Interactive map

6/20 - Well, I gave the latest interactive map to GuildWars Guru, a few days ago and I’m sure they’re very busy, so I decided to post my base version on my own site while we wait for them to post it. The base version is pretty much the same, except has a different look.

The features are in away listed in the interactive map, but for those who want just a basic list before using it:
Quick jumps between map points,
Jump points to help quickly jump around the map,
A very, very basic Search ability,
Quest listings (for quests that are provided),
Map switching/loading (for maps that are provided),
Map point information (if provided)

And the rest of the features are for the people adding the data

Screenshots can be found at my site here:
http://home.comcast.net/~tifa_rockhe...reenshots.html

Now here is the interactive map that you’re here for:
(click a link to load the specified map and center it at the specified location)
Ascalon:
Ascalon City
Ascalon Arena
Ascalon Foothills
Diessa Lowlands
Dragons Gullet
Eastern Frontier
Flame Temple Corridor
Fort Ranik
Frontier Gate
Grendich Courthouse
Nolani Academy
Old Ascalon
Piken Square
PockmarkFlats
Regent River Basin
Ruins of Surmia
Sardelac Sanitarium
Serenity Temple
The Breach
The Great Northern Wall

Other Maps
North Shiverpeak
Kryta
Maguuma Jungle
Crystal Desert
South Shiverpeak
Ring of Fire

The Full Map of Tyria

The Presearing map (beginning map)

Unfortunately my current host doesn’t allow dynamically written htmls (that I know of), so in order to show off another new feature, I made these individual htmls which are all pretty much same except for two lines.

Helping out with information:
As always I NEED HELP!
If you could, please put the information in some kind of form such as:
Credit: (your name/ your guild name/ etc)
Type: (quest/town/mission/boss location/etc) -- Don’t worry about this one too much
Info: (your information)

For map points (towns, outposts, missions, regions, material traders, armor crafters, drakes, bosses, etc)
Please provide a screenshot of where they are located (if not already on the map)
The name of the map point (like Warmaster Tydus)
And then any other information you have.

The information needed for towns, outposts, missions, and regions are:
Skills that can be found there (at this point, no need to name who has them)
Items that can be found there, like from merchants or weapon/armor crafters (no trader items please)
Collectors and what they collect (at this point, no need for what they give)
Tamable Pets in the area
Your view point on how difficult the area is to get around (very hard, hard, average, easy, very easy)
What kind of special NPCs can be found in the area (merchants, material traders, dye traders, armor crafters, etc)
Also the names only, of other NPCs that give quests or are a part of a quest.

The information needed for NPCs (merchants, bosses, drakes, material traders, etc) are:
Their name.
Skills that can be captured from them, if any.
What they sell, if anything.
What quests they have, if any. (just need the name)

For quests please provide screenshots as well, so I can place a quest marker for them.
The screenshots should be of:
-where you got the quest (a screen shot of the Quest Log menu, with the mini map (press U) of your location is preferred, since it helps keeps the number of screen shots needed low)
-where you finished a ‘part’ of a quest, for each part there is, including any dialog given to you when you finished the part. (same quest log and mini-map screen shot is preferred)
-where you finished the final ‘part’ of the quest (again same quest log and mini-map screen shot is preferred)
Here is an example screenshot of what I would like:
http://home.comcast.net/~tifa_rockhe...mple_quest.jpg

Some Concerns:
Bugs:
I’m still a learning programmer and so I don’t expect this interactive map to be bug free. In fact I dislike how I coded it since it’s really just the original version with a mess of things added to it. So expect bugs, and if they occur, try refreshing the interactive map page. If you PM me the bugs you find I’ll try my best to fix them if I believe I can. Although keep in mind that I am working solo on programming this interactive map and I just got a summer job as well (sadly not one in programming or computer graphics *sigh*), which means I might not even be able to get to the bugs right away. Hopefully no major bugs will be found.

