Rebellion in the Congo! [DRAFT2.4]

[Domovoi]

Hi all,

Here an idea for a new map called "Rebellion in the Congo!"

Go to page 2 for draft 2.4!

Why?
Apart from Madagascar, there are no 100% African settings in Conquer Club. Furthermore, the gameplay of this map differs from any other! Curious? Keep on reading!

General info
Setting: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Territory count: 26 normal territories, 6 docks and 10 rebel territories (see below). Total: 42

Storyline:
What started as a small amount of troublemakers in South-Kivu province has escalated in a full scale rebellion along the borders of the Congo. Five large, independent factions now battle the nation's army for many reasons. The army is losing terrain by the minute and in a final attempt to eliminate these vicious mutineers, the president appoints the players, who are generals in the Congolese army, to organise a total sweep of the country. It is their objective to take over all rebel bases and their hideouts abroad. The future of the Congo lays in their hands!

Gameplay:
To win, a player or team must take control of all rebel bases (Sud-Kivu, Katanga, Bas-Uele, Equateur and Kwango) and their respective hideouts (Angola, RDC, Centrafrica, Tanzania and Zambia), which all start as neutral territories (number of troops to be determined). This means that it is not necessary to eliminate all enemy players first.

Bonuses can be achieved by holding continents, but also by holding rebel bases and their respective hideout. After all, the merciless rebels took women and children hostage to force men to fight for a cause that was not theirs. Once the Congolese army liberates them from their oppressors, they will join the nation's forces for revenge! Another bonus can be achieved by holding at least three adjecent docks along the River Congo. The Congolese army has reserves in the interior of the country, but in the present situation moving them is too dangerous. Once a player holds control of the docks, safe passage is guaranteed!

First draft:


Feedback
Of course, all feedback is welcome! But here some things I need specific information about:
* What bonuses do you propose for holding the continents/rebels/docks?
* What do you think of the position of impassable borders? Do we need more? Less? Where?
* What number of neutral armies to you propose to be based in the bases and hideouts?

Let's mainly focus on gameplay in this stage!

Greetings,

Domovoi

[natty dread]

This looks very good for a first draft. Good job!

For bonuses, you might want to check out bonus calculators, search for them on the foundry discussions forum. The calculators don't give absolute truth, but they're a good start and can be tweaked from there in the gameplay shop.

The graphics will need work, but you're right, you should concentrate on gameplay first.

Impassables... well, the orange, green and yellow bonus areas each have one territory separated from the rest. I think you need some bridges there if you're going to keep the impassables at those locations.

Anyway, even with the impassables you have now, the game area is very open. All the bonus areas have lots of borders to defend. The bonus areas are too hard to hold... Try to coordinate the placement of impassables with the bonus areas. You'll need to either move the borders of bonus areas or the impassables, so that they match at least somewhat. This will reduce the borders of your bonus areas.

Anyway, this still looks promising. I hope you continue working on it.

[captainwalrus]

I like this map and I agree that we need more maps of Africa, but considering how bloody rebellions in that region have been known to get, I don't really think that it is wise to have a map of an ongoing rebellion. As the majority of people who have died in the more recent fights have been civilians, it might be in bad taste. I'm not saying to give up, but proceed with care.

[RjBeals]

i love it and think you should continue.

[theBastard]

I like this map and I agree that we need more maps of Africa, but considering how bloody rebellions in that region have been known to get, I don't really think that it is wise to have a map of an ongoing rebellion. As the majority of people who have died in the more recent fights have been civilians, it might be in bad taste. I'm not saying to give up, but proceed with care.

I think more of maps here are from history, historical battles or any era in history. and battles were bloody. yes, it is bad when many people died (doubly if they are civilians), but when here could be maps from second world war (the bloodiest in the history including civilian victims) there should not be a problem with any others.

now to topic theme. I like the idea and map, so Domovoi, keep good work.

[shakeycat]

I like this map and I agree that we need more maps of Africa, but considering how bloody rebellions in that region have been known to get, I don't really think that it is wise to have a map of an ongoing rebellion. As the majority of people who have died in the more recent fights have been civilians, it might be in bad taste. I'm not saying to give up, but proceed with care.

I'm not sure if Domovoi will, but as of yet, he has not named the rebel groups. If we are sensitive to the fact that war is ongoing, it may be a more careful approach to give the rebel factions false names, even if mimicking real ones. As it is, it looks like the Rebels will logically be called "Zambian Rebels", "Tanzanian Rebels", etc.

