ALIEN WARFARE

[grifftron]

OK Updated style of the new Alien Warfare map. 800x800px Check it out and let me know what you think.

Click image to enlarge.

Updated.

[natty dread]

Hello, welcome to the foundry!

I drew this picture up on Photo shop. I thought it would make for a cool map,

Possibly. Hard to say yet, so far it's just a picture of a ditch with some boats in it... (Honestly, no offense really, but from your draft I get the mental image of little kids playing in a ditch with their toy battleships! )

I have not put in any territories on either side yet or even put a name on the map, but the idea is to have possible up to 4 bases on each side (for even quads to play on this map)

4 bases, and how many territories? You need to resize your next draft, btw. You should ALWAYS start from the large version, and if you're going to make enough territs for 8 players then this image is way too small for the large version.

Start with an image of 800x800 pixels. Then if there's spare room, either fill it with the legend, or just crop the image.

boats can attack each other and land connected to the water will be able to attack boats next to their territories

Really? So you want to make holding the boats impossible? 14 borders to each boat?

just an idea, im in a hurry I can't explain much yet, ill make a more clearer map later, I was wondering if this idea or something close to this has been attempted yet? let me know sugggestions and ideas.

In a hurry, I see. I think you should take the time to develop this idea a bit, preferably at a time when you're not in a hurry. Because so far, all you have is some boats swimming in a ditch...

Good luck!

[grifftron]

natty_dread,

thanks for the welcome, i posted a few other ideas but never got a welcome...

maybe it could be "kids playing in a ditch" map?

I will take some time and go back to the drawing board on this one, you said 800x800 was a good size to start out with? sounds good, ill just re-size it. I know it doesn't look like much yet but it might be good

thanks for your comments.

-grifftron

[natty dread]

Also make the boats a bit larger, so you can fit army numbers in them in both large and small version.

[grifftron]

Here is the 800x800pixels your said, kinda big...

Click image to enlarge.

Here is a smaller one 500x500px

Click image to enlarge.

I think the map can pretty much explain itself and the idea I had...

-neighboring lands would be able to attack each other

-ships (opps they are triangles now ) will be able to attack each other according to the black lines I connected them with (this will change in diff versions, i need more ideas for this...) and each kingdom will connect with 1 ship each...

-inside kingdoms are worth +3 (more then the outter kingdoms that should be easier to hold (+2) maybe im wrong? who knows.. sounded good to me...

-the island connects both sides together but is easy to hold so I only made it +2

-home kingdoms could even be +3 each or something like that just like on some of the other maps on CC. Still thinking...

***I know the some of the colors might be close together and this map needs a lot more work, just wondering if the idea would pass, its a small map, which is what i wanted it to be.***

STILL NO NAME FOR THE MAP EITHER... any suggestions?

[natty dread]

Now you are getting somewhere. This looks like something I would actually play.

You need to work out the name, territory names, continent names etc.. to get a working draft out of this.

[grifftron]

Now you are getting somewhere. This looks like something I would actually play.

Thanks. I hope others will think that way...

You need to work out the name, territory names, continent names etc.. to get a working draft out of this.

Name *check*

Territory names *check* (just have letters and numbers for now)

Any other ideas and suggestions? keep them coming please...

Click image to enlarge.

***Updated larger images posted in the first post***

[natty dread]

Well, now you should basically first concentrate on making the map look good. Use layers, so things will be easy to change later on. After you get the map to look decent, you will have lots of more suggestions coming, when people see you are serious with the map.

Believe me, you will have to do lots and lots of different versions of your map before it moves forward. You'll need perseverance.

Check out other maps under construction, in the draft room and main foundry. This will give you an idea of the quality you need to match.

[natty dread]

Also, make the colours of the different regions/continents more distinct. Right now it's hard to tell some of them apart even with normal vision, and think about the colour blind people...

[grifftron]

and think about the colour blind people...

True... very true...

Well, now you should basically first concentrate on making the map look good. Use layers, so things will be easy to change later on.

How exactly does the layers work on photo shop? I still haven't found someone to explain this to me, im not the best at graphics so my concern is this map will never pass because i stink at graphics. And all the good map makers or people who know how to work with graphics are usually busy with some other project. Any suggestions?

[natty dread]

I use paint.net myself so I know nothing of how photoshop works...

Well, I could help with the graphics, but don't expect me to be able to work very fast, as I'm currently busy with 1 main project + 2 side projects = 3 maps total...

[natty dread]

An idea for the map: Divide the central island into 3 territories and make it similar to the central oasis in the oasis map, a territory with decays that you need to hold to win the game.

[grifftron]

Well, I could help with the graphics, but don't expect me to be able to work very fast

Yea if you wanted you could try to see what you could do with the map... Speed isn't an issue. But I would like to have a good looking map that interests people, and the map I have no does not do that. See what you can do.

An idea for the map: Divide the central island into 3 territories and make it similar to the central oasis in the oasis map, a territory with decays that you need to hold to win the game.

I like the decay thing... maybe the bonus on the island wont be needed? dividing the island into 3 parts might make it hard to see? Not sure about holding it to win... although it might work? might be too easy to win for some. what do you think?


I was also thinking of pushing out the east coast a bit as it might help see the countries a bit better.

This map could go for more of a cartoon feel, it doesn't have to be a realistic map that CC has plenty of... but maybe a cartoon look isn't the best idea either...

