Greenland [Quenched]

[the.killing.44]

GREENLAND



What You Need to Know
Map Name: Greenland
Cartographer: the.killing.44
Continent Count: 6
Territory Count: 32 (and 3 neutral ice routes)

[bigimg]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq219/the-killing/Greenland/Greenlandv32L.jpg[/bigimg]
[bigimg]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq219/the-killing/Greenland/Greenlandv32S.jpg[/bigimg]

=======================================================

XML
http://h1.ripway.com/killing44/GreenX.xml

ORIGINAL POST
[spoiler=Original Post]Now that Korea is in the Main Foundry, and since I haven't seen any attempt at this that got very far (if there was any attempt at all), I thought I'd have my go at this. Open gameplay, but I don't think there's a need for impassable borders (yet) as the regions are pretty isolated from one another. So here ya go…

[bigimg]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq219/the-killing/Greenland/Greenlandv1-1.jpg[/bigimg]

Things I'm sold on (will stay unless a lot of conflict)

• Graphic style (i.e. font, color scheme, etc.)
• Polar bear (coat of arms)
• I quite like the title

Things I want to fix (suggs!)

• Dead space … very right-heavy (I will move name to the right and crop it … see what that does)

Starter Discussion Points (in rough order of importance (IMO)

• Texture/skin (whatever you wanna call it) of the unsettled area in the middle
• Graphics of connections?
• Area around map (i.e. map is "floating" … I tried Iceland — didn't work. Didn't try adding Canada with low opacity … yet.
• Territories … right now it is 33 but I had it at 29 previously and got it up to as much as 35. Could make it 36 if needed.

Whatta you guys think?[/spoiler]
.44

[the.killing.44]

Previous Versions:

Version 29 (Large) — May 7th
Version 29 (Small) — May 7th
[spoiler=v29 updates]
• nitpicks
[/spoiler]
Version 28 (Large) — May 5th
Version 28 (Small) — May 5th
[spoiler=v28 updates]
• nitpicks
[/spoiler]
Version 27 (Large) — May 3rd
Version 27 (Large) — May 3rd
[spoiler=v27 updates]
• redid minimap
• fixed nitpicks
• small map up
[/spoiler]
Version 26 (Large) — May 1st
[spoiler=v26 updates]
• updated gameplay
• moved sig over, put quote back
• removed route note
[/spoiler]
Version 25 (Large) — Apr. 29th
[spoiler=v25 updates]
• no plane
• removed quote & unitalicized Ice Routes
• other stuff?
Version 24 (Large) — Apr. 24th
[spoiler=v24 updates]
• moved sea route (with added note) and borders around (mostly Kujalleq)
• chucked Kangerlussuaq
• bonus changes
• moving stuff around…
[/spoiler]
Version 23 (Large) — Apr. 16th
Version 23 (Small) — Apr. 16th
[spoiler=v23 Updates]
• changed two bonus values
• nitpicks
[/spoiler]
Version 22 (Large) — Apr. 16th
Version 22 (Small) — Apr. 16th
[spoiler=v22 updates]
• redone bonuses
• redone territories
• nitpicks
[/spoiler]
Version 21 (Large) — Apr. 13th
Version 21 (Small) — Apr. 13th
[spoiler=v21 updates]
• border n' bonus changes
[/spoiler]
Version 20 (Large) — Apr. 11th
Version 20 (Small) — Apr. 11th
[spoiler=v20 updates]
• after talking with gimil, he came up with these connections and I think they're great, others?
• note on the left
• decreased opacity of Ice Routes note
• small version!
Version 19 (Large) — Apr. 10th
[spoiler=v19 updates]Updates:

• old routes
• changed the note on the right (glow with noise & gradient to match the map's one)
[/spoiler]
Version 18 (Large) — Apr. 9th
[spoiler=v18 updates]Updates:

• layout changes
• small things
[/spoiler]
Version 17 (Large) — Apr. 5th
[spoiler=v17 updates]Updates:

• decaying ice territories
• small graphic changes
[/spoiler]
Version 16 (Large) — Apr. 1st
[spoiler=v16 updates]
• changed connections around
[/spoiler]
Version 15 (Large) — Mar. 30
[spoiler=v15 updates]Updates:

