Don't confuse the new Atlas Book with EQ Atlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:42 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1595176651180

Sage

1,167 posts

This seems rather petty of Sony.

It seems that the marketing dept still doesn't understand the realationship between the community and the game/VI.

Hell, why wouldn't they have have just joint ventured it with Muse?

Anyway, the way that they keep "dumbing down" the early stages of the game (maps included now) to attract new players makes me think that all us "old timers" must have been pretty darned good to get through it all. Lol.

My ventings

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:41 PM Rating: Default

__DEL__1591780131652

101 posts

I've seen the sample page from the Everquest Atlas book.. It's maps look fantastic n' of course I'll be buying it being the EverNerd that I am (course it'll probably end up being decopaged all over my computer desk) BUT it will NEVER EVER replace the TONS of maps & information I've printed out from Eqatlas, Allakhazams & Illia's Beastiary! The book is far inferior to Eqatlas, no question about it!! BUT for the people who don't have 2 computers on the net (one to play on one to keep Eq info on) or don't have a printer to print out all of Eqatlas's maps out on this I imagine will be a small relief.
Now then to address the similarities in the names... what's the big deal?? What is an atlas but a collection of maps? Sony is putting out a book of Everquest maps, hence their name Everquest Atlas <-- Everquest.. their game name, Atlas.. their collection of maps. Shame on them?

Smiley: rolleyes

To the Sony flamers here...
If there would be ANYTHING to flame Sony about it would be that they DON'T let people put out on the internet information about THEIR game.. oh wait.. they don't do that.. SMACK!!!

They raised the monthly rate to play their game which they need money to pay programers & buy servers ect, they make you pay for special servers so that you can finally have a shot at participating in GM events (not once in your entire EQ lifespan but frequently), they make you pay for game expansions that increases the game world & adds more quests & items.. those greedy capitalist bastards!!!! Damn them for making me pay for a product I get an increadable amount of enjoyment from. What an ugly thing greed is isn't it! I should be able to play for free, download the games for free, buy the products with their logo on it for free... Smiley: oyvey

Sony my hat is off to you for putting this atlas together, I'm sure I will enjoy it.

Now then to Eqatlas, Allakhazam, Illia's Beastiary, Everquest Casters Realm & Eqtraders... I bow down to you!! Smiley: bowdown

If it weren't for the ability to reasearch MoBs, items, quests, zones I would not enjoy Everquest NEARLY as much as I do thanks to y'all =)
Smiley: king

To Allakhazam, I commend you for having the premium service option. I've been here since before that was implimented & did grumble to myself at first. Lived without premium as my pockets were empty at the time ;) BUT your site is truly amazing n' I'm more than happy paying the change it costs for premium.

Final thought.. people are so quick to gripe about costs of services/products.. simple solution don't buy the service/product if it really bothers you that much. Noone NEEDS to play an online game or buy a locationless atlas. If the enjoyment you gained from it wasn't worth it you wouldn't buy it.

Eq Atlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:39 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

I send this post... my first in over 2 years of dedicated EQ play with some trepidation. I send it, however, to a man that deserves some consideration for the hard work he has done for the legions who use his site. Muse, plainly, has a better grasp of the reality of the EQ gaming community's needs; Sony is a corporation dedicated to greed. Muse post a mailbox and I will send you the twenty bucks. Your much more deserving.

No Thank You

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:36 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

i have gone to EQAtlas.com ever since i found the link here. i go there when i am lostr in a zone, or when i first travel through dangerous areas to get somewhere (thank Tunare for the map when i made my first trip across Antonica). I never had a thought about buying it, i didn't even look at it. I figured 'Why pay for something i can get for free'. now that i have heard it has no locs, why in the world wolud anyone want it to travel, sure it might be nice to look at when the servers are down. but it dosen't sound like something i would use when traveling. I think i will just stick with first, and, to me, the only EQAtlas.

SOE Toilet Paper?