Downloadable version:
For those who are waiting for downloadable version, the downloadable .swf should be posted up after I collect some more data, so I’m sorry for the wait.

4/09 - Hi!
I created an interactive flash map for GuildWars to help out a bit during the next beta, since I know that getting around in 3 days can be quite hard.
There is a problem though... it lacks information!

The main map stuff works (moving the map, zooming in/out, quick jumps, etc), but when you try to look at information for a location, you’ll mostly see “?” and “unknown”.

So I need help with collecting information. If you know information about some of the stuff that I’m missing, could you please, please, pleeease tell me?
I’m also looking for nice short descriptions of places.
Credit will definitely be given on the interactive map to those who help

Link to site with my interactive map:
Interactive map

Wow,some great work there!

Just a little bit of advice - the release is near, wait for it before you fill in all the data, many things could change in the next few weeks.

Nice, work really smooth looking. You should talk to MOOMANiBE hes the map guru he will have everything you need .

oh and here is something cool to if you need ideas for future improvments as suggested by Greentongue earlier

Nice Job! Like the cutouts too.

I'd be happy to go with ya next beta wherever you wanna go PVE wise. My info is in the Unofficial GWG Member Phone Book, link in my sig.

That is a nice map, well done!

wow probably the best map ive seen yet and its very intaractive, cant wait for it to be finished!

I have a feeling I'm going to love this map come release

I have just Bookmarked you Map. I have a feeling it will be a great help.

wow nice one

i shall do as ren did and bookmark

Very nice. Excellent work.

Very good. If I find any info during the BWE you may need, I'll send it to you.

Awesome work, it's very impressive

WOW!! That's awesome work. Thanks so much.

I'd be more than happy to send you info as I gather them.

Wow, you seem to be good at this . Good luck and I hope you get all the help you need.

i haven't done pve in a while and like wow...lots of new explorable areas.

gj so far tifa!

Heh.. Actually, tifa PMed me long before this asking to use the map
As for area information, I'm not exactly a huge expert about what's in the areas (outfitters and such), but I'm pretty familiar with most locations and I could certainly give descriptions.

Edit: Ah.. you asked me a while back for portal locations, didn't you? I can clip those out right now if you like.

I also suggest that you add the bottom portion of the map... that will be available upon release... and it's coming fast, so there's no time like now.

But yeah, overall, it's very nice.

Excellent work. Nice to see that we all are not wasting our time in the forums...at least someone is being productive in between betas .

Vai

Feature request: flash7 can detect mousewheel - blease bind it to zoom.

Other than that it looks very nice.

Well done tifa! That is really professional work. It is clear you know what you are doing, but your talent doesn't reflect upon your website! You must have put a lot of work into this flash app, it really shows.

Amazing flash skills there. I can't say how much I really mean 'well done'.

I really like it. This has great potential in the future. I'll happily help however I can/if I can, once the game gets going.

Wow, thank you all for the great compliments and feedback!
It shows me that the time I spent working on the interactive map was well worth it.

Thanks for the great advice IceD'Bear. It’s always nice to know there are nice people out there looking out for you.
And yah, I actually don’t plan on making an updated version until the game comes out (and until MOOMANiBE makes another super great map).
BUT, I am okay with upgrading this version. I programmed it so that for details all I have to do is pretty much copy and paste. For those who are a bit familiar with programming, I coded Area objects which hold the data for the various areas, and the prompts and stuff just extract that data. This way I only have to change the data in the objects, and everything else will display it properly.
I was also thinking about making a XML version, but then it would become more of an online only kinda interactive map. Which I guess is good if fansites like guildwars guru wanted my interactive map for their site, since they’d be able to update it faster than I would, but streaming such a big map is not too nice for those on 56k.

I would like that a lot Sin. I always seem to get stuck at The Wilds. I’ve never been past that part once. But I must warn you, I have some “interesting” builds, which is probably why not many people join with me... hehe. One of my in-game names is: Unforgiven Soul, so just whisper me if you ever see me in the game, which you should unless I accidentally hit alt+f4 while falling asleep on my keyboard.