• bear re-texturized (and un-over-contrasted )
• less opaque gradient
• Moruisaq connects to Nuuk
[/spoiler]
Version 14 (Large) — Mar. 26th
[spoiler=v14 updates]
• mibi.
• texture on minimap
[/spoiler]
Version 13 (Large) — Mar. 19th
[spoiler=v13 updates]
• toned down Kujalleq
• changed some colors
[/spoiler]
Version 12 (Large) — Mar. 18th
[spoiler=v12 updates]
• changed Kujalleq to +3
• toned down Peary Land color
• moved crap around
[/spoiler]
Version 11 (Large) — Mar. 17th
[spoiler=v11 updates]Updates:

• new names
• resized & reorganized (it's 800x700px)
• fixed borders
• played around with a lot of stuff
[/spoiler]
Version 10 (Large) — Mar. 12th
[spoiler=v10 updates]
• army shadows
• fixed borders
[/spoiler]
Version 9 (Large) — Mar. 12th
[spoiler=v9 updates]
• army circles!
• fixed some borders
• fooled around with the ice — thoughts?
[/spoiler]
Version 8 (Large) — Mar. 9th
[spoiler=v8 updates]
• re-added texture to land
• messed around with layer modes, opacity, etc.
• combined Sermiligaaq and Kangikajik for 32 terts
• made Illo. a darker color
• redid title
[/spoiler]
Version 7 (Large) — Mar. 7th
[spoiler=v7 updates]
• 32 terts
• touched up icecap
• touched up all but one (i think) color mess-up
• renamed ice cap in minimap
• redid title
• added real bonus numbers
[/spoiler]
Version 6 (Large) — Mar. 6th
[spoiler=v6 updates]
• increased minimap size
• added native name
• got rid of water body names (too much like Iceland IMO, and didn't look great)
• added anthem translation
• messed around with grunge and layer styles
• shrunk minimap & added title
• new icecap
[/spoiler]
Version 5 (Large) — Mar. 5th
[spoiler=v5 updates]
• increased minimap size
• added texture & burn & drop shadow & bevel
• fixed water body names
• added anthem name
• took opacity on glacier overlay down
• cropped image … again
[/spoiler]
Version 4 (Large) — Mar. 3rd
[spoiler=v4 updates]
• added minimap
• took away region names from the land
• took away all but two water body names
• added Nuuk ‹—› Moriusaq connection
[/spoiler]
Version 3 (Large) — Mar. 2nd
[spoiler=v3 updates]
• different ice cap
• redid some borders (for GP & army no. purposes)
• changed "Nat. Park" to "Nurdø…"
• added names of bordering water bodies
• changed name placement around
[/spoiler]
Version 2 (Large) — Feb. 26th
[spoiler=v2 updates]
• rearranged map (tilted, redone bonus names, etc.)
• made ice cap more realistic
• small changes of borders
• note for assault route[/spoiler]
  Version 1 (Large) — Feb. 20th

.44

[the.killing.44]

MrBenn
Hey,
It's a good draft...
My initial comments will be graphical:
The map seems to be unecessarily wide, and there is too much space devoted to the legend.
Yes, I know. I'm moving everything to the center and cropping it.
I'm not sold on the texture you've got on the unplayable area.
That was the hardest thing, and neither am I.
People are likely to look at it and see a 'floating' map, as it seems to jump out from the background a bit.
…
I love the polar bear though
I like it as well
Gameplay-wise, I haven't had too much of a close look - post it into the drafting room and see what people think...

MrBenn

.44

EDIT: Shoulda said that this was via PM … v look below v

[MrBenn]

Before people start asking questions, I did say those things via PM earlier today

[The Neon Peon]

You need to reduce the opacity of the continent names.

And there is something wrong with the text... I don't know, what but it seems out of of place. Might be just me, but can you try out a different font?

Those are my only comments at the moment.

[the.killing.44]

I'll lower the opacity. And hmm, I liked the font. But:



Any of em? I couldn't find a different style besides the one that oak+gimil are using for Mars and calligraphy, which I don't think fits at all.

.44

[miniwally]

how did you get the connections they seem random to me maybe you could actually find how Greenland usually get to other side somehow just a thought.