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:35 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591781307238

5 posts

I haven't even looked at the SOE book, don't intend to buy it, won't buy it, well unless there's a toilet paper shortage and I can't find anymore poison ivy to wipe with. For 2+ years now we've been relying on Muse to provide us with the most detailed, up-to-date, and user-friendly maps found anywhere on the net. His hard work and determination is what has kept us from wandering around like lost little sheep in not only Original EQ, Kunark, Velious, and Luclin. This man has spent countless hours of his own personal time to bring these maps to life and for SOE to finally release a book after nearly 4 years after the games release is an absolute shame. Not only is it a shame but it also shows me (IMHO) just how low SOE will stoop to make a buck. For those of you that have 20 bucks burning a hole in your pocket, I highly recommend sending it to the person that really deserves the credit for being the best EQ map maker, you'll find a link to do so on his page at www.eqatlas.com, simply click the paypal button. Muse, Allakhazam, please keep bringing us the top notch information that you always have, I and I'm sure many others greatly appreciate it. /e rude gesture SOE.

EQ ATLAS

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:28 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591781672169

2 posts

Not Sure about any of this. I feel that questor of norrath has the best maps. I love the eq atlas maps, and really thought they were just gonna use those maps for their book. Since so many of the maps had alreadys been put in many of their guides up to this point. I find having a map book is far superior than having a binder full of maps to dig through. I made a binder when Eq first came out and printed every version of every map. I took the time to annotate each map with spawn points of creatures that dropped items. I also added what where rare and common drops, and furthermore added spawntime listings on each map. Like I said some of these were questor maps, but most were changed over to eq atlas maps as they were published on the web. I loved that binder and kept it by the computer at all times. Right next to it was my binder of quest(granted this was made before Kunark and never updated). The quest were a huge list of quest that Allakazam had on these very pages. This was long before premium memberships and such. I found all of this information to be a great resource for me. Unfortunately my time to be frustrated with Everquest came and I took 6 months off. In that time Allakazam moved to a full database style system, and it was no longer super easy to print out all the quest at one time like i had before. I gave away my treasured binders as I would not be needing them any longer. I quickly realized I need them still, but even more so now, and am rebuilding them slowly but now there is a lot more content than before. I had high hopes about this new book from VI/sony since it would contain all of these maps in one place I would no longer need to look things up on web pages all the time and build binders. Alas this is not to be as I fear they are not going to use the maps from eq atlas.

I live in UTTER FEAR that they will use the maps in the style from the original handbook that came with eq so many years ago. Those maps had much to be desired. I found the guide books to be useless and they were often wrong, and the maps of cities were really unneeded by someone who had played a little bit. The real maps are dungeons maps with spawn locations and times. That would be helpful and not just a waste of $20.00. I hope many of you will avoid this book like the plague until VI and Sony come their senses and use the maps from the eqatlas website.

On a side not I hope Muse from Eq Atlas webpage will add a map for plane of hate. This is just a request from me. I curently am playing a rogue and could use a good map to do a solo naked run to maestro's nightstand. Other than that keep up the great Job.

Unless I forget to mention this. If you are not a premium member of this website you are missing out on loads of great stuff. and no popups(which is nice). Mostly the character upgrader is worth the 3.33 a month on its own. If you like where your info is coming from support that site, and maybe they will stay strong .

Whiners and tax accountants

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:12 PM Rating: Good

Anonymous

Anonymous

Let's see It "EverQuest" hence the EQ! and it isn't just a book of maps it contains additional information therefore it is more an Atlas. So I would say the name EQ Atlas is an appropriate title! Those screaming ripoff needn't (and probably won't) buy the book. Hammering Verant for using an appropriate name for the book really does no one any good. But if you feel that it is your duty to make a statement Please! cancel your account. The rest of us will enjoy the bandwidth!

