Solar System ERROR FIX v1.0.2 (w/ PSD files) [Quenched]

[maxdetjens]

I might have to eat my words. It occurs to me that the classic map has near black army circles. I will have to seriously consider that possibility.

[maxdetjens]

61 Territories, 7 regions, 5 sub regions, Alternating Jump Gate Bonus

Changes:
- Removed double stroke on letters and change their colors to match region
- Darkened and reduced detail in army circles
- Darkened Routes
- Reduced size of JG graphic
- Reduced Saturn’s glow
- Changed name on map to contentious “Jump Gates” to highlight that feature.
- Moved Titan
- Changed the Color of Kuiper Belt to Green (the orange was too close to Jupiter and Asteroid Belt)

What remains:
- Make a symbol Key
- Jump Gate Text should explain that all gates are connected. (obvious but but probably helpful to a few drunks)
- Final proof for spelling.

Open Questions:
- Jump Gate Bonus Structure
- Region Connections and Choke Point (elimination/addition)

[Pious]

With the jump gates neutral, 61-7 would be 54. That means:

9 territories each for 6 player
10 territories each for 5 player, with 4 neutral
13 territories each for 4 player, with 2 neutral
18 territories each for 3 player
18 territories each for 2 player, with 18 neutral

I think that sounds like a reasonable amount of territories.

[Bean_]

I think the minuses on the jump gates are too big. If someone goes through the effort of amassing all 7, any opponent can knock him down 7 armies (to -3 even!) by taking any one of the gates. Under those circumstances, I don't think the gates will be collected, only held lightly for travel.

Maybe something like -1,0,-1,-1,-2,-1,0 works better as they are already quite valuable for travel and forting.

[Bad Speler]

The area around Jupiter looks way to crowded

[Night Strike]

This latest version is much improved. Much easier on the eyes. I don't know if I like how all of Saturn can be protected from just 2 access points (high and low orbits) even without the jump gate. Plus how the high orbit is the access to the rest of the map, without using the jump gates. I also think you should remove the one-way paths.

[snufkin]

not too fond of being the spelling police but it´s got to be done sooner or later anyway: central saturn and central neptune

[Night Strike]

Equatorial Zone. (Jupiter)

[maxdetjens]

Asteriod Belt ( in the legend ) . Man I'm an Idiot.

Thanks for your eyes NightStrike and snufkin!

[KEYOGI]

it's 800x600 now. I was under the impression that that was the maximum recommended size. Am I mistaken?

You are not mistaken. A lot of cartographers are pushing the limits of map size due to the amount of territories, but there is absolutely no need for this map to be made any bigger.

The main area of confusion for me is in the legend, perhaps see if you can structure it a bit differently. I'd also consider some different options for your signature. Maybe a different font and a little less obvious so it doesn't look like part of the map.

[Night Strike]

I just noticed the new title.........I don't think it fits. I know it's the contentious part of the map, but the focus is the solar system, not the gates.

[maxdetjens]

I also think you should remove the one-way paths.

What is your concern about them?

The one way paths are meant to represent the heavy cost acting against planetary gravity. I.e., A ship launched needs to refuel on a moon before leaving. I also makes the bonus areas somewhat less bunker-like (though in the current version holding a high orbit solves that problem.)

[Night Strike]

I also think you should remove the one-way paths.

What is your concern about them?

The one way paths are meant to represent the heavy cost acting against planetary gravity. I.e., A ship launched needs to refuel on a moon before leaving. I also makes the bonus areas somewhat less bunker-like (though in the current version holding a high orbit solves that problem.)

I suppose that reasoning makes sense. Connecting the high orbits of Neptune & Saturn and then Uranus & Jupiter may help army flow.

You need to make the attack lines darker connecting the space territories to planetary territories: you can't see them presently.

[maxdetjens]

I suppose that reasoning makes sense.

GAAAH! you were supposed to refute my logic so that i could justify throwing them out and save that room on the map! Now i probably will need to add some more.

Connecting the high orbits of Neptune & Saturn and then Uranus & Jupiter may help army flow.

Agreed and I have just the way to do it. The Kuiper Belt Objects are really more Trans Neptunian objects so should at least connect partially to Uranus.
I was thinking of also throwing in one or two centaurs which would could act a s a hub of high orbits for all the gas giants.
Also I can make better use of the greek and trojan camps.