[Industrial Helix]

* Texture/skin (whatever you wanna call it) of the unsettled area in the middle:
Add mountains or a glacier or something. Frost effect?
* Graphics of connections?
You've got to do something I didn't even realize they were connections until you said something. Make them wavy or add arrows?
* Area around map (i.e. map is "floating" … I tried Iceland — didn't work. Didn't try adding Canada with low opacity … yet.
I think it looks fine.
* Territories … right now it is 33 but I had it at 29 previously and got it up to as much as 35. Could make it 36 if needed.
OK by me, I think.

Other comments:

You've got the dead space, move the continent Illoqqortoormiut closer to the dead space and scoot the terr names over to the right. Then you can fit the seaside terroitories inside the provinces.

National Park needs to be scooted so the N isnt over a border. Maybe shift the borders as well? Also, could you name it whatever the Greenland language name for National Park is?

That's all I have for now. Best of luck, its a good lookin map so far.

[tlane]

i think this map looks great

i would figure out someway to make the middle look more like ice, maybe ice mountains

tlane

[the.killing.44]

Alright:
The Neon Peon:
You need to reduce the opacity of the continent names.
Done.
And there is something wrong with the text... I don't know, what but it seems out of of place. Might be just me, but can you try out a different font?
Hmm … any of the ones I posted above?

miniwally:
how did you get the connections they seem random to me maybe you could actually find how Greenland usually get to other side somehow just a thought.
I did the connections based upon what I thought would be good for gameplay. From my research, the north of Greenland is mainly uninhabitable, and the northeast consists of a couple towns and research stations. Some of the names used there are of mountains, because the cities/towns of Greenland are more than 75% in the Narsaq-Upernavik area.

Industrial Helix:
Add mountains or a glacier or something. Frost effect?
I'll experiment with stuff.
You've got to do something I didn't even realize they were connections until you said something. Make them wavy or add arrows?
Alright … umm I'll take a look at arrows, maybe a solid line going into each territory would help?
I think it looks fine.
Good
OK by me, I think.
Alright. I think this is an issue mainly for later in development.
You've got the dead space, move the continent Illoqqortoormiut closer to the dead space and scoot the terr names over to the right. Then you can fit the seaside terroitories inside the provinces.
I'm a bit confused here … by the dead space I'm referring to the amount of blank water around the map. But I'll look into moving the names around.
National Park needs to be scooted so the N isnt over a border. Maybe shift the borders as well?
Done.
Also, could you name it whatever the Greenland language name for National Park is?
Can't find a translator … be much abliged if someone could

tlane
i would figure out someway to make the middle look more like ice, maybe ice mountains
Like I said before, I'll experiment with things.

Keep 'em coming!
.44

[edbeard]

I'll come back later for a full look but get rid of the tongue. Get rid of it. please.


Perhaps you could turn this into a Polar Bear map? research their locations, movements, and all that good stuff. at least do the very preliminary "can I find a map that shows where polar bears live in this area and can it be made into a map?" if no to either thing in the "" then you know it's not possible right away.

[the.killing.44]

edbeard
I'll come back later for a full look but get rid of the tongue. Get rid of it. please.
It's the Greenlandic coat of arms — I wonder if it would be too big a deal to get rid of it.
Perhaps you could turn this into a Polar Bear map? research their locations, movements, and all that good stuff. at least do the very preliminary "can I find a map that shows where polar bears live in this area and can it be made into a map?" if no to either thing in the "" then you know it's not possible right away.
Cool thought, I found these quickly:

[bigimg]http://www.animalfactguide.com/images/maps/map_polarbear.png[/bigimg]

.44

[SultanOfSurreal]

I'd like to see the ice cap made into a region in and of itself. The individual territories could be the major glaciers in the area.

[LED ZEPPELINER]

honestly ide just like to see a simple greenland map, not turning it into anything fancy like polarbear inhabitation or anything

[Mr. Squirrel]

honestly ide just like to see a simple greenland map, not turning it into anything fancy like polarbear inhabitation or anything

amen to that

[LED ZEPPELINER]

maybe ocean connections like Iceland, instead of accross land connections, this might help to also take up some of your useless space

[the.killing.44]

maybe ocean connections like Iceland, instead of accross land connections, this might help to also take up some of your useless space

It's kind of hard to make connections between land-locked territories seaborne, dontcha think

.44

[LED ZEPPELINER]

maybe ocean connections like Iceland, instead of accross land connections, this might help to also take up some of your useless space

It's kind of hard to make connections between land-locked territories seaborne, dontcha think

.44

i was thinking change it to the costal territories

[the.killing.44]

maybe ocean connections like Iceland, instead of accross land connections, this might help to also take up some of your useless space

It's kind of hard to make connections between land-locked territories seaborne, dontcha think

.44

i was thinking change it to the costal territories

Well then there would be only one connection, and the map would be ridiculously Iceland-esque.

