Appreciate the feedback :) I had been considering expanding the shore in a few places and the currently empty southwestern islands have the possibility to become a larger landmass with some nicely sized building potential. Some of the initial spawns are a little harsh, I can see about adjusting them and am planning to add at least one more spawn region that is safer as well. I'll also get those chilly sarcos a new home lol. Glad you're enjoying the sights so far and hope you'll have fun exploring the new features to come :)

I play on a server with anywhere from 7-10 people that are all friends/family irl in some manner. 4/5s of us ended up starting in the northern desert without any communication on the matter. We all ended up there because like in the OP we were all dying during the wake up phase at the other choice locations. Even when we managed to not die until we had control of the character, we could escape agro from predators by jumping in the nearby water, only to be killed by piranha or the cold.

The map is hard (which I like). I am the highest level atm at 67 and still only have a forge, smithy, refreshing bin and some crops as my highest tech. I have a few argys, a griffin, couple tapejaras, pteras only because I found a semi-consistant place to get 1 ovis every once in a while. Most of the others are in their 50s and low 60s and have even less. Usually by this time ive got a base all wired up and full of gadgets since we use S+. Nope. Cant make much without a good source of metal, obsidian, crystal,etc. The worst is the lack of sulfur up north. I have scoured the desert, no luck. I am hoping its just hard to see cause of the similar color between the sand rocks and the sulfur rocks.

Only one person has found a good flat area for building. Everyone else is using beaches or very small flat areas, unsuitable for dino housing, perimeter walls, etc. I havent found any habitable caves yet either.

What I would like to see worked on eventually, would be the very steep drop offs in the ocean floors close to the beaches. We cant build anything out from the beaches due to the depth of the ground very close to the waters edge. No docks, no water pens, etc. The other bad part abuot the close drop offs is leeds can come up very close to rafts on the beaches. Thats bad news!

Overall, very nice map, the north is well done, the south seems a little rough. Not a big fan of herbivore island... you make metal and crystal hard to get to everywhere else, then put a bunch on a single island with no hostile dinos except for dilos. Doesnt seem to follow the M.O. of the rest of the map.

Thanks for your work, without people like you, we would be stuck playing the same repetitive maps over and over.

Originally posted by moonie1:

I play on a server with anywhere from 7-10 people that are all friends/family irl in some manner. 4/5s of us ended up starting in the northern desert without any communication on the matter. We all ended up there because like in the OP we were all dying during the wake up phase at the other choice locations. Even when we managed to not die until we had control of the character, we could escape agro from predators by jumping in the nearby water, only to be killed by piranha or the cold.

The map is hard (which I like). I am the highest level atm at 67 and still only have a forge, smithy, refreshing bin and some crops as my highest tech. I have a few argys, a griffin, couple tapejaras, pteras only because I found a semi-consistant place to get 1 ovis every once in a while. Most of the others are in their 50s and low 60s and have even less. Usually by this time ive got a base all wired up and full of gadgets since we use S+. Nope. Cant make much without a good source of metal, obsidian, crystal,etc. The worst is the lack of sulfur up north. I have scoured the desert, no luck. I am hoping its just hard to see cause of the similar color between the sand rocks and the sulfur rocks.

Only one person has found a good flat area for building. Everyone else is using beaches or very small flat areas, unsuitable for dino housing, perimeter walls, etc. I havent found any habitable caves yet either.

What I would like to see worked on eventually, would be the very steep drop offs in the ocean floors close to the beaches. We cant build anything out from the beaches due to the depth of the ground very close to the waters edge. No docks, no water pens, etc. The other bad part abuot the close drop offs is leeds can come up very close to rafts on the beaches. Thats bad news!

Overall, very nice map, the north is well done, the south seems a little rough. Not a big fan of herbivore island... you make metal and crystal hard to get to everywhere else, then put a bunch on a single island with no hostile dinos except for dilos. Doesnt seem to follow the M.O. of the rest of the map.

