California [Quenched]

[Industrial Helix]

You can check it by uploading it on vischeck: http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/vischeckImage.php

On a side note, how do they know this is how color blind people see?

[natty dread]

You can check it by uploading it on vischeck: http://www.vischeck.com/vischeck/vischeckImage.php

Or if you use GIMP, simply go to view->display filters... and I think there is a colourblind filter available for PS as well.

On a side note, how do they know this is how color blind people see?

I think I can answer this, since I once wrote a colour blind filter for paint.net.

There are 3 types of cone cells: R, G, and B. But these cone cells do not all simply receive 1 colour each. For example, Red cone cells receive mostly red light, but they also react to green somewhat. The same with green but reverse. Blue is the most selective, it only reacts minimally to red and green.

So measurements have been made and we know the ratios pretty accurately, how much of what colour does each cone cell type react to. We also know the specifications for each major colour-blindness type: in protanopia, red cone cells are dysfunctional. In Deuteronopia, green cone cells are dysfunctional, and in Tritanopia, blue. So let's say we want to simulate Protanopia, we'll calculate all the channels according to the ratios of the cone cells, but we simply leave out the red cone cells from this calculation. So red channel input is made 0, and instead it is translated to the ratios of red received by green and blue cone cells (mostly green, like said.)

Now, how do we know this is actually how colourblind people see? We don't, and it probably isn't 100% exact, since there's varying degrees of colourblindness. It all comes back to the age-old philosophical question, "is the colour red I see the same colour that you call red" and since we can't really be sure, it's safe to assume, yes. One way to test it is to find someone with protanopia, show him two images: one without protanopia filter and one with, and ask if he can tell any difference between them. I assume something like this has been done with the commonly used colourblind-filter-algorithms, though.

[Victor Sullivan]

Test on Monday, guys, I hope you were taking notes...

Looks good, TBK. I suggest you tweak your text colors to make sure they match (use the dropper tool), as not all of them seem to.

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Here we are version 3.2. Legend instead of a mini map, with font colors and sizes adjusted.

I'm trying to find a way to keep the California font used on the header. I'm trying to find a way of contacting the creator but his site seems to be down. I'm asking the mods to re-evaluate whether or not use of the font is legal. From my perspective I'm not violating an of the terms of service, since I won't be making money off of it or selling it in any way.

[RedBaron0]

Gray area's are just that, gray. Get the definitive answer if you can, otherwise, as Andy has already said, let's err on the side of caution.

[MarshalNey]

Yeah, the trouble is that although you aren't using the font to make money, you would be giving permission to CC to use the font to make money, which might put you in the clear but not CC.

At least that's how I could see it being argued, anyway.

[thenobodies80]

I'm asking the mods to re-evaluate whether or not use of the font is legal. From my perspective I'm not violating an of the terms of service, since I won't be making money off of it or selling it in any way.

Yeah, the trouble is that although you aren't using the font to make money, you would be giving permission to CC to use the font to make money, which might put you in the clear but not CC.

At least that's how I could see it being argued, anyway.

Exactly what MarshalNey said.

[isaiah40]

I agree with the mods in this case. As RedBaron stated:

Gray area's are just that, gray. Get the definitive answer if you can, otherwise, as Andy has already said, let's err on the side of caution.

It is better to err on the side of caution because if you go ahead with it and the party whose font you used somehow finds out then this map will be pulled until it is changed. I would rather you change it now rather than later when there is a couple of hundred games being played and those players get ticked because they couldn't finish their games!

[esiemer]

I love this map and can't wait to play it!
Now, I haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been discussed, and I'm just a newb who wishes he could make maps as good as this, but I kinda wish the SF area inset map had a black border all around it, and there was a sliver of ocean between the inset and mainland.

as someone who has been surfing that area for the past month, may i recommend a color of cold grey?
but honestly this is minor, and i wont be offended if you dont consider my advice. i love the map, its just that eastbay orange butting up against the coast is slightly distracting to me.

carry on...

aloha,
eric

[lostatlimbo]

This map is looking great. Glad to see you used some of my suggestions. I have a few more, but on the whole I think this map should be on its way gameplay soon.

Calexico is such a tiny town to encompass that entire area. Have you considered calling it "Salton Sea"?
The Salton Sea has a storied history and it takes up much more of that area than little Calexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea

The area currently named "Gold Country" is where Mendencino National Forest is. I think its a little confusing to have Mendencino on the coast. That town is tiny. It makes more sense to switch "Gold Country" to "Mendencino" and then name the current "Mendencino" to "Fort Bragg" - OR - better yet, "Lost Coast". That entire stretch of coast from Bragg to Eureka is completely impassable to vehicles and truly a lost world within California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast

Lastly, "Needles" seems a little weird to me, mostly because it makes me think of the rock formations in Southern Utah, but also because that area is dominated by the Mojave National Preserve. You could call that area "Mojave NP", unless you are concerned about confusion with a 'territory' and 'continent' name being similar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_National_Preserve

Even calling that 'continent' Mojave is a bit inaccurate. That entire region is actually the confluence of the Sonaran and Mojave deserts. If it were me, I would call the continent "Inland Empire" and change the "Inland Empire" territory to "Joshua Tree" or "Palm Springs" and change "Needles" to "Mojave". But its your map, so go with your gut.

I love the "Hollywood" font for LA and the whole watercolor look has really come together now. I also agree that no mini-map is much better.

