[Abandoned] Mesoamerica

[natty dread]

Map Name: Maya - The Classic Era
Mapmaker(s): natty_dread
Number of Territories: 45
Special Features: No-bonus regions, collection bonuses
What Makes This Map Worthy of Being Made: It has unique theme and interesting gameplay

Map Image:

Click image to enlarge.

show: older versions

Thanks to Oaktown for the original idea for this map.


Gameplay:

The capitals start as neutral 3:s, everything else is random. This gives 39 starting regions, which gives:

2 players: 13 regions each, 22 neutrals
3 players: 13 regions each, 6 neutrals
4 players: 9 regions each, 9 neutrals
5 players: 7 regions each, 10 neutrals
6 players: 6 regions each, 9 neutrals
7 players: 5 regions each, 10 neutrals
8 players: 4 regions each, 13 neutrals

Capitals give bonus for their neighbouring regions. Trade routes give a bonus for holding all regions along a trade route.

[Oneyed]

I look at some of your maps and I am always wonder what a nice graphic you do with GIMP. (f*ck, I can not ).

I think it is clear idea, just kick off trade route from Palenque - its only capital which lies on trade route... or add trade route to each capital...

Oneyed

[natty dread]

I am always wonder what a nice graphic you do with GIMP.

All it takes is practice.

its only capital which lies on trade route...

Why does it matter?

[Oneyed]

Why does it matter?

capital is needed for regions bonus. and this one capital gives you also trade route bonus...
do you think is it possible to add one trade route to southeast?

Oneyed

[natty dread]

capital is needed for regions bonus. and this one capital gives you also trade route bonus...

Yes but Palenque is in the middle of the map, it's the worst spot strategically, so doesn't it deserve a bit higher bonus?

do you think is it possible to add one trade route to southeast?

By contrast, southeast is very secluded and there already is a trade route connecting to it.

[sannemanrobinson]

Would be nice to make a First Nations series with Inca, Inuit etc. too.

[natty dread]

A bit of theme-appropriate background can't hurt:

Click image to enlarge.

[koontz1973]

Might be an idea to join the trade routes to each capital. They would of been the centre of trade. So get them all starting and ending in capitals with the odd cross over for an added extra fighting territ.

[Flapcake]

A bit of theme-appropriate background can't hurt:

Click image to enlarge.

It's realy a nice map you done there, the color scheme is straight in the eye, I'd really like pastel colors, the mountains, you just hit spot on, you know trees and mountains can get people to discuss for weeks or more, I hopes it does not happen here becourse they fit just perfect (volcan is uber cool)

capital / temples might be a bit more Inca / Mayan style stepped pyramid.

Otherwise, I have not much to say, that beside yoguslavia this is one of your best

[natty dread]

Might be an idea to join the trade routes to each capital. They would of been the centre of trade. So get them all starting and ending in capitals with the odd cross over for an added extra fighting territ.

But that would make them all really unfeasible as bonuses, so what would be the point in having them...

The capital icons are temporary, I'll be redoing those at some point.

[koontz1973]

Might be an idea to join the trade routes to each capital. They would of been the centre of trade. So get them all starting and ending in capitals with the odd cross over for an added extra fighting territ.

But that would make them all really unfeasible as bonuses, so what would be the point in having them...

The capital icons are temporary, I'll be redoing those at some point.

Not really, it would just make them a later game bonus. Right now with your 3 you have 2 at 4 territs and one at 5 (I know the mountains are there so only 4 territs to defend, but you still need to take 5 territs) to get the same bonus.
By having them start and finish on the capitals neutral 3, you remove all drop bonus (however small it is).
If you want to keep them small, you can.
Teotihuacan to Palenque (5 territs)
Palenque to Cichen (5)
Cichen to Tikal (4)
Tikal to Copan (4)
Copan to Danipaguacho (7)
Some will be harder to get than others but this will give players options to think about and fight over in the larger games.

[natty dread]

Not really,

Yes really. A string of 5-6 regions in a straight line with each region a border? That's an unfeasible bonus, especially on a map this size, and no one's going to try holding it. "Late game bonus" basically translates to "bonuses you hold when you've already won the game".

Also I don't want all bonuses to be dependent on the capitals, which will be starting neutral. I want there to be some bonuses you can take without taking neutrals. I'm not too worried about people dropping the trade routes, the smallest of them are 4 regions, and even if it becomes a problem it can be solved with starting positions.

[natty dread]

Improving the graphics a bit.

Click image to enlarge.

[Industrial Helix]

Glad to see this map on the move.

It might be cool for the non-affiliated area to have a rebellious decay.

[koontz1973]

But right now your trade routes make no sense. They are just randomly placed dots on a map.
If I have goods to sell in Kaminajuyu, why would I travel all the way to Mitla when my capital is right next door. Surly I can sell my goods there for a better price and not have to go through hostile territory. And why does no one want to sell to the Tikal people?