chapcrap wrote:What do you think of asking mapmakers to provide such an image when their map is quenched?
I don't know if everyone is willing to draw an high quality version, specially if you consider that develop a map is already a challenging task.
We already ask to mapmakers to develop 2 different map size so probably I wouldn't feel so good in adding de facto another version. Moreover a map quenched doesn't mean that there's automatically request for a printable HQ version by the users of this site.
I don't mind to do another version, but I can't speak for the others (few) mapmakers on this site. A thing is when you have to draw a map and you already know that when uploaded, it will be compressed to an absurd level and many details that cost us hours of work will be lost, and another thing is draw an HQ image, where the details don't get lost, so you need to be extremely picky during the development. It takes hours, additional hours of work...many hours.
So I'm extremely prudent in saying that everyone here is willing to do that for each map.
Instead, if we want to make it a procedure and the site can make a profit from it, the thing is different. As said, I don't mind to give to someone the permission to use my images to play with friends, but allow the site to make profit with my hard work is different.
Now before you say to me that the site already makes money with our maps, I would like to remind that we already receive our reward for producing maps and we receive it as soon as the map is uploaded, yeah it's just some free conquer credits and not real money...but who cares? It's always a reward, altought I do NOT suggest to anyone to draw a map just for that, make maps is a passion, something you need to love...credits are just an incentive. I prefer 1000 times more to receive a good feedback from players than the credits. I think it's a sort of "artist inside" (sorry intel
) thing. We love when people like our creations....that's enough.
But I digress
If the site wants to create a such business i think that mapamkers would like to discuss some details with the admins. I think it's a step to follow before to set any type or requirement or request. Certainly it will make the thing more interesting but i still think not everyone will do that.
Now, I've read your question again and I have some additional thoughts:
- Our Dept. has the primary role to facilitate the map production, not make it harder.
- Our Dept. follow the maps from the moment they are posted in the drafting room to the moment they are quenched.
- The map agreement all mapmakers "sign" at least once, is between the CC Site and the CC user, the CAs have no role here.
- The current map agreement allows CC to use the imagery free of charge , as long as CC sees fit, on the CC website. (Note: Important it says on the CC website)
So, honestly...if CC wants to have HQ images from mapmakers to sell them, i think it's an admin duty to find out the possible best maps for this business, approach the mapmakers and deal with them. It's a thing between CC and the mapmakers...CAs have nothing to do with that imo. So I don't see how it should be an additional request to add to the current process. If there's demand for a such thing, if the site sees it as a good business then the site needs to find a way to create a such business without ask to volunteers. As said CC<->Mapmaker. (like it is with the other stuff with maps on it)
Add the step is only detrimental to the process and have less people who draw maps is not what we want, specially now that we are so few. When you start the map, in the moment you draw your first pixel, you know that you will spend the next 6-9 months on that project. And we're talking about non-HQ maps! Imagine how many would quit if I add a such request!
But probably I'm becoming boring and this post is too long...so before to click "submit" and have a long shower after a hard day of work, let me say that I'm happy to volunteer for CC, I'm happy to help mapmakers...but I want to have nothing to do with stuff related with zazzle or with money or other site, at least as foundry foreman. That's not my job here.
Nobodies