Coleman uses the following topic to decide when maps can leave Map Ideas: How Maps Progress Through The Foundry
Coleman likes lists though, so he has actually transformed that topic into a checklist:
Basic Requirements
1) The map, first and for most, must have some sort of clear plan of how production will go.
2) The map must have a working image (either of the small or large map).
3) This working image must be beyond the ‘rough draft’ state.
4) The working image can’t be a pencil/paper drawing or an MS paint image.
5) There needs to be at least two quality updates to the map before it can move.
Information Requirements
1) The number of territories currently on the map.
2) The number of continents. (If this makes sense for your map)
3) Descriptions of any unique features or areas.
Title Requirements
1) The page with the latest development of production. (I.E. ‘Update – Pg 3')
2) No use of [brackets]: use (parentheses), --dashes--, or “quotes” instead.
More Specific Image Requirements
1) A Working Legend
2) Speculative Bonuses
3) Tentative Border Divisions
4) Territory Names
5) Impassible Barriers
6) Color
7) Textures
8) Aesthetic Images (compasses, picture designs, etc if they make sense for your map)
9) Background Image(s) (ocean or something to discriminate the playing field if it makes sense for your map)
10) A map should be ‘inherently unique either in game play, location, or style’.
11) A map must provide balanced game play.
12) Every effort should be made to acquire express written consent for a map based on Copyrighted works. This is your responsibility, not ours.
13) Host the image using Photobucket.com or Imageshack.com.
14) The type of image file must be PNG, GIF, or JPEG.
15) The map must have some honest and interested discussion.
15) Must Fit Size Requirements:
* For the initial version, you must design either of two versions of the map:1. SMALL MAP: WIDTH up to 600 px; HEIGHT recommended to not to exceed 350 px but no greater than 600 px
* Extenuating Size Circumstances may exist for some maps. If a map contains a large number of territories and additional pixels are required for design purpose, a small width and/or height area may be added to the maximum dimensions. Authorisation for this addition must be sought from Andy Dufresne or the Cartography Assistant/s, with a good explanation of why the extra dimensions are needed.
2. LARGE MAP: WIDTH up to 800 px and must be at least 100 px wider than the small map; HEIGHT recommended to not exceed 600 px but no greater than 800 px. Keep in mind if the map is too high, players have to scroll down to attack.
3. NOTE: A large map must be noticably larger than their small map, if you must have specifics 9% larger is required but 33.3% (1/3rd) is recommended.1. SMALL MAP: WIDTH not to exceed 630 px; HEIGHT not to exceed 600 px.
2. LARGE MAP: WIDTH not to exceed 840 px; HEIGHT not to exceed 800 px.
Becoming Final Forged
All the requirements above must continue to be met. In addition...
1) Both images must be available.
2) All comments made toward your map by anyone must be either met or adequately refuted. (If they are not adequately refuted assume that Coleman will tell you.)
3) Some indication that the foundry (anyone willing to post about your map) is satisfied must occur.
- a) A lot of people start requesting a forge and there are no other comments for about a day.
b) Nobody says anything for 2 days.
Quench Time?
Let's get right to it, Everything above and...
1) The xml must be complete. (Finished and working as intended)
2) The naming in the xml must satisfy the foundry.
3) Anything that can be construed as an error in the image must be removed. (Stray pixels, odd dimensions, ect)
When all that happens Coleman tells Andy, if Andy is satisfied he will Quench the map. After that it is in lackattack's hands. This all could take some time. Usually it takes 3 days from quench to be in play, but it can and has taken longer.
Other Stuff
Coleman likes people that help themselves. If you don't like how far down your map is on the page post. Do not bump though, post something constructive, or interesting.
If you need something updated in an index topic or you need a poll removed pm Coleman. Don't pm Andy.
