Page 10 of 54

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:36 pm
by Lone.prophet
Lone.prophet wrote:Andy could u plz comment on it?>

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:53 pm
by AndyDufresne
Just to let you know, the more you ask for Final Forge, the longer I am going to put it off, and really scrutinize. :)


Looking at the latest map...I've got some points, visual first:
  • The ocean looks great, I think that is done. But your rivers don't look like rivers, at least the parts that connect into the non-gameboard area. Fix them up, and make them look a little more like rivers, and not trickles of water on top of something.
  • The neutral non-gameboard area is looking better, maybe play around with the tones of the brown.
  • What I really see hindering this map, is the horrible country division lines. They are thick, bold, black, and inconsistent in weight. The areas near the ocean, the islands at least, look like they are cutting into the ocean. And regarding the internal areas of the map, it looks like mini canyons. Those need some reworking I believe.
  • The connecting lines, bridges, also might need to be reworked. There are enough simple black lines on this map, and I think this map would benefit from a rework in that area.
  • The army shadows will need to be increased in size. They barely fit 2 digit numbers, and it is nice to have a bugger zone. I'm not too satisfied with how they look either...they look a little odd compared to the rest of the map.
  • Regarding the legend, the windmill actually distracts. I know it is a common item in the area, but I don't think it works very well, at least underneath the legend. Get rid of it. The continent names look better, but the numbers off to the side aren't so great. The circles don't look very professional, and the red on the red (Noord) and the blue on the blue (Zuid) doesn't help. I like the idea of the flag there, but unfortunately it interferes with the other items in the legend.
  • The title looks alright, but not the lion thing next to it. It doesn't fit, and is too bright at the moment. Also, your name, is hard to read. I like the idea of using the flag colors, but I think it is harder to read that way.
  • Lastly, the font is alright, but it's so plain and simple. I don't want you going out and getting a fancy script font, but can you show a map with a few test possiblities, other than this simple plain?
Now regarding a few other things:
  • There could be a problem with your names. Some are very long, and the drop down menu could be an issue. Is there any way to shorten a few of the names, such as Goeree Overflakkee and Schouwen Duiveland and Baronie van Breda and Land van Heusden...and a number of other countries in the south and around the map.
  • And as another user brought up, Utrecht is a problem. 2 countries...bonus of 2? It brings luck into the game, and people usually aren't a fan of it. Knock it down to 1, or break it up, and give the countries to another area.
  • Midden is a bonus of 4...as it Zuid. Zuid has 3 borders, and 7 countries. Midden has 4 borders and 6 countries. It seems a little off, bonus wise.
  • I'm not a huge fan of the 3 country continent, considering you can limit your borders to 3 (maybe even 2 if you hold West-Friesland and Overijssel) and get a bonus of 5. Compare that to other areas, and the power is unrivaled.

I think this map has a way to go, before Final Forge. :)


--Andy

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:59 pm
by Wisse
AndyDufresne wrote:Just to let you know, the more you ask for Final Forge, the longer I am going to put it off, and really scrutinize. :)


Looking at the latest map...I've got some points, visual first:
  • The ocean looks great, I think that is done. But your rivers don't look like rivers, at least the parts that connect into the non-gameboard area. Fix them up, and make them look a little more like rivers, and not trickles of water on top of something.
  • The neutral non-gameboard area is looking better, maybe play around with the tones of the brown.
  • What I really see hindering this map, is the horrible country division lines. They are thick, bold, black, and inconsistent in weight. The areas near the ocean, the islands at least, look like they are cutting into the ocean. And regarding the internal areas of the map, it looks like mini canyons. Those need some reworking I believe.
  • The connecting lines, bridges, also might need to be reworked. There are enough simple black lines on this map, and I think this map would benefit from a rework in that area.
  • The army shadows will need to be increased in size. They barely fit 2 digit numbers, and it is nice to have a bugger zone. I'm not too satisfied with how they look either...they look a little odd compared to the rest of the map.
  • Regarding the legend, the windmill actually distracts. I know it is a common item in the area, but I don't think it works very well, at least underneath the legend. Get rid of it. The continent names look better, but the numbers off to the side aren't so great. The circles don't look very professional, and the red on the red (Noord) and the blue on the blue (Zuid) doesn't help. I like the idea of the flag there, but unfortunately it interferes with the other items in the legend.
  • The title looks alright, but not the lion thing next to it. It doesn't fit, and is too bright at the moment. Also, your name, is hard to read. I like the idea of using the flag colors, but I think it is harder to read that way.
  • Lastly, the font is alright, but it's so plain and simple. I don't want you going out and getting a fancy script font, but can you show a map with a few test possiblities, other than this simple plain?
Now regarding a few other things:
  • There could be a problem with your names. Some are very long, and the drop down menu could be an issue. Is there any way to shorten a few of the names, such as Goeree Overflakkee and Schouwen Duiveland and Baronie van Breda and Land van Heusden...and a number of other countries in the south and around the map.
  • And as another user brought up, Utrecht is a problem. 2 countries...bonus of 2? It brings luck into the game, and people usually aren't a fan of it. Knock it down to 1, or break it up, and give the countries to another area.
  • Midden is a bonus of 4...as it Zuid. Zuid has 3 borders, and 7 countries. Midden has 4 borders and 6 countries. It seems a little off, bonus wise.
  • I'm not a huge fan of the 3 country continent, considering you can limit your borders to 3 (maybe even 2 if you hold West-Friesland and Overijssel) and get a bonus of 5. Compare that to other areas, and the power is unrivaled.
I think this map has a way to go, before Final Forge. :)


