Alaska - v6.1 [2013-05-17] pg7

[Seamus76]

Map Name:Alaska
Mapmaker(s): Seamus76 & V.J.
Number of Territories: 72
Special Features: Too many to name
What Makes This Map Worthy of Being Made: I like it

Description: "Not all those who wander are lost."
The charting of Alaska, circa 1890, is based on the largest state in the US, which is also larger than all but 18 Countries in the World. This map takes place prior to the Gold Rush, and plays off the arduous task of charting and exploring what some call the Last Frontier.

TERRITORIES

72 territories in total
8 Exploration Ships = +2 auto-deploy
16 Small Boats = Start 2n, and revert to 2n at the top of each turn if held.
7 Docks which are all connected. They attack, and are attacked by, Small Boats within their body of water.

BONUSES

Region Bonuses = 7 regions in total (bonuses +3 to +8)
Super Region Bonus = 3 super regions in total (bonuses +9 to +14)

STARTING POINTS

Currently TBD territories can be starting positions.

2p =
3p =
4p =
5p =
6p =
7p =
8p =

CURRENT MAP VERSION

v6.1 - Large (840x800)

Click image to enlarge.

CURRENT UPDATE INFO - 2013-05-17:

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OLD MAP VERSIONS:

show

OLD UPDATE INFO:

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[Oneyed]

I like it (you have your own style).
what is TBD territories?
did you thought about any story (golden rushes)?

Oneyed

[x-raider]

Sweet...
(No feedback as of yet)

[thenobodies80]

Visually, I like it...it's clear, color are really visible but soft, nothing hurts my eyes. Yeah, I like it.
From a game perspective, i think that the map could be mo re interesting. I'm not an Alaska expert, but if you tell me that name the first thing that I think is the Gold Rush, then natural places, fishing.
Imo it would be interesting to see something additional on the map, just to move a bit from the classic standard gameplay.

A question, why ports are one way? I got the dock/ports connection etc etc, just I'm wondering what you' re trying to achieve in having them one way.

Nobodies

[chapcrap]

I like the idea.

Too many docks, not enough ports. At least with that bonus structure. Having a +3 with one choke point is no bueno.

[AndyDufresne]

I'd kind of like to see the theme and color and general aesthetic of the map go somewhere different. The natural landscape of Alaska---tremendous forests, mountains, rivers---are essentially nonexistent in this map. I can see that you've got a certain style that you've used in other maps, but I'd like you to branch out and see something new! Give yourself a challenge. Best of luck.


--Andy

[BGtheBrain]

I will try to add something useful, but i really like the way this looks.

[Seamus76]

Thanks for the feedback and comments everyone. I'm hoping we can all work out the gameplay on this one as I think collectively we can come up with something unique and fun.

I like it (you have your own style).
what is TBD territories?
did you thought about any story (golden rushes)?

Thanks Oneyed. Like you I do enjoy making a specific style of map.

Sweet...
(No feedback as of yet)

Thanks, x. Let this one marinate and swing back by when you're ready.

Visually, I like it...it's clear, color are really visible but soft, nothing hurts my eyes. Yeah, I like it.

Thanks, I was hoping for some initial feedback like that.

From a game perspective, i think that the map could be mo re interesting. I'm not an Alaska expert, but if you tell me that name the first thing that I think is the Gold Rush, then natural places, fishing.
Imo it would be interesting to see something additional on the map, just to move a bit from the classic standard gameplay.

You're right, I'm also looking for more from a gameplay perspective but need to get some things sorted out in my head, and hoping for some feedback to help generate some good ideas.

As for the Gold Rush, fishing, etc. see my response to Andy below.

A question, why ports are one way? I got the dock/ports connection etc etc, just I'm wondering what you' re trying to achieve in having them one way.

I was actually pulling a piece from another larger map I was working on but kind of put aside for the moment. In that I had Captains around the map, who recruited mates (+2 auto), then there were Ships and Ports around. Ports could only be accessed by ship owning captains, so basically it was a type of conditional border, where you had to have a captain and a ship to access the port. So I was bringing over the kind of protection of the port as being a one way out only for this one, but was hoping to get some ideas on how to nail that down. Let me know your thoughts.

I like the idea.

Too many docks, not enough ports. At least with that bonus structure. Having a +3 with one choke point is no bueno.

