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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 22, 2002 02:04 AM |
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Edited By: Laelth on 21 Oct 2002
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Poll Question:
Mapmakers Only, Please
I recently learned that the Might and Magic Guild (3DO's baby) has extended its map contest to Oct. 31 and has opened the contest to non-guild members. This means, probably, that they're not getting many good maps. Of course, it's easy to understand why. I've seen a lot of bad ones. I've written two maps now, Dunwold and Dark Son, and they took me a _long_ time. Just drafting Dark Son took me over 80 hrs. Testing it ate up at least another 80. Currently, I'm working on another map that's in its testing stage, but has not been submitted to any site on the web (which, BTW, is a requirement for maps submitted to the contest). Evidently, 3DO intends to publish the maps in an expansion pack. They'll make money off mapmakers' work (a lot of work). In addition, the mapmaker loses all rights to the map, and 3DO can change it in any way they like. In exchange, the mapmaker gets his/her name in the credits and a year's membership to the Might and Magic Guild. I think I have the contest terms described correctly, here. Someone, please correct me if I'm wrong.
Is it just me, or does this seem like a raw deal?
So, mapmakers, here's the question:
Will you submit (or have you submitted) your maps to this contest?
Please respond with comments explaining why or why not.
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jb239
Famous Hero
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posted October 22, 2002 07:10 PM |
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I was gonna submit a map...
But dont think I am now. Dont really care for 3do as a company, and figure they will try to screw the mapmakers for the contest somehow. as it is, they extended the contest... I figure cause not many submitted
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I will not lose.
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Thunder
Responsible
Famous Hero
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posted October 22, 2002 07:14 PM |
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I have heard that they are going to give second expansion to the contestants. I'm not sure about that.
Anyway I doubt that I am going to take part to the contest (I propably could make a good medium or large map before dead line).
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Oh_Smeg
Adventuring Hero
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posted October 23, 2002 07:19 AM |
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No, I am not submitting anything.
The original condition for entry of being a guild member put me right off and they are only changing that condition of entry after they realized hardly anyone was entering.
Their attitude is moneygrubbing and exploitative and sux.
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Grythandril
Famous Hero
who is a Chaotic Wizard
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posted October 23, 2002 11:18 AM |
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I have given up for the moment.
Until a manual is released then making maps will be very hard indeed
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Psychobabble
Known Hero
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posted October 23, 2002 02:25 PM |
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You're correct about the prize, and there's more:
Quote:
Prizes: Each winner of the Contest will have his or her winning map distributed in the upcoming Heroes of Might and MagicŪ IV expansion, and winners' names will be included in the game credits. In addition, each Contest winner will receive (1) a copy of the HeroesŪ IV expansion (autographed by the dev team), and (2) a one (1) year free membership in 3DO's Might and MagicŪ Guild. Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, not redeemable for cash, and no substitution by winners will be allowed.
Full list of rules can be found here.
I've finished a map and am just working on a singleplayer version of it before submitting it. I'm quite proud of it and if it is unsuccesful I'll be sure to submit it for TOH testing... I think it'd be suitable.
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H4TCG Review
H4 Map Reviews
Successful trades w/Teuta and doc
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Camelnor
Famous Hero
Also known as Blue Camel
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posted October 23, 2002 05:17 PM |
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link is bad.
happens to me all the time... i bet you have quotes around the url, which screws up the link and makes it go to heroescommunity.com.
the correct form is without quotes, like so (without the spaces):
[ url=http://whatever.com ] Click Here [ /url ]
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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 23, 2002 09:15 PM |
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Edited By: Laelth on 23 Oct 2002
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Psychobabble,
Thanks for explaining the prize, but you bring up a point that needs clarification.
If I read the contest rules correctly, if you submit a map, then that map becomes the property of 3DO, whether it wins or not, and then, if you don't win, you couldn't submit the map anywhere because it would be 3DO property. See my dilemma? I might be willing to submit a map (even though I think the prize is weak) if I knew my map would be included in their expansion pack, but I don't want to give up the rights to my map for nothing. I want people to play it, and if I give it to 3DO, it may never be seen by anyone but their judges.
