FOUNDRY NEWS
An Independent News Post Owned By The Foundry Members
MAP FOUNDRY EDITION
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007
This is the archived version. If the first post is still exactly the same then it is currently being edited and is not yet finished.
CONTRIBUTORS
Coleman as the Editor & Chief and People Like You.
FORWARD
Lots has been happening this week. WidowMakers has taken on the task of completing jota maps as ordained by jota himself so all of those will be added today. Also unit_2's ideas have all been advancing so at least one more of his maps will be added. Three maps have been final forged, so expect to see that movement, and something moved out of Map Ideas that I never bothered to add to the news so I guess I'll add that. XD
Moving on. Nobody sent me anything about what people outside the foundry want. It looks like most of you never visit outside here after all. You know they make fun of us for that? Oh well. I didn't find anything either. Maybe this week.
Also, I'm adding a Quenched section with information on the playability of released maps and what else may have happened to them. This will eliminate the presence of these maps in the Map Foundry section.
Some items to always keep in mind:
- If any part of this is incorrect and edited the edit will not replace the information, it will instead be added in this text.
- All the text that is the exact same as last week will be in this color and style
We also have a web edition if the forum doesn't quite suit your fancy.
http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews
MAP IDEAS
Ragnarök -
Clicky
Start Date: June 27, 2007
Creator: Telvannia
Status: Early Draft
Ragnarök is a map designed to simulate a huge battle between the inhabitants of Norse mythology. A working map hasn't surfaced yet but we have a clear look at the general layout available. (Click For Image) This map recently resurfaced from the foundry furnace due to community interest. The Migogaror region is currently being worked on (Click For Image) and should be finished eventually. The current creator has real life commitments slowing development. Nothing has happened in this topic since September 22nd.
Warpath of the Native Americans -
Clicky
Start Date: June 30, 2007
Creator: MarVal
Status: Third Revision
This is mostly a geographic map with a native focus set in the Americas. MarVal has been doing a very good job with research but is still facing some issues being brought up by others with different ideas on what he should be focusing on with the map. His current revision still lacks clear gameplay mechanics. Since there are over 500 federally recognized tribes in the United States alone MarVal may start to have some real problems on his hands if more people of native decent show up wondering why their tribe isn't part of his map. Nothing has happened here since September 30th.
WWII Europe -
Clicky
Start Date: August 15, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: On Hold
WWII Europe is an effort by qwert to merge the Eastern Front map with his still unfinished Western Front map into a single map. (Click For Image) It has been confirmed that at current this map is halted until the foundry can decide how to officially handle oversized maps.
Washington D.C. -
Clicky
Start Date: September 12, 2007
Creator: Unit_2
Status: Early Draft
Simple map based on Washington D.C. It's going to take some major revisions to make this a real working map but the intent is there. Unit_2 has picked this back up and there is currently a vote between 5 options for the water he has created. Please go vote.
Japan -
Clicky
Start Date: September 30, 2007
Creator: Unit_2
Status: Early Draft
A map based on the geographical region of
Modern Japan. Unit_2 is employing the use of transit to help combat the linear nature of the map. The game play looks very set but the graphics need some major work before this map can move.
Time and Place -
Clicky
Start Date: October 5, 2007
Creator: WidowMakers
Status: Early Draft
This is another world map with yet another twist. The twist for this version is the world across several time periods. The current map has five different time periods and the six continents we all should know by now. The latest complaint is the four latest time periods are too similar so a major change may be coming soon to the layout.
Dungeon of Draknor - Reborn -
Clicky
Start Date: October 7, 2007
Creator: WidowMakers
Status: Early Draft
This is a new version of a map Jota originally started a long ways back. This map is a basic dungeon concept with confusing attack routes. Jota was very clear on keeping the 1-way borders, but the community probably would have forced him to change it if he were presenting it, so what WidowMakers may do with the conflict is unclear.
Soviet Union Map -
Clicky
Start Date: October 8, 2007
Creator: pepperonibread
Status: Second Revision
With one of the best first drafts ever seen, pepperonibread presents a map based on the region that was the
Soviet Union. Despite the awesomeness of his first draft the suggestions for change were not few and pepperonibread has been doing a great job with keeping up. Expect this map to move after its next revision.
Conquer Man -
Clicky
Start Date: October 9, 2007
Creator: WidowMakers
Status: Early Draft
This map seems to be based on
Pac Man! Enough of it is different that fair use should keep this map safe from copyright concerns. This map will have the most territories of any map if it manages to be released.
State of Map Ideas
Coleman says he has gotten used to the mess and he only locks topics that sound, looks, and he claims, smell like clubhouse topics that shouldn't be in Map Ideas or topics that were answered or very abandoned. cairnswk seems to still be moving idea only topics into the map ideas topic and updating the index he made.
