Discrepancy in EQ player studio example files and guidelines

[Lyr]

<p>First off I want to thank SOE for the player studio program! this is a very exciting and forward thinking development in the MMORPG market!</p><p>  However when I downloaded the two example items for Everquest I found discrepancies in both items between what is asked for in the guidlines and what is held up as an example of what to aim for.</p><p> First the Trident weapon, it is both well over 400 polygons (weighs in over 500) and contains UV's outside the 0 to 1 space</p><p> The bed is less of problem but it's texture relies on an alpha channel to mask out parts of the bed to create a more elaborate shape. The guidlines state to not use alpha channels, yet an example asset makes effective use of them. Infact if you disable the alpha channel in the texture the asset does not look good at all.</p><p> Can someone at SOE either clarify the guidlines on how many polygons we can use and whether alpha channels are ok or not? Right now we are getting conflicting messages on what you are telling us and what you are showing us.</p>

[feldon30]

Better yet, how about relaxing the rule against alpha channels? This is limiting a lot of creativity.

[Mini]

<p>The trident is actually a housing item and not a weapon....funny enough.</p>

[Lyr]

<p>Wow is the trident really a housing item? If that is the case perhaps we could get a real weapon ornament as an example then? Giving us examples that correctly adhere to the guidelines is important and could save a lot of time for both the creators and the people at SOE reviewing the creations. Please SOE tighten up the guidelines!</p>

[rollenzekson]

<p>No offense meant, but if the guidelines they put in writting are not clear enough for you to follow then you need to learn more about texturing and modeling. It almost sounds like you are just trying to flame SOE on a technicality.</p>

[Lyr]

<p>The guidelines are clear, so are the example files, however they contradict each other. This is not flame bait, it's a real issue. One of the guidelines is wrong and it would be awesome if SOE would clarify which is in error, the written guidelines or the example files.</p><p>The issue isn't about knowing enough about texturing or modeling, it's about knowing which set of  guidlines is correct, the example files, taken from the game, or the written instructions. This is the kind of discrepancy that screws up so much outsourcing and winds up costing everybody time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for clarification when faced with a discrepancy.</p>

[Eden_Evergreen]

<p>All the interviews and posts that I've ever seen seem to agree that the written guidelines are the boundaries we must work within.</p><p>It is odd that the examples don't always follow them. *nods in agreement* However, apparently we're not to let that distract us.</p><p>In the last webcast I saw on the subject, they were talking about updating the Guidelines to include things like "Only submit one color" and "don't include any text" ... I don't know when that will happen, though.</p><p>Maybe they'll also update the samples to better match the posted guidelines. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[rollenzekson]

<p><cite>Lyr wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>The guidelines are clear, so are the example files, however they contradict each other. This is not flame bait, it's a real issue. One of the guidelines is wrong and it would be awesome if SOE would clarify which is in error, the written guidelines or the example files.</p><p>The issue isn't about knowing enough about texturing or modeling, it's about knowing which set of  guidlines is correct, the example files, taken from the game, or the written instructions. This is the kind of discrepancy that screws up so much outsourcing and winds up costing everybody time. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for clarification when faced with a discrepancy.</p></blockquote><p>Use the most restrictive set of rules then. I think it is extremely obvious which you should follow in this case.</p>