Does anyone else read the rules differently? Please correct me if my reading is incorrect.
-Laelth
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Alan P. Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC
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Camelnor
Famous Hero
Also known as Blue Camel
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posted October 24, 2002 02:24 AM |
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i got the impression that after the 2nd expansion came out, that you could freely distribute your map whether or not it made it.
but even if this isnt true, what are they going to do to stop you from distributing it??? sue you??? lol.
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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 24, 2002 10:49 PM |
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Actually, yes, I think they could sue you, and they might if they thought you had some money.
I still haven't decided whether or not to submit my most recent map, but I just read something that makes me sick, and that has almost made my decision for me. I started a thread on the subject, and I encourage you to read it. It might help you make your decision.
Click here: 3DO executives stink!
-Laelth
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Alan P. Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC
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Camelnor
Famous Hero
Also known as Blue Camel
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posted October 25, 2002 07:15 AM |
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Quote:
Actually, yes, I think they could sue you, and they might if they thought you had some money.
Actually, it is common knowledge that it is public relations suicide for a company to sue one of its consumers. Especially if it was over something as superficial as a silly map. No, it would never happen, ever.
Never. Ever. Nunca  .
Unless they thought you were Bill Gates... lol.
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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 25, 2002 05:52 PM |
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Well, I'm definitely not Bill Gates, and I think you're right; they probably wouldn't sue (though I think it strange you would state that guess as a FACT, emphatically).
I'll confess, I decided to go ahead and submit my latest map to the contest. I'm not entirely comfortable with my decision, but I rationalized it this way: I worked hard on it, and I want it to get played. So what if I don't care for 3DO's top executives? Their employees, the people who truly _make_ the company what it is, have done me no wrong. In fact, they produced a beautiful game that I enjoy. So, I sent them the map in the hopes that tens of thousands of people will enjoy it instead of the two to five hundred people who might download and play my maps otherwise.
And, yes, the company will (I hope) make money off my work, and perhaps 3DO's stock price will rise and give back some money to the employees who lost so much in their 401K plans (or, to be precise, I'm guessing they lost money, and I'm hoping they get some back).
-Laelth
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Alan P. Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC
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Psychobabble
Known Hero
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posted October 26, 2002 02:22 AM |
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Quote:
happens to me all the time... i bet you have quotes around the url, which screws up the link and makes it go to heroescommunity.com.
oops, yep had quotes. It get so confusing, I write links in html, Forumplanet board code, another board code, and BB code... I can never remember the right one 
And to all the ppl complaining about the 3DO execs... that loan is a good thing!! I don't see why you guys are so angry at it, it's not often that the CEO of a company puts his own personal money on the line and loans it to the company. Obviously they need the money, and were unable to secure a viable commercial loan and arne't getting much money from the stock market so the CEO has loaned his company money. That's a pretty bold thing to do...
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H4TCG Review
H4 Map Reviews
Successful trades w/Teuta and doc
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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 26, 2002 02:55 AM |
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Quote:
it's not often that the CEO of a company puts his own personal money on the line and loans it to the company. Obviously they need the money, and were unable to secure a viable commercial loan and arne't getting much money from the stock market so the CEO has loaned his company money. That's a pretty bold thing to do...
I know; I know. All capitalists are good, kind, saintly people who can do no wrong. Hmm ...
Perhaps 9.5% is below commercial lending rates for a company with a poor credit rating like 3DO, but it's certainly way above prime, and way above what the CEO could get in a CD or in a savings account. He plans to make money off this loan. He's not exactly being generous. And somebody dumped the company stock--again, probably him and other insiders--driving the company's stock down to less than 10% of what it traded for a year ago. If they really believed in the company, they wouldn't have dumped the stock.
BTW, I notice you, like Camelnor, are probably an insider in the gaming software industry (explaining your desire to protect that industry from criticism), but you guys need to come clean with what you know about the inside story before I, for one, am going to change my mind about 3DO's executives.
Cordially,
-Laelth
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Alan P. Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted October 26, 2002 03:53 AM |
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guys guys
CEO Trip Hawkins has to give that million dollar investment into the company or his company will go bust.