Thanks for your work, without people like you, we would be stuck playing the same repetitive maps over and over.

Before next update I'll be making a few changes to help with balance and improve the environment for player settlements. The beaches in several areas will be expanded and ocean transitions smoothed, as well as the wildlife spawning at player spawns will be getting toned down a little to help players get an initial foothold on the map. I'm also planning to flatten out a few more locations, preferably ones that could use some improvement anyway to provide more building opportunities while also beautifying the landscape. Will also be giving resources another pass to make them more plentiful, but still challenging for different skill levels. Thank you for the suggestions, player feedback helps a lot when determining what changes to make for a better experience for everyone and glad you're enjoying the map :)

Originally posted by roguewolf91:

Before next update I'll be making a few changes to help with balance and improve the environment for player settlements. The beaches in several areas will be expanded and ocean transitions smoothed, as well as the wildlife spawning at player spawns will be getting toned down a little to help players get an initial foothold on the map. I'm also planning to flatten out a few more locations, preferably ones that could use some improvement anyway to provide more building opportunities while also beautifying the landscape. Will also be giving resources another pass to make them more plentiful, but still challenging for different skill levels. Thank you for the suggestions, player feedback helps a lot when determining what changes to make for a better experience for everyone and glad you're enjoying the map :)

I like Moonie1 really appreciate all the work on the map. Really enjoying it. It is one of the reasons I offered to help out. Because I really dig the map. I would definitely like to see more suitable areas for building and expanding diversity is keep. I currently run the server using your map, I don't allow building on Herbivore island, but do allow gathering and taming expeditions so long as there are no permanent structures left behind.

It does have an impact though - I see a larger number of players building on island or in areas close to allow easy flights or raft travel. On island in particular - is all redwoods - it seems to be a popular choice.

I think like Moonie1 described a lot of this is finding a suitable large area that facilitates a good foothold. I mean a large number of the players started on rafts till they leveled up enough to get fliers and then like ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ on raft caravans migrated.

Love the map. Like how hard it is to find and get resources, Would love to see that equalized along with the terrain so that the concentration of settlers/survivors was better. I have seen and spoke with some random visitors to the server and they end up leaving because they couldn't find a good place to start and thrive. Which - frankly the map isn't for everyone.

I think one of my concerns is Beavers - I can introduce more - manually - that doesn't mean they would stick around. I would like to see and of course know of suitable spawn locations for them so that they would persist. I don't think we necessarily need a Beaver Sanctuary like Ragnarok, but it wouldn't necessarily be bad.

I took a raft around the entire map and down every river/stream around every island in the game as a player. I saw Beavers in places like frozen ice - strange to see beavers sitting on ice flows - no dams in sight. I saw some in the redwoods, again no dams. A few other places and have seen some spawn in some areas after enough stuff died. Or so it seems, but there seem to be a lot of predators in those areas that are beyond the capability of the beavers to cope with.

This isn't a negative critique of the map I like the diversity of the biomes and creatures in any given area. But cement paste is a big deal to a lot of players - and not seeing dams is a concern. I see a lot of small lakes and water features - especially the bigger ones with waterfalls that I have expect to be beaver rich - like the one with the Obelisk - that area with all the waterfalls - seem perfect, Of course I also note that since water isn't complete as stocking goes you don't also see a lot of fish. I know its a work in progress. Not sure why haven't seen a lot of dams or beavers.

I don't want to put it all on you either - I do want to help out. I got a clue - a small one - but if I can help easy the load, lend a hand, get involved count me in.

I would like to discuss your spawn points - Maybe help put together a resource and dino spawn maps - if you want such to exist.

Now I could manually compensate for things by spawning in some creatures - I kind of have started a mod for doing that on maps. Problem with manual process is persistence and wipes.

I know time is precious too. Family, day job, etc... I appreciate all your effort and time you put into making this map for the rest of us.