[grifftron]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Just another idea of how this map could be made, i kinda like this one better then the first.

i split the island into 4, made for a better fit then 3 i thought. And got rid of some boats, also changed some of the connections on the boats, might work better this way and i made kingdom boarders a little wider for a better fit. Was even thinking of maybe putting up walls that could not be passed around the home bases.. at least on boarders with other kingdoms... any thoughts?

[grifftron]

direction of map changed to an "Alien" type theme, I am still looking for a real map maker that can do something with this map. If anyone is interested on taking this map on let me know. I know "natty" said he would help but I see he is a very busy man with many different projects.

I want this map to be a small map, very simple yet hopefully unique in its own way.

Click image to enlarge.

[natty dread]

I'm sorry, I really am a bit busy... but I haven't forgotten you, I have started making a graphical draft of this map, but as my main project is now at a really busy stage it's coming up kinda slow.

I might be able to get my draft done in a day or two, but if you feel I'm too slow then by all means replace me with another artist. You could ask porkenbeans, he's really good with graphics, but he also has several projects going on...

[grifftron]

Thanks natty, I would love to see your draft, I am also making my own draft as well, I did change the map style and theme a bit, I finished another draft but its on my acer at home. Ill put it up later today i hope.

[grifftron]

Click image to enlarge.

Hey natty, here was the idea I had going on, check it out, and let me know what you think. I was thinking of maybe not having any territory bonuses as its such a small map and so easy to hold each territory as they all only have 1 entrance. I wanted to make it fair for everyone so I put up walls so the middle bases could not attack each other. But ships can attack connecting ships.

[natty dread]

Hmm, the bonuses seem interesting. Btw you seem to be doing fine with the graphics... A bit more practice and work, and you should be able to do the graphics all by yourself.

One thing. Why is there no borders between continents B and C, and continents F and G, but there's 1 border between other adjacent continents? Seems a bit odd.

[grifftron]

Btw you seem to be doing fine with the graphics... A bit more practice and work, and you should be able to do the graphics all by yourself.

I'm glad you think so, but I still would like another artists input and possible re-due of my map as my graphics don't compare to some of the other artists work on CC. I would like to see what you could do with this map if you had time, or just give me input is fine. I still need a lot of work as I just started experimenting with PS.

One thing. Why is there no borders between continents B and C, and continents F and G, but there's 1 border between other adjacent continents? Seems a bit odd.

The reason I put these walls between the B and C continents and the F and G continents was because if this map was to be played by say 8 players on a normal style type game or any kind of game it would be more fair to those who were dropped in the middle continents on both sides if they were only being attacked by 1 side just like the corner continents are, if i removed these walls then the middle continents (B,C,F and G) would all be attacked by on 2 sides while the corner continents (A,D,E and H) would only be attacked on 1 side. It seemed like a good idea at the time, what do you think?

[natty dread]

The reason I put these walls between the B and C continents and the F and G continents was because if this map was to be played by say 8 players on a normal style type game or any kind of game it would be more fair to those who were dropped in the middle continents on both sides if they were only being attacked by 1 side just like the corner continents are, if i removed these walls then the middle continents (B,C,F and G) would all be attacked by on 2 sides while the corner continents (A,D,E and H) would only be attacked on 1 side. It seemed like a good idea at the time, what do you think?

Ah, it makes sense now.

[grifftron]

so when can this move on to the next stage?

[natty dread]

To be considered a Working Draft a project must be more than just an idea; a Draft should have a clear thematic focus, a plan for how the gameplay will work, and a basic image which should include:

1. Territory Labels - temporary names or numbers will suffice, and are always open to change.
2. Borders/Paths/Impassables - it should be made clear where territories do/do not connect.
3. Bonus Areas - where combinations/groups of territories will award a bonus, this should be indicated on the map.
4. Legend - speculative bonus values and explanations of any attack rules or gameplay features.

Draft images should not be larger than 630x600px (small image) or 840x800px (large image).

While in the drafting room, it is expected that a mapmaker will demonstrate:

a. significant knowledge of graphics tools and techniques,
b. the willingness to consider and respond appropriately to critical feedback
c. the ability to make multiple changes based on ongoing feedback
d. a solid understanding of the Foundry standards and process.

[grifftron]

To be considered a Working Draft a project must be more than just an idea; a Draft should have a clear thematic focus, a plan for how the gameplay will work, and a basic image which should include:

1. Territory Labels - temporary names or numbers will suffice, and are always open to change.
2. Borders/Paths/Impassables - it should be made clear where territories do/do not connect.
3. Bonus Areas - where combinations/groups of territories will award a bonus, this should be indicated on the map.
4. Legend - speculative bonus values and explanations of any attack rules or gameplay features.

Draft images should not be larger than 630x600px (small image) or 840x800px (large image).

While in the drafting room, it is expected that a mapmaker will demonstrate:

a. significant knowledge of graphics tools and techniques,
b. the willingness to consider and respond appropriately to critical feedback
c. the ability to make multiple changes based on ongoing feedback
d. a solid understanding of the Foundry standards and process.

So... when can it move forward? Natty if you would help me with the graphics we should be able to move it forward right?

[natty dread]

It will be up to the moderators... their call ultimately.

But yeah I'll do what I can. I'll try to come up with a draft soon.