The Homestead Strike of 1892. 6/25 MAP UPDATE!

[seamusk]

Map Updated 6/25/08.

Currently 78 territories. (as of 6/25/08)

No continents. Bonuses under consideration.

This will be an objective based map. Killing the opponent is also one way to win. There are worker objectives and objectives for the steel barons Carnegie and Frick. Red houses are starting positions on town. Pinkertons, Guard Houses, and Carrie Furnaces are starting positions in steel mill.

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.3

Click image to enlarge.

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.2

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Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.1

Click image to enlarge.

[TaCktiX]

Geez, could you get one map out of Ideas before you start 55 more? I'll comment on something other than that when there's a map draft.

[seamusk]

Geez, could you get one map out of Ideas before you start 55 more? I'll comment on something other than that when there's a map draft.

if you don't have something constructive to say don't say it mate. I meant to mention that I will have a map draft up in a few days. It will be very rough. And obviously those other two maps are my focus right now. Just needed to get this one out of my head and down on "paper".

[oaktown]

I like this idea SO much more than the other ideas you're working on... it has a story, potential for fun graphics, and an existing map that already looks play-worthy. I have to say, if you're going to pour your time into one idea, this might be the better one. Two thumbs up!

[seamusk]

I like this idea SO much more than the other ideas you're working on... it has a story, potential for fun graphics, and an existing map that already looks play-worthy. I have to say, if you're going to pour your time into one idea, this might be the better one. Two thumbs up!

Well, I'm pretty committed to those other two. But I hear ya and I'm glad you like this idea. This one will move slow at first because I am committed to the other two but i'll get to it more hardcore eventually.

[AndyDufresne]

This idea has more appeal that your other ideas combined I think...


--Andy

[t-o-m]

this is a great idea - seriously.

BUT -
you've got loads of projects going at the moment, none in the main foundry, and only one at [adv idea], i would work on this one for now - put all of your effort into this map and get this one good.
i think this map would triumph a lot more over hurling or algangy forest.

[seamusk]

yeesh. if you like this idea fine. I see no reason to bash the others though. I know for some reason the cartos here don't like sports maps but there is a lot of demand for them from the casual players who visit here. And the forest map is going to be a good one.

[AndyDufresne]

We aren't bashing you other maps, just stating this seems like a more interesting well developed idea.


--Andy

[TaCktiX]

I think Allegheny has legs and that you should take it someplace. The hurling map, not so much. I'm just not interested in a lot of the sport map adaptations, because in the process of distilling the essence of the sport, the map distills out what makes the sport fun in the first place, particularly when trying to balance things (your 4 goalie solution). That's just a harsh fact that I think will preclude there ever being good sports maps any time soon.

As for this idea, it's a good one I'm not going to deny, but from my experience I can only do two maps at once, and I see several other people with the same "limit." I've also seen a handful of people post idea after idea after idea, and never got any of them Idea Passed. It's perfectly fine to have several maps going, but if new ones are getting started faster than the old ones can get to a state of "progress" as the rest of the Foundry sees it, then it just looks bad. Hence my harsh "55 others" post.

[seamusk]

well i'll say, taking on too many ideas is kind of what I'm known for. So no harm no foul. In general this idea is on the slow track. To be honest, while I realize a lot of the cartos aren't into the sports maps, I actually expect that map ought to quench long before the Allegheny map simply because it is very straight forward and simple. (note I say ought to because I'm not sure how when gets a sports map quenched even if it deserves it).

Any good sports cc map is going to require some game modifiers. The four goalies helps make hurling a better cc game which is why its there. And more so than any other thing I could have done, it largely doesn't change the feel of the game. Ultimately the game is largely played between the goalboxes and all of that is a very good simulation of hurling (it is rare in any board game, let alone one with such specific mechanics, that you can simulate a sport that well). Hurling has more upside than any of the other ideas put together imo.

And we're way off topic. Let's get back to this map. I see that it has a lot of support. So if y'all want to see this one in action just help those others along....

I hope to have a rough draft of this next week. But it depends on the time I have this weekend which will likely be little.

[seamusk]

Here is a rough draft of the homestead strike map. Here is the basic up front information.

Currently 71 territories.

No continents.

This will be an objective based map. Killing the opponent is one way to win. There are worker objectives and objectives for the steel barons Carnegie and Frick.

RIght now streets and tan paths indicate attack routes in the city. The workers with the circles are union lookouts who are preventing scabs from entering the town and plant. The barges are the vehicles that the Pinkertons bring in to try and escort scabs in. The monument didn't exist at the time but commemorates the 4 workers slain on July 6, 1892. The yellow territories inside the plant represent lockout areas from the strikes. The orange houses represent company houses. They will be needed for objectives but will be owned by killer neutrals.

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.1

Click image to enlarge.

[seamusk]

The basic idea at this point is to maintain a basic objective game. No auto bonuses. No continent bonuses. All about using your position to control the key areas. My main concern at this point is possibly entering bonuses to limit the impact of the dice.