Thanks Auh, Joysze, and Diabolus. I look forward to your help! And I’m sure many others who use this interactive map are too!

Thank you again MOOMANiBE, descriptions would be great! I don’t consider myself much of a writer, so I know any descriptions I make wouldn’t do the places any justice.
And yah, I still look forward to those portal locations, but I know you must be busy with your wonderful map projects and I would enjoy more of your map updates than fixing my portal locations. So take your time.


Thanks for the feedback on the features. I was kinda wondering how people liked them.
For the bottom of the map, that would actually be up to MOOMANiBE, I use his map as you can see in the credits. I’m sure though that MOOMANiBE will add it when he can though, but you should still give MOOMANiBE your feedback, I’m sure he would love it. Just click on his sig picture to post any feedback you have on his Map Project 6.
Hm.. scrolling zoom, I actually never thought of that. I do support mouse scrolling but only for those text scrollbars I made. Hehe.. I actually got lazy with them though, and just coded a general scroll handler, so you can actually see a bug with the scroll if you try to scroll in a prompt and have Quick Jump open, or visa versa. But I’ll definitely try to implement zoom scrolling, just might take awhile since I would finally have to deal with scrolling within only areas of focus.

That’s another great idea I never thought of. I would definitely like to implement something like that, but not sure if I can since the map is sooo big and I also allow clicking map locations. I probably won’t be able to add something like that until sometime after the game release, but until then any ideas on how I should implement this?
Haha, yah, I’m not much of a designer. In fact art/graphic work normally takes me the longest. But if you’re volunteering, I could use help designing my webpage and possibly a new look for the next version of the interactive map when the game comes out.

*phew* that was a lot to type, but keep ‘em coming!

One transparent portal image, coming right up

http://home.comcast.net/~moomanibe/Portals.png

As for descriptions, would you prefer more 'Tour-Guide' (Welcome to the beautiful city of lion's arch, the home of Kryta's famed White Mantle, with the most thriving commercial district for miles around! We hope you enjoy your stay in this beautiful coastal city blah blah...), or 'Informative'? (As of this writing, Lion's Arch is the most populous of the three cities on Tyria -- It has the most, and most useful, NPCs compared to other cities like Ascalon and is easily accessable compared to later areas like Denravi. In addition to highly convinient crafting material and dye traders, you can also find boats to the coastal arena and tomb of the primeval kings. LA, as it is commonly referred to, is often seen as the "Central Hub" of the game for high-to-mid level players and as such, is a constant center of trade -- and trade spam. ect ect ect)

http://www.guild-hall.net/map/map.php

i really wouldn't mind boxes that show territories like that.

Tuon, try looking around in the menus -- those borders are already there

=o

wait wait.. stamp of approval retracted due to slightly irritating scrolling credits. If we want to know who helped, we'll click on the about thingy :(

Haha, you’re really good at writing descriptions MOOMANiBE. I actually like them both!
Hmmm… I guess I would have to go with the more Informative type of description. I figure that players would be using my interactive map mainly for information, so an Informative description would fit right in.
And thanks MOOMANiBE for the portal image! You’re helping me out so much with this interactive map; you truly are the map guru. *bows down* I’ve already downloaded it, and you should see it in my next small update (when ever that will be).

Hehe, thank you Tuon! Even though I know you found the borders it gives me feedback that I should make the view menu more obvious. Any ideas on where I should put them to make it more known?

I'd be happy to help. I've made some websites, here's two of mine:
http://www.darkhorizon.org.uk
http://abstraction.siteburg.com
I write php with mysql so if there's any dynamic content you need, I can do that too.
I was also wondering about this phonebook system that Sin told me about. It looks as though it's just a post at the minute. It would be good if there could be an actual database with all the info and a site to look at it from. (but this out of the scope of this topic)

Quite the talented programmer.. sadly i need to develop my skills some more. Also i have little website experience and i need to make a site for my guild looks like ill have to trial and error till i can find some one who can teach me or do it for me. i find you map is quite good. *bookmarks* only thing i would suggest adding would be a pre-searing (if it stay after release) with all the locations of the trainers because i know i had alot of friends who came to try it ask me where every thing was.

