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Inside the Glacier
Looks like a decent map reference at first glance.
There is a compass rose and a scale.
Shapes of the rooms and tunnels are nicely organic shaped.
Important elements are spelled out using color, small notes here and there and a small key.
Everything is on this map reference that is need to make this map easy for final map illustration.
I do recommend this map to progress to round 3
Contributor
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The Good
"Encroaching Lava"? That's just badass! Points for tickling my GM senses.
I like the gimmick of the dungeon layout changing over time; very creative and difficult to pull off, but I think it works in this case.
The shapes are very organic and feel like a cave.
There is a key, scale, and compass.
Despite the myriad levels and complicated layout here, the map is fairly easy to read. I'd need a higher-resolution version to be able to make out any of the text, but otherwise it looks fairly easy to turn into a finished map
The Bad
The font is far too small to be legible at this resolution.
While the room shapes are unique and the overall concept behind the dungeon is interesting, most of the rooms themselves feel a little sparse, like there isn't much to do here besides close with a monster and swing your sword.
My Judgement
A really interesting idea, communicated fairly well. I weakly recommend this entry for advancement to the next round.
Modules Overlord
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Drawing from my blog on maps, and the rules for the round, I’ll judge the maps on a number of questions.
Is It a Full Page Map?
Two-linked half-page maps, but of the same location so that's fine.
Does The Map Have A Compass Rose and Scale? Are They Used Well?
Yes, and no.
I don’t require north be at the top of the map if there's a good reason not to… but there's no good reason here. If you don't need north to be somewhere else, put it at the top. And no matter where you put it, have the N be right-side up!
Is The Map A Place I Want To Adventure?
Heck yeah! First, the interior of a glacier is just brimming with adventure ideas. Second, if you change the map on players after an hour, you are suddenly warning them that anything could happen. It's another element of the adventure flavor, and I like that a lot.
Is the Map Clear?
Yes.
Is the Map Detailed?
I'd like to see more, this has a lot of blank open space. That said, I am mindful that with multiple levels of tunnel represented on one map (something Paizo has done before)m if you add too much other stuff you may lose clarity. I think in the end this map is just inside acceptable in this regard.
Is the Map Imaginative?
This is mapping as a way to convey a changing state as an integral part of an adventure. Now, we might or might do something that that – it would depend on the exact adventure and the reasoning offered. But we'd okay it or nix it long before a map got sketched, so offering a new idea we might pass on certainly doesn't count against the designer. I think it's a creative use of maps, and I like seeing out-of-the-box thinking with Superstars.
I do recommend this map for advancement to Round 3.
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You had me at "encroaching lava."
Thanks for the feedback! I'll make sure to take it into account in future projects and, in particular, if I make the top 8 of this competition.
I have a partial response to some of the things Crystal said but I'm worried it might violate the contest rules. Nothing nasty or anything, just that it could (though it would be a stretch) be interpreted as "clarifying" matters, though it's of a purely technical nature and not directly about the content of the map. Can I make that point here, or should I take it to PMs? I'd prefer here in case others have the same concerns.
Thanks for the feedback! I'll make sure to take it into account in future projects and, in particular, if I make the top 8 of this competition.
I have a partial response to some of the things Crystal said but I'm worried it might violate the contest rules. Nothing nasty or anything, just that it could (though it would be a stretch) be interpreted as "clarifying" matters, though it's of a purely technical nature and not directly about the content of the map. Can I make that point here, or should I take it to PMs? I'd prefer here in case others have the same concerns.
Just let your work stand on its own. No public statements. There's always time later.
I like the idea of a dynamic map, but I find myself wondering why the presence of the PCs causes it to melt. Also, what does it look like at 30 minutes?
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When looking at any map, I always ask: Could this be improved by lava? Could this be improved by launching it into space?
And it seems you've answered one of those questions already with: "Yes". I like it.
The lava is definitely a cool idea, I just wish there were more interesting things, features, or something else going on beside the lava flow. Still, it's a contender.
