I am pretty sure this is not an option but is there anyway to take over a map created by someone who has been inactive for a long time? If not, thoughts on being able to?

I think u can send mail to Fizzer about it.

Edited 12/7/2013 12:27:02

I don't know if it should be allowed.

Say I create a map, it has a few flaws when it goes public, and for whatever reason, I go inactive.
I wouldn't want anyone to mess with my map, unless I give specific instruction to certain individuals, and if it's within the possibility, give them my account and password so they can fix it.

I wouldn't want to come back after 6 months of inattentiveness to find that something I worked hard on have been completely and utterly destroyed, because what I saw and did, someone didn't agree on.
Take a very good example, my map: http://warlight.net/Map?ID=11104 have a very specific, and sometimes confusing, connections, but it's made as I think it should be, it have a few minor flaws, that I will correct when I get the time and energy.
Say I go inactive because I get hit by a car, after X amount of time, someone can "correct" what he think is the missing connections (there are no missing connections) and mess it up completely.

If it's for map that aren't currently public, I can see the use, but not something I'd want anyone to do to my maps.

But he wouldn't work on you map (it will still remain as it is) he will publish it as a new reworked map under his name and with credits for the original creator of course.

After rereading the end user agreement, it is within the legal rights to change a map as you see fit.
I'm still against it on a personal level, but it's not against the user agreement to modify a map uploaded.

I still don't think one should be able to download a SVG file to any maps, without contacting Fizzer and explain why.
Part of because we may end up seeing a lot of unbalanced map recreated over a well known, well used map.
Take the medium earth map, give Hawaii a hidden massive standard bonus increase to armies, and you got yourself a map where you can win on.
Furthermore it will make finding a map much more of a hassle, as no doubt a lot of duplicates will pop up over some popular maps, in a attempt to make the map more balanced or fix a connection issue one think there is.

And finally there's the issue with legal rights over copyrighted material.
My map for instance, I've obtained the rights to make the map, from those who made it originally. I cannot give that right to someone else. If it's not obtained, and someone else recreate and publish the map, it could get messy.

So no, I don't think giving everyone access to SVG's would be the right way to solve the "inactive map creators" problem.
A mail to Fizzer explaining why you would like access to the SVG, should be the way, and let him decide whether it would be in the best interest for everyone.
Else creating the SVG from scratch is an option.

A mail to Fizzer explaining why you would like access to the SVG, should be the way, and let him decide whether it would be in the best interest for everyone.

That's exactly the way it is right now.

I think u can send mail to Fizzer about it.

and thats exactly what i said :D

I think you mentioned making the process easier in your edited post Incaman.
If you didn't I apologise for going a bit off topic.

It's fine, actually it was a good discussion but the problem is that we all agreed with it :)

I think the player who wont to take other the map should check to see if the map maker is actually inactive or not. After all someone who doesn't regularly post on forums or takes part in ladders could easily go under the radar.

And not play any games? If you don't play games, or post in forums, then what will still make you active?