i don't really see the problem, it's a bit similar but not total copy. he clearly thought he would be able to improve over yours. why do people get so scandalized when someone uses their work as base for something else? everyone does that on one way or the other, everything is a remix.

a little credit would have been nice though, would make him look like less of a hack.

But I wouldnt be too upset about it. It could also be a sign of appreciation towards your maps.

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to think.

i don't really see the problem, it's a bit similar but not total copy.

He still did trace my map without permission. I'm glad though, that it is not copied "territory-for-territory," if you will. It looks like there's not much I can do at this point anyway, he was last seen over a month ago.

"Copying from one person is called plagiarism, from two - compilation, from three and more - thesis."

I see the similarity between your maps, I am not excluding it was an ispiration for his map but I wouldn't call it plagiarism in this case.
But in my opinion he should have at least asked you for permission. Out of curiosity: would you agree to share the map?

I've also got a some kind of throwaway thought, not connected with your case: Why do people publish their work if they don't want it to be used by others.

Having your worked used by others and having credit taken for your work by others are hardly the same thing. In a thesis, I am still guilty of plagiarism if I do not cite any of my sources.

The quote on the top was a joke ofcourse. :p

If want to benifit from your work, you don't publish it for everyone :)
And I am sure NinjaNic makes his map gratuitously for WL community.

But in my opinion he should have at least asked you for permission. Out of curiosity: would you agree to share the map?

Probably, if he asked. I mean, I'm not really angry. (Before reading Europe 3.0's thread.) I just want to be known for the work I've done. I guess it's not too big of a deal, since his map (or mine) isn't really that popular anyway.

In the world of western academia, if you don't publish, you won't get tenure, effectively making you unpromotable. Professors publish for personal benefit, sure, but one of the goals of their work is to lay the foundation for future works. In effect, they are publishing for the benefit of the community. Those who build upon their research without giving credit where credit is due are dishonest plagiarists.

Or if you prefer, maybe we should reference copyright law, such as the recent decision against Pharrell and Robin Thicke that determined that they plagiarized Marvin Gaye's song Got To Give It Up when they created Blurred Lines. If the similarities are more than passing coincidence, if they are consistent and systematic, then plagiarism occurred.

Edited 5/25/2016 00:09:37

Copying from one person is called plagiarism, from two - compilation, from three and more - thesis.

I see two completely different maps, even in a "scientific context" I would see no need to quote Ninja Nic for his map. All Europe maps look kinda the same and this is because they are based on the Europe shape. There are probably also some pictures of Atlantis out there.

Using Europe as comparison is bad though, as this map is completely fictional and self-drawn from Nic? unless i'm wrong and he used a reference i didn't manage to find within 2 min of google.

I think that the main problem of RA is that he is not smart enough to create a map that has strategic/tactic valors. His maps are good looking, but nothing special when it comes to gameplay. He is a decent painter but not an architect.

That is why he needs to STEAL designs from other players...

Edited 5/25/2016 08:04:12

I think RA remanufacture maps to improve it and not just in visuals but in strategic value too. His "stolen" Europe and Medium Earth maps are admittedly better looking and I think with the balancing modifications it is more strategic as well, overall not a genuine work but better than the original.

In his painted maps maybe more the artwork than the strategy but Petrograd or Vietnam definetly well-balanced and playable, so I dont believe that he dont know what are needed for a good map.

Its a fault to forget giving credit to mapmakers for using their maps but its not detract from the visual or strategic value of his maps.

@Urfang - first of all I think that you cant write that RA "forgot" about giving credits. He did the same thing in the past (with a great forum turmoil as a consequence of that previous thievery) and now we should believe that he "forgot" again? He did this on purpose becuse he is a THIEF.
The only difference is that now he has turned the original map upside down to make it less obvious.

Edited 5/25/2016 09:54:07

Interesting noone has said to Fizzer that he is a thief because he used Troll's Europe like RA who not just used but completely redraw from both visual and strategic view though he would be a thief?

Unless RA can provide some other source to argue both his and NinjaNic's maps are based upon the same thing, and I don't think he can, this is blatant plagiarism. I mean the territory shapes and general outline are uncanny. I can see exactly where he has divided NinjaNic's territories, or merged two together, or simply removed them altogether.

Granted, the result is a different map but to not give any credit or thanks to NinjaNic is just a dick move. And the rotating of the map by 180 is just another clear measure RA has taken to try hide/disguise that it's not his own work lol. Where's the harm if he'd just asked permission or if not that, then he'd at least given a special thanks to NinjaNic for inspiration.

No real harm done at the end of the day, but from that other thread, I reckon RA just doesn't give a shit if time and again he gets away with it. Guess we have no choice but to just let RA redesign every map on warlight and take credit for them all if Fizzer won't even let us even lower the rating when he does...

I'll be lowering my rating to half what it'd otherwise get from me since half the credit goes to NinjaNic who RA failed to mention, and I'll happily rate it higher again once RA learns some common decency. I hope FIzzer agrees that's fair and won't intervene.

I think that the main problem of RA is that he is not smart enough to create a map that has strategic/tactic valors. His maps are good looking, but nothing special when it comes to gameplay. He is a decent painter but not an architect.

That is why he needs to STEAL designs from other players...

it is hard to concede good values to a person you dislike. Your statement only shows your lack for an objective analysis. The fact that Ra won the 2v2 ladder pretty much refutes your attestation. He also made both kinds of maps - those, that focus on art and others that are meant to be used for competitive games (these maps are very well made and good looking,too).

I got to know Ra a little bit better in the last months, where we started a map project together. He is a smart guy with little interest for social bargains, which doesnt mean he is stupid or unreasonable. I guess he dont care much for a proper citation or giving credits within warlight. He makes the maps for fun and to improve the game. Some of the overall best maps are made by him, this is at least something you could appreciate.

Im sure he would give Nic credits if you ask him personally (not in the forum - without the lynch mob in the background) and beyond that Im sure he would even apologize. I havent recognized malice within his behaviour, rather an immature conception of social standards.

And none of maps deserve false rating because a bad opinion about its maker.

NinjaNic is right... not good!

The amount of plagiarism can be debated, but the presence of it cannot be. Stealing one line from a book without citing it IS enough to be plagiarism. Stop making excuses for him.

In the case of the europe one, yes it is real world vs fictional. But, he traced Fridges map exactly.

Edited 5/25/2016 16:38:40

Using Europe as comparison is bad though, as this map is completely fictional and self-drawn from Nic? unless i'm wrong and he used a reference i didn't manage to find within 2 min of google.

Atlantis usually gets portrayed as kinda a ring with land masses and water.

- http://ming-tang.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Atlantis.jpg
- http://www.ancient-code.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/atlantis.jpg

What is a bit surprising is that RAs map isn't more symmetrical which would follow the Atlantis pattern more. In terms of gameplay both maps should play out quite different with Ninja Nic's map being a bit more open. Bot maps followed an interesting and sound thought process to make the maps playable while I find Ninja Nic's map more creative and more out of the box. Every map maker probably looks for inspiration from other maps and it's certainly possible that RA found Ninja Nic's map interesting.

Edited 5/25/2016 17:50:40

RA iz such a gud trol lul