So thank you much!!

Sort of off-topic, but I've always considered CP being in beaver dams to be kind of a cheat. It eliminates most of the usefulness of frogs and chitin. If the amount was minimal, like maybe 20-50, it might not be a big deal. Beavers don't really use a glue of any kind. Just thatch, leaves, mud etc.

I think your plan to smooth out some spots, extend beaches, and reduce ocean territory a little is very good. And of course spreading out resources a but, heh. Always keep in mind people who play no-fly servers, and low level players!

I guess we all have our tastes, I gravitated towards this map because of the LACK of flat land, there are already so many maps with the absolut perfect "hey, I'm flat land, build your base here" areas which I hate as its easy mode and doesn't require thinking. On top of that its ugly and artificial.

We also had no issues starting out, a few deaths here and there and to boot we are running Extinction Core which add tribesmen that kill you on sight and alphas galore that do the same.
Just requires good tactics is all.

I have seen a number of places that would work for a tribe of people, is it perfectly flat, no, but that's what makes it interesting.

To each their own.

Originally posted by WesNoneya:

This isn't a negative critique of the map I like the diversity of the biomes and creatures in any given area. But cement paste is a big deal to a lot of players - and not seeing dams is a concern. I see a lot of small lakes and water features - especially the bigger ones with waterfalls that I have expect to be beaver rich - like the one with the Obelisk - that area with all the waterfalls - seem perfect, Of course I also note that since water isn't complete as stocking goes you don't also see a lot of fish. I know its a work in progress. Not sure why haven't seen a lot of dams or beavers.

In several of the beaver spawn locations the water is deeper and they seem to choose the deepest sections rather than closer to shore to build, making them difficult to spot sometimes. Can have a look at them to be sure though.

Originally posted by WesNoneya:

I would like to discuss your spawn points - Maybe help put together a resource and dino spawn maps - if you want such to exist.

I'd be happy to give you some more info on spawns and help with a resource and dino spawn map would be awesome, Thank you! :) Have had a few people ask about those, but haven't had the time to put them together.

Originally posted by Max:

I guess we all have our tastes, I gravitated towards this map because of the LACK of flat land, there are already so many maps with the absolut perfect "hey, I'm flat land, build your base here" areas which I hate as its easy mode and doesn't require thinking. On top of that its ugly and artificial.

We also had no issues starting out, a few deaths here and there and to boot we are running Extinction Core which add tribesmen that kill you on sight and alphas galore that do the same.
Just requires good tactics is all.

I have seen a number of places that would work for a tribe of people, is it perfectly flat, no, but that's what makes it interesting.

To each their own.

No worries, any additional flatter spots will be incorporated in a naturalistic way that doesn't compromise the current aesthetic :)

I I spent some more quality time scouting, and it reaffirmed my casual observations about resources and safe spots being seriusly lacking. Two things occured to me.

First, it's almost like you are treating metal/crystal/obsidian like you would a boss loot chest. But metal is a required resource, same as wood and stone, and is needed fairly early on in a players life. Trying to make it non-simple for a high level and powerful character to do this routine and regular chore of resource gathering, with all the dino and tools to decimate the countryside that a high level player usually has, makes it really really un-fun for low level players, or on servers where players are limited (primitive plus, etc).

Second, while I agree it is exciting to have a challenging experience in the game world, you can go too far. Maybe it's not so much fun to have to fight every few minutes while trying to plant some crops, gather poop for fertilizer, review your tames for a breeding program, do some renovation on your house or shop, etc... We are supposed to live in this world as well as fight. Dying is never that much fun, especially not after FINALLY getting a decent load of XYZ, only to die for the 8th time on the long trek back to your base, losing everything.