Thanks chap. The ships/docks were a way to connect all of the Islands in a different way (all though not exactly original), and cut down on too many lines/sea routes from the islands. See above on the whole port, ship/dock thing, and let me know any ideas you might have on numbers.

I'm not sure there are too many choke points on those though. The Islands where the ships/docks are would all have to be protected as well as other borders, so for ex. the Aleutians have 3 ways that would need to be protected. From Kodiak, Egegik, and all the other ships/docks attacking Dutch Harbour. Inside passage also has 3 terts that would need to be protected, which just led me to the +3 bonus for both, but I am very open to adding more, taking some away, or lowering the bonuses to +2 (but I think they are pretty good at +3).

I'd kind of like to see the theme and color and general aesthetic of the map go somewhere different. The natural landscape of Alaska---tremendous forests, mountains, rivers---are essentially nonexistent in this map. I can see that you've got a certain style that you've used in other maps, but I'd like you to branch out and see something new! Give yourself a challenge. Best of luck.

Thanks for the feedback Andy. Like you say this is pretty much in the style I like. I'm a big fan of antique style maps. With that being said I think the natural landscapes that can help the gameplay can be explored, like forests, etc. The mountains are based on three large mountain ranges, and I'm not sure I would too many more if any, but other impassables are certainly an option.

My vision for the map was a type of "charting" map, before the gold rush, and something simple with an aesthetically pleasing theme and graphics.

I will try to add something useful, but i really like the way this looks.

Thanks so much BG.

[RjBeals]

As I read in another topic, "does CC have too many maps?"..

This is a very nice, straightforward, easy to read map.... but it just blends in with the others on this site. You have good graphical talents. I'm with Andy and say you push yourself to make this map stand out, win an award this year. Alaska has some beautiful geographical features. I suggest bringing them into this map, and possibly gameplay.

[Seamus76]

I'd like to get some thoughts on gameplay for this one. Anyone, anyone?

Personally I like the graphics, and I'm not looking to win any awards. I worked pretty hard, and used a lot of new techniques (for me) to get what I think is a really solid map, that would be a good addition to the site and I'm going to keep pushing this one. So let's come up with something cool that will get the community excited.

[koontz1973]

Seamus, sorry it has taken me so long to get round to commenting on this map, but just not sure what to say till today. Graphically, it is OK and as you get better, your drafts are getting better, making my job harder to spot flaws and have something to say.

My vision for the map was a type of "charting" map, before the gold rush

Going before this gold rush is a great idea. This is not an old time period. Looking at Alaska and to see the theme you want (charting) here are some ideas for you to incorporate.

Names, these will need to be changed to Russian or Native Alaskan.
Instead of going wild for the impassables, get rid of mountains and woods. Turn these into unexplored areas. This will mean quite a large redraw on your part as some of the regions may not of been explored yet but I think the extra time would make a far better map in the end. Think Greenland map with its large swath of untouched land in the middle. Add in the trails with a heavy decay or killer neutrals.
Mini bonuses to add. Fur trading posts, trails, ports.
A lot of these mini bonuses can be set around the outside of the map. Either on the water or next to the Canadian border, whilst the interior can become very wild. Make it dangerous to go exploring the interior of the map (charting) but also make it worth while as well. Native tribes could provide shelter and food.

Last thought for you. Alaska is big but the map is small. We really have a lot of maps that have around 50 regions. My advice, even if you really hate the other ideas, would be to get at least another 20-30 regions on this map. You said this is a lot of new for you, but new for you is old for players. Try to give them something that resembles what we have but with a twist to it.

[RjBeals]

Personally I like the graphics, and I'm not looking to win any awards.

Fair enough - the draft looks nice. You seem to have a good attitude and enjoy mapping. I'll follow the thread.

[generalhead]

Nice looking map buddy.

[Peter Gibbons]

Names, these will need to be changed to Russian or Native Alaskan.

This comment stood out for me. Can I ask why this is a requirement?

[koontz1973]

Names, these will need to be changed to Russian or Native Alaskan.

This comment stood out for me. Can I ask why this is a requirement?

Not a requirement, but if Seamus is after a map that has some history to it, or as he put it, a charting style of map, then the names on the map would not of come about for many years afterwards. Explorers routinely used local/native names for landmarks. The Russian part was due to history and a lot of the names would of had a Russian influence to them.