--Andy

i agree with everything, exept the utrecht bonus, andy look how many borders it has!

and if you want to seek fonts: dafont

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:15 pm
by Lone.prophet
first u though it was good and now i have 2 change half the map

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:36 pm
by AndyDufresne
You wanted me to comment I did. I don't like it when people try to rush maps through the process. :)


--Andy

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:47 pm
by nyg5680
yah its rly nice i like the diffrent colors and ho theypop out at u

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:12 pm
by boberz
i like utret it makes the map different. I agree with andy to get rid of lion but i like the mill in the background. I do like it though.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:16 pm
by Lone.prophet
AndyDufresne wrote:You wanted me to comment I did. I don't like it when people try to rush maps through the process. :)


--Andy


not u i meant wisse he said its good lets final forge or something in that direction and now he agrees with u

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:17 pm
by Lone.prophet
and the problem is some people liked the thick borders because it made the map clear and now ur will is law

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:20 pm
by boberz
i like thick borders. But andy is right they should all be even.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:21 pm
by Lone.prophet
Image

u like this border than?

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:43 pm
by happysadfun
That is horrible, mate. Somehow the quality went down betwee this one and the last.

[*]The font is small, illegible, and the white glow is annoying.
[*]The flag serves no purpose and may as well be goten rid of altogether.
[*]The windmill looks more like a bell with strings on top.
[*]The circles don't seem circular.
[*]The legend font looks like something fresh out of the petting zoo.
[*]The river blue and continent blue are way too similar.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:47 pm
by boberz
that one is terrible go back to the one before this and make the changes people suggested. btw is that the one you had on about page 10 that everyone complained about the font (especially me).

I apologise for seeming rude i thought you were being deliberately annoying. That is much better get rid of the lion and that is going to be ready for final forge IMO.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:53 pm
by Lone.prophet
posted wrong 1 sry this is it

Image

And i only did trhe border so anything else andy said is coming later

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 4:55 pm
by Lone.prophet
[*]The flag serves no purpose and may as well be goten rid of altogether.
I think it serves a purpose
[*]The windmill looks more like a bell with strings on top.
because in general they are bells with strings attached
[*]The circles don't seem circular.
i know
[*]The legend font looks like something fresh out of the petting zoo.
every body elsew liked it
[*]The river blue and continent blue are way too similar.
ohh, still u can get them appart so i think its good

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:05 pm
by Wisse
Lone.prophet wrote:
AndyDufresne wrote:You wanted me to comment I did. I don't like it when people try to rush maps through the process. :)


--Andy


not u i meant wisse he said its good lets final forge or something in that direction and now he agrees with u


i thought that, but i didn't saw all those things...

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:17 pm
by Lone.prophet
now comment my new thin border

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:11 pm
by AndyDufresne
The line border improves this map by leaps and bounds...now just look into all those other points. ;)


--Andy

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:51 am
by Wisse
you miss 2 black lines by zeeland ;)

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:47 pm
by Lone.prophet
what font u people like best ?

Image

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:56 pm
by Marvaddin
The one in Zuid Nederland to me.

Do you really want your sig almost unreadable?

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 2:56 pm
by Lone.prophet
ill look at my sig later

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:01 pm
by CaraLucia
Zuid Nederland has the best font

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:26 pm
by Wisse
i think the one in midden nederland

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 3:47 pm
by Guiscard
Great map. Zuid-Netherland is the best font in my opinion. I would implement andy's comment about the clue looking too similar to the colour of the sea. It is a little hard to distinguish. At first glance it can be confusing.