpkin pie

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

behind you

bumble bee

E/

Karyuu,

1) No one is calling you lazy.

2) I want the overlay to be implemented in the game by ANET, I infact have started a thread exactly about that, it just didn't receive any attention except me being called lazy and unworthy of the title if i needed that much help by other players.

3) Bear in mind i don't even use photoshop to compare the map, because I cannot open 2 programs that uses that many memory, my computer just isn't that powerful. I do however look at other peoples completed map, specifically the one on TCFish's webpage, to see where the differences are, and I have to admit, you cannot see squat from another person's completed map online, and your own in game map, if you have 98.xx% map already un-fogged, plus to tell the truth, TCFish's maps are great, he help a lot of people posting those maps, but its just not the same map as I have, there are couple of places that he can un-fogged on his map that just isn't accessible from my game.

4) The fact that you defend whole heartedly that using texmod isn't easier then people who don't use texmod and that both spent the same amount of effort are the only reasons I say you have to admit that its easier, thats it. nothing more. Because while I definitely use more time and effort doing it my way, you cannot say you spend the same amount of time and effort doing it your way (with texmod) as do I, that's just not true. texmod DO MAKE IT EASIER. and its not anything bad. THATS JUST IT, TEXMOD MADE CARTOGRAPHY EASIER.

Karyuu

Karyuu

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2007

Kahlifownia

Roses of the Moonlight Sigil [RoMS]

W/Rt

In one of your previous posts, you stated: "...you just didn't put in the effort..." and that's what riled me up. You made it sound as if I loaded texmod and BOOM it was just a walk in the park right from here. That's the reason I took issue with you.

Quote:
The fact that you defend whole heartedly that using texmod isn't easier then people who don't use texmod and that both spent the same amount of effort are the only reasons I say you have to admit that its easier, thats it.
I never said that you spend the same amount of time with or without texmod. In fact I've been arguing through this whole thread that texmod speeds up the process. Where are you getting these ideas..? If people spend the exact same amount of effort with texmod as without it, then what would be its point? Why would so many people find it attractive? It would make no sense.

Whirlwind

Whirlwind

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2007

Wolven Empire

D/

And what in game bonus's does one aquire from having a cartographer title? Nothing. So i guess my point is who cares and who does it hurt? No one.