I really don't have much inspiration to work on Large Earth. My main problem here is the sizing of the numbers. I can't adjust my map to a point where the numbers fit and it looks realistic. I really want to finish this, but telling me to make the numbers fit can't just make it work. I need some sort of solution. An increase in the size of map you could upload would be nice, but that probably won't happen any time soon.

But just to clarify, I'm not dropping this project or anything. The map has made a lot of progress from when it was first made; Russia, China, US, Canada, all one territory. No bonus links or connecting lines. Trust me, you guys have helped a lot. This is the last thread I'm making though, if the map can't get accepted by the end of when this thread completely dies or whatever, I'll probably just drop the project.

Anyways, I'm mainly looking for more feedback, I guess, but mostly on solutions to fix the problem of sizing and numbers. I really wish this could be like the Big US map, where the number didn't have to completely fill the territory. I see no problem with that, in all honesty. Thanks!

Map: http://warlight.net/SinglePlayer.aspx?PreviewMap=8266

What are the current dimensions of the map in Inkscape?

The #1 goal for any WarLight map is playability. The maps are made to be played, not looked at.

For the islands, all you need to do is enlarge them like Hawaii and Taiwan on the Earth map do. For land-locked territories, sometimes you just have to eliminate the tiny territories or live with incorrect border positions.

@Muppet
It's the maximum allowed size, whatever it is.

@Fizzer
I guess you bring up a decent point. I'm working on enlarging and combining a bunch of territories.

|> I really wish this could be like the Big US map, where the number didn't have to completely fill the territory.

How often have you played USA Big? And I don't mean a short game where everyone is booted or surrenders after a few dozen turns, I mean games long enough to make you fight in, oh let's say, Virginia with its minuscule ("independent city") territories where double-digit army numbers completely obscure the territory borders forcing you to basically just guess which territories connect to where...!?
Of course you don't have to agree with me (or, more to the point, the rules for maps; whether or not you do, they still apply), but I hope to explain why the rules are there. Personally I find rules which get massively in the way to be far less annoying when I at least understand the reason for them, as opposed to seemingly-random rules.

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Could you maybe post a screenshot of the WL map editor after clicking the "Show army numbers" button (or whatever it's called)? That way we can see just how big the problem is; how many territories are affected and, also important, how much extra space you need. That will make it easier to come up with workable solutions.

For starters, looking at your map I get the impression you're "losing" an enormous amount of space at the left and right edges; your "wrap-around" connections are very long. Would it be possible to horizontally scale the map? For almost all territories which are at least high enough to fit a character that should fix the problem of double-digit numbers being too wide. Sure, that leaves the territories which are simply not high enough, but it should greatly decrease the number of territories you have to worry about; gotta start somewhere. :p

Island hopping would be a quagmire of clicking. Too many islands. One small archipelago, one territory would be better.

I'd say the best maps limit the number of territories per bonus and have a certain logic. If the vast majority of a map's bonuses have 4-7 territories, the map is more playable, more fun, more strategic. Having a few smaller territories (2-3) and larger territories (8-10) is good too.

Territories:Bonus Value
2:1
3:1-2
4:2-3
5:2-4
6:3-5
7:4-6
8:4-6
9:5-6
10:5-7

Now that WL has map ratings, look at the best rated maps. I'd say they follow these rules. Look at your map. Does it? If it does, you can expect it to become the next top map. If it doesn't don't expect as much from it.

should straighten the territories
good map

Why does the "Indian Southern Hills Zone" territory even exist?
And I would get rid of Vatican city, there's no good reason to add it and it has no strategic value.

vatican city is an official (dwarf)country so it must be on the map. thats what i think.

i believe the correct term is 'little person country'.

|> vatican city is an official (dwarf)country so it must be on the map. thats what i think.

That reasoning makes no sense whatsoever; Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and San Marino are official countries too (and the first two are considerably bigger than the Vatican), yet they aren't included either.
Also, both Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina are official countries yet they are bunched up in a single territory called "West Balkans", the same goes for "Albania and Macedonia", that's two separate countries as well, so why is it a single territory then?

And that's just in the part of the world I'm familiar with, I'm sure there are other countries missing as well.

its inconsistent in that you have like one part of russia the "cfd" which is cut up into like 20 pieces and then like all of mainland AMerica cut up into 10 pieces. and then alaska is like 4 pieces. Also like aid before there are pieces that are detailed for example the caribean islands and then countries just being put together. Honestly, it would be nice to have everything to detail but its not really a big deal. i say good job for making a decent looking map

I presonally belive in your map, keep going, try to adapt it, deleat little islands and arcipelaghos, don't throw it away dude, that could be the next top map

If you really wish to include an "Indian Southern Hills Zone," can you please have it so it covers all of the southern tip if India as "Tamil Nadu?" Btw, just a question: Why is China, Russia, Canada, and Brazil split into almost exact territories while the US, Australia, and India are cut up into rather sloppy territories? You could have done what they did for the Earth map with some states/territories being fused together but in the exact borders. Just a suggestion, if you don't have enough time to work on it, I don't mind.

@i-like-swords
I actually tried to cut it neatly. I've tried 3 times to redraw the US' borders. The way it's drawn makes it really hard for me to split it; a bit hard to explain. I'll probably go in and try again if I have the time.

I like the look of this map (though it isn't very realistic). Can you invite me to a multi day game with it?

I'm back after sort of losing interest. Have a bit of spark in me now, I guess.

The map is shaping up to be really great, I can see it being perfect for a large FFA.

I'll test the map for you if you want

Hey guys, quick update. I've fixed most of the small territories and it'll probably be done soon. Just have to redo the points and maybe get some feedback. If anybody still wants the map, that is... :P