RPG Superstar 2014 Top 16
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Marathon Voter Season 7, Marathon Voter Season 8
aka Jrcmarine
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Ha! Another entry that is similar to an idea I had. My second choice for maps was indeed an Ice Berg! Wow! I really like the idea of the changing map. That is not something I would have had in my map and it shows some great outside the box thinking.
Great idea, even if the execution was as spot on as I would like.
Loving this.
Dynamic map - check.
Interesting environment - check.
Slight indication to PCs of impending doom - check.
North not pointing to top - check.
Shows that sometimes irregular walls and a really cool (pun intended) idea is all you need. And I don't even really know what in all the icy hells there have ever been imagined runs around this place….
Design chops evident.
It is indeed safest to not make any public statements about your work until after voting is over.
Very well.
What about commenting on the other entries, just the way any other person on the boards might? I've had a couple of people tell me in PMs that this is against the rules, but I've gone over the rules and FAQs and I don't see any rule this violates. The e-mail informing me I'd made the top 32 also encouraged getting involved and being part of the community, which is what I'm trying to do with those particular comments. If there's any problem, though, I will happily delete or edit them.
Admittedly, this map visually fell a little flat at first, but the time elapse dimension is very interesting. You certainly have my vote, however, by attempting such a bold and clever idea. Well done!
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It is indeed safest to not make any public statements about your work until after voting is over.Very well.
What about commenting on the other entries, just the way any other person on the boards might? I've had a couple of people tell me in PMs that this is against the rules, but I've gone over the rules and FAQs and I don't see any rule this violates. The e-mail informing me I'd made the top 32 also encouraged getting involved and being part of the community, which is what I'm trying to do with those particular comments. If there's any problem, though, I will happily delete or edit them.
As far as I know, it's not explicitly against the rules, but in past years some voters have said such comments bias them against the contestant, even when the comments are wholly positive. If they're even slightly critical, the dislike increases. Best not to for that reason alone.
As far as I know, it's not explicitly against the rules, but in past years some voters have said such comments bias them against the contestant, even when the comments are wholly positive. If they're even slightly critical, the dislike increases. Best not to for that reason alone.It is indeed safest to not make any public statements about your work until after voting is over.Very well.
What about commenting on the other entries, just the way any other person on the boards might? I've had a couple of people tell me in PMs that this is against the rules, but I've gone over the rules and FAQs and I don't see any rule this violates. The e-mail informing me I'd made the top 32 also encouraged getting involved and being part of the community, which is what I'm trying to do with those particular comments. If there's any problem, though, I will happily delete or edit them.
Well, if that's true, that's a good point. I probably hadn't thought about it enough from that perspective.
BEEP BOOP zoom in WHIRRRR enhance CLICKwhirrrCLICK enhance BEEP BOOP!! Can't read map text; no data!
8th map I have seen, your current rank is 4th.
A dynamic map is a very cool concept and I like the way your map changes as the lava interacts with the ice of the glacier opening up new passageways and closing off others. There are a lot of neat design elements here and cool visual images. I like that a lot.
You are suffering a little for your double-map in that the resolution that it has been set at makes it hard for us on the boards to read. I can pick out most of the words and numbers, but place names are all but impossible to make out. That's a little frustrating, but not really your fault. The compass rose is a little wonky and should be straightened out. You should only shift north away from the top of the map if there is a reason for it.
I was on the fence about this not because of the quality of the work but rather because it was so difficult for me to read the map as it is presented. In the end I am voting for it as one of my selections, as that has nothing to do with your work and I can read enough to get what is going on.
My favorite thing: Echoing what everyone else has said, this map changing over time is a cool concept. I tried to do this when I was thinking of concepts for round 2, and I gave up because I couldn't make it work. You made it work.
Other things I like: The elevation information is given in a manner that is easy to understand, which is super important to pull off this map.
My least favorite thing(s): I only have minor quibbles for this map, the text is too small (easy fix), it's empty of detail (because the point of this map is its gimmick, not its contents), I think 60 minutes is a little too long of a time lapse (another easy fix, or maybe it's appropriate given the cave's contents)
Will I vote for it: Yes I will.
Challenge: Is this map difficult to execute? Does it in my opinion demonstrate the characteristics of a Superstar designer?
