[Abandoned] - Battle of saratoga

[the.killing.44]

General Information:
Map Title: Battle of Saratoga
Cartographer: the.killing.44
Territories: 37
Continents: 8
Gameplay: Standard

Introduction:
This is a map designed off the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War. Nothing special except that two territories with the same color dot can attack / reinforce each other.

Gampeplay:
13 bonuses
2 types of impassables
2 types of connectors

Map:
[Most Recent Version]
v4.1 (12/4/08)
Large
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv41.jpg[/bigimg]
Small
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv41-1.jpg[/bigimg]

[Previous Versions]
v4 (12/3/08)
Large
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv4-1.jpg
Small
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv4.jpg

v3 (12/1/08)
Large
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv3.jpg
Small:
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv3-1.jpg

v2 (11/30/08)
Large:
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv2.jpg
Small:
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv2-1.jpg

v1 (11/30/08)
Large:
http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMap.jpg
Small
http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMap-1.jpg

[the.killing.44]

My only thought so far is that it could be too concentrated at the battle site. Possibly combine all _1+_2 into a single _?
I know it's a bit sloppy – I'll edit it if it's passed. (this is also my first map)

[oaktown]

Hooray, something new by somebody new!

The basic layout of the playing field is nice - square, rivers as impassables. But with only a few exceptions, every territory of every region is a border territory, making it next to impossible for anybody to actually put together a bonus - you may want to figure out how to make the regions less linear.

Keep playing with it and the graphics will hopefully get more and more sophisticated as you come up with ideas. And as you do so, please: more map, less legend!

[the.killing.44]

Yeah looking over it that stuck out to me. I will probably make more impassables – trees, barricades, etc. And I know about the legend. Maybe just expand the map? I'll toy around with it.

[neanderpaul14]

hey the.killing.44 ,

starting to look really good man. If you are looking for more impassables stone walls and wood lines were quite prevalent on that particular battlefield.Also the battle was actually fought in two phases: Bemis' Heights and Freeman's farm, I saw Bemis' there perhaps you could include Freeman's as well.

neanderpaul14

[the.killing.44]

Thanks, paul. I was grasping for terit names towards the end (leading to so many #s). Where was Freeman's on the battlefield exactly?

Also, I am almost done with v1.2 – includes impassable treelines and stone walls.

[the.killing.44]

Battle of Saratoga: v1.2
UPDATES:

• added treeline and stone walls as impassables
• added /\ and • to map key (deleted "water" and "bridge")
• changed "Far North" to "Freeman's Farm"
• changed "Creek Split" to "Creek Junct."

Large:
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv2.jpg[/bigimg]
Small:
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv2-1.jpg[/bigimg]

[the.killing.44]

Battle of Saratoga: v2
UPDATES:

• Added new texture to territories
• Made territory colors identical
• Renamed incorrect "F.D." (in both key and map) to "F.G."
• Renamed "British Forts" to "Freeman's Heights"
• Renamed "American Fort" to "Bemis Heights"
• Changed font color in Bemis Heights, A. Reserves, and Hudson from black to white

Large
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv3.jpg[/bigimg]

Small:
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv3-1.jpg[/bigimg]

Right now I'm thinking that making the territories' colors the same in each bonus is a good idea, but I'm not completely sold so I'd love some feedback on the matter (and the map in general). Also, I think I will change the American Army's type color to white, too (next version).

[neanderpaul14]

not 100% sure where exactly Freeman's farm was on the battlefield but where you have it directly opposite from the Bemis' Heights region kind of balances it out.

And BTW this map is starting to look sharp.PLEASE keep going

[the.killing.44]

Alright good. I researched a bit and saw that it was North, but it was only addressed vaguely.

v2.1 shortly
EDIT: scratch that. I'm making v3 with a whole new layout (catering to oaktown's "more map, less legend.") Probably out tomorrow evening.

[neanderpaul14]

cool man looking forward to seeing it

[the.killing.44]

Big update here.

Battle of Saratoga: v4
UPDATES:

a lot…

• changed entire map layout
• brought key all right side
• changed bridge graphic
• changed minimap
  …

Large
[bigimg]http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv4-1.jpg[/bigimg]

Small
[bigimg]http://s380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv4.jpg[/bigimg]

I'm pretty psyched for this v. I think it looks a ton better, others? The main things I'm up for criticism/debate/suggestions are bonuses, impassables, and the key, but anything's great.