Natty, you have a point. It looks like the entire map bottlenecks at Tshuapa - oops :}

A single bridge (three total) from the isolated territories to one within their bonus group will probably suffice.

[Industrial Helix]

I think that the fact that the Congo Civil War is currently ongoing should not hinder this maps progress. For example, we have Battle for Iraq as a playable map and the war is still going on, albeit quieted down lately, and at the time of production it was still, as it is now, a hot topic. Keep it going. I think people ought not to be afraid that it is exploiting the current conflict for entertainment purposes but look at the wider purpose of a map like this on CC: 1) It draws awareness to a particularly bloody conflict raging in the world. 2) It informs people of the struggles the Congo people face and informs them of the different goals of the rebels and of the government (rebel names would seriously help this. 3) It places players in a similar geo-strategic/geo-political situation that the rebels and the government face, giving them real worl problems and situations to work with.

Overall, I love the idea. I don't see it as an exploitation of a conflict but an opportunity to further awareness and increase knowledge of the conflict.

Here's what I would like to see changed:

Gameplay:
Name the rebels, first and foremost.
Add Brazzaville as a obtainable capital and perhaps start point?
Name the river territories.
I think that rebel bases as starting points is a possibility that needs to be entertained. Perhaps then the bases outside of Congo could serve as supply depots to be attacked for a Rebel Base/Extraterritorial Base bonus.

Graphics:
Subdue the colors and make them more battle worn and weary.
I love that you've used a letter (cause I used it in 13 Colonies) and think it adds a personal touch to the map. I would suggest putting this on a separate sheet of paper and putting the map with rules on another piece of paper.
Your writing on the bonuses, +3 for 2 bases, ect, needs to be bigger.
I would prefer a different font as the one you've chosen is quite plain.
Explain the impassables. Are they jungle or mountains or what?
Name the river Congo on the map. Not too many CC maps do this, but I think yours would benefit from this.

Anyway, I really like this map idea and I hope you see it through. It seems you have the mind for interesting gameplay and skill to work appropriately with graphics. Good luck! I will be watching this map with interest!

[Domovoi]

Impassables... well, the orange, green and yellow bonus areas each have one territory separated from the rest. I think you need some bridges there if you're going to keep the impassables at those locations. Anyway, even with the impassables you have now, the game area is very open. All the bonus areas have lots of borders to defend. The bonus areas are too hard to hold... Try to coordinate the placement of impassables with the bonus areas.

You're absolutely right. I will relocate some impassables and add bridges. I'll post an update later today (approx. 8pm CET)

I'm not sure if Domovoi will, but as of yet, he has not named the rebel groups.

Name the rebels, first and foremost.

I wasn't planning to do this initially, but I might as well do it. I'll do some further research on the current situation in the Congo!

Add Brazzaville as a obtainable capital and perhaps start point?

There are two countries called the Congo: one is called the Republic of the Congo and the other the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is a small mistake on my draft, as one of the hideouts should be "RC" and not "RDC". The capital of the RC is Brazzaville; the capital of the DRC Kinshasa. As this is a map of the DRC, Kinshasa is a territory and Brazzaville is not.

Name the river territories.

I will look for cities along the River Congo in the provinces with docks. Or do you propose something else?

I think that rebel bases as starting points is a possibility that needs to be entertained.

So everyone starts at one of the rebel bases and has to conquer all others, rather than all starting scattered along the provinces and having to conquer rebel bases from neutral armies while fighting each other?

Subdue the colors and make them more battle worn and weary.

I'll try out some different colour schemes and post them here.

I would suggest putting this on a separate sheet of paper and putting the map with rules on another piece of paper.

Good idea. However, I prefer to get the gameplay done first in order to have a more clear view on where to put the necessary texts.

Your writing on the bonuses, +3 for 2 bases, ect, needs to be bigger.

This is the font that's doing so; the text is the same size as the numbers, but for some reason this font likes them small. I was planning on changing the font anyway ^^

I would prefer a different font as the one you've chosen is quite plain.

I agree. I wanted to keep it simple in this stage, but I'll definitely change it later.

Explain the impassables. Are they jungle or mountains or what?

Since I wasn't sure as to where to put them, I just added some lines, which will be transformed into jungle, mountains, deserts and rivers later on (when the impassables are fixed).

Name the river Congo on the map. Not too many CC maps do this, but I think yours would benefit from this.

I will. Thanks for the tip!

Thank you all for the feedback, I'll keep you up-to-date!