The workers will have 2 or 3 objectives that they can achieve. The steel barons as well. Examples of possible objectives are:

POSSIBLE WORKERS OBJECTIVES
Fight off the scabs. Control 8 of 12 lookout points
Fight off the Pinkertons. Control the barges and dock. (This is more difficult than it would seem based on starting positions that I know I have not advertised yet).
Break through the lockout and show up for work! Control the yellow areas + 48" plate mill, open hearth, structural mill and the bars. (The bars are key to maintaining discipline amongst the workers.)

POSSIBLE STEEL BARON OBJECTIVES
Execute a Lockout. Control the yellow areas, plate mill, open hearth, and 3 of 5 worker lookouts near the plant.
Evict the workers. Successfully control 3 of 5 company houses. This tactic was used by Frick to weaken the workers resolve.
Control the plan. Control all buildings inside the plant + main gate.

None of this has been tested to see what will work, what territory changes might be necessary, what bonuses may be necessary, etc...

[AndyDufresne]

Get a workable legend on the image, even if it's just random guessing at this point. IT'll be easier to follow and understand the map.

Also, whenever you attend to the map graphics, you've got far too many conflicting perspectives!


--Andy

[seamusk]

Get a workable legend on the image, even if it's just random guessing at this point. IT'll be easier to follow and understand the map.

Also, whenever you attend to the map graphics, you've got far too many conflicting perspectives!


--Andy

yeah I can work on a legend tomorrow. And hell yeah, too many perspectives. Just trying to figure out the gameplay mostly right now. This map is going to look a LOT different when I get to graphics seriously. Thanks for the input.

[wcaclimbing]

Also, whenever you attend to the map graphics, you've got far too many conflicting perspectives!

I was going to comment on that also.
Perspective is getting me very confused.
Your houses are straight up and down, but the bridge is leaning painfully to the left. your dock seems to go directly away from us (into the water), and the boats are falling off the side of the world.

Maybe you could take a look at google maps or google earth. It'd give you a better idea of how to show all this stuff from the eye-in-the-sky point of view.

[seamusk]

I need to start noting changes to the map layout (not graphics yet).

1) move one worker lookout to other side of main road leading to main gate.
2) Have barges lead two tracks to dock instead of one.
3) Add legend and clarify starting positions.

9) Update graphics.

I will edit this post to maintain a sort of to do list...

[steve monkey]

Good idea for a map, I wish you well with it. When it develops further I'll give you feedback on specifics.

[seamusk]

Map Revamp. I do this early on all my maps. A complete revamp! Well, the start of one anyhow. I'm going 2D on the map. I think it will help with intuitiveness but also, I really couldn't decide before on how to proceed and now I think I at least have an idea of that. So 2D, aerial view. For this map I have reworked the town. There is still a few things to change in the town but maybe folks have input on the direction I'm taking things now graphically. A major reason for the change is gameplay but I'm not ready to get into that just yet. Thanks for the input...

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.2

Click image to enlarge.

EDITED TO ADD THE PREVIOUS MAP...

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.1

Click image to enlarge.

[seamusk]

Map Update. OK, we're getting closer. Preliminary objectives plus most of the map intact. No legend yet though so bear with me.

The access to the mill will have high neutrals. That said, in order to get the gameplay just right on this test plays will be necessary.

And yes I know some buildings are pixelated and some text as well. And that the text is facing all kinds of directions right now. That will all be fixed in due course.

Homestead Strike of 1892: Version 0.3 (June 25th)

Click image to enlarge.

[Androidz]

Starting to look great:D

[t-o-m]

this does really look great.
i wanna play this now! (well soon)

maybe change the colouring on the bevel/the ocpacity of the white/black on the bevel to make something that looks better, also perhaps an outer glow on the land would make the river/lake/water look better - or an inner glow on the lake (im not sure how yuo made it, so whatever's easier)

[seamusk]

this does really look great.
i wanna play this now! (well soon)

maybe change the colouring on the bevel/the ocpacity of the white/black on the bevel to make something that looks better, also perhaps an outer glow on the land would make the river/lake/water look better - or an inner glow on the lake (im not sure how yuo made it, so whatever's easier)

t-o-m, I'm not following the first part. Which bevel? Thanks for the comments!

[ZeakCytho]

These graphics just aren't doing it for me. It's very bland and uninteresting, since about 75% of the map is just the ground color. And there's too much text. If you have that much dead space to kill, either make the image smaller or zoom in more on the things you have.

[seamusk]

These graphics just aren't doing it for me. It's very bland and uninteresting, since about 75% of the map is just the ground color. And there's too much text. If you have that much dead space to kill, either make the image smaller or zoom in more on the things you have.

the text isn't there to kill dead space. More like the opposite (I had to expand the map to fit the text).

As for bland, well yeah, not really going for the over-exciting graphics here. I made a choice to go 2D and keep it fairly clean for a reason. Which doesn't mean that I cannot spice up the background or add elements to make it more interesting.

Edited to note by elements I mean graphics elements. I'm trying to keep gameplay as simple and clean as possible. kill people, achieve objective, win...