CavernSense

I had another look at the discussion on the MOUL forum about User Created Content that Calam started. I won’t use his words, but I’ll point you to the thread so you can read it yourself. Ahvree has been asking for pre-made building blocks that new players (unfamiliar with age-building) can move, place, cover with images (textures), rotate, stack… you get the picture. I agree with her and mzsv that the moveable blocks probably aren’t in the cards for now (and won’t be in the ages, either) And then Ahvree, in a voice that seems familiar somehow, says that it is common sense for builders to devote energy to other builders in telling the story and building new ages first, before spending time on boring building blocks (like legos). Then she says something interesting: “Common sense doesn’t sound like an exciting advertising campaign for a game that could appeal to hundreds and not tens.”

“But Cavernsense does” I said to myself, and then outloud on the forum.

Then I heard the voices in the ethers…  “Huh?”

Yeah, I agree, what in the heck is CavernSense? Hmmm, don’t know really, except that explorers use it all the time when they help each other. Can’t point to it except I can see it everywhere in the community. Maybe I should use apophatic language here and say what it is not.

Cuz that I can say a bit about.

Let’s see…

Cavernsense is not cheese. It gets better with age, but It’s never stinky.

Cavernsense is not light. You can’t see it but its presence makes everything seem brighter.

Cavernsense is not a hammer. You can use it constantly and never pound anything down.

Cavernsense is not a burden. If you get tired of it you can always toss it aside.

Cavernsense is not currency. You can keep it all to yourself and still give it away.

Not much, but that’s a start. Later I’ll try to define what it is. Might need some help on that though.

Well known by now is the news on June 30, 2008 that Cyan received the rights to MOUL from GameTap.

Huzzah!

Good thing I hadn’t completely unpacked my linking books and sparklies —- What? I wasn’t supposed to work those loose and transport them to the surface with me? Oh… my bad.

Since then we’ve heard that Cyan is planning to give explorers the tools to build ages, import them into the cavern, and perhaps add bits and pieces to our Relto. I’m glad to hear this. Since I’ve been at Kaneva I’ve become rather attached to moving blocks around and texturing them. I’m still not versed in Blender, but just working with 3D objects and textures has already taught me quite a bit. The Medieval Village is coming along well; the Professor plans to document the site sometime this fall. She’s asked me to collaborate with her on that — what fun!

There seems to be some consternation regarding the free distribution of the tools from Cyan. I’ve been taking some time to read the posts at the Guild of Writers. The Writers seem to disagree a bit about the degree to which they should be involved in any type of control over the tools distribution. Of course, Cyan will make the decision, but I think it is good that the Writers are concerned with the nature of their role in the re-restoration.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. There are quite a number of very talented people there — I’m hoping that if/when the Guild of Healers is fully restored we can collaborate with a team of Writers to build a Healer’s Age. Of course, that’s assuming that Cyan would allow us to do that. I wish I was better versed so I could ask some of my questions without sounding like an idiot. For now, though, since I would sound like an idiot, I will keep reading. When I find more time I’ll go back to learning Blender.

The Messengers are to be the source of information from Cyan to the Community and from Community Groups to the Community. I am glad to see things coming together there. I would like to remain involved in that as well — “ha ha,” RL whispers in my ear, “you think you’ll have time for anything?” Well, I am making progress on the dissertation, and it will someday be finished. When that time comes, then I’ll see. This summer is the big push to get as much done as possible, so I hope to be more free this fall.

Yesterday I finally felt like I’d completed all the “heavy lifting” for the dissertation. My theories, arguments, and evidence is sorted and the arguments I wish to make are in sentences on paper (so to speak). Now that they are in place, I don’t have to concentrate quite as hard on what it is I am trying to say. Hence, a blog post today. Kind of makes sense, I think. Chores first, reward with play. Right now I’m off to read more forum threads. Today I will spend some time at the Maintainers’ forum. They, too, have significant involvement with the reopening of the Cavern. I’m interested to see what it all means for a normal explorer like me. And there’s more to it, of course. The Maintainers will be an important part of the Healers’ Guild, especially in the story….

Oops. That will have to wait for a bit. No sense getting ahead of myself. Besides, I have to load up those sparklies and get them back into the Cavern before anyone notices they are gone.

~Ghaelen