Technique: Did the designer show some skill and consideration in the choices made on the map. Are the words used in the key wise choices that add to the overall utility of the map?
Utility: Can a GM/cartographer make sense of the map and make immediate use of it?
Overall:[b] I'll rate the Map as an A for strong recommends B for weak recommends C on the bubble D for weak rejects F for Do not recommends
Challenge: You took on dynamic map with a time element... That's superstar thinking
Technique: I've seen less professional looking maps in 3PP material this would not take much for a cartographer to raise to Paizo level standards.
Utility: I would have trouble doing this justice, I'd print rather than try to draw it myself. Kudos.
Overall: Solid A rating as in I'd recommend this for advancement.
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Biggest problem is I can't read it easily at all, that is a resolution issue.
Biggest story problem for me is the lava, cause that would melt ice fast I presume so does that mean that if the players take too long rooms have melted away? I could be wrong I'm unfamiliar with the interaction of glaciers and lava.
Really, most of the rooms should be completely dark because the fog from melting ice.
Very cool- a dynamic map, done in one. I almost think this should be (in final form) two separate maps rather than one, but I get why you went with combining them here, in order to get the concept across. The map tells a story, provides great encounter ideas along with a time sensitive dilemma, and is a three dimensional map to boot (having overlapping cavern elevations). Not to mention the various environmental factors that will come into play; you've got cold, heat, lava, probably (as someone noted) smoke.
A lot to do with this map! Definitely one of my favorites!
EDIT: I was just thinking another cool way to do this map (and I'm not sure Paizo or really anyone could or would be able to do it), would be to present it as an overlay map with a special transparency page in the adventure that would represent the dynamic changes on top of the printed interior page (or cover).
Like others, I'm impressed with the dynamics of this map. I said one of the things I was looking for was motion in the maps, and this effectively provides that, with the map itself changing. That's Superstar ambition.
Focusing a little more on the individual maps, I'm a touch less excited. You do have non-rectangular shapes and the areas appear to be big enough to have interesting fights. That said, they also look like random shapes; now, with ice tunnels that's to be expected, but it doesn't let me know what you could do with a more traditional dungeon.
Still, I think your ambition and the changing nature of your map does overshadow the rest of that and will propel you to Round 3. I'm curious to see what you'll do there; and -- if Round 4 does require use of the Round 2 maps, if and how this melting glacier will be used.
On a side note, I don't think the fog needs to show up at all in the map. Illumination should be included in the writeup about the area but usually wouldn't be indicated on the map. After all, the designer still maps rooms even if they're in a dark dungeon underground...
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Modules Overlord
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What about commenting on the other entries, just the way any other person on the boards might? I've had a couple of people tell me in PMs that this is against the rules, but I've gone over the rules and FAQs and I don't see any rule this violates.
It's not against the rules of the context.
There are certainly people who feel it is unwise, for reasons given above. I don't have a position on that.
I do think it's important as a potential freelancer to consider how people might interpret (or misinterpret) anything and everything you say. But that's true of every potential freelancer (I don't see any reason you'd need special warning on this point), and in all circumstances (not just when in a contest).
Online in many ways you are who your words paint you to be.
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I have a problem with this map: Visual aids are supposed to clarify the situation. And this looks overly complicated to me, trying to be interesting to a fault. For example, North is to the south-west; I'd say that the map could easily be printed in landscape, eliminating the need of re-thinking which direction is where. Also, overlapping areas are very cool - but difficult to express clearly without adding noise.
What about commenting on the other entries, just the way any other person on the boards might? I've had a couple of people tell me in PMs that this is against the rules, but I've gone over the rules and FAQs and I don't see any rule this violates.It's not against the rules of the context.
There are certainly people who feel it is unwise, for reasons given above. I don't have a position on that.
I do think it's important as a potential freelancer to consider how people might interpret (or misinterpret) anything and everything you say. But that's true of every potential freelancer (I don't see any reason you'd need special warning on this point), and in all circumstances (not just when in a contest).
Online in many ways you are who your words paint you to be.
