Invitation to an International Time Honored Experince

[Secrets]

While somewhat related to this idea, I would rather propose this instead of a portal to another server:

Special EQEMulator Community event.

Server Ops would get together, share the custom zones they made, and tweak them to the difficulty of their server. This would mean, all servers participating in this event will post a custom zone that they have worked on before. A server op would download this zone, tweak it, and make sure it fits the criteria of balance on that person's server. I have shared one of my zones with Scars of Amerous tweaked for their server, and I was thinking that perhaps Storm Haven could use the zone, Raid Addicts, and basically whoever wanted it. While it destroys the purpose of original content, it also adds a level of a feeling that you are sharing to a community, instead of directly competing with a server. I've seen too many servers have people rebel and start their own server, because they disagreed with policies that the server op put forth for them. However, if they could find it in their hearts to take 30 minutes to export a zone from MySQL using the filter tool (provided you organize in that manner) and share with the other people in the community, that would bring us closer together in the end.

While I don't expect anyone to go through with this idea, I will say this: I am willing to give up the same zone I gave to Scars to the communities' server ops if they are willing to go through by handing something out in return.

All in all, it would be pretty neat if people came together in this manner, whether it be via KingMort's portal idea or this. I do not mean to hijack a thread, I mean to add on in constructive thinking.

ps: To clarify on what I mean by 'balancing it for your server', that would mean you put in the loot and factions yourself, while the scripting and spawning of NPCs would already be done. It would be a dream to see this place working as a community in not only the database + coding livelike side, but in the custom code side as well, a la eqbots.

[Richardo]

I could make a portal zone and custom portal objects per server. (Like a stone that you can click that says, "PEQ" on it Physically.)

[trevius]

I try to keep custom files down to a minimum and nothing that would effect playing on other servers. The only custom files I have right now are the spell files. I think custom files alone is a huge reason why this idea would be very hard to implement properly. Most custom servers have at least a custom spell file, and I know that many of them are not compatible. And if there are other custom files, it would cause even more issues.

The idea Secrets has is an interesting one. But, many custom servers tend to use the same zones, so it would be hard to give one that doesn't overlap with custom content on another server. Plus, I doubt people would be willing to give up their best zone. Which means that it would just be a bunch of mediocre stuff, which I don't think makes it worth the hassle and possible issues.

I have shared many quest files that were made for my server that I thought might be useful to other admins. If I was to share any of my custom zones, I think one that probably wouldn't overlap with other servers is my Corathusa zone. The zone is pretty simple, but it has a unique system in it for leveling and gaining points to spend on armor instead of just getting normal item drops from the NPCs.

[xexllama]

I agree Trevius.

Example being the last time I played on RA I believe CH was modified to have a 2 second cast time? That's just one example of many which differ greatly from server to server.

While the idea on paper sounds fantastical and euphoric, it would encompass an array of issues. Now why not a collaboration server? Maybe have each server Dev agree to one or two zones, which they can customize in anyway they deem fit, with custom lore drops etc within context. Almost a Picasso server filled with various pieces which congeal to form a larger picture?

A 'combine' custom server if you will?

I would view this as a way for each server to demonstrate it's unique ability to host the best WHILE improving the community strength by involving multiple participants..

or maybe I've had to many beers?

[KingMort]

Well the level 85 heal is 2 seconds or something... Yeah it's going to be hard if anyone were to want to come or go from RA to other servers due to the fact that 100% of the spells are either custom or modified...

As far as RA goes thats the only files that are Custom..

King

[Richardo]

You guys are over thinking this completely. There are several zones that are no longer used anymore.

"Load" - "Arttest" etc...

If a custom server uses these zones, then oh well. Too bad so sad, they have to make a choice to host and be a part of the portal or not have it at all. Anywho, the code work seems like it would be astronomically difficult. If someone wants to step up and do it, then I am board for creating a zone + new 3d objects per each server op's request for this.