I just think a little more balance could be good? Right now, carnivores are literally, and I mean literally, at every single spot except herbivore island. None of the spawn points I used put me on herbivore island. Also, it appears as though herbivore island only has 2 or 3 metal rocks, and 7 small crystal node, no obsidian, no cementing paste or chitin or bugs, and the number of bushes is actually a little low, heh. Barely suitable for 1 or 2 people's metal needs. Maybe.

So I decided to share some of my notes I made during my survey. None of this is meant as a criticism, except constructively!

East Coast spawn isn't too bad. It's flatter near the shore. It has some argy and raptor on the beach, and terror birds and carno just up from the beach. Metal and crystal are found way up the mountainside guarded by raptor pack and sabers.
Southern Tundra is extrememly hilly and not suitable for a traditional base bearing a resemblance of an egg farm. Has daedon just up form the shore, saber, and argy. No metal/crystal anywhere close that I saw. (and by close, I always mean within a couple minutes ride on a land mount)
South Jungle I died to a sarco from the ocean on login, and a spino a little uncomfotably close. It's pretty hilly up from the beach with raptor and carno around. 1 or 2 metal rocks close.
North Desert I died on login to sabers. It's decently flat but with a slightly limited amoutn of trees and bushes. No metal/crystal anywhere close that I saw. Scorpions up away form the beach.
Southeastern Canyon had almost no flat areas at all (to be expected of a 'canyon', heh). Rex, raptor, terror birds up form the beach. Sarco in the ocean.
Redwood Coast has some flatter land near the water, per the norm, and has decent resources except, as usual, metal/crystal. Some terror birds and raptor close to the beach.
Southwest Coast had some argy close to the beach, and carno up a little bit. There were a lot of snow biome dino of all kinds all really close to the water. No metal/crystal anywhere near.

Obviously herbivore island is where I would want to set up a base. As a primitive and/or no-fly server, it would be a real burden to get any acceptable amount of metal. Which brings me back to how I started this wall-o-text: Metal as a boss loot chest. I just don't know how successful it will be to ask all players to have to set up a 'raid' just to get metal. To face wyverns even. Gathering metal is a requirement to play. Getting cave loot cache's and deep sea chests are not. It doesn't seem like metal should be treated like deep sea loot crates and the like!

Originally posted by roguewolf91:

No worries, any additional flatter spots will be incorporated in a naturalistic way that doesn't compromise the current aesthetic :)

Sound good, cheers!

@roguewolf91 sounds good - let me know how you want to exchange that info and if you have a hi res image of the map - I could build it around there - basically like the other wiki ones i have seen - if you have a website started, let me know how you want to include it, etc... couple of ways to hand resources and creature spawn maps.

Also again, thank you for the hard work and as always responding to everyone. Really great of you to be so involved and interact with the rest of us.

I know my wife tolerates my shenanigans when it comes to coding, gaming and the like and I am ever thankful of that and so as such, tell your wife we appreciate her too! Cause she shares you with us and this map!!

Originally posted by WesNoneya:

@roguewolf91 sounds good - let me know how you want to exchange that info and if you have a hi res image of the map - I could build it around there - basically like the other wiki ones i have seen - if you have a website started, let me know how you want to include it, etc... couple of ways to hand resources and creature spawn maps.

Also again, thank you for the hard work and as always responding to everyone. Really great of you to be so involved and interact with the rest of us.

I know my wife tolerates my shenanigans when it comes to coding, gaming and the like and I am ever thankful of that and so as such, tell your wife we appreciate her too! Cause she shares you with us and this map!!

I'll see about getting a hi res image to start with and will send you a friend request to communicate the rest directly. Thanks again for the help! I passed along what you said to my wife and it made her smile, she says she's happy to share me to see what art I can create in the limited time she gives me lol ;)

@roguewolf91 that's great on all accounts. I added you. If you don't have hi res Just biggest you got - just bigger is better - working on screen shots of a few things too - like oil - cause I spent an hour searching till i realized it doesn't look the same - lol as I expected. I got the gps of two spots i found after I figured out what they look like. :D