Bob XIII wrote:well comments are always good and so far they've been very helpful... i'm happy to work away at it with the graphics and code later. I just don't want to get too far ahead of myself with things that will inevidibly change. Because this is my first map and i don't fully understand the foundry process yet, i kind of need a bit if guidance as to what to do and what i should be working on next... i have questions...
Well, as a first-time mapmaker myself, I can certainly sympathize about feeling a little out to sea, so to speak. The Foundry process, despite numerous guidelines, is fairly flexible and open-ended. You won't get a ton of guidance unless you ask directly, and even then it might be slower than you'd like- it's run by volunteers after all. That said, if you're worried that your map got accidentally overlooked- which can happen- or just need some direct advice, post a comment like this last one. Sending out a PM to someone once in awhile can help too.
As for changes.... hmmm.... I want you to know that I honestly see good potential in this map idea, and some parts look pretty nice, but there are almost certainly going to be some things that you will have to change... inevitably, even
No map, not even the ones put out by veterans, gets through the Foundry without some big changes. Thysenal and a few others I can think of start with really solid graphics, good concept and simple gameplay, but even then they sit in the forums for weeks awaiting community feedback.
In your case, you've got decent (and improving) graphics, decent concept and complex gameplay, so... like my map, this map will take some time. You seem to be receptive to comments and quick to respond, so as long as you're patient- like, 3-6 months patient- you'll very likely can see this map through to the Final Forge.
Bottom line, though, if you find making the map to be work and not fun, best to let it lie for awhile. Because the only really worthwhile return that you're going to get from making the map is the satisfaction of creating something that can be shared with others. So
take it at your own pace, and if you really need comments, add a poll or something to get the community's attention (silly, but it sometimes works).
Bob XIII wrote:Is the forum lay-out correct?.. is there something i should change with my starting post?
should i have a large map image as well? or should i do it later?
should i just finish the text however i like? or do i wait and hope somebody comments on it?
I'm happy with how it's developing and i don't think it's too complicated... am i meeting the standards for a draft submission? or have i done something wrong and just don't know about it?
The starting post is an important way to keep community interest... nobody wants to read through pages and pages in order to know what's going on with your map. So, in a nutshell,
Keep your first post edited to include, succinctly, what a newcomer to your thread would need to know in order to completely understand your map.That means updating the map itself, obviously, although for now you don't need to post both the large and small, just one or the other will do.
It also means showing the gameplay elements where possible on the map and explaining them further outside of the map if needed.
And most of all, get your concept across- what is your vision for this map? This can be done with a good title, a sentence or a paragraph, but let the community know what is motivating you to make the map, so we can help refine the idea rather than spout stuff that you have no interest in doing. In the Melting Pot forum, refining your concept should be your #1 goal. After all, it's hard to make something without a goal!
Here was my guess at your concept-
MarshalNey wrote:(1) Sci-fi dysutopia
(2) Large variety of bombardments
(3) Standard open gameplay
But that's only a guess. You're the one doing the lion's share of work, so it's up to you what sort of map idea will keep you interested in seeing it through.
I'll look at your design brief and see if there's any other advice that I can offer.
But as to your last question, definitely keep plunking away, and don't worry about 'bumbling', as long as you're civil everyone here is out to help each other... and sometimes even if you're not civil they'll still help
EDIT: OKay, I just read your design brief and it explains quite a bit, some (or all) of that should go into your first post I think.