***I realize it's nearly impossible to read the yellow type in the key. I'll change it next update***

[the.killing.44]

Battle of Saratoga: v4.1
UPDATES:

• added "88s"
• balanced out some legend text
• added flags next to titles
• edited bonuses (ty WidowMakers for your Excel doc)

Large
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv41.jpg[/bigimg]

Small
[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv41-1.jpg[/bigimg]

[sam_levi_11]

the army numbers are WAAAAY too small

[the.killing.44]

Something messed up when it uploaded to PhotoBucket. In the original file everything's much bigger. I'll see what I can figure out.

[neanderpaul14]

love the re-do man this is looking sharp

[The Neon Peon]

That texture is nowhere near beautiful to say the least.

You really need to decide on territory size. You have some very large territories, that take up more size than one 8 territory continent on the same map.

The text is hard to to read, and you can't even see the numbers on the army circles even on the large map. On the small, they are just a blob altogether.

Cut down on territories in the center, add territories on the outskirts, and increase the size of the army circles.

The green bonus is worth 5, but only has 4 territories? The pink one is worth 4 and has 3 territories? WAY too large amounts. Take off 3 from both numbers.

Why is the northern bonus worth 5? It has three defending territories, 4 maximum.

The river is very jagged, it needs to be smoothened out, but that small stream you have going into the blue territory is well done. The Bridges need help as well.

It took me 5 minutes to notice that small circle that signifies a fort. That needs to be a whole lot larger, and the circle will probably need to change to something that remotely signifies a fort.

[the.killing.44]

That texture is nowhere near beautiful to say the least.

What kind do you suggest? Just more plain with faded outline?

You really need to decide on territory size. You have some very large territories, that take up more size than one 8 territory continent on the same map.

Yeah I know this was the hardest thing to do because the battle was so centered. Should I separate the big ones or combine the small ones, do you think?

The text is hard to to read, and you can't even see the numbers on the army circles even on the large map. On the small, they are just a blob altogether.

Like I said before, when I uploaded the file something messed up the numbers and some of the text. I changed some of it, still working on it.

Cut down on territories in the center, add territories on the outskirts, and increase the size of the army circles.

Yep.

The green bonus is worth 5, but only has 4 territories? The pink one is worth 4 and has 3 territories? WAY too large amounts. Take off 3 from both numbers.

Why is the northern bonus worth 5? It has three defending territories, 4 maximum.

I used WidowMaker's bonus tool for this, so that's the reason for the bonus numbers. That's the thing that's changed pretty much every update and probably will for some time.

The river is very jagged, it needs to be smoothened out, but that small stream you have going into the blue territory is well done. The Bridges need help as well.

Okay, I think the outline tool added to the jagged-ness. Thanks for the creek, though.
The bridges were a last-second afterthought. I will put more time into them for v5.

It took me 5 minutes to notice that small circle that signifies a fort. That needs to be a whole lot larger, and the circle will probably need to change to something that remotely signifies a fort.

I thought I had something in the key that said the jagged lines w/ the dot were forts … but alas no. I will look over it again.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

[The Neon Peon]

You need to do both. Those territories on the outskirts are WAY too large for any map we currently have in CC. They are at least 4 times as large as some of the largest I can think of. Divide those, combine the middle ones.

Also, why not save the file as a jpg? I have no clue how that could possibly mess up text. If all else fails, even a screenshot... how in the world did you manage to have it do that?

[the.killing.44]

It is a .jpg, I think PhotoBucket compressed the file so it squishes up.

Also, the Parade Grounds in 'The Citadel' is pretty huge, but I hear you and will fix that. I do have a huge test for applications tomorrow so I won't be able to work on it tonight. Look for a Sunday update.

Also, what do you suggest for the texture?

[the.killing.44]

Battle of Saratoga: v5.0.5
UPDATES:
***this is only the map graphics***

No minimap, no title, no impassables, this is just a preview to see what I need to fix. I know: the lines are faint, I'm missing one territory name. I want to see what people think about the bonuses (I've written them below the image) and the revised territories.

[bigimg]http://i380.photobucket.com/albums/oo248/jpeavy44/SaratogaMapv505.jpg[/bigimg]

Yellow :: Freeman's Heights :: 4
Olive Green :: Hudson :: 3
Light Green :: British Reserve :: 4
Gray :: West :: 2
Indigo :: American Reserve :: 3
Blue :: American Army :: 5
Red :: British Army :: 6
Pink :: Wheat Fields :: 4
Brown :: Bemis Heights :: 2

[sailorseal]

Jake this map is really great. I preferred your old legend but what do I know. I also liked that rough texture you had. But over all I think this is a great map.

[the.killing.44]

I am going to wait on this map until something happens with Korea which I like a ton better (v3 coming soon is muchas betteras).

[oaktown]

Filed away in the bin as per the mapmaker's request.

[koalaking123]

Great Looks awesome you made a sweet map