Why is surface view not available below ground level?

Question

I like to use surface view for my maps-

However, the surface view isn't available for floors below ground level. It just goes to the map view and gets locked so I don't have the option to switch to surface view. Why is my Cyclopedia map like this? I know it's labeled surface view but is their a reasoning why we're not allowed to see other layers below ground level?

Answer 1

First of all, the technical reason is that the image files that would show the views of the underground floors are not part of the client. The files (both Surface and Map) are pre-rendered images downloaded with the client, which is why you can see the whole Tibian surface even if you don't have any map explored on the classic minimap. On the other hand, you can only see underground locations that you have explored (not necessarily been there, but you need to have the minimap files). So actually the difference is that they have decided that we can have all* the surface maps from them, but none the underground. This was on purpose, of course. 

CipSoft most likely chose this to keep the classic Tibian aura of mystery and secrecy. The majority of quest places in Tibia are located underground. Dungeons you have to go through, puzzles, boss rooms, etc. If this was available on the Cyclopedia map, then all that would not be a mystery anymore and readily available for players to check, even just after an update. There are a few underground locations in Tibia which we cannot reach and thus the mystery around them remain (is the area reachable? is there something there?). For example, this 2 locations:

• Locked doors in the secret Library here and here;
• This room on the way to The Time Guardian;
• Certainly many others I can't recall right now. 

By not releasing the images (surface or map) they keep the mystery. 

* There are actually a few places of Tibia which are not included in the Cyclopedia Map. The Summer and Winter Courts and the Ghost Ship, for example.