[Domovoi]

As promised, my second draft:


I changed the overall look, added rebel names and changed the river (added an additional dock as well). "R" changed to swords.
I think docks will just be called "Lualaba Dock" etc.
Most changes are in the layers, to make it look better.
I removed all impassable borders. Please cast a look on the map and suggest where I should put them.
Suggestions for bonuses are also more then welcome!

Thanks in advance for all feedback!

[Industrial Helix]

I'm not happy with the texture... its too... swampy? I'd like to see what else you could come up with.

What does MLC, fnlc and RCD stand for?

Interesting choice of font, I'm not completely sure if I like it. It's legible and it might work. Still deciding.

On a side note, it's interesting to see Congo's symbol down there uses Latin. Quite suprising, actually.

[fumandomuerte]

Work the draft based on the current map size limitations, it will make your life easier

Rule 9. A map must work within the following map size restrictions:
1. SMALL MAP: WIDTH up to 630 px; HEIGHT 600 px
2. LARGE MAP: WIDTH up to 840 px ; HEIGHT 800 px.
3. SIZE DIFFERENTIAL: A large map must be noticably larger than their small map; 9% larger is required but 33.3% (1/3rd) is recommended.
4. NOTE: Mapmakers are encouraged to make their large maps smaller than the maximum size limits when possible to eliminate scrolling to attack/read the sidebar info.

Now, my concerns and suggestions about gameplay:

• Are the rebel bases and/or docks part of provinces?
• Does Sankuro border Tshopo?
• I'll code 2 docks starting as neutral regions to avoid drop bonuses -> Tshopo Dock and Tanganyika Dock, both starting with 3 neutrals.
• Rebel bases and hideouts starting with 3 neutrals each.
• Bonuses (Regions): Northern Provinces +6, Central, Eastern and Western Provinces +5, Southern Provinces +2.
• Bonuses (Rebel bases): +1 per each held. +1 extra if you hold the hideout too.
• Bonuses (Docks): +1 for any 3 adjacent docks held, +4 for any 5 adjacent docks held, +7 for all the docks.

[Domovoi]

I'm not happy with the texture... its too... swampy? I'd like to see what else you could come up with.

I'll make up some other stuff as well

What does MLC, fnlc and RCD stand for?

MLC = Movement for the Liberation of Congo
FLNC = Front pour la Libération Nationale du Congo (typo on the map )
RCD = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie
Should I put this on the map? It's quite long, I think.

Interesting choice of font, I'm not completely sure if I like it. It's legible and it might work. Still deciding.

Let me know

On a side note, it's interesting to see Congo's symbol down there uses Latin. Quite suprising, actually.

It's actually French for "Justice - Peace - Work"

Work the draft based on the current map size limitations

The draft is 840x800, just within limitations. I'll probably make it smaller later but this is easier to work on for the moment.

Are the rebel bases and/or docks part of provinces?

Nope, I'll add it on the map

Does Sankuro border Tshopo?

I'll put an impassable there so that no mistakes can be made on this

I'll code 2 docks starting as neutral regions to avoid drop bonuses -> Tshopo Dock and Tanganyika Dock, both starting with 3 neutrals.

Good idea! Added to the do-to list

And thanks for the bonus tips, fumandemuerte!

[Domovoi]

I've looked into everything again and I think it's better if I shift to another graphics programme. Inkscape was good so far but once you add effects to the paint everything goes terribly slow. Is this in other programmes as well? Any tips?

Or maybe I can delete all effects and add them once the map is done, but then you guys can't see how it's supposed to look like... What should I do?

[Industrial Helix]

Go for it, I want to see this map made!

[Domovoi]

Go for it, I want to see this map made!

Well, I really want to, but these are problems I'm facing at the moment:
1) Inkscape is the only graphics software I know how to work with
2) It's terribly slow when you add effects - I can probably solve this by putting everything in place and add the effects at the very end
3) Textures are very limited and I'm afraid I don't have the graphical skills to make textures myself

I'll see what I can do about the graphics this afternoon, and most another update. Then judge again and I'll decide what to do
Thanks for the great help so far!

UPDATE 16:20 CET:
Draft 2.1:

Current gameplay:
* All rebel bases and hideouts start as neutral
* Tshopo and Tanganyika Docks start as neutral to prevent initial bonuses
* Victory can be gained by eliminating all opponents OR by conquering and holding all rebel bases + their hideouts

To do:
* Add impassable borders. My question to you: where?
* Continent, docks and rebel bonuses are subject to change (actually, the whole map is )
* Change font colour and font sizes of continent bonuses
All feedback is appreciated!