MOVEMENT
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Era of The Three Kingdoms
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Crossword 2.0
MAP FOUNDRY
SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! -
Clicky
Start Date: June 6, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
Status: Needs Lack Level XML Update
SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! is about a riot in a Supermax. Supermax is a very real and frequently used term for a type of prison as much as it is for a section of a larger one. It has recently been discovered that the current xml constraints would cause this map to have an xml file over a terrabite in size. As such a massive file can not be hosted on most consumer computers it is unlikely lack would be willing (or even able) to post it on the site. As such, this map requires an xml update from lack or a major gameplay change to continue.
Feudal Wars - Classic -
Clicky
Start Date: June 9, 2007
Creators: gimil & Yeti_C
Status: Polishing
This map is an attempt at the conquest gameplay idea that has turned out looking very similar to Age or Might by DiM. This map will not have any bonuses except for holding castles and villages with the castles being the final objective of the match instead of domination. Naturally these ideas are a bit controversial but gimil has been working through it. The latest version was posted today and still comes with the very green complaint.
South America -
Clicky
Start Date:June 17, 2007
Creators: edbeard & Marvaddin
Status: Font Vote
Finally a map of South America. This region is very neglected on the site for geographic maps so it is nice having one in development. This map is undergoing some traumatic graphic adjustments, including font changes and continent recoloring. There is currently a vote going for the font with four choices.
Age of Realms Trilogy- Chapter 1: Age of Might -
Clicky
Start Date: July 21, 2007
Creators: DiM, gimil, yeti_c
Status: Polishing
Age of Realms Trilogy- Chapter 1: Age of Might features a new gameplay concept where each person starts with just 1 territory (a castle) and expands by 'liberating' villages' resources and factories it also features an immersing story set up in a realm of fantasy where the goal is to start as a noble prince and rule the kingdom. but due to it's chapter based nature this is only the beginning. chapters 2 and 3 will bring continuity to the story and will add twists and turns in the plot. all 3 chapters will take place on the same map but each time the landscape will change to portray the events in the chapter plus new gameplay features will help make each chapter unique. As stated last time DiM is back with a vengeance and he is the creative lead with the other creators offering support. This map is damn near playable. There are some concerns with how the small map will turn out with the size constraints but they are minimal. Aside from that there has still been some graphics discussion to which DiM has been receptive. It's a very exciting time over there and stopping by is encouraged.
Pixel World -
Clicky
Start Date: July 25, 2007
Creator: BelJoDude
Status: Work All Around
Pixel World is just what it sounds like, sort of. The idea is to fit as many territories as possible onto a map with the current size constraints imposed by the foundry policy while maintaining decent gameplay. This map is constantly undergoing graphic and gameplay alterations. BelJoDude recently ran into some real world trouble that has slowed down development a bit.
The Thai-Burma POW Railway -
Clicky
aka: Bamboo Jack
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Near Final Forge
Cairnswk had a bad start with this one, creating controversy over playing on dead bodies in the Bridge On The River Kwai. After initial non-interest, the map was re-designed to be based on the Thai-Burma Railway and adjoining territories and four POW camp that can be attacked from the rail line and territories. Standard gameplay, no gimmicks, but lots of territories, with graphics featuring a definite Thai flavour and colours. cairnswk has posted several revisions and is very close to being done.
The Puget Sound -
Clicky
Start Date: August 13, 2007
Creator: Tisha
Status: Abandoned?
The Puget Sound is a map of a body of water (part of the ocean actually) in Washington. This map mostly focuses on the land around the Puget Sound. The Foundry is currently awaiting another update from Tisha to clean up the army circles. It has been over three weeks since this map was last updated, leading to a belief that it may be abandoned.
Canada REVAMP! -
Clicky
Start Date: August 27, 2007
Creator: WidowMakers
Status: Polishing
WidowMakers has posted his reworked image and now the comments are few and far between, or just obscure. The only complaint for his latest map is about colors and a poll has been created to help with that concern. Please go vote.
RAIL EUROPE -
Clicky
Start Date: September 1, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Arguing over station clocks.
This is the second in the series of rail maps planned which started with RAIL USA. Gameplay is slightly different from RAIL USA with a "rail line impassable" at some stations. Close to 99 European-flavoured stations on board covering 17 Service lines. Rail colors have been added and the current debate is over how the station clocks should look. cairnswk is just going to scrap the clocks altogether and replace them with something else at current.
The Era of The Three Kingdoms -
Clicky
Start Date: September 3, 2007
Creator: Gimil
Status: Name Revision
The sheer giddiness some posters have to this is astounding. This map is based on the actual events exaggerated by Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The actual novels are worth acquiring if you have never read or even heard of them, as are many of the video games based on them. Bonuses have been posted and now the debate is over accuracy with the territory names.
Civil War Map -
Clicky
Start Date: September 18, 2007
Creator: Elijah S
Status: Polishing Image
This is a map based around the
American Civil War and features work from a new artist we hope to keep. Elijah S has been very receptive to suggestions and the map has come a long way because of it. At current there is a deadlocked poll on the subject of territory texture, if you haven't voted yet and have some thoughts go stop on by.
Madness (OUR HOUSE) -
Clicky
Start Date: September 27, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Near Final Forge
A map based on the song Our House, also known as the Madness Song. cairnwsk posted the lyrics inside the topic. He has changed a few things to make the map have more of a CC flair. The comments have slowed and the map looks to be near Final Forge.
