Rorke's Drift. [QUENCHED]

[koontz1973]

Not current version. Experiment which needs feedback on.

All I have done is coloured the territ numbers to match each kings iButho. These are typical Zulu colours taken from traditional dress.
Does this work?
If yes, which colours do and do not work?
If no, OK.
[bigimg][/bigimg]

[natty dread]

I can't read any of the territory numbers. Coloured text on coloured background is rarely a good idea.

[koontz1973]

Thanks natty. Things like this to a new map maker are invaluable.

[natty dread]

I mean, don't get me wrong.. it's not that it can't work at any circumstances... but if you want to use coloured text on coloured background, you need to make sure the contrast between the text & background is high enough... for example, the text needs to be significantly brighter than the background, or if your background is bright, then the text needs to be significantly darker... other tricks can also be used, like shadows, glows, outlines etc.

But all this is something that you will get a better grasp on with experience.

[koontz1973]

I mean, don't get me wrong.. it's not that it can't work at any circumstances... but if you want to use coloured text on coloured background, you need to make sure the contrast between the text & background is high enough... for example, the text needs to be significantly brighter than the background, or if your background is bright, then the text needs to be significantly darker... other tricks can also be used, like shadows, glows, outlines etc.

But all this is something that you will get a better grasp on with experience.

I tried the higher contrast and shadows, while changing it. Making the territ numbers larger and smaller to see how that looked. Saw which one was best for each of the regions and went with that one.

I want to put names in but am having trouble getting the right font and size for it. It looks OK at the current size but I am just worried that when scaling it down for the smaller version, it will become unreadable.

Sod it, going to put names in and see what you all think. Post that tomorrow.

[koontz1973]

Again, not the current version.

Second experiment for tonight. Added names to the territories.
Does the white work?
Does the light blue work for the 2 rivers areas? Without the W and Rb to identify the rivers, a colour of symbol needs to be used to identify them.

Has anyone got a good font for the territs?

If this is the best way to go then there needs to be changes in the legend. This will be included if and when I go down this route.

Click image to enlarge.

[natty dread]

Ok... when you use the text tool in GIMP, you should enable "Antialiasing" and "Hinting" in the tool options (there's 3 checkboxes right below the font & size selection). Your current text looks like you have antialiasing turned off, which makes the text all pixelated.

[koontz1973]

Here is version 5.

Click image to enlarge.

Things changed from version 4.
Named all warriors.
Changed legend to explain changes.
Added artwork for the river warriors as now the are now called W & RB.
Moved some territ lines to accommodate names.

[koontz1973]

Ok... when you use the text tool in GIMP, you should enable "Antialiasing" and "Hinting" in the tool options (there's 3 checkboxes right below the font & size selection). Your current text looks like you have antialiasing turned off, which makes the text all pixelated.

Had mine turned off for some reason. Went back through them all and turned it on.

[koontz1973]

Click image to enlarge.

Things changed.
Changed font size to make names fit better.
Lightened up title.
Added background to title to make it stand out better.
Added a missing territ line at the top.
Rearranged legend.
Redid British names to the same as Zulus (font and size).

[koontz1973]

Click image to enlarge.

Just changed the font.

How is it?
Is there anything I have missed now?

[natty dread]

The labels for the Kings still look pixelated.

[koontz1973]

The labels for the Kings still look pixelated.

Fixed.

Click image to enlarge.

Any other problems spotted?

[natty dread]

Ok, then...

The borders could use some consistency: for example that red line that surrounds the central area, at most parts it functions as a border, but then in Lindelani it suddenly goes through a territory. Fix it so that the red line replaces the border between Bongani/Lindelani.

Similarly, there's a black border between Wandile / Sihlengosethu, but not between Sihlengosethu /umm.. that territory that's missing a label.

And Thembinkosi... has a black border with Mandla, but no border/only the sand bank with Sakhile.

Consistency is key to readable gameplay. Make it so that if one elements represents something in one part of the map, it represents the same in all parts. Also the placement/leaving out of elements like borders, etc. should be consistent across the map.

Then some other things: the impassables are not very noticeable around the center - especially the walls between the central gray area and the surrounding areas. Using thin walls as impassables is ok to an extent, but you need to make sure they stand out from their surroundings. Also, remember that you'll also need to make a small version, which is usually 75% of the size of the large, so if something is really thin, it is likely to be invisible on the small...

[koontz1973]

Thanks natty, will get right onto those things. Been staring at it for so long now and never noticed some of the things you mentioned, some I did but I take your point on consistency.