Just a tad confused. I am well aware that the map of Azeroth, and the Eastern Kingdoms in general have been altered numerous times, with major differences between say, the WC2, WC3 and WoW maps. The reason for these changes have ofcourse been caused by greater development of the various regions lore wise by Blizard, as well as due to pragmatic reasons (largely in the case of WoW) so that the world is viable in its shape for gameplay. However, i question which of these maps may been seen as the most accurate. I have long been inclined to concider the current WoW layout of Azeroth to be our most accurate representation of Azeroth, simply at a very small, condensed scale, but i have heard other argue that the world we see in WoW is not accurate, and infact, simply has its current layout for pragmatic reasons, but i am inclined to think that whatever changes they make to the outlines of the contients in WoW, for whatever reason, should be concidered a true representation of its actual outline from that date onwards. What is the current oppinion on this matter (if this has not been answered elsewere). For example, is Khaz Modan now just as it is, wide as the lands to the south, with Ironforge to the north of Stormwind, or is it still actually long and thin. Is Gilneas the wide stubby country we are to receive, or a long peninsula as it was before? --gadget (talk) 00:17, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
- Good questions: I think it's fair to say the current map is the "most accurate" so far, but has various scale and mechanical issues. For example, town sizes, population levels and general habitation is scaled all over the place, and the world was designed without flying in mind (so various mechanical/mapping shortcuts have been taken). However, I think post-Cataclysm, many of the mechanical issues should be dealt with, because they have to. Additionally, there are always going to be concessions for gameplay reasons, and not all areas will be represented equally - islands are missing, and "boring" areas have less detail than interesting ones.
- Generally, Azeroth changes to Blizzard's whims and needs- and I think it's fair to say whatever their latest output is, is probably best to take as "most real", unless it's very obviously only in that form for gameplay reasons (e.g. if there were a Warcraft IV, those maps are likely to be designed for gameplay needs, over 'realism'). Kirkburn talk contr 12:32, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
- I think they made a terrible mistake with Gilneas. Now, where's Kul Tiras going to fit? Just look its current shape: [1]
- There's just no room for anything in there, and they're already adding Tol Barad.
- In my opinion, they should have made this: [2]
- You just remove the nort/west empty areas of Dun Morogh, and there's enough space for it to be still sea.
- Here's another map with Gilneas added to Lordaeron: [3]
- Why, Blizzard... why.--Lon-ami (talk) 16:24, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
- We REALLY don't need to embed 2k x 4k images from other sites. That being said, they could just push Kul Tiras further out to sea. Not like they haven't shifted everything else around since Warcraft 2. -- Dark T Zeratul (talk) 18:41, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
- Zomg, pasted links and didn't notice the images would show. My bad
. - Anyway, it's not just W2 images, it's WoW's, too: File:LordaeronLoC.JPG
- It's stupid to change what's already fine.--Lon-ami (talk) 18:51, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
Personally, I use the old townhall map, mainly because it makes the Deeprun Tram make sense. I use WCIII for Lordaeron's details. Northrend has me baffled. However, if you ask Blizzard, they will likely point you towards the WoW map.--SWM2448 19:41, September 16, 2009 (UTC)
Actually, there is little reason to beleive that Kul Tiras was EVER in Baradin Bay. The Warcraft 2 map simply shows it west of Khaz Modan. Now if we expand the whole region west (as was what occured with Khaz Modan for WoW)we get Kul Tiras to the west of Khaz Modan, but NOT in Baradin Bay. There is no boubt that we would still have Tol Barad in the bay, but they might have to change this because of scale. Still, they seem currently bent on at least trying to fit it into its natural spot. As for Gilneas, remember what they said, Darkshore did not 'work' like they wanted because it was long and thin. They want to avoid that, and this is they joy jem leveling zone. I am fine with the change, because no area ever keeps its exact outline when we stick it into WoW, and generally it makes the regions more complex. As to the old town hall map, there are still obvious issues. The one that comes to mind first is that Lordamere Lake is just way too big. We are told that Darrowmere Lake is supposed to be the largest lake in the Eastern Kingdoms. Although it still isn't in WoW, it still shows that that map cannot be seen as absolutly correct. Its a tough issue which maps to trust! gadget (talk) 20:21, September 16, 2009 (UTC)