As always, thanks for the feedback. As fun as it would be to go through and comment systematically like I was planning to at one point, I think I'll keep my beak shut about other entries unless I have something glowingly positive to say, and even then I'll try to think through the wording more than I would for a typical messageboard post.
The text is simply too small to read. Seems like you drew this much bigger and then shrunk it down to fit the demands, but forgot to make sure it was still readable. And that's just careless.
Still, the idea is excellent. I'd love to knock my players out during this adventure - perhaps as a result of one of those explosions probably resulting from lava - and then throw the second map open in front of them and watch them panic. I can see it already.
That being said, I'm not a huge fan of maps where numerous tunnels crisscross like this. It's a natural phenomenon and this map is a good representation of that, but it makes it harder to run games if you're using printed maps and not redrawing it yourself. Now I'd have to photoshop the dashed lines away to avoid spoilers. Or, more likely I'd claim that the ice is see-through and that the players can vaguely see the underlying tunnels. But you can only do that here because it's ice.
I also would have liked some indication about what the actual adventure would have been like. Now the caves are numbered, but no explanation is given. At least I think so.
One of the best ideas this round, but the rest of the design is a bit too open to wow. I'll go with maybe.
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Modules Overlord
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Official Round 2 Note: On Map Resolution
We’ve had some comments on legibility of smaller type on the maps, and the contestants are (by the rules of the contest), not allowed to clarify anything, so I want to make a general statement about maps and resolution.
When we required all contestants to present maps at a specific dpi and size, we did so because in past years we’ve had some issues with maps (for the encounter round) being sent to us in different sizes, resolutions, and dpi, making it difficult to give them all a high-quality presentation for the contest. We found that asking for a higher dpi than we’ll use in the end allowed us to create a standard of presentation that kept all images crisp and clean. For encounter-round maps, this has worked well.
Unfortunately, since this round requires all text be provided on the maps themselves, many contestants used the dpi and size standards we required as the basis for making sure their text is clear, and otherwise tried to keep words as small as possible so as to not clutter their maps. This was done in the (reasonable) belief that the maps should look good at the size we asked for, rather than in any different size we might present on our website. When resized for smaller, high-quality images, this can result in words that aren’t clearly legible.
We’ve made a change to rescale everything to the higher end of maximum image size for uploaded images for all maps that were entered this round. This should allow for better legibility for voters when selecting their favorite maps to advance in the contest. It is our fault that this process was not properly communicated to our contestants, so consider this when adjusting or finalizing your selections.
Obviously, we’ll explain what is going to happen to the images of maps, and how to allow for it, more clearly in future rounds (and future contests). My apologies to any contestant with a map that has suffered as a result of how we handled scaling in this round.
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I already really liked this map and voted for it, but now that I can read the text I like it even more. There were a lot of details I missed in the map text to make this an even more dynamic encounter than it was previously. I highly recommend everyone (especially those who didn't vote for it) to take a second look.
There are a lot of things wong with this map. I think encroaching lava this close would do more damage to ice, for starters. And all the stuff mentioned above. That being said, I have looked at a third of the contestants so far and this is the first where the map smells like danger. I like danger. A map should suggests challenges. I would be surprised if this one is not ending up in my votes.
First off: Congratulations on making Round 2, and the best of luck in the votes!
Coolness: Do I look at this, and want to use it in a game? Does it provoke wonder or amazement? Does it hold potential for interesting encounters, adventures or roleplay? How much mileage does this map have in it?
Usability: How usable is this for me as a GM (being that GMs are actually the primary audience of most maps)? Is the legend clear and in logical order for play? Does it give me enough information to easily visualize the parts and wax poetic about the varied locations? Does it have the necessary details for me to run with it on the fly, or will it involve a lot of improvisation? Does it have any glaring oddities that stop me mid-breath to go "what the hell is that?!"?
Craftsmanship: Is it clear, legible and containing all the necessary bits and bobs? Does it make good use of the space? Is the scale appropriate for the detail (and visa versa)?
(I suppose you could also call them "Creativity, Functionality and Skill", but I like my terms better :P).