You need to make the attack lines darker connecting the space territories to planetary territories: you can't see them presently.

Agreed. They currently have a fade on them that i will toss out in the next version

THANK YOU ALL! The input I'm getting from all contributers to this thread is invaluable. (valuable?)

[maxdetjens]

I just noticed the new title.........I don't think it fits. I know it's the contentious part of the map, but the focus is the solar system, not the gates.

Word!

[Night Strike]

I would remove the connection between the High Orbit of Jupiter and Eunoma Family: both territories already have way too many connections. Amalthea is far enough away that you should knock out it's connection to Jupiter's lower orbit.

You can control the Kuiper Belt and all of Neptune for a +7 bonus from only 3 entry points......there needs to be another.

Removing the one way between the High Orbit of Saturn and it's Rings would at least make the map consistent. I would remove it all together (no two-way path).

[maxdetjens]

62 Territories, 7 regions, 5 sub-regions, Alternating Jump Gate Bonus

Changes
- Kuiper Belt renamed Trans Neptunian Objects (because only some of them are kuiper belt objects)
- The TNOs were moved so that they mingle with the outer giants a lot more (reality)
- The two cis-Neptunian centaur asteroids Chiron and Chariklo were added because they orbit between Saturn and Uranus and can be used for connections (reality)
- The connections with the Trojan asteroids (Greek camp and Trojan camp) were changed to add some routes in the Jupiter, Saturn asteroid belt orbits.
- The jump gates were each attached to a nearby moon making them more useful for attacking and more urgent for defense. (forcing you into that hard choice regarding their alternating bonuses)
- A moon of Jupiter was dropped (1 dollar says you probably cant think of the name of it without checking) Which is fine. The remaining four are the familiar Galilean moons. Jupiter has 60 or so moons and a set of rings, and a few dozen storms, bands and zones, and a gigantic magnetosphere and as much as I’d like to add them all I just don’t have the space (Jupiter only map anyone?)
- The title was changed back.
- Spelling fixed (but probably not all of it)

What remains:
- Make a small version (wish me the best)
- For you to throw me a parade.

[Kaplowitz]

PARADE

[Pain Killer]

the jump gates are not that well put out, i had to look 5 min on the map to find them all, could you try to make them more visible, possibly try another picture than the 4 points.
second the legend still looks like it ocupies much of the map, but i guess nothing can be really done about it.

in rest the map looks absolutly superb. great job.

[maxdetjens]

the jump gates are not that well put out, i had to look 5 min on the map to find them all, could you try to make them more visible, possibly try another picture than the 4 points.

What if i put a glowing white rim on the army circle?

second the legend still looks like it ocupies much of the map, but i guess nothing can be really done about it.

I hate that too. Any ideas are appreciated. I would actually like to give 2 one point sub-region bonuses for the TNOs but haven't because I'm out of room on the legend.

in rest the map looks absolutly superb. great job.

your a gentleman and a scholar.

[Keredrex]

it looks REALLY CROWDED.... I see what you are trying to do and there is definitely potential but you need to clean it up a bit......especially if you make the small version...

[Pain Killer]

second the legend still looks like it ocupies much of the map, but i guess nothing can be really done about it.

I hate that too. Any ideas are appreciated. I would actually like to give 2 one point sub-region bonuses for the TNOs but haven't because I'm out of room on the legend.

try putting the legend in somekind of frame, at least not to be confused with the other names on the map.
and an idea for the jump gate bonuses, instead of putting them vertical try arranging them also horrizontal (sp.) like in USApocalypse, just a thought you could save up a bit space there.

[maxdetjens]

62 Territories, 7 regions, 5 sub-regions, Alternating Jump Gate Bonus

Changes:

- Intensified the glow of the Jump Gate army circles to make them stand out a bit more
- Change up the key and put it in a box.

[Bad Speler]

Jump gate problem seems solved for me. Im not sure about the box around the legend though, it looks odd when it crosses Saturns rings

Also, one of the main reason your map looks crowded is that there are too many attack lines

[gimil]

looks much better now

i do have concerns at the moment:

-your army circles are ppixalated.
-I also think the bonuses are off.