Crossword 2.0 -
Clicky
Start Date: October 11, 2007
Creator: WL_southerner
Status: Polishing
A map based on
crossword puzzles, and also the earlier cult classic crossword. Since the original crossword is one of the most hated maps on the site this new map has a lot to overcome but has a surprising amount of community support allowing for a quick escape from Map Ideas into the main foundry.
FINAL FORGE
MALTA Map -
Clicky
Start Date: December 6, 2006
Creators: Ruben Cassar & Yeti_C.
Status: Needs Yeti_C's signature.
Map of Malta. If you are starting to notice a trend a lot of December maps of countries were started and are just now nearing completion. The creator hopes to post his final version soon.
The Netherlands -
Clicky
Start Date: December 29, 2006
Creator: Lone.prophet
Status: Graphic Work
The production time for this map of the Netherlands is a bit off base as the whole graphics portion was redone recently. The graphics are still undergoing work.
Greater China -
Clicky
Start Date: January 14, 2007
Creator: Wisse
Status: Waiting for Graphic Update from Wisse
Map of China, possibly not set in the present. Otherwise it is mostly true to native names. This map is currently undergoing some slight graphics work. Just some stray pixel cleaning.
South Africa Map -
Clicky
Start Date: March 16, 2007
Creator: Crowley
Status:Waiting for Creator Update
Map of South Africa. This map is so great it entered Final Forge in August and nobody had anything bad to say about it since. Unfortunately, Crowley has expressed an interest in providing a final update so we have to wait for that.
The Solar System -
Clicky
Start Date: June 14, 2007
Creator: maxdetjens
Status: Adjusting Coordinates
This is a map of the Solar System. Sort of. It borrows some science fiction ideas, so it is a potential future map of it. maxdetjens went missing during part of the development process due to real life getting in the way. He is now back and updating full time. The map is currently having coordinates adjusted.
WWII Western Front -
Clicky
Start Date: July 19, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Britain Revision Arguments
This is similar to WWII Eastern Front, a released map. This instead focuses on the Western Front, or more on the Allies vs Germany conflict instead of the Germany vs Russia conflict. This map should be moving to Final Forge soon, although complaints about Britain still persist, but that probably isn't news. Bloody English.
Midkemia -
Clicky
Start Date: July 21, 2007
Creator: Gnome
Status: Text Resize
pThis is a map based on the fantasy world of Midkemia. All copyright concerns have been passed so this map is okay for the site. This map is also employing a new idea in not having borders and instead connecting territories with paths. Community is currently forcing a territory text change/resize due to readability issues.
Berlin 1962 -
Clicky
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: oaktown
Status: Waiting for XML
This map is about the city of Berlin during the Cold War in 1962. For those who don't know the Cold War was a conflict between the United States and Russia that lasted for years with small skirmishes throughout the entire world. Berlin was one of these locations. The Capital of Germany. The start time for this is slightly inaccurate as this map was initially presented as the city of Berlin from a different point of view. Once the xml is complete this map will probably be quenched. It is really rock solid.
RECENTLY QUENCHED
France! -
Clicky
Start Date: May 14, 2006
Quench Date: September 28, 2007
Creator: reverend_kyle
This map has had no complaints and is very playable.
Italy -
Clicky
Start Date: December 12, 2006
Quench Date: September 26, 2007
Creator: RjBeals
This map faced some initial complaints about the ALL CAPS territory names in the drop downs. These have been changed and now the map is complaint-less and playable.
WWII OPERATION IWO JIMA -
Clicky
Start Date: February 24, 2007
Quench Date: September 26, 2007
Creator: qwert
This map had some xml errors and since Coleman hasn't played it yet he doesn't know if they've been fixed. The correct xml was provided October 5th by gimil. Anyway, the errors are game changing if they are still there as they are border mistakes.
PORTUGAL -
Clicky
Start Date: April 8, 2007
Quench Date: September 26, 2007
Creator: gimil
Working, playable.
D-Day: Omaha Beach! -
Clicky
Start Date: April 25, 2007
Quench Date: September 26, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
This map had to undergo a few graphics updates after quench. In addition the xml does not work with BOB without this patch:
http://members.cox.net/gyrigo/CC/conquerclubbob.user.js
Battle of Actium -
Clicky
Start Date: June 2, 2007
Quench Date: September 20, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
This map is working fine but BOB does not understand bombardments still, and neither do most people who tried to play it apparently.
Last Quench Date Before September 28, 2007 was September 26, 2007.
WRAP UP
Feel snubbed? Think your map should be in this but it isn't? FREAKING TELL ME! I'll probably add it.
Hope you liked this edition of Foundry News. If you didn't send me a PM or reply to this topic and I'll see what I can do. If you did like it, do that too. (Warning, any pms sent to Coleman are considered foundry property and can be publicized in Foundry News without the sender's consent unless they are specifically related to Cartography Assistance, in which case, standard privacy rules apply.)