Coolness: A
- Positive: Encroaching lava! This one is inside a glacier and feels like it's inside a glacier: A mixture of rock and ice floors, snow, jagged and natural terrain, bridges, falls, twisting passages and extensive usage of 3D space. The encroaching lava then offers a twist: no longer a careful exploration, it becomes a race to escape! This map would make for a session that won't be soon forgotten.
- Negative: Could have used some more detail in areas 1, 2 and 9 to avoid Big Open Space syndrome.
- Verdict: Solid A. I have a quibble or two about some of the areas, but that doesn't scratch the sheer coolness this map entails.
Usability: A
- Positive: Notes to the GM and cartographer, elevations annotated to let me lovingly describe the undulating terrain, bridges, underpasses, overpasses… and then the melting starts.
- Negative: The lava scenario is ambitious, but can pose problems for the GM in managing it, as it should be a timed scenario forcing the players to keep moving, so the GM needs to juggle motivation with risk of accidentally cutting them off.
- Verdict: Solid A. It gives the information I need clearly and concisely, and facilitates a great scenario.
Craftsmanship: A-
- Positive: It has all the bits and bobs, uses the whole page (and how!) and is fairly legible.
- Negative: The odd angle for the compass rose could have been offset by flipping the map over, some of the text could have been a tad more concise, and a consolidated key would have been preferable.
- Verdict: It's good, but there are a couple of things that could make it easier to read and use. A- for me.
Overall: A
I love the concept of this map and the execution is pretty good. Any session set here would be memorable.
I am critiquing this without having read others' first:
Ooo a dual map on a time lapse with heat and temperatures and lava!
Lots of good little notes making this clear enough on what's happening.
I am torn on the numbering, on the one hand I like that you have a plan but I don't like that there is no accompanying key. Granted, the descriptions of the numbers would be on accompanying pages, but it is a little weird.
Elevation markers are good.
There's a lot of empty space...literally with nothing in them. This is a big misstep, I understand that you are letting the timed event be the action, but there's no obstacles other than the results of the lava flow. A couple of more designer's notes on those big empty areas saying traps, or creatures, or anything at all would have made this sooo much more interesting.
Overall, I want to love this map. I like the idea of the changing enviroments after a time and the map reflecting that, but there's nothing else gonig on in a LOT of empty space. I'd reserve a vote for this for now if I have trouble picking a Top 16.
Here are my ratings for this map:
First Look: B
The time lapse is cool, and so is the lava. But its also complicated and confusing.
Interest Level of Location: B
This map is kind of a one trick pony. One hell of a trick, but there isn't a whole lot going on besides the map changing as it heats up.
Tactical Depth: B
A lot of empty space, but there are enough features to keep it fun.
Adventure Potential: B
The map's only story is the lava. I would need to design an adventure around it to justify it.
Clarity: B
Everything is well defined, but it is sufficiently complicated that it gets confusing.
Logic: B
Phenomena like this are easy to nitpick. I'm not getting into it, but I could.
Overall: B
I loved this map. It shows overlapping caverns very clearly. It also looks like a great place for an adventure.
I have you ranked #3, good luck!
I really love maps that change throughout the adventure. It's one reasons I really liked the dungeon in Clash of the Kingslayers. This one makes a lot of sense with a glacier dungeon melting as the PCs explore it. I like that their exit is cut off and they have to find another way out.
However, I am very disappointed that there's not really anything inside any of the chambers. None of the chambers have names. While the dungeon's changing layout is exciting, the PCs will ultimately explore a dungeon filled with empty rooms.
Life is still crazy, but internet is finally working well again, so here's some feedback:
Inside the Glacier - Way to throw hot and cold together in a creatively changing mass of awesome!
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Great job! This map got my vote. :)
Thank you for inspiring adventures in my mind!
Thanks again to everyone who commented. I may post more later about my thinking and why certain decisions were made, and what I'd do differently if I had it to do over again. Too tired now. But I think my future work will be better for the comments here (and on many of the other maps too).
I'd especially like to thank those who liked this map enough to put it in their top 8. I'm moderately confident there will prove to be enough of you to get me into round 3, but even if I'm mistaken about that I greatly appreciate your support and encouragement.