Forum

by **Scott-Land** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:19 am

V14

Click image to enlarge.

Map: Chicago
Game play: Standard-ish.
Terr: 56 Territories w/ 9 Bonus Zones [ 2,2,3,3,4,6,6,7,8 ] + 3 Rail Line Bonuses. [ 2,5,6 ]

by **laddida** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:23 am

this map is close to home for me

and hope we can play on it in the future looks good so far scott =D>

Cant wait for all the tweaking to begin

by **Bruceswar** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:26 am

Nice start. Why Joliet way down south? Would it better just left off?

by **Scott-Land** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:34 am

Bruceswar wrote:Nice start. Why Joliet way down south? Would it better just left off?

I was gonna make it part of the map..... still unsure so I left it there.

by **john9blue** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:43 am

It's been bugging me that we don't have a map of Chicago (except for Prohibition, which is... historical). It's like a big gaping hole in our list of important locations mapped. Hope this gets done.

by **oaktown** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:03 am

Wow Scotland, it is nice to see somebody put some work into a map before posting a first version.

I'm too tired to look closely at it now, but wanted to say something nice.

First little criticisms I have are the pixely lines and the bushes... the stylized background deserves better than to be on the same image as those bushes!

Gameplay wise the two territory bonuses will require some thinking through - easy to drop such a small region on a big map. About 10% chance of landing one in a 2/3 player game.

Yo, where's the L? :-s

by **john9blue** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:12 am

Yeah I should mention that too, this map is just about Foundry-worthy already imo, which is unheard of for the first draft from a new mapmaker. Very well done and many kudos to you, sir.

by **Scott-Land** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:29 am

oaktown wrote:Wow Scotland, it is nice to see somebody put some work into a map before posting a first version. I'm too tired to look closely at it now, but wanted to say something nice.

First little criticisms I have are the pixely lines and the bushes... the stylized background deserves better than to be on the same image as those bushes!

Gameplay wise the two territory bonuses will require some thinking through - easy to drop such a small region on a big map. About 10% chance of landing one in a 2/3 player game.

Yo, where's the L?

Thanks Oak -- still have tons to learn yet.

btw-- those are trees from a birdseye view ... lmao .

I originally had the cta in the map but then went against it (and I know the L is such a big part of Chicago ) . because it wouldnt be a standard game play map-- wanted to stick to the gamplan.

john9blue wrote:Yeah I should mention that too, this map is just about Foundry-worthy already imo, which is unheard of for the first draft from a new mapmaker. Very well done and many kudos to you, sir.

Cheers for the kind words John-- hopefully we can get it through with a lot of help.

by **Incandenza** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:53 am

Well, I have to concur with the prevailing sentiment that this is a really excellent first draft.

But, of course, I have comments:
Part of the problem with the trees is that some of them kinda look like green fireworks (north of West Town, east of Englewood, a couple of other place)... but that's just a graphics thing
Four-corner borders are generally considered a Bad Thing, so consider having a tree there ti break up the four corners, or using the river as an impassable... (in fact, the rivers-as-impassables thing seems a bit visually arbitrary atm)
Thematically, I'm not sure about the gas-food-lodging thing. Right off the bat, it doesn't seem to fit your theme. Chicago's, well, Chicago, whereas I associate "gas-food-lodging" signs with the crappy little Central Valley towns that cluster along the freeways connecting major Western metropolitan areas. Plus, if you're going for more standard gameplay, then I'm not convinced you need the mini-bonuses at all.

It's nice to see ya in the foundry, Scott.

by **Scott-Land** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm

Actually those signs are all over the interstate in and around Chicago-- Incand. But I suppose you are right that it would alter the standard game play to have those on the map.

by **TaCktiX** on Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:31 pm

I am agog, I am aghast. Is this is a good first draft at last?* Not going to comment on the map in full quite yet, but this is is a really good start.

* Shamelessly ripped off from Les Miserables

by **hatchman** on Sat Jun 27, 2009 5:17 am

Nice concept. And looks great so far.

by **barterer2002** on Sat Jun 27, 2009 8:40 am

Nice draft Scott

Here are my preliminary comments

1). Take Joliet off, its not necessary and detracts frankly.
2). Take off the interstate food/lodging signs and put in some landmarks as background things like the Sears Tower, Wrigley Field, etc. You can even use the L in the background without making it a game play part
3). The purple for Beverly/Morgan Park is too close to the South side bonus. You can probably switch the color of one or the other with Lakeview/DePaul/Lincoln Park without difficulty
4). The key for what is impassable in the legend is unclear in my eyes.

Looking forward to seeing this progress

by **RjBeals** on Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:49 pm

don't quit. you've got a unique and pleasant map here.

by **Industrial Helix** on Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:05 pm

Wow! Very nice first draft.

One thing that stands out to me is that It has Welcome to chicago and then it has the map title right beneath, seems a bit repetitive to me.

What's going on with the water in the lower lavender area? I presume docks of some sort...

Are you going to add buildings as impassables as well? Judging by the key it seems so.

The hole between norwood and dunning... what is that? Inconsequential, but just curious.

I think the rivers should run into the lake without the white border. Same for around portage and irving parks. In fact, I think the rivers shouldn't have any white border at all. They seem to stand out enough on their own.

Otherwise it looks great. I really hope you see this through!