Chinese Checkers [Quenched] May '07 re-opener?

[Coleman]

Yeah, hijacking a map making topic is a little rude.

Back on subject, I don't really see what the problem is with White as it is now, I guess it all falls under what you want this map to be. You obviously don't want white to be the all important feature of the map worth 10 bonus or something or you would have done that.

I would view the focus of the map to be taking and securing the colored triangles. Experienced players should see this map and know how to use white to secure triangles. Only the newer players would be going in the circular fashion you are afraid of I think. I would prefer it if things were just a simple +4 for triangles and leave it at that.

[EvilOtto]

The new lettering/labels are much better, but there is still room for confusion. I've been trying to think of something better, but don't have it yet (something like naming the white periphery based on the colored triangle it is next to...).

My concern about playability is that some player(s) will start with much better placement than others (more armies in the outer triangles, more grouped) and will be able to jump on several of those +2 bonuses very fast... which will give them a quick edge on the +4, etc. I don't mind bonuses for small groups of countries, but they should be small bonuses or the game will be over in the first turn or two.

Also, one of the reasons to move into the white space would be to get your 12, 15, 18 country bonuses. If continent bonuses are too large then they lower the value of claiming more countries. I'd vote for small triangle +1 and large triangle +2 or +3.

Another thought: what if continents overlapped? So the small blue triangle is worth +1, full blue triangle is +2 and adding white A, C, H and I gives you +3? Of course White A would also be needed for the large purple triangle. (edit: I think Molacole posted this idea too).

For the graphics I'd kinda like to see something more muted like an old ink painting with the washed ink effect for mountains, etc... do a google image search for "Chinese painting" or something like that and you'll see examples of what I'm talking about. I could see the whole background being black and white (or toned like a brownish ink?) with only the board itself having bright colors?

Hope this helps. I'm looking forward to trying this one.

[oaktown]

My concern about playability is that some player(s) will start with much better placement than others (more armies in the outer triangles, more grouped) and will be able to jump on several of those +2 bonuses very fast... which will give them a quick edge on the +4, etc. I don't mind bonuses for small groups of countries, but they should be small bonuses or the game will be over in the first turn or two.

Yeah, I think going back to the straight +3 or +4 for a triangle eliminates some 'luck of the draw' factor.

For the graphics I'd kinda like to see something more muted like an old ink painting with the washed ink effect for mountains, etc... I could see the whole background being black and white (or toned like a brownish ink?) with only the board itself having bright colors?

I love this idea - gets back to the understated background I wanted to start with, and I can lose that stupid dragon. I really want to hang on the bright board, however - after all this is taken from a children's game. Again, later this week.

Another thought: what if continents overlapped? So the small blue triangle is worth +1, full blue triangle is +2 and adding white A, C, H and I gives you +3? Of course White A would also be needed for the large purple triangle. (edit: I think Molacole posted this idea too).

I'd love to see a map with overlapping territories - maybe a series of venn diagrams? Sounds like another map entirely though. Somebody other than I should take the idea and run with it.


sample showing how three continents converge to make seven territories. this shit writes itself.

[singh]

the idea seems good but i think white should definetly be a big bonus

[Sargentgeneral]

naw, i think the map is better with white not having a bonus.

[oaktown]

Changes to this image:

The background image dates from the Song Dynasty, 12th Century - public domain, no copyright issues. Thoughts on the new look? Are the primary color triangles hideous against the subtle background?

The kanji in the center I like simply because it means "risk," but I could part with it if everyone things it sucks.

Having read the feedback both ways, I'm back to the straight bonuses for the triangles. I'm keeping the extra bonus for expanding across the map, since it means you're balsy and holding more borders.

[btownmeggy]

I LOVE the background. It's a HUGE improvement.

[AndyDufresne]

The background is interesting, but the clash I can't stand. I know you mentioned you would like to keep the bright feel, as it's a game...but I think...if you gave everything an old classic 'wood' feel...with faded painted colors...might fit better...and look like a nice theme piece.


--Andy

[KEYOGI]

The background is interesting, but the clash I can't stand. I know you mentioned you would like to keep the bright feel, as it's a game...but I think...if you gave everything an old classic 'wood' feel...with faded painted colors...might fit better...and look like a nice theme piece.