RE: Whiners and tax accountants

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:50 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591779425114

5 posts

The title is indeed appropriate, although I think a better idea would have been to publish it as an in-character work titled "An Atlas of Norrath" or something like that (yeah, Luclin and the Planes too, I know, but I just came up with that on the spur of the moment). That's not really relevant anyway. The above argument breaks down when you think about how if the book was published first and then then Muse had created the EQAtlas site, SOE's lawyers would have gone into a feeding frenzy. The confusion is less irksome to me than that double-standard.

The sad fact is that SOE could -still- sue and force Muse to change the name of the site, even though the site was around first, and it's mainly a matter of having money, time and legal brute force to win. It'd be a legal slam dunk for them actually, given their ownership of the EverQuest brand and the original content on which the maps are based. The only thing that might prevent them is the tremendous ill will it would generate among the thousands of their subscribers who have come to rely on EQAtlas.com for information.

Were I in Muse's position I would probably sigh heavily and go for differentiation by changing the banners to read "Muse's EverQuest Atlas" or something slightly different like that, with a big notice on the front page about the change and the reasons behind it. I'd hang onto the eqatlas.com domain, because taking that would actually be a harder case for SOE to make (since the site has an established history and clearly is not just a case of cybersquatting). But all the same I'd quietly purchase and activate a backup domain name and make sure all my links translate cleanly, just in case. Not that I'd like that solution, but the unfortunate reality is that Sony is Big, and these days Big gets its way, principles notwithstanding.

RE: Whiners and tax accountants

# Aug 19 2002 at 8:57 PM Rating: Excellent

__DEL__1594570537980

11 posts

Actually, they wouldn't stand a chance of getting me to change my name, nor will I. They don't own a trademark on EQ (nor did they even invent it, and you'll see they don't use it anywhere on their products) and, like many people have said, atlas is generic. If anything, I could sue them to change the name of their book, since I actually have a trademark for EQ Atlas (not registered, but in this country that's not required).

RE: Whiners and tax accountants

# Aug 20 2002 at 2:38 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591779425114

5 posts

Yeah, that's why I was careful to say "what I would do..." I personally tend to be more fatalistic about these things. I actually do appreciate the idealistic position. I just have a firmly entrenched cynical belief that in American civil courts, victory is solely a matter of who has the deeper pockets to start with.

Sue Sony

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:48 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

No idea about the Law but Muse had and is known for the name EQ Atlas dispite any meanings of the sense the name points totally towards the eqatlas website and I see it as nothing more than a ripoff from his site to sucker players into buying the book...hell no they won't see my money!

one more thing

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:23 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

also in the everquest manual for the trilogy, there are some of muses maps, used with permission or not? dunno

thats my 2 cp

RE: one more thing

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:46 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591765534720

1 post

Yes, for the Player's Guide made a couple of years back Muse's maps were used with his permission. I think he even commented that the money he made from that helped fund his site (equipment, bandwidth and so forth).

Obviously Verant knew then that Muse made good maps :) And just as obvious, they haven't learned sh*t as far as how to make a good map :)

EQ Atlas and Muse have always been my favorite source of maps. The details are second to none. I really am stunned that Verant isn't even putting coordinates on their maps! /boggle

/shrug

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:22 PM Rating: Decent

Fortunbas

98 posts

They could of called it eq maps ?

Fortunbas

RE: /shrug

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:48 PM Rating: Excellent

__DEL__1591772238425

Scholar

28 posts

That would have been a rip-off too. EQ Maps is the 'other' EQ site with maps.

you suck sony

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:18 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

Muse spent alot of time makin his site, its free,it offers as much info as i need, and i can say i will NEVER buy this book. i think they are rippin off muse and muse should have a right to sue even, for enfringement on his name, he has it copyrighted.

stoned again

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:08 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592248283980

50 posts

CAN Muse put out his own book of EQ maps? I know close to nothing about law, but I have a feeling he'd get slapped down hard if he tried. It's an interesting question though. Does anyone know (and I mean KNOW, as in you have legal background, not just a hunch or opinion) what the law says about that? I know it is illegal to copy a Thomas map guide exactly, but those are maps of REAL streets. Is it illegal for anyone off the street to publish EQ maps because SOE/Verant own them as some sort of intellectual/creative property? For all we know words like Kunark, Felwithe, Cazic Thule, or Shissar are copyrighted too. In fact, I think those kind of copyrights have to do with why our little hobbits are (cleverly?) called halflings and vampires are vampyres.

