USA 2.1 [10 Mar 2013] Beta Baby!!

[isaiah40]

This is a great idea and I love it. My request is simple. Can we please use the actual shapes of the states rather that these strange illustrator objects that slightly resemble the geographic forms?

other than that A+

It will be done as soon as I can get the territory spacing worked out to fit the 888's. I have to twist, move and twist some more to get this to work. It will take me a few days to make sure this is within the supersize restrictions.

[ironsij0287]

Sorry isaiah40. But I don't think it is going to work, now that I have seen the full map. Once you start putting army numbers on areas New England this map is going to be more difficult to follow than quantum mechanics while on LSD.

The idea has my support but in its current state it simply can't be done, as far as I can see. you have 1000+ pixel wide on the small. Is it justifiable to push that supersize any further?

I think I'm leaning more toward this side now. The concept is great but I feel like trying to keep everything from the original 6 maps is causing map elements to be forced in when they don't quite fit.

While it wouldn't be a true representation of the original 6 I think a complete re-working of the USA map with modified cities and connections could be great. This would also allow for keeping the shape/size of the states a little truer to their form.

[koontz1973]

Sorry isaiah40. But I don't think it is going to work, now that I have seen the full map. Once you start putting army numbers on areas New England this map is going to be more difficult to follow than quantum mechanics while on LSD.

The idea has my support but in its current state it simply can't be done, as far as I can see. you have 1000+ pixel wide on the small. Is it justifiable to push that supersize any further?

I think I'm leaning more toward this side now. The concept is great but I feel like trying to keep everything from the original 6 maps is causing map elements to be forced in when they don't quite fit.

While it wouldn't be a true representation of the original 6 I think a complete re-working of the USA map with modified cities and connections could be great. This would also allow for keeping the shape/size of the states a little truer to their form.

If the map needs to be simplified, why not take out the highways. One less headache over the bonus system and more room is then achieved by have normal connection lines.

[isaiah40]

Okay, this is how things are going to work. The first and most important thing is to make sure that everything will fit on the small to include the army numbers. So I will be moving the states around, expanding where necessary etc. I will not worry about the shape of the states until graphics as they do not affect gameplay in any way. The object is to make sure that the numbers fit without any overlapping of other numbers and territory names. This is a map that it is imperative that I do the small first, no sense in getting all the way to graphics only to find out that it won't work, so I will be staying here in the Drafting Room for a bit. I should have an update towards Saturday this week.

[The Bison King]

Okay, this is how things are going to work. The first and most important thing is to make sure that everything will fit on the small to include the army numbers. So I will be moving the states around, expanding where necessary etc. I will not worry about the shape of the states until graphics as they do not affect gameplay in any way. The object is to make sure that the numbers fit without any overlapping of other numbers and territory names. This is a map that it is imperative that I do the small first, no sense in getting all the way to graphics only to find out that it won't work, so I will be staying here in the Drafting Room for a bit. I should have an update towards Saturday this week.

Cool I look forward to seeing the update!

[cairnswk]

Isaiah40...i registered my negative sentiment for this map initially, but then i guess if the community wants another rail map, then you can have this one.
I applaud you for attempting this, but the current version to me is very intense and kinda squashed. I know you are still drafting it, but is there any chance you could heighten it more so that all the aspects in each state aren't too squashed. I think you have plenty of room there.

[isaiah40]

Isaiah40...i registered my negative sentiment for this map initially, but then i guess if the community wants another rail map, then you can have this one.

Thank you Master cairns!

I applaud you for attempting this, but the current version to me is very intense and kinda squashed. I know you are still drafting it, but is there any chance you could heighten it more so that all the aspects in each state aren't too squashed. I think you have plenty of room there.

This is exactly what I am doing now! I am working at keeping the top for the legend area, you know the 68 bonuses have to go somewhere, so I am pushing everything down. This means that the map won't have the shape of the US, but close to it.

