[Abandoned] - Iron Curtain

[RjBeals]

The problem is your correct yeti. That is basically a snapshot of some territories that I felt would fill out the rectangular map size nicely. I couldn't include all of the regions under the iron curtain, as these damn size restrictions wouldn't allow for it. Some regions in Eastern Russia are huge compared to regions in Western Russia. See HERE

So.. it's basically my own choice of regions.

As far as building up some story of what the iron curtain was... there's just no room. By the time I get the legend and title back in there, it's going to be full.

I do see your point though. Perhaps to get a large map, with open gameplay, it would have been best to go fantasy, rather than geography.

[yeti_c]

So - this map is just going to be geographical?

No gimmicks etc?

I'm just trying to think of something that will make it more fitting of it's theme. (not sure how though)...

Something based on communism perhaps?!? Hmmm

I'm just feeling a little - cold (no pun intended) - towards this map as at the mo - it's just another random area to fight over... albeit a very pretty area with weird names!!

C.

[RjBeals]

You throw the ideas at me and I'll consider them. As long as it's not to extreme. Maybe a way from the right side of the map to the left? I'm not a fan of bombardments either.

[ZeakCytho]

I don't see a need for a "theme" or "story" behind this. The title "Iron Curtain" is enough to tell me that it's cold-war era Europe and the USSR.

[Optimus Prime]

Keep it purely geographical with no gimmicks. The last thing we need are more gimmick maps.

RjBeals, I like your reputation for providing high quality standard gameplay maps. Don't go tarnishing it.

[yeti_c]

You throw the ideas at me and I'll consider them. As long as it's not to extreme. Maybe a way from the right side of the map to the left? I'm not a fan of bombardments either.

I was thinking more of creative bonuses or something... Something to do with central power and no vote for the masses, paranoia & torture... Fear of the Lubyanka & of the Red Army.

You know...

"All people are born equal, Some people are born more equal than others" sort of thing?!

C.

[rustlemania]

Seems clear to me.... the areas under Soviet control during the Cold War... these areas, while not being part of Russia proper, were forced into the Soviet Union, and were said to fall under the Iron Curtain of communism.
Title sounds perfect to me... I also love the graphics.

The problem is - that it's not ALL of those areas... There's half of russia in there - and some areas the other side of Russia that are missing...

C.

I'm not sure how that's a problem. It's enough of those areas to make sense... and it falls right on the iron curtain... still seems clear to me.
I love the look of it. I'm strongly against gimmicks, and think that a simple geographic map is the way to go here. As the site accumulates more and more maps with unique game play and gimmicks, the amount of classic style maps should be allowed to keep up. I love playing that way and a new map is welcome to the eyes.

I think you're on the right path here rj.

[RjBeals]

Thanks Rustlemania. I'm also a fan of the straightforward maps. I can handle fighting through neutrals, but not much more than that.

Also - once the legend is placed, with the region names showing, it may become a little more clear where the region is.

Here's the image (brought to this page)
[bigimg]http://www.rjbeals.com/ironcurtain/IronCurtain_Rev-04a.jpg[/bigimg]

[Qwert]

these two island close to estonia is a part of Soviet union,not part of Sweden,of Finland.
now aim notice something,the caspian sea have empty space from other side-where is turkmenistan,kazahstan and uzbekistan?

[Kaplowitz]

You're missing the outer border in yamalia

[Incandenza]

You're missing the outer border in yamalia

'cause it's not a border, it's an internal lake, like the ones in the general murmansk vicinity. Thus, no thicker border.

[oaktown]

hmm... everything seems a bit, well, random. Regions and impassables based on nothing?

And being a historical map junkie, I'd like something about this map to say "Cold War." Right now it is very pretty, but it could be representing anything.

[RjBeals]

Damn guys. I don't know what to do now.

Impassables are based on nothing.
Not ALL of the cold war regions are represented...
Nothing to really Represent the cold war here, although it's really not suppose to be the cold war, just a section of the USS regions under communism.

I've put a lot of graphics work into this, which was stupid on my part. I should have layed out basic regions and borders before any graphics work at all I guess - but it's so hard for me to do that.

I'm not a histroical map junkie. I'm a clean straightforward risk map junkie. To me it's all about the look. I guess the problem is that at first glance, this is just a big land mass split up into fairly equal regions, no mountains, rivers, lakes, or really clearly identifiable landmarks (except for names). Sure it's pretty. That goal is accomplished. But I get the point that's being thrown out.