RE: stoned again

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:31 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

It is illegal to publish printed media without permission by SOE/Verant.

BTW: Vampires are creatures legends and tales like dragons, giants and dwarves are. No idea, why they spell them with a "y".
The cleverness, calling hobbits halflings is copied from other RPGs.

eqatlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 6:04 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1691972213010

2 posts

I use the website.
verant will not get any money from me for the book.
not surprised verant did this.They told Muse he couldn't make a map cd or book. well the reason why is now clear. they are very greedy and this is one more copper peice they think they will make.

RE: eqatlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 7:43 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591780131652

101 posts

Shame on them for wanting to be the only one's profiting off of THEIR game!!! Smiley: rolleyes

EQAtlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:56 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1591767269244

8 posts

Just for the record.....never gave buying the book a second thought knowing I had access to this site - why buy anything else when you know you already have the best there is!!

no way, sony

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:54 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

Even though they have chosen a similar name for the book, there is no way it could be a concurrence for EQatlas! What Muse did with his homepage kept me out of troubles many times and provides so much info! Keep up the good job.

By the way: Verant should try to post scheduled downtimes on their homepage; and maybe apologize when their servers crash. That site should be an interface between verant and gamers. Using it only for merchandizing related products without offering any interesting infos (in time) is the reason why I simply don´t look there anymore. Therefor I probably wouldn´t have heard of the ridiculous book coming out, if they had given it another title.

Sparrowhead, Antonius Bayle

What a Rip off

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:53 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

Verant really ripped off Muse with the name thing. Quite honestly though the book looks like crap. Muse's maps are far more useable and his description and beastiary list's are far more comprehensive. The static camps and loc's are far more usefull than the bird's eye picture in the book. Personally, I think Muse's maps look better than any other map site that I have seen, no question.

My hat is off to Muse for his time and dedication to his site.

Lastly, if you really want something with all the maps bound together print them out yourself and buy a binder or take them to Kinko's and save yourself the 20 bucks.

Shalsan

What's in a name?

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:53 PM Rating: Good

__DEL__1592254338425

57 posts

Personally I don't see any problem with this. VI/SOE has no problem with fansites using the EverQuest name to brand what the site is about. They are publishing a book of maps, which is by definition what an atlas is. (http://www.dictionary.com/search?q=atlas if you really doubt.) Could they have found other names for it? Sure...but why call it something like "Big Book of EverQuest Maps" or "From Qeynos to Kelethin on 30 silvers"? (Ok, that last one probably would make for a good fansite or book of anecdotes. Better grab that one up quick.)
My point is names are generic. Sure, Muse had the site first. Maybe Big Bad VI is trying to cash in on it, maybe not. I don't know. (For the record I prefer eqmaps, as there's a selection of rated maps, but to each their own.)

The Money Machine

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:48 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

Raise the price...EQ II...AN RPG...EQ ATLAS the book....damn, when will Bill Gates, doh I mean VI and Sony be happy? riping off a some elses creation suks. Thats all

RE: The Money Machine

# Aug 19 2002 at 8:00 PM Rating: Default

__DEL__1591780131652

101 posts

I'm sorry but WHO 'created' the maps of everquest..? Hmmm... could it be the Everquest creation team?!? Let's see.. they created the zones, which is infact the ORIGINAL map. Now who are THEY ripping off? Sony's maps look nothing like Muses & I think Sony has every right to use the name they chose as is perfectly describes the product. Just like Sony ripped off AD&D MoB names aye.. dragons, minotaurs, wisps, ect.. where do you think AD&D got some of those names? Folk lore & legends. Do you see people jumping out of their graves whining 'I was the FIRST to mention a myhtological being by that name, I deserve the credit!'.. if we did see that than maybe credit really is worth something, but it's not. Any (wo)man who demands credit for the creation of something isn't worth remembering for they didn't create out of good cause.