.44

[LED ZEPPELINER]

maybe ocean connections like Iceland, instead of accross land connections, this might help to also take up some of your useless space

It's kind of hard to make connections between land-locked territories seaborne, dontcha think

.44

i was thinking change it to the costal territories

Well then there would be only one connection, and the map would be ridiculously Iceland-esque.

.44

whats wrong with icelandesque, when i think iceland i think greenland and wehn i think greenland, i think iceland (then again im a little crazy) but the way your map is set up now, it is put together the way the iceland map is

[the.killing.44]

General Rules
1. A map should be ‘inherently unique either in gameplay, location, or theme’.

.44

[RjBeals]

[bigimg]http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq219/the-killing/Greenland/Greenlandv1-1.jpg[/bigimg]

Nice first draft TK. Colors look great. The white territ names also add a nice "cold" touch. The polar bear is also nice, however it may take up too much room. I would suggest making it maybe smaller. You don't that extra 1/3 space on the right side where the legend / bear are. The map is the most important. The ocean already is top notch. The territ colors also. I like this draft. I know you say you like the title, but it's too large for me. This map could be really cut down in size if you resize some of the objects and reposition them.

Now - isn't like 99% of Greenland a glacier? I'm not sure I would have picked Greenland to make a CC map out of, but you have, so I'll leave it at that. Are your borders made up or based off something? I think you need to represent the glacier better. Sort of like I did Iceland. You need to scrap that blue swirl in the center, and make it a white glacier. Not just plain white, but put some texture in it. It may take some work, but I think you'll get more positive feedback if you do.

Personally, I'm not a fan of curving the region names ontop/behind the entire region. Oaktown does that a lot. It's really hard to get it to look good. I think for this map, I would prefer a minimap. There's nothing wrong with them. It helps the colorblind people as well.

As noted already - the straight dotted connection lines look funny. I would try some alternative connectors. Dotted lines are fine, but maybe curve them a bit. Maybe once you add the glaciers, make the dotted lines curve over the glaciers, to give the illusion of some height.

Finally - I think a few extra touches would be nice. Minimal of course, but some drop shadows, glows, maybe bevels & such. It looks very flat now. Not bad, but I think some more efx could go far with this map.

Overall - excellent first draft. This is a nice one. Good work.

[Dr.Winnerman]

I think it is very good! the only thing, as i told you before, that i am not jumping for joy over are the fonts. I think that "dead" region's texture is nice, and i like the connections between the regions

[LED ZEPPELINER]

savissivik and ilulissat are both grey when all the other territ names are white

[BrendanGillis]

Nice start but a few things need addressing.

Firstly, you gotta get rid of the 'continent' names from the playable area. While the territory names are all very legible, the continent names are very hard to read and just look generally messy. I think the suggestion someone had about using a mini-map map is your best bet, and may help fill up some dead space as well. Alternatively, you could try kinda curving them around the shoreline but they may entail moving the tert names that are currently over water. Also, it'd be nice if you could keep Ilulissat, Savissivik, and Sisimiut the same color as the rest (the white tert names do help with the icy-feel), but with the current background color in Upernavik I can see how that will be a problem.

Secondly, the ice-cap needs to look more like an icecap, and the connections across need to bend more. I like someone's suggestion of placing territories on the ice cap itself, but barring that, rj beals suggestion of contouring them around whatever glacier features you come up with would look way better.

Thirdly, the polar bear looks good but is way too big. Also, technically speaking the Greenland coat of arms is a polar bear on a blue shield, and throwing that in behind him wouldn't hurt I don't think (a metallic blue instead of the flat azure that is traditionally used could look cool).

Lastly, the bonuses are way off (not that that is important at this stage) and the legend needs some work to make it more visually appealing.

But all in all, this is a pretty good start. Keep it up.