Mars Map: On Hold indefinatitly.

[RedBaron0]

There is a Martian map idea in the scrap heap: http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=242&t=37741&hilit=mars My map does not reserrect that map. My map is unique and different. This is also my first real attempt at a map here in CC. When I first joined up, I thought about making a map of Mars, but my imaging skill were then limited to Paint. Long story short, saved some work as a jpeg in paint and it all turned to crap, so that idea died.

After downloading and finally figuring out Gimp for the most part and cutting my teeth with some signatures made for myself and fellow members of G1, I've gotten back to this map, which I can hopefully create with some certainty... but only with your help!

Version 0.7
[bigimg]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/marsrevamp2-1.jpg[/bigimg]

Updated image:
[bigimg]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/marsrevamp.gif[/bigimg]


Terraformed version:
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/newmars2.gif
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/newmars-1.gif

Early construction
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/marsma2-incomplete.jpg
http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/marsmap-incomplete.jpg

The original image taken by NASA falls under FOIA(Freedom of Information Act 1966, revised 1996 for electronic media) and can be used because NASA is a government entity.

Current input:
This map is futuristic at this point, looking at a terraformed(made more Earth-like) with exploration discovering fantastic alien relics that are a part of the bonus structure of the map. These relics will hopefully give the user owning the bonus the ability to do something different(like bombard, or extra attack range) besides the normal extra army additions.

In this early stage the map may change drasticly between updates. The suggestion to go back to the earlier idea of the map, Mars in it's current state with NASA landing sites along with division of the entire planet. The drawback is there is little natural barrier on the planet AS-IS, of course creative territory line drawing could negate a lot of that if done correctly.

There could be a whole other direction that could be taken as well... I was thinking that the map could be scaled down to just the Tharsis region and Valles Marineris. I could call the map "Gods of Mars" in referance to Olympus Mons(Mt. Olympus) and you could mix in a little spacy and a little mythological into the map. I dunno if it'd be to localized of a map though. Also so far I've only found maps in false color of just that region to use a base, I'd like to find one in true color if this were to go foreward.

Thanks for all your input!

[The Viking]

Aren't there a lot of really big... canyons, I think, on Mars?

[InkL0sed]

Maybe you should pretend there are oceans up to a certain elevation (probably not very high), just to give you some geography. It could be a partially terra-formed Mars...

[RedBaron0]

Aren't there a lot of really big... canyons, I think, on Mars?

Just the one main canyon system, Valles Marineris, one of the largest in the solarsystem, streching aprox. 3000 miles right along the equator. On the map it 's in the west just east of the 3 dots(they're volcanos)

Maybe you should pretend there are oceans up to a certain elevation (probably not very high), just to give you some geography. It could be a partially terra-formed Mars...

That's come up before, do a terraformed map, much like the Mars from the Kim Stanley Robinson series of books based on Mars (Red, Green, and Blue Mars; which I highly reccomend for any scifi reader) The topography of Mars is basicly: northern lowlands, southern highlands, and Tharsis.(the upthrusted region of the 4 massive shield volcanos) I think Mars, as it is, creates the best looking, and most interesting map I could possibly make.

I'll probably be updating at least the names tonight maybe a few other things too. It should look better then!

[RedBaron0]

Ok, all territories tenitivly named text color, size, and font are likely an issue.

Territory connections in the next update, with preliminary bonus breakdown. For certian I'm looking at doing a negative bonus for the crash sites, but they'll be connected(no line) -1 for 1 crash site -2 for both. Those numbers may change, I'm not sure if I should have a negative bonus that could pervent a player from getting any renforcments. They should deploy neutral, say 6 armies to start. I could put a high end bonus if all crash and lander sites are owned, say 6-7 armies. It's kinda moot at the moment, I need to get the lines in.

Debating on how to differenciate continents, colored lines, text, or a colored halo around the territory circle.

[Juan_Bottom]

Ok, I'm not diggin' this one, but I really want to, so I'm not giving up on you.