Good work

[natty dread]

The mountains in the LA inset are zoomed in, so why are the mountains in the bay area inset the same size as the main map?

Looks sort of weird.

[MrBenn]

I'm not a fan of the posterised background and title area, which doesn;t really fit with the retro art concept that you need to pull off to make this map work.

Here are some ideas for alternative things you could consider:



You could use a stylised starburst in the background to help tie in the retro theme too (but use a better colourscheme and a less crappy typeface):

[The Bison King]

Now, I haven't read the whole thread, so forgive me if this has been discussed, and I'm just a newb who wishes he could make maps as good as this, but I kinda wish the SF area inset map had a black border all around it, and there was a sliver of ocean between the inset and mainland. but honestly this is minor, and i wont be offended if you dont consider my advice. i love the map, its just that eastbay orange butting up against the coast is slightly distracting to me.

carry on...

I don't think that would look very good. If I made it a diagonal line it could look ok, but I think it would make it hard to fit in everything I need. An irregular shape I think would just look awful. I think part of the reason that inset works so well is because it jut's out directly from the actual bonus area.

then cool.

This map is looking great. Glad to see you used some of my suggestions. I have a few more, but on the whole I think this map should be on its way gameplay soon.

Calexico is such a tiny town to encompass that entire area. Have you considered calling it "Salton Sea"?
The Salton Sea has a storied history and it takes up much more of that area than little Calexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salton_Sea

The area currently named "Gold Country" is where Mendencino National Forest is. I think its a little confusing to have Mendencino on the coast. That town is tiny. It makes more sense to switch "Gold Country" to "Mendencino" and then name the current "Mendencino" to "Fort Bragg" - OR - better yet, "Lost Coast". That entire stretch of coast from Bragg to Eureka is completely impassable to vehicles and truly a lost world within California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast

Lastly, "Needles" seems a little weird to me, mostly because it makes me think of the rock formations in Southern Utah, but also because that area is dominated by the Mojave National Preserve. You could call that area "Mojave NP", unless you are concerned about confusion with a 'territory' and 'continent' name being similar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojave_National_Preserve

Even calling that 'continent' Mojave is a bit inaccurate. That entire region is actually the confluence of the Sonaran and Mojave deserts. If it were me, I would call the continent "Inland Empire" and change the "Inland Empire" territory to "Joshua Tree" or "Palm Springs" and change "Needles" to "Mojave". But its your map, so go with your gut.

I love the "Hollywood" font for LA and the whole watercolor look has really come together now. I also agree that no mini-map is much better.

You've been right about everything so far so I'll definitely look into it. Calexico was actually labeled as Salton sea for a time but I changed it to Calexico because I like how it highlights where that region is geographically. Also culturally seming as the Mexican population is so high in such area's.

I called it "Needles" because of the border town with Arizona http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needles,_California. It isn't very big but I've been there, so it was kind of a personal choice. Also I think the name is freaking awesome

The mountains in the LA inset are zoomed in, so why are the mountains in the bay area inset the same size as the main map?

I don't remember exactly but it's something I can fix if it's distracting.

'm not a fan of the posterised background and title area, which doesn;t really fit with the retro art concept that you need to pull off to make this map work.

Yes I know you are not a fan. You have made it abundantly clear.

...but I like the font's you are suggesting for the title I'll see if I can do something similar.

[The Bison King]

I'm sorry I've completely sucked about posting regularly lately. I used to be awesome about constantly updating so I feel super lame now that I update so rarely. I want to have a new version out soon, but I've just had so much other crap to deal with lately.

[The Bison King]

I fixed the mountains in the LA inset. Things are not going well with the main font. I'm having a hard time finding anything that looks close to good as what I had. Also given the size and resolution I'm having a hard time making an image in the words look good either. Here as some of the directions it could go. None of these would be used as a final.

(this one especially is just to give you a very rough idea of what an image looks like in the font)

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

[Victor Sullivan]

Second one. The other three don't even come close, IMO.

[natty dread]

I'd say #3.

#2 is too transparent, #3 has that nice golden sunburn that works well with the background.

[The Bison King]

How do we like this? It's the same idea as #3 but I like the font more.

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

[Victor Sullivan]

Oh, that's really nice! My only nitpick is to move "The Golden State of" and "California" closer together.

[natty dread]

Yeah and give them a bigger size difference. Ie. make the golden state smaller and california larger.

[The Bison King]

Click image to enlarge.

Click image to enlarge.

Version 3.3
changes according to last 2 posts.

[Industrial Helix]

Just throwing this out there, but what about desaturating the colors some and giving it more of a western feel. I mean, that's what I'm getting out of the new title. It might be something to run with, even if it is modern Cali. I mean, it's worked for Japan.

[The Bison King]

Did I seriously post 2 840X800's??? whoops.

Western feel, California is pretty much as west as you can get. The new font does kind of look that way. How do you mean by desaturated the colors. Cause usually when I think Western I think Sepia. However brighter colors makes me think hippy which is still pretty Californian.

[Victor Sullivan]

Did I seriously post 2 840X800's??? whoops.

Oh, I thought it was just for dramatic effect.

Western feel, California is pretty much as west as you can get. The new font does kind of look that way. How do you mean by desaturated the colors. Cause usually when I think Western I think Sepia. However brighter colors makes me think hippy which is still pretty Californian.

Anything and everything is California. You can roll with whatever, the way I see it.

[natty dread]

When I think of California, I think of weed and raisins.