Talk:Instancing

Out-of-Cavern vs In-Cavern

This appears to be another article where the line between Out-of-Cavern and In-Cavern is blurred, which inevitably raises some questions:

• Are there any in-game references that mention instancing?
• Are there any Cyan sources that mention instancing?
• Is this article merely an attempt to 'canonise' a game mechanic that exists purely for technical reasons?

Pharap (talk) 09:12, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

It's a messy issue that the article in its current state doesn't explain adequately. Instancing is considered IC, but only after the beginning of Myst Online, and the Bevin-style neighborhoods are supposed to be different locations despite their near-identity in the game. I think most of the article (ideally including a more thorough discussion of the instancing rules) could be IC, with an OOC section covering the exceptions in which instances are considered to be just game mechanics. Talashar (talk) 22:27, 12 January 2024 (UTC)

According to the relevant part of the Canon Policy, Myst Online is canon, so as long as it was acknowledge by an 'official' character (which it is - Victor Laxman), that's fine. At the time I just wasn't sure if there was a reference that could confirm it as a valid In-Cavern term. (I wasn't around during Uru's heyday, so verifying that sort of thing is more difficult for me as I wouldn't have the first clue about who said what or when.) Having that reference makes all the difference, so thank you for finding that.

I think splitting the Out-of-Cavern explanation away from the In-Cavern explanation would be useful, though I suspect it may be difficult to find enough In-Cavern references to make the In-Cavern parts comprehensive, and that the Out-of-Cavern section will probably end up being longer. If that does end up being the case though, it's not too much of a problem. It's probably better to have a slightly awkward article structure than to have the In-Cavern being mixed in with the Out-of-Cavern. (Aside from which, that kind of thing is an occupational hazard with Uru, considering how little ended up being explained in the end.)

Pharap (talk) 23:59, 14 January 2024 (UTC)