[ManBungalow]

It doesn't need to look like the USA map pack, remember...

[isaiah40]

It doesn't need to look like the USA map pack, remember...

Yea, I know, I just want to get close "Ya know what I mean Vern?"

This is taking a little longer than expected, but I'm almost done rearranging, and I must say it is looking better. Hopefully in a couple of days as time permits I'll get a new update up!

[Victor Sullivan]

Yeah, I know those time permits are hard to get. I always forget my damn Social Security card...

-Sully

[RjBeals]

Why don't you use call-out lines for those little areas, and have the circles/labels off the sides of the map.
Like I did with USA.

[isaiah40]

Why don't you use call-out lines for those little areas, and have the circles/labels off the sides of the map.
Like I did with USA.

I don't see how that will help with this map, but I will play around and see. For know here is version 5.

Changes made:
Moved the states around a bit and enlarged them.

Things to do:
Add in legend and bonus values.
If I have room, add in Alaska and Hawaii

Click image to enlarge.

[koontz1973]

Nice. Very nice.

Thanks for adding some 888s to the map, as least I can see the size comparison.
I love the background, is that the final one or are you going to play with it some more?

isaiah40, I am going to suggest this now (incase you decide to do it) and it really is up to you, but the map looks really messy, beautiful but messy (going to be great for 1v1 speed games ).
I know that you have spent a lot of time copying over the map packs and arranging them, but it might be nice to have the states separated equally. Some are almost touching while others have lots of room. Some have weird cut outs with the neighbouring states do not have the matching part (like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing).

If I have not made sense, then I can post an example and if you do not want to do it then OK, I am still going to play this a lot. I really need a new BIG map.

[natty dread]

Sorry but I have to say... this is a mess. Something needs to be done graphically to simplify & unclutter this.

Firstly, I'd suggest moving away from the "jigsaw-puzzle" look of the original maps. The style works for the smaller, simpler piece-of-usa maps, but not for this one... by which I mean, remove the "gaps" from between the states, replace them with normal border lines. Second, the highway connections... try a simpler, sleeker style for them... something less cluttery, maybe make them thinner and remove the thick strokes... and the army circles can be made smaller and simpler.

All in all, I think you need to move away from the style of the original map pack, and maybe consider looking into other map projections, that could give you more space... the map has potential, but in it's current incarnation, I don't see it as a very user-friendly map...

[isaiah40]

I know that you have spent a lot of time copying over the map packs and arranging them, but it might be nice to have the states separated equally. Some are almost touching while others have lots of room. Some have weird cut outs with the neighbouring states do not have the matching part (like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing).

I agree that some of the states don't match up with the ones next to them, I'll get to that in time (like graphics as this doesn't affect gameplay). As for the other states that have lots of room between them, well that is so the army numbers aren't overlapping each other and the territory names. I am going to play around with it some more and try dj's suggestion to see how it works.

As for the background, I'm looking for other backgrounds to use.

Sorry but I have to say... this is a mess. Something needs to be done graphically to simplify & unclutter this.

Hey it's a work in progress!!

Firstly, I'd suggest moving away from the "jigsaw-puzzle" look of the original maps. The style works for the smaller, simpler piece-of-usa maps, but not for this one... by which I mean, remove the "gaps" from between the states, replace them with normal border lines.

See response to koontz above.

Second, the highway connections... try a simpler, sleeker style for them... something less cluttery, maybe make them thinner and remove the thick strokes... and the army circles can be made smaller and simpler.

The interstates only have a 1px stroke on them. I could try going with a 3px size for them. I am also looking at removing a couple of the interstates to "unclutter" the map as well.

All in all, I think you need to move away from the style of the original map pack, and maybe consider looking into other map projections, that could give you more space... the map has potential, but in it's current incarnation, I don't see it as a very user-friendly map...

As I have mentioned I expect this to have an extended stay here in the drafting room, but I am looking at other ways to get this done!