Articwind wrote:
If you think it was a lack of research or thought that made the current classifications you obviously aren't looking at the bigger picture. This is an MMO, filled with thousands of diverse people. Making a system simple and easy to use is far more important than making sure an armadillo is classified right. The changes you guys are wanting would needlessly complicate and expand the warder classification system.
Canids (Wolves, Dogs)Felids (Cats)Ursids (Bears)Bovids (Cows, Sheep, Goats)Cervids (Deer, Moose)Amphibians (Frogs, Toads)Reptiles (Snakes, Lizards, Turtles)Rodents (Mice, Rats, Squirrels, Beavers)Muskrats (Badgers, Weasels, Skunks)Avians (Birds)Bats (Bats.)Primates (Monkeys, Apes)Suids (Boars, Hogs, Pigs)Other (Armadillo, Crab)Exotic-DireExotic-EnchantedExotic-DrakeExotic-Mystical
Wow, how difficult was that? Took me all of 15 minutes, tops. Adds a couple of categories, loses at least one (Aquatic), and is 100% accurate and correct, while allowing wiggle room for unique critters such as Armadillo and sporatically encountered critters such as crabs.
Obviously SOE wanted to keep the number of different classifications as low as possible, which is why you see things like turtles are under a classification they don't really belong in. They are close enough, and it's better than making an entirely seperate category. And seriously, do we really need more than one classification for cats? When people see Feline they think, "here is where all my cat's are". Does anyone really care if their latest warder is in family Pantherinae or Felinae? Who cares if Bats are in the Chiroptera order and how many people do you think know that?
No, they're not 'close enough', they're incorrect. Turtles are Reptiles, and that's where they belong. And I didn't say we needed multiple classifications of cats, I said we needed accurate classifications. Feline is incorrect, Felid is correct. See my list above...all ACCURATE.
As to the last sentence of this paragraph? I care, and I know. And if I'm saying something, it's a safe estimate that there are nineteen other people who also know, and care, and haven't said something.
Articwind wrote:
At the end of the day you have to think about the grand scheme of things. Take the current system and take your proposed system and honestly ask yourself which would be the most easily understandable and cause the least issues, while fitting into the design goals of the developers. If you think it's your system you aren't being honest.
See the list above. It's just as easily understandable if presented as listed. Should cause few if any issues to actually implement, fits the design goal, and has the bonus of BEING CORRECT. I'm nothing if not honest with myself...I don't believe in doing things one-cheeked. I do it right, or I don't do it.
Articwind wrote:
Finally, if none of that sunk in remember these two things:
1) EQ2 is not an educational product.
2) EQ2 is a fictional game, in a fictional world, and can have it's own set of rules. You can claim they speak Latin or English, but that's not true, they speak Common. There never was a Europe in Norrath. If Sony uses the word Feline to describe all cats in EQ2 than that's what Feline means.
1. In the context in which I am interpreting that sentence, you are correct. EQ2 is an entertainment product, that doesn't mean you can't learn something from it. Much like the Carmen Sandiego games were eductional products, that you might have been entertained by. My point remains the same: if you're going to do something that refers directly to an established and accepted system, then adhere to said system, and do it right. Because one-cheeked reflects poorly on the team that develops it, as well as those who simply accept it.
2. Again, we are in agreement, except for one thing: THEY ARE USING ENGLISH, AND LATIN. They did not create a 'Common' tongue, as Tolkien CREATED his languages (created...from scratch...grammar and all). We are expected to accept the use of English (and Latin derivatives) AS Common. Well, that being the case, they've committed to using the English language as their root base, and as such, need to use it correctly to maintain believability and accuracy. They can't just throw established words around and say they mean something else.
Actually, let me correct myself: They CAN do it, but it falls under the 'one-cheek development' classification. To me, anyway.