1. Would it help if I added the non-playable region borders, instead of just a grainy red background?
2. Would it help if I added the big hammer & sickle somewhere
   
3. Would a fancy "iron curtain" title help?
4. Are the colors too pastel? I made them that way purposefully - so I didn't have to use army circles. There's no room.
5. Would it help if all of "russia" was red? And eastern europe was a different color? Maybe no bonus regions, just increase the bonus armies for number of territs held?
6. Should I stop development, and try a different approach, zoomed out farther to show all of the communist territories?

Thanks.
[bigimg]http://www.rjbeals.com/ironcurtain/IronCurtain_Rev-04a.jpg[/bigimg]

[yeti_c]

Sorry!!

C.

[RjBeals]

So i've been trying to think of a solution to my maps problem, and I've come up with this....

1) Added an area map in the top-left showing all of europe and russia. then I put the frame around where my map is in relation to the whole area. I'm hoping it clears up the confusion around "where" this map is.

2) Changed title. Does the sickle/hammer need to be there? I'm worried it covers up too much of the title. Although, the "start/join a game" pages will display the map as "The Iron Curtain" so people should know what the map title is.

3) Increased the size of the legend mini-map.

4) Added Moldavia, but gave it a +0 bonus. It's just sitting there not part of anything. Not crazy about this idea, but don't know what else to do with it.

[bigimg]http://www.rjbeals.com/ironcurtain/IronCurtain_Rev-05.jpg[/bigimg]

[Qwert]

its these a historical map, or these is your view of Cold war? Because a large part of Soviet union mising. If these only yours view of soviet union and some fiction map,then i dont have any question.

[RjBeals]

its these a historical map, or these is your view of Cold war? Because a large part of Soviet union mising. If these only yours view of soviet union and some fiction map,then i dont have any question.

It's a historical map.

The large portion missing - do you mean the area where my legend is - Kazakhstan ? There's no way I could fit everything to create a historical map of ALL of the regions, and stay true to the size limits of the maps. I choose to zoom in on 1 specific area in order to maximize playable space.

So if you are referring to the small call-out map on the top-left, then I guess I could add that area (Kazakhstan and whatever those small countries are). But it really would cram that area up even more so than it is.

[bigimg]http://www.hymn.ru/15-union-republics/soviet_pol89.jpg[/bigimg]

[gimil]

RJ everytime I come into on of your maps I feel usless, I look and look and look, but I never see anything wrong with your work. Essentially that is a good thing, but your putting me out of work

[RjBeals]

RJ everytime I come into on of your maps I feel usless, I look and look and look, but I never see anything wrong with your work. Essentially that is a good thing, but your putting me out of work

Appreciate that gimil - but I fear that I'm in trouble with this one. If this was a fictional land, then I would be safe, but trying to take on the cold war is trouble. I knew it would be, I said it in my fist post.

[yeti_c]

[bigimg]http://www.rjbeals.com/ironcurtain/IronCurtain_Rev-05.jpg[/bigimg]

Definitely making more sense now... especially with the top bit and the names in the legend.

C.

[ZeakCytho]

What if you moved the hammer and sickle under the title text?

[RjBeals]

What if you moved the hammer and sickle under the title text?

I kind of wanted it to "pop out" - Maybe I'll try it.


(edit)
Bringing image to this page.

[bigimg]http://www.rjbeals.com/ironcurtain/IronCurtain_Rev-05.jpg[/bigimg]

[pamoa]

I think your choice is coherent. Your title is "Iron Curtain" as I know it describe the european border of the soviet influence zone. So focusing on the western part of the soviet empire does make sense to me. Of course USSR was bigger but they didn't build a barbwired fence on the border with China, Pakistan or Iran. So go on and don't listen to those who want you to make another map (me including). Your graphics are sooooo coooooooooooool even the hammer stuff hiding the title, as you who cares...

[Qwert]

dont worry rjbeals, you have enough support to create Soviet union without Kazaxstan,Uzbekistan,Tajikistan Kirgistan and turkmenistan. I think that all mod squad dont have any problem with that,and stamp licker will also agree with these. Sorry for these troubles.

[RjBeals]

dont worry rjbeals, you have enough support to create Soviet union without Kazaxstan,Uzbekistan,Tajikistan Kirgistan and turkmenistan. I think that all mod squad dont have any problem with that,and stamp licker will also agree with these. Sorry for these troubles.

Never a trouble qwert. I'm glad you're checking the map out - you are one of our history experts here.