Anyone from 3D0 would tell you (if they didnt have the risk of being fired) that it is CEO Trip Hawkins that ran the company into the ground in the first place.
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Laelth
Famous Hero
Laelth rhymes with stealth.
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posted October 26, 2002 11:57 PM |
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Vesuvius
I'm astounded--shocked--relieved.
Vesuvius,
You are now, officially, an honor-worthy hero in my book. You speak the truth, without fear. You're not a corporate lap dog. (Something about being born outside the US and then traveling widely is good for the mind and soul, no?) Thanks for your work, and your courage. You must know 3DO monitors these boards, but even though you're invested in your site and this community, you're not afraid of the possible repercussions of criticizing 3DO's management.
Good for you, and honor above all else.
-Laelth
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Alan P. Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC
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Camelnor
Famous Hero
Also known as Blue Camel
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posted October 27, 2002 05:18 AM |
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not to be Captain Obvious or anything but that was pretty stupid
to be honest with you, i dont think anyone here cares if someone from 3do monitors these boards. I mean, why care??? no reason to care.
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vesuvius
Hero of Order
Honor Above all Else
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posted October 27, 2002 05:44 AM |
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ToH news
A little while back in season IV, there were several sites that were 'kissing up' to 3d0, for perhaps some homm4 exclusive stuff. I knew that 3d0 wouldnt give a hoot about that, so I put up a ToH news item about Trip Hawkins CEO -- it caused a stir in the community, but it also brought in 'anonymous' emails from insiders about how true it was what was said on the news.
Its on the old news section of ToH, [3/8] http://www.toheroes.com/news/2002.html
This was the gist of it:
Re: "Is 3D0 for Sale?" [3/8]
A current news item on Celestial Heavens discusses the possibility of 3D0 being bought out by a company such as microsoft. In editor Vox Clamant's opinion, this would be a bad thing. I beg to differ. If the whole Might and Magic franchise was bought out by a company like Electronic Arts or Microsoft, they would most likely put more resources and dynamic efforts in such a popular franchise, and most importantly, have far more fan support. Not only this, NWC, like Bungie, was already bought out, by 3D0. Some would say thats when the whole Might and Magic franchise went downhill. 3D0 has certain policies, if not rectified will lead to the wasting of the Might & Magic franchise, and 3D0's demise in the PC gaming arena. These are:
Opening up to player/fan support, allowing programmers, developers of the franchise to interact with dedicated fans, and allow external playtesting. As it stands, 3D0 holds the NWC employees shut like a Ghestapo, and thus eliminates any form of interaction between those who make the game, and those who play it. A successful PC game in these times supports large fan bases, external beta testers, and a healthy, open relationship with its designers.
Old & static company policies that do not hold in these dynamic times, still carrying over from the days when the ill-fated 3D0 console made its debut and failed. 3D0's company history would make a good case study for undergraduate Managerial Accounting.
A CEO whom has had a history of poor leadership, since his infamous days in EA, and has constantly demonstrated a lack of innovation or skills in managing a large corporation. If anything, always one step behind, a step too late.
A classic example: Homm4, when released, will be 'half-finished', that is, it will have a multiplayer patch released several weeks after game is out. This was devised as an 'ingenious idea'. It shows again, how little the company feels the pulse of the PC gaming community, and it will negatively effect the success of the game. Why? Well, when major magazines like PC Gamer or Computer Gaming World frown upon half-finished patched games, they will downgrade the review of the game. When it could have been rated 92% Editors' Choice, it will be much lower instead. The Company does not have the foresight to see how this will reduce the games' viability in the long run.
Obviously, these comments are not made to 'kiss up' but to state factual problems that other fan sites do not address. For 3 years ToH has supported 3D0 and been upbeat about its future..... I personally put a lot of faith into 3D0, down to buying $8000 in 3D0 stocks when it was at $1.7 a share. I still have faith that Homm4 will be a great game, one we will come to love. However, the facts speak for themselves; Today, 3D0 (THDO) sells at $0.6 a share, Electronic Arts (ERTS) sells at $60.0 a share. I'll let you figure out why.
-Vesuvius
So no, I do not kiss up to 3d0. They have long showed me how much they care one way or another.
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