Also i would also help you (preferably with my ranger if i can get to lion's arch the weekend if not i have a nec there) if you need to know my char names just PM me i dont bite. jsut ask my friends (they get emotionally attached and wont let go ).

Great work! One suggestion: I would rename the tab "Quests" to "Missions" though.

Just to inform everyone, I’m currently working on the many wonderfully suggested upgrades from this thread.
If you have any other suggestions I’d still love to hear them and hopefully I will be able to add them in before I release the next version.

And for the 56k users out there, I’ve also started on the 56k friendlier version, but it looks like the smallest I can go is about 1mb. I’m still trying to get it smaller so that the basic interactive features can be used without the long wait time.

Hopefully by the time the game is released and MOOMANiBE comes out with another great map, I’ll have all the features ready.

The Guru is proud to reveal that we've agreed to host Tifa's map and you can now find it on our site here. You can also find the link on our front page on the left. So, in case it isn't already obvious, we fully endorse this little endevour, so pitch in and keep that map up to date if you can.

Tifa, how exactly are you working the GUI? Are you just using cut up images? If so--which makes things much easier, I could try ripping the GW GUI to make the map really mesh with the game!

EDIT:
Here's what I've got after a bit of work, let me know if you're interested in taking it any further. (Feel free to email me at freeb0rn_at_yahoo_dot_com.)


EDIT #2:
That font that really seems like the GW font is called FritzQuadrata. It's quite nice (I've used it on all the text on the mockup--I believe). The actual "map" that the stuff is overlayed over is a direct copy paste from your program.

Very nice job on the map!

Wow, that's some great work you have there. I actually thought it was a screen shot within GuildWars for a moment!
And to answer your question, the GUI is made completely by me within flash. Some images are cutouts such as the loading screen and now the GuildWars Guru logo. Although I am interested in the work you've done freeb0rn. And thank you for telling about that font, I'll definitely look for it.

!!UPDATE!!

There is actually a new version out also at my site (link in sig)
GuildWars Guru hasn't been able to add it yet though, since I just told them like.. now.
Tell me what you think about the new look and layout.

Have fun during the last BWE!!!!!

I've come down with something (a possible ear infection) so I may/may not be missing for the majority of this weekend. Regardless, if you want to contact me through aim (freeb0rngr)/msn ([email protected])/email feel free to do so and I will help to my utmost capacity to satisfy your desires (for the mapping program... let's not get carried away!)

is the new version of this meant to be working? because i got some sort of error when i tried to run it "cries" but anyways the ideas great i've needed something like this ever since i started playing!! ^_^ finding collectors again when you got what they want is a pain>.<

wow nice.

So tifa, are you planning to update along with the map project? I've made a lot of additions to the map and will be continuing to do so for quite a while...

Was it a load data error? If it was then that’s because my latest versions aren’t downloadable yet, since there are other files needed to make the map run properly. If not, then can you tell me what the message said, and I’ll try to figure out what it was.

YUP! Since I know that the world of Guildwars will change every now and then with expansions and stuff, I’m redesigning the interactive maps to be more flexible / dynamic. The next version should be easier for me and Guildwars guru to update the maps without having me to make a new version. So when it’s done, I will be using one of your latest map projects.

Information on when to expect the next update:
Although I am working hard on the next version, my time to work on it is decreasing. My finals are getting closer and so my school work load is increasing. Plus I would like some time to enjoy Guildwars myself.
For the worst outcome, the next interactive map won’t be finished until the last week of this month(May), when my semester will be over. I am of course trying to finish it sooner.

I’m sorry for making you all have to wait so long for the next version. I’m hoping things go well, allowing me to finish it much sooner.

Great job, I love it!