Feudal Japan - Version 4 - June 08

[bryguy]

i wash just about to yell at t-o-m for resurecting an old thread when i noticed that it was just updated

oh well looks great, more comments when i have time

[oaktown]

look here - theres already a japan map in the foundry and its beter than this one

I disagree - the other Japan map is deeply flawed in that they haven't been able to figure out how to make the small map readable. This map doesn't look nearly as bad at 630 pixels (see below for a quick resizing).

As for your update, I think I liked some elements of your original version better. I miss the mountains, but most of all the black background doesn't work for me - the colors now look more 1980s Patrick Nagel than they do 1400s Japan... though I bet Nagel was quite popular in Japan in the 80s.

A small map... and a small Nagel:

http://www.cruisingoods.com/new/leathercapbg.jpg

[ben.carbery]

.

[t-o-m]

the new background makes the terit names almost invisable when theyre not on the land...
also i dislike the background

[ben.carbery]

.

[t-o-m]

also i dislike the background

can you elaborate?

what is there to elaborate on?
you didnt think that you could leave the background like tath did you

[ben.carbery]

.

[InkL0sed]

I'm loving the look of this -- I'll look closer when I have more time.

[Kaplowitz]

Dont worry, im 14.

-I dont like the BG. Its too distracting, and its hard to read all the text. I think that a nice subtle design or texture would look much nicer.
-I dont like how flat Japan is too the BG. In the first draft, there was a shadow; which i think is nicer because it helps the map pop out. I dont think you should necessarily use a shadow, but something (glow, shadow, bevel, stroke, etc.) would help the map pop out more from the BG.

Thats all i got for now, look forward to the next update!

[ben.carbery]

.

[Natewolfman]

current 2 backgrounds up im not liking much either... all black dosnt work so well and the other is painfull to look at lol, what if you had something like a proverb or something short written in japanese looking something like scroll design behind it?

[pamoa]

Here are some inspiration for color scheme to get a japanese feeling!
[bigimg]http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/pamoa_ch/Kyoto1721.jpg[/bigimg]
[bigimg]http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/pamoa_ch/Kyoto1721extract.jpg[/bigimg][bigimg]http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/pamoa_ch/Hokusai-MinamotonoToru1834.jpg[/bigimg][bigimg]http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm126/pamoa_ch/Hokusai-LiBai1834.jpg[/bigimg]

[ben.carbery]

Well, I've been on holiday for a month, but back in CC town now.

Do any of these backgrounds take your fancy? Don't worry about the readability, just trying to find the right background.

[ben.carbery]

Ok, a new version is up in the original post. I have added in a close up of a real katana blade and mixed two famous wood carvings in the background..let me know your thoughts.
cheers
Ben

[seamusk]

I like the first of three background options I think looks best. I like that it gives more of a setting.

[Ruben Cassar]

Forget those fancy backgrounds mate.

Just use a good solid image of the sea as a background.

The map is virtually unplayable if you use those backgrounds. As nice as they are this is a game not a painting.

[ben.carbery]

Forget those fancy backgrounds mate.

Do your comments include version 4 (see first post in thread)?

[Ruben Cassar]

Forget those fancy backgrounds mate.

Do your comments include version 4 (see first post in thread)?

Yes. You need a simple background. Japan is an island. Use the sea.

The best maps are like that. Look at Iceland for example for some inspiration.

The current backgrounds you have right now are nice to look at on their own but as a background they detract from the map and gameplay. The make the map too cluttered.

[pamoa]

Good idea with the sword, maybe you can put back some color into the sea background now.
Watch out the central port city, it's not clear wich territ it is part of.

[amazingadam]

so is the Japan map coming?