Blaccy The Farmer (Also Marketplace Project)

[shockedfrog]

This doesn't sound like it really fits as it is, with the need for admin assistance, currently unimplemented features, and the whole thing has a very 'hard-coded' feel to it. What I think you should do is focus on things that would contribute to the project and make suggestions for those individually, such as water features and improved land controls. Once those are implemented, you and/or other players can then build a suitable market area the normal way.

[Blaccy]

Its an interesting thought, but this project does help raise a couple of interesting questions for such a project:

1) A "Market" as it stands, can only truly be obtained if one were to set party on or openly trade in the wilderness. What you say is one factor that can be addressed from this project -- The land-claiming abilities, and what it could use to improve upon (one such idea being temporary claim for such a "hard-coded" thought I'm trying to do).

2) Land controls, at the moment, are not fully implemented obviously. This project does aim to reveal what can and can't be done with the current alpha build, and it obviously shows that players have no true option of forming the land to their will, but they do have a limited ability to change what they walk under. This also brings up another interesting, yet sadly "hard-coded" idea: A building planner.

3) While there are many simultaneous objectives here that are proving very difficult, making a community effort to create such a thing, even in the alpha stages, can really set people together and uncover different things. Being big and experiemental, this idea isn't simply trying to be "hard-coded"; If anything, its trying to use what is available to its full extent, and pointing out implicitly what current flaws the system has, and what could be done to improve it.

Though, I do appreciate your objection -- Its fun to hear why its a bad idea, and it does make me think more about this project. However, I believe I'm going to continue this project, and perhaps do it again when a map wipe comes and goes.

EDIT: It appears I totally screwed up the claim space that originates (it starts off 5x5, not 8x8!), so back to the drawing board! The design remains, but will be changed shortly.

EDIT x2: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/Blac_Slayer/TemplateMarketplace-1.png?t=1244267085

New design, and its much smaller -- 4 times as small even =P Which means take all of those big numbers and divide them by four and now you have your much more compact market! 3x3 spots can even be claimed, taking the grass around it (only one spot conflicts, but that's still in planning about if I want it or not). Comments, complaints, questions?

[Potjeh]

I'd be willing to do some work on the marketplace if it's at one of the two southern locations, otherwise it's too far for me to go work there. I think the one of the two that's further north would be best choice, so the market is closer to the northern villages.

[Laremere]

Wow, you put allot of work into that...

I think that a best location for this would be near lake town, as it is in the middle of the map about. Have you check out the location north-west of lake town in ring two? Having it in ring two would also have its advantages, as we wouldn't have to worry about meanie animals.

I like the design of the market place, but I think it lacks a good central area for people to go in and trade. Instead of having people go around to different places to trade, I think it would be best to have areas to store stock, and then go in the middle and talk to people, and when a deal is made, both parties can go to their respective stock pile, get the agreed upon items, and then go give it to the other party. I think that a few locations in the center with an 8 pattern, being two 4x4 size spots would work well for people putting down items that are in mid trade, where the other party also puts their stuff (in the other sister square) and grabs the stuff they traded for.

The market place also need to have a place for roads to come out of on either end (north and south) so that we can build a road system that goes through it.

[theTrav]

I like the market idea.
A central chat area would be good, but many people will prefer not to leave their goods unattended.

Whatever happens, admin interference wouldn't be good. If the water is to be non-fishable, then the ability to create such non-fishable ponds should be added in, not a special acception.

your best bet for having this market be a success, is to pick a spot equidistant from as many villages as possible and build your own town there, with the focus on being a trading hub, rather than just building one and telling people to go there.

[Vattic]

Cool idea, don't know if I'll be dropping by right away but I wish you all the best. With coins and carts in the game now that will make things much easier .

[Blaccy]

Well, I've thought about it, and took what suggestions have come... and one thing I have decided is where to actually put this Market place. It should be here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/Blac_Slayer/mapMarketSpot.png?t=1244346846

At least, this is my suggestion. What do others think of this location? Do you think it is good distance from all other settlements? Do you think this is a feasible location, or should it be located further south?

Seeing how this is nearby the village by the sea, and taking a suggestion from theTrav himself, I have decided that it would be wise for me to pack my bags from my own private farm and head to the towns to live with others. However, before that, I would like to formally ask if it is okay to move to the Village by the Sea, in hopes of making it one of the most bustling hubs of commerce this alpha map has ever seen! I can understand if you decline, however; It is just that -- A Village, and to make it a commerce center could change it for the worst in terms of quietness. I would like to get an answer from a villager, if possible.

In terms of design, I do not quite yet have an updated design. But I'll come up with one, no doubt. Trying to take into Laremere's suggestion for a more central area, its proving interesting to come up with something. Next Edit should have a new map.

EDIT: Here's the updated design: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v322/Blac_Slayer/TemplateMarketplace2.png?t=1244354649

Do note that the water still exists; My reasoning? I expect that one day, we will be given the tools to dig our own pools of water. So it will not be removed from the design -- The only reason I want admin assistance is to help with things currently not implemented that I no doubt feel will eventually be put in for us to do ourselves. Though, if its not, then I'd stand more than corrected. D:

Please note this second design is designed with a central point in design -- The 3x3 spaces off to the side are meant as stockpiles. This means the merchants should be advertising in the center and doing business there. The first design is more "street-side" market style, allowing merchants to set up claims and shops accordingly. This will allow more browsing, but less focus on trade, possibly resulting in less business being traded amongst others.

As always, comments, complaints, suggestions, and likewise are all welcome.

[Laremere]

I don't mind that location, though I don't live at bottleneck. It is fairly central.

[niltrias]

I actually would prefer it to be at brogdor. It would be nice for new peeps to immediately see other players interacting, so they dont hink they have logged into a wasteland. Also, they could immediately meet people and be recruited into settlements, or at least get some advice about what to do.
Just seems like it would be good for the game in general to have a bit more traffic at the starting point.

[sami1337]

You know what i noticed? You seem to avoid my place completely. Which is sort of understandable. But it's the perfect place. But it would be hard to realise something with my place there as there are people that want it to stay.

Also, do take note of the fact that we are right now moved onto the desert north of our location at the sea. Between the desert and us there's our extended farm.

Oh and i think the center is a terrible idea.