Firstly, I don't see a reason why anyone would want to fight a war on mars. It'd be like fighting a war in the Sahara... no reason.... And it's like Antartica, everyone has an equal share... there's nothing to fight for...

I don't like the connect the dots idea either.

Secondly, the picture of Mars that you are using is too blurry....

Finally, I think this map needs a bit of imagination built into it. Make up a story as to how we find ourselves on Mars, and why we need to conquer it. Maybe a map named 'Mars Colonies' or something....

Maybe instead of a war it could be a battle against the elements? Maybe you could add supply stations or something? Making it similer to AOR? I dunno, you're the map maker...


????

[davidmcc]

i have to agree. All I see here is a bunch of random dots on a blurry red background....

[Incandenza]

Finally, I think this map needs a bit of imagination built into it.

This bears repeating. The last attempt at Mars failed because the mapmaker didn't think big enough.

And you're going to eventually have to depict Mars by hand. I don't think photo landscapes are going to cut it.

[RedBaron0]

Hmmm, all very valid points. No appeal, no map. I will have to work my skills with GIMP to see what I can render by hand.

Ok a little imagination: Call the map, MARS 2063. Too early for terriforming, no water. Colonies abound(this is how I work in authentic names for territories, Hellas City, New Athens(at the foot of Olympus Mons), etc.) Exploration reveils various types of 'ruins' metalic obects, stone structure-like things. First thought to be old man-made objects, these discoveries turn out to be exciting, fantastic items, that men will fight, and die for.

Alien artifacts; "The Face," underground lost cities, anicent spaceship building facilities(naturally hiding beneath Utopia Planitia )

I guess I have some things to work on...

[RedBaron0]

I'm gonna work it with divided territories, not connect the dots. I was able to take a look at the help around the Foundry(specifically from RjBeals' Hawaii Tutorial) I don't think I'll color the map in completely, just the edges to keep some of the detail of he terrian. I won't rule out terraforming the map with a northern ocean and large seas in the impact basins in the south. I could work 2 angles for a Mars with oceans, a future Mars inhabited by man, or a ancient Mars(before the water froze and the planet died, approx 3 billion years ago) inhabited by aliens, possibly fighting for remaining resources as the planet begins to die, or just a decent into chaos for the same reason... of course the more I write about, the better it sounds... The more input I get on what the players might like from this map, the better.

I picked up a better map to start from too.

[bigimg]http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc121/RedBaron0/marsmap_3.jpg[/bigimg]

[Juan_Bottom]

That pic is also a lot more clear.
When you say objects of power, that sounds like the AOR maps... is that what you are going for?

[RedBaron0]

Probably, I would see them as specific bonuses that would allow the user to do certain things. I'll make one up here... Ancient Botanical Testing Facility: +4 bonus Advanced knowledge of genetic manipulation gives the user ability to clone troops.

I may connect artifact bonuses together, like AoR, you would need 2 specific artifacts to achieve the bonus, and for gameplay they would be a decent territory distance apart. Give me the weekend to get the grafics in a better place, and strangely I am really leaning towards a terraformed Mars and then we can delve deep into bonus structure.

[Juan_Bottom]

Probably, I would see them as specific bonuses that would allow the user to do certain things. I'll make one up here... Ancient Botanical Testing Facility: +4 bonus Advanced knowledge of genetic manipulation gives the user ability to clone troops.

Ok, so single territories may hold very specific bonuses? For example, one space gives you a +1 autodeply, while another gives you the ability to bombard?
This is either the next "original" map on CC, or the next disaster. I'm serious when I say that this map has my full attention. Can't wait to see the next update!

[RedBaron0]

I need some sleep, but here's a terraformed version of Mars, based off false color topographic maps of Mars. The backround had the opacity dropped down to about 50% I don't think I'll fill in the territories as they are drawn. Either the borders will have a colored halo, or the whole territory will be transluecent with a color. Land territories will be basic, the I'm figuring the relics will be small land territories that'll be primarily within a certain territory but should have at least 2 borders. Relics won't be only on land, but under the sea, on the iceand on the volcanoes. I figure for authentisity the Tharsis region of Mars, the 4 great shield volcanoes will be uninhabitable, they all basicly stick out into space, like giant pimples. But I figure a relic will pop up somewhere in the area as well as some sort of pass. More updates to come, I should have more time Tuesday at the very least.

