Mikko Kallio RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 |
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Disclaimer: I'm not one of the judges for round 2 (I only judge round 3) as such, I know nothing about round 2 rules this year -- the following is based on what I know about the previous years, when maps were part of the encounter round.
Over at the Freelance Forge, there's been some interesting discussion about maps, artistic merit in map design, and related subjects. While discussing maps with other freelancers, I realized that there are some interesting parallels between map design and rules design:
* Clear lines & map symbols are the equivalent of using the right formatting (bold typeface, caps in feat names, etc.) in stat blocks, etc. That's basic stuff -- but still very important, something every designer should learn early on in their freelancing career.
* Using interesting shapes, interesting terrain, variance in narrow and open spaces, and variance in elevation without making the map too complicated to read or draw on a flipmat (or turn into a professional map) is the equivalent of mojo, rules-fu, creativity and imagination.
* Creating a consistent, interesting theme for your map is the equivalent of making your magic items, monsters, etc. flavorful and evocative.
* Pretty textures, using colors for no other reason than to make the map colorful, and very minute details are a different beast--something a map reference doesn't need--the cartographer will take care of that part.
And lastly, knowing the people are visual creatures and often impatient, it really, really pays to make your map something that wows the viewer upon first glance. If your map takes two minutes or needs 100 words of accompanying text to figure out, you've already lost the game.
Comments, thoughts?
Mike Kimmel RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2013 Top 32 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8 |
All solid advice, Mikko. I like your comparisons to "formatting" and "mojo" in written design work.
Regarding colors, I typically use them in my map turnovers simply to distinguish one area or feature from another. I create my maps in photoshop, so it's fairly straightforward to "fill" certain areas with color (or very occasionally texture if warranted by the feature). I think in my RPGSS map last year I used texture to show that part of the terrain was "rotting" and thus hazardous, for example. So, if you're using colors or textures, my primary recommendation is that you do it with clarity in mind, rather than simply as a way to make your map pretty.
Mikko Kallio RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 |
Clay Clouser RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka Ixxix |
Mikko Kallio RPG Superstar 2014 Top 4, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32 , Dedicated Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 |
Felinus Star Voter Season 8 |
With two rounds including maps, I'm hoping Round 2 will be a regional or location map and Round 4 will be an encounter map.
It would make Round 4 slightly harder if they didn't get to use their previously generated map but would allow the judges to see talent at the world building level as well as the encounter level.
Jacob W. Michaels RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 aka motteditor |
I assume Round 4 will involve using Round 2 maps.
I think the other thing to remember -- and I say this as admittedly someone with no art skill -- is that this isn't cartography superstar. A map needs to be good enough to get the point across to a cartographer, not be a polished piece of work on its own, and I hope voters remember that. Sure, it's going to be tempting to vote for the prettiest/most professional, but I think that's not the only thing voters should be looking at.
Andrew Marlowe RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 16 , Marathon Voter Season 6, Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka Locke1520 |
Sure, it's going to be tempting to vote for the prettiest/most professional, but I think that's not the only thing voters should be looking at.
Something else for people to consider: I'm pretty sure at least one of the judges last year expressed a preference for hand drawn maps. But whether your map is hand drawn or generated on a computer make sure it is clear and easy to understand.
hewhocaves Star Voter Season 9 |
Jacob W. Michaels wrote:Sure, it's going to be tempting to vote for the prettiest/most professional, but I think that's not the only thing voters should be looking at.Something else for people to consider: I'm pretty sure at least one of the judges last year expressed a preference for hand drawn maps. But whether your map is hand drawn or generated on a computer make sure it is clear and easy to understand.
That's always good to hear. Map design should not necessarily mean photoshop skills.
Clay Clouser RPG Superstar 2014 Top 32 , Star Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Marathon Voter Season 9 aka Ixxix |
R D Ramsey Marathon Voter Season 6, Dedicated Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9 aka Clouds Without Water |
Christopher Rowe Contributor , Star Voter Season 8 |
Yeah, of all the rounds, the map round is the one that would be most outside my comfort zone.
You and me, both, friend.
I have a terrible hand at drafting and limited knowledge of the few graphics programs I own (which are probably either too basic for this kind of thing or way too complex for me to master in the short time given on the vanishingly small chance I should advance—I'm looking at you, GIMP).
I love maps, though. Love reading about them, love buying old maps to hang on the wall, love plotting bicycle routes using transportation usage maps, love everything about them. Heck, I was a finalist for the World Fantasy Award for a story called "Another Word For Map is Faith."
But ask me to draw one, and I'm scrambling.
pH unbalanced Dedicated Voter Season 7, Dedicated Voter Season 8, Dedicated Voter Season 9 |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Yeah, of all the rounds, the map round is the one that would be most outside my comfort zone.
Me too. I am an *extremely* non-visual person. Someone asked me once if I dreamed in color or black and white, and my answer was "sonar".
Fortunately, I have an excellent spacial sense, so I grok maps quite well. It's putting them into a visual medium that is going to be challenging.
Mystic Lemur Dedicated Voter Season 8 |
Brother Fen Star Voter Season 8 |