Sad but not Surprising

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:47 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

I find that truly unfortunate, however with things like the rate increase / ledgends etc.. It is really shocking that EQ would trade on a name made popular by a true staple of the online EQ world. Muses' maps are truly work of art and incredibly useful. I have had to go to other sources very few times and have proudly donated via Paypal. I wish that SOE would have rewarded someone that has not only added to the game, but has helped keep their player base not only informed but interested. Oh well, like I said I am saddened but not surprised.

Rene Hairyberries
59th Druid of the Stormkeeper Karana
Master (203) Tailor
Wearer of the 8th Shawl
Proud Member of Divine Prophecy
Xev Server
Guy with too many things on his signature

No Locs?!?!?

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:46 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1593966060442

12 posts

>I'm not sure why anyone would buy that book when EQ Atlas offers far superior maps and
>information for free, and has been serving the community for years.
>Yeah they're pretty, but who wants a map without locs?

I was looking forward to seeing the new atlas. Was going to buy it as soon as I saw it on the shelf. Now with the above comment about no locs I don't see how helpful it will be. There have been many times that I've talked someone thru somewhere just from having the loc and my maps shameless printed from eqatlas.com. Before I discovered eqatlas I had some crappy maps from I think the everlore site. They are terrible. Not enough detail, no locs. I have come to depend on Eqatlas for the fine information given to the community. I hope SOE will start giving them some credit for the hard work they have done.

i already feed Verant's kids

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:32 PM Rating: Decent

Tethax

102 posts

the price to play eq was raised (rightfully so, imo) i may buy the PoP exp - i doubt seriously i'll buy this little guide - as i have not had to buy any guide before it. It's a book you see - and eq is an mmorpg, which changes regularly, zones are added, modified, etc, etc. Why would i waste $19.99 on a book that will be outdated before hit hits the shelf?

i use the web for info i need, thank you Allakhazam, EQAtlas and EQTraders. *salute!*

-Tethax Firestorm

agree

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:28 PM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1593362149212

Scholar

29 posts

It does appear that SOE is using EQ Atlas for their own gains. My question is, why would anyone in their right mind pay for something when they can get a far superior product for free? Shame on SOE for stealing a name and using it for their own gains. Props to The Muse for porviding us all with a highly useful, and easy to navigate, website. Everyone should boycott purchasing the book and spend more time at EQAtlas.com

My 1.2576 cp worth
Villadon Multihated
20th season Necro
Long time player of EQ

EVerquest Atlas

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:24 PM Rating: Default

Anonymous

Anonymous

I agree 100% with your rant. EQatlas is a stable of everyone that plays the game.

Of course Im sure there is nothing you can do from a copy right perspective.

Vanraw

locs

# Aug 19 2002 at 5:23 PM Rating: Default

__DEL__1592248105814

365 posts

The no loc's thing is what got me right off, why even bother putting it out without them.

If I were you muse I'd send all your maps to a publisher and get it put into a book...I'd be more than happy to buy it seeing how I have most of your maps printed out anyhow and they are the best maps available on any site.

To have a book instead of a binder full of printouts would be way superior in my opinion but I guess you don't have the bucks to publish your own map book nor the resources to actually take the design that was used to make the zone and make a map of it.

Either way I'm still gonna buy Sony's book but if you were to release one further down the road I'd be MORE than happy to buy your superior drawings.

Didn't your maps go into the Prima Kunark book?...Maybe you could contact them?