2012-03-17, 10:55 PM
I think I explained in several other posts of mine why I hate this Masteria update and why I don't agree with the path of map simplicity they started to take. But I'm going to add some few things to that.
First of all, it's not even just about map simplicity. It's about incompetence and lack of imagination. Why am I saying that? Simple: the new "update" proves that. As others have already said, many objects in these new maps are placed wrongly and others re-used. The old Masteria NEVER used ANY already-existing objects, making the new areas truly look unique. Also, most of them were placed correctly. This makes me believe that it's NOT Nexon Korea making all the content as most think. Either the development of GMS-exclusive content now happens in a different department there, or it happens at Nexon America. Nexon Korea doesn't seem to ever make such coarse content with such obvious mistakes.
Secondly, after a thorough search, I was able to find NxProse's LinkedIn.
And I realized why Masteria content was so awesome.
He has been a professional writer for the past 14 years, majored in Journalism and worked in the game industry for the past 7 years. Apparently, he made close to everything in Masteria. From writing quests (obviously), to making concept art for items, monsters, NPCs and maps, to even directing music (and there's the explanation of why the new BGMs have a completely different feel than before). He basically did everything BUT the technical stuff.
I never knew that. He's truly a genius. Nexon America really lost a great staff member.
Back on topic, I agree on what most said about short and simple maps being boring and just ruining the whole concept of Masteria as an unique area different than the rest of Maple World. They might provide good training spots, but many old ones did, as well, and they were pieces of art compared to this. I'll say it again: ANYONE could easily make them with little to no effort. Can't say the same about Prose's.
Typhons' map was difficult to navigate through and you had to avoid being attacked by monsters not to fall. But there was a safe spot and you just needed coordination (something which this game rarely requires) to be able to train there safely. It was great.
The new maps, on the other hand, seem to be made by a 10 years old exactly like the new quests, so I'll assume it's one person doing most of this like NxProse was.
So yeah. I'll never accept this. They definitely ruined the only place in the game which had something different than the rest.
First of all, it's not even just about map simplicity. It's about incompetence and lack of imagination. Why am I saying that? Simple: the new "update" proves that. As others have already said, many objects in these new maps are placed wrongly and others re-used. The old Masteria NEVER used ANY already-existing objects, making the new areas truly look unique. Also, most of them were placed correctly. This makes me believe that it's NOT Nexon Korea making all the content as most think. Either the development of GMS-exclusive content now happens in a different department there, or it happens at Nexon America. Nexon Korea doesn't seem to ever make such coarse content with such obvious mistakes.
Secondly, after a thorough search, I was able to find NxProse's LinkedIn.
And I realized why Masteria content was so awesome.
He has been a professional writer for the past 14 years, majored in Journalism and worked in the game industry for the past 7 years. Apparently, he made close to everything in Masteria. From writing quests (obviously), to making concept art for items, monsters, NPCs and maps, to even directing music (and there's the explanation of why the new BGMs have a completely different feel than before). He basically did everything BUT the technical stuff.
I never knew that. He's truly a genius. Nexon America really lost a great staff member.
Back on topic, I agree on what most said about short and simple maps being boring and just ruining the whole concept of Masteria as an unique area different than the rest of Maple World. They might provide good training spots, but many old ones did, as well, and they were pieces of art compared to this. I'll say it again: ANYONE could easily make them with little to no effort. Can't say the same about Prose's.
Typhons' map was difficult to navigate through and you had to avoid being attacked by monsters not to fall. But there was a safe spot and you just needed coordination (something which this game rarely requires) to be able to train there safely. It was great.
The new maps, on the other hand, seem to be made by a 10 years old exactly like the new quests, so I'll assume it's one person doing most of this like NxProse was.
So yeah. I'll never accept this. They definitely ruined the only place in the game which had something different than the rest.