--Andy

I agree.

[btownmeggy]

The background is interesting, but the clash I can't stand. I know you mentioned you would like to keep the bright feel, as it's a game...but I think...if you gave everything an old classic 'wood' feel...with faded painted colors...might fit better...and look like a nice theme piece.


--Andy

I'd keep the triangles as the same basic colors, but tone them down in keeping with the background. Antique them a bit.

The contrast is a bit too... contrasting.

[oaktown]

I'd keep the triangles as the same basic colors, but tone them down in keeping with the background. Antique them a bit.

Enough said... that's my next project. I knew the primary colors were in trouble as soon as I dropped in the new background.

(grumble) stupid evilotto and his classy looking riskopoly (/grumble)

[AndyDufresne]

I think if you can touch up the triangles, give them a nice faded, old wood feel, like if the paint was painted on centuries ago...it'd really improve the visual quality.


--Andy

[sully800]

In fact you might be able to use the texture from the background or something similar for the triangles, and just fade the colors to match. I agree with everyone else- the new background is great but the board needs to match better.

[oaktown]

OK, toned down the colors. Some are lifted directly from the colors in the painting. Better, yes?

I'm still toying with ways to make the paint look more weathered. They've added a lot of features to Photoshop since I last used it in 1995!

In addition, I'm thinking about removing the center (Y) space entirely and allowing attacks directly across. This would further encourage attacks through the center, as there won't be a bottleneck, yet I also appreciate the fun of having a strategically valuable center space. Thoughts are welcome, as always.

[Coleman]

Red seems really bright compared to the others somehow. But beyond that I like it.

EDIT: After a bit that problem seemed to go away quickly. Still might not be a bad comment to consider though.

[Fitz69]

I like this map. I still feel though that the white of the central area is a bit on the bright side. Prehaps tone it down a bit towards grey?

[Marvaddin]

I would like the dragon back, and another interesting picture, over a wodden table... this picture is like an artistic one, but doesnt fit well to a board of a world domination game, I think. Hmmm, maybe a battle picture would be great

And, although they are pretty obvious, the connections are almost invisible in some triangles.

[Lone.prophet]

could u turn it a bit so it doesnt look so stiff

[johloh]

with the new background I find the text in the legend a bit hard to read because of the light text on the light mountains.

maybe its just me....

[Guiscard]

The new background is perhaps a little much. I thought the old dragon was OK, maybe try adding a new image to your old board?

[oaktown]

could u turn it a bit so it doesnt look so stiff

I could, but then it increases the map size without increasing the playing area. I also played with tipping the entire thing back and scaling it to give a sense of 3-d perspective, but I decided playability was more important.

As for the dragon, the more I looked at it the more I thought it was just too cheesey - I'm glad to see it gone. The feedback on the new color scheme/background has been more positive than nagative, but I'll keep checking in to see how the community feels.

Maybe I need another poll - anyone know why it is impossible to set an expiration date on the polls? I am certain that I set a two day limit on this poll (just as I was certain that I set the last poll for 3), and that was four days ago.

[DublinDoogey]

I think that bringing the board down to the level of the background, like vertically lowering it into it... if that makes sense, might help the background and the board blend a little bit more.

Maybe you could put some crimson blood stains on it for those who don't think its battle-y enough, it can be someone's board that was pierced, fell on top of it, and died... hm, maybe not that's kinda morbid.

Anyway, I like it, especially with the toned down colors.

[Enigma]

i reaaalllly like the kanji on the board. its perfect. and the makeover lookes really nice- i really liked the old bright version so was apprehensive, but it works

with the new background I find the text in the legend a bit hard to read because of the light text on the light mountains.

maybe its just me....

not just u, could you sumhow make an inset w/ the legend?

[KEYOGI]

I like the new background and colours, but feel that red and purple don't really fit with the rest of the colours or background.

[EvilOtto]

I like it, but agree the center white color stands out a bit; disconnected. The center should be the same texture to match the colored triangles.

I like the background. Sometimes war games should be a bit serene. This is the game the generals play far from the battle field.

I think it would look funny without the center spot... all those lines crossing in the middle would be confusing.