[Industrial Helix]

Get Gimp or Photoshop and I will be able to give you more indepth pointers on how to make this map a little more pretty. I'd say start hammering away on gameplay at the moment though and deal with graphics later.

I'm starting to develop the opinion that I'd like to see more territories. Congo is a region that is known for its dense jungle growth and difficult terrain, many territories ought to convey this well I think. And being able to move swiftly along the river only adds to its importance with more territories.

[KingSVH]

i think domovoi wanted to maintain the official 26 provinces of the DRC, if you want to divide them as the official territories are you'd have 192 of them which is a bit much imo and starting with putting together regions and renaming them takes away some of the reality of the game play

personally i'd put a barrier between Equateur, Tshuapa, Sud Ubangi and Mongola that will make it a bit more easy to maintain a hold on those bonuses and then between Katanga, Haut-Lomani and Tanganyika (about the location of the Rwenzori Mountains)

I'd just like to mention, although it maybe is insignificant, that the course of the river Congo is inaccurate and Katanga is named Haut-Katanga, you used the Haut part in the other relevant provinces, i don't see why you wouldn't do it there.

[Domovoi]

I'm starting to develop the opinion that I'd like to see more territories.

I'll see what I can do and post an update

personally i'd put a barrier between Equateur, Tshuapa, Sud Ubangi and Mongola that will make it a bit more easy to maintain a hold on those bonuses and then between Katanga, Haut-Lomani and Tanganyika (about the location of the Rwenzori Mountains)

I'll keep this in mind when I add more territories. Thanks!

I'd just like to mention, although it maybe is insignificant, that the course of the river Congo is inaccurate and Katanga is named Haut-Katanga

Map foundry gameplay guidelines say "be prepared to move away from complete geographical accuracy or historical authenticity: the look and theme of the map must be utterly subservient to gameplay and legibility.". I renamed Haut-Katanga to Katanga because that looks better on the map: the geographical borders of the province limit the placement of a territory name. The course of the river Congo is actually quite accurate. Normally it moves through Kinshasa and Congo Central as well but that looked awfull
Thanks for the comment though

[Domovoi]

I'm starting to develop the opinion that I'd like to see more territories.

I'll see what I can do and post an update

personally i'd put a barrier between Equateur, Tshuapa, Sud Ubangi and Mongola that will make it a bit more easy to maintain a hold on those bonuses and then between Katanga, Haut-Lomani and Tanganyika (about the location of the Rwenzori Mountains)

I'll keep this in mind when I add more territories. Thanks!

I'd just like to mention, although it maybe is insignificant, that the course of the river Congo is inaccurate and Katanga is named Haut-Katanga

Map foundry gameplay guidelines say "be prepared to move away from complete geographical accuracy or historical authenticity: the look and theme of the map must be utterly subservient to gameplay and legibility.". I renamed Haut-Katanga to Katanga because that looks better on the map: the geographical borders of the province limit the placement of a territory name. The course of the river Congo is actually quite accurate. Normally it moves through Kinshasa and Congo Central as well but that looked awfull

Thanks for the comment though

[TheOtherOne]

If each bonus had a 'gorilla' force territory that had the ability to attack or bombard the rebel bases, it would aid gameplay and map attraction.

[KingSVH]

I'm going to tell you know that domo won't like that he hates bombardments

[Industrial Helix]

maybe not Bombardments but perhaps a one way attack to simulate insurgency, ie Battle for Iraq style.

[Domovoi]

Draft 2.3:


Changes:
* I got rid of the "advanced" graphics for a while to make it easier to change things.
* Suggestions for impassable borders added, as well as one way attacks. Thanks to RedBaronO for the mountains.
* More territories added. Configuration: 34 normal territories, 7 docks, 5 rebel bases and 5 hideouts. All rebel bases, all hideouts and 2 of the 7 docks start as neutral. Territories available for initial deployment: 39. Total amount of territories: 51.

My questions to you:
* What is your opinion on the impassables? Where do they have to be removed, where to be added?
* What is your opinion on the bonuses?

To do:
* Change Nord-Tshopo border to make it clear that Sud-Tshopo borders Haut-Uele.

[KingSVH]

i think the bonus for the northern provinces is rather high considering that once you get hold of them you only need to really defend 2 territories

the impassibles seem good

[Domovoi]

i think the bonus for the northern provinces is rather high considering that once you get hold of them you only need to really defend 2 territories

You're probably right. How about if I remove the Tshopo to Nord-Kivu one way and add a one way from Nord-Kivu to Ituri?