[Juan_Bottom]

Any news?

[RedBaron0]

Update later tonight, at school at the moment

[gdeangel]

I like the graphic that is four posts above this one. I don't like the fake Oceans in the (current) first post.

Here's my suggestion... use the actual photo one with the polar caps that people will recognize as a martian looking landscape. Do a little research about the various missions that have gone/are planned to mars. Use those sites, with appropriate graphics, to make the lander locations / rover tracks / rover discoveries / etc. the bonsues. The structural set up of the continents would look a bit like Midikdmil.

If you want to getting sci-fi, you can add a teraformed "dome" or something, but it should just be an isolated area... you don't want people to think they are looking at a red sand area of Earth.

[jiminski]

did you see my terraform idea?
I had an idea a few month back and put it in the old Idea thread ..heh! the graveyard of the imagination!

I separated it out and put in it's own thread:
SCI FI- Planet Terraform: The Fight For Resources

well the code is not possible to do for the game-play but it may give some ideas.

[The Viking]

Aren't there a lot of really big... canyons, I think, on Mars?

Just the one main canyon system, Valles Marineris, one of the largest in the solarsystem, streching aprox. 3000 miles right along the equator. On the map it 's in the west just east of the 3 dots(they're volcanos)

So that'll make for some good impassables, right?

[RedBaron0]

The early work, although the backround was aweful, was more like what you've suggested gdeangel. Suggestions after that was to get more creative, and this is where I'm at, I'm working currently on what I currently have, and should finish what I've planned on finishing tonight. It'll be divided into territories and named with prespective bonuses minus the idea of relics, if suggestions continue in that direction they will be placed going forward. I will add post with the map where the relics will be placed and what these relics will do. AS the dicussion continues it may swing back the other way, and I can go back to a natural Mars.

Aren't there a lot of really big... canyons, I think, on Mars?

Just the one main canyon system, Valles Marineris, one of the largest in the solar system, streching aprox. 3000 miles right along the equator. On the map it 's in the west just east of the 3 dots(they're volcanos)

So that'll make for some good impassables, right?

Not really, Mars is pretty much a flat plain except for Valles Marinaris and the 4 huge shield volcanos. There a a couple other points of topographic interest, but nothing that makes for large impassable areas. Check the newwer backround map for the real Mars.

[RedBaron0]

It's far from being done, but I'm falling asleep, please discuss and I'll get things sorted out over the next couple days.

I can't think straight to deal with the relic bonuses right now, will get to those tomorrow.

[wcaclimbing]

If you are not using layers in Gimp for this, you really should be. Making a map becomes nearly impossible without them. Just a suggestion. I'm not sure if you are using them or not.

Good luck with this. It'll be interesting if this is finally the map that makes it through, after so many mars/moon maps have been attempted before.

[RedBaron0]

I'm using layers with GIMP... I might have been getting sloppy towards the end as my energy gave out... I know I will need to clean up the edges of the borders territory positions and connections and continent distribution... among other things. The layering makes this soooo much easier to fiddle with!

I notice now I forgot to name that one little territory south of Hellas

[Juan_Bottom]

Name it "Juan is hot!" K?

[RedBaron0]

Better looking map, cleaned up and ready for dicussion.

Relic territories(not added yet)

6 territories so far:
Submerdges space ship yard
+
Advanced Metalurgy lan
- bombardment from one territory if held territories in the eastern hemisphere only.

Ancient Botanical test
+
Cloning Labatory
+6 armies

Weapons cashe
+
Antigrav tech
- attack range of 2 territories in the Western hemisphere

These bonuses will give an ability(if codeable) to the user

I'll have to add a scale to the map to show east and west.