New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Hi everybody !

I've just made a new map for Dom2 and would be glad to have your opinion on it ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

It's called "Land of Shahrivar" : Shahrivar is a month of the persian calendar, and means "tempting territory". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif The map contains lots of details (villages, magic sites, forests, rivers, mountains, ports), in an oriental fantasy style.


The map has 180 provinces, does not allow sea-players. There are 2 versions : "Shahrivar" (light scenario with victory points) and "Shahrivar free".


There is a small picture of the map (click to see a larger one) :

http://img222.echo.cx/img222/5042/vu...ivar8od.th.jpg


And you can download the files here :

http://300gp.ovh.net/~steamfac/shahrivar.rar


Comments most welcome ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Whoa, this looks plain awesome! Three things I might gripe about if this wasn't so utterly gorgeous a map is that the defaultmapzoom is too close to the map for my tastes and the terrain designations are not very transparent; that is to say, you can't tell without checking what type of land a given province is. (E.G. #55 and #48 look alike but one is farm lands and one is waste...) Also, the impassable borders are not very clear. As an example the forest in #49 could perhaps be split to it's own province (without an actual white province dot, of course) and then encircled with a different color/thicker borderline to designate it impassable. Perhaps some matted silver, so as not to break the color-scheme... Same goes for the other impassable borders, of course.

That said, this is one unique map, and the right size for my tastes too. Thank you, it makes me want to play it!

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

That is really a beatiful map! Thank you for this i will play it that evening in Singleplayer:)

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Gorgeous map! Thanks for the hard work. I'll try a game out on it this weekend. =)

~Dae

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Yeah looks great. I'm at work so I cant open it in dominions just yet... but what do the different terrain colors mean? If they are associated with a different terrain type: like Green=Forest, Yellow=Waste, then I would have to say that the terrain types are grouped too heavily. Which makes sense geographically speaking, but I have found that it results in poor games since starting positions can be extremely favorable/unfavorable due to luck.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Thank you all for your nice comments !


@ Jurri : provinces with villages are considered to be farmlands. If I'm not wrong, #55 is only a desert beach (= waste)and #48 contains a village of fishermen and a port. That's the difference. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
About #49, do you suggest that the whole forest would be unreachable ? The problem is that it is an important magic site (forest of golden leaves).


@ Ironhawk : the terrain colors mean nothing. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif They are just different countries, if you like. The color of the buildings change just the same way.


Thanks for commenting. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Ah, right, if it's a special site it shouldn't be split... but then, should it be impassable if there's a magic site in the forest? Anyway, the problem I was having was that the impassable borders are not distinctive enough from the passable borders, not the forest. The darkening isn't quite enough to make it easily noticed. All IMO of course, might be just my monitor settings being wonky.

About the land types: I figured it was something with the villages. However, consider the following provinces:
#24, #53, #11: There's a village yet it isn't farm lands
#52: There's forest and mountains yet it is a plains; #56 has the same and is mountains
#55 and #17 look very much alike yet one is waste and the other is plains

Just particular examples, ther might be more... Now that I think about it more throughly my problem is probably that I like to zoom out quite a bit from the map default and thus the details that apprently hold the province type information (the wheat bundles, villages) are not very distinctive. Perhaps they could be bigger or better yet some other method of discerning between plains and waste to be developed.

I wonder when I became such a nit-picker, don't mind me... It's so beautiful a map that we should round up a server and play the scenario to test it out!

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

****Grabing the stuff and running to play****

and thanks...

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

beautiful map.

thanks.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Great map for single and multiplayer. Thank You!

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

This may come off as a little bit unobservant, but I honestly can't figure out why the central lake is worth 7 victory points instead of 6.

You win when you get 16, and every other province provides an even number, so there's no difference between a 6 and a 7 for the sunken city. If you had 8 points, you'd get only 15 by taking it and not win. If you had 10 points, you'd get 17 and win by one more than you technically need.

-Frank

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

@ Jurri : well, I suppose that the terrain repartition is not always "logical". And I didn't know if it was possible to mix several terrains in one province (forest + mountain + farmland for ex.). My feeling about these imaginary lands was more important than geography, it's true. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

@ Frank Trollman : is it really that important to you ?? It is simply to avoid ex aequo (15/15). And also because in my mind, the sunken island is very important, and deserve the max amount of VP. Don't forget that it is in the water, and that you can't play a sea-nation. (btw, it's very easy to modify this the way you like in the map file)


Thanks everyone for trying the map ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Everyone is making great suggestions but if you are building the map to a theme then definetly hold to that. Any changes for gameplay that can be made within the theme, do them but dont sweat the rest too much. There are lots of maps and there is plenty of room to satisfy different groups without having to try and satisfy all of them.

If it bothers you, then start another map where playability and fairness are the primary design theme. I dont usually play those but I know people who do. But by all means dont toss the theme on this one. Its a very nice map.

Be sure and let support@illwinter.com know so they can add it to the maps list. I think they usually offer maps as .zip but I think Alneyans(?) site offers them as .rar

Gandalf Parker

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Actually, that would be Arryn's site. I don't have a site of my own to begin with, so. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Since all the other provinces are worth 2, there is no possibility of anyone getting 15 unless they have the sunken city. Essentially, since there are no 1 point or 3 point provinces, the sunken city is worth 6 points if the total required victory points is even (which it is), or 8 points if the total required number is odd (which it is not).

The only way an odd number of victory points matters is if there are more than one odd numbered victory point province.

My personal suggestion would be to make all the home provinces worth 1 VP and then play to an appropriately larger number of VPs.

-Frank

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Sorry, I meant 14/14 or 16/16. A moment I thought about putting some sites at 1 point, then changed my mind. So this is the result. I think it's really not important. Change the file the way you want, I like my map as it is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif My work is drawing, not counting points, so really, do as you want. The game is cool enough to allow anybody make his own map file.



Mister Gandalf Parker, thank you very much for your advice. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif I wrote a mail to Illwinter.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Thanks, this map looks really nice. I'll be using it a lot. It also looks *very* nice run through the Clothify script in the GIMP.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Sachka ...

any chance we'll see maps of 300+ provinces ??

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

.....

Well... I'll need a new computer. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif Imagine that saving this map while I was drawing it took about 5 long minutes each time...

But I'm thinking about a new map, in an old paper map style. This one would be lighter, and so, it could be larger or contain more provinces.

Concerning new projects, I'm also thinking about an entirely aquatic map (with a few islands, ok). I hope there will be some "amateurs". http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif




Thanks Moodgiesanta http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Oooh, it's pretty, and different. I like it!

If you're making more maps, I'll add a few comments...

1) Shahrivar is at the upper end of map sizes I would ever play, though there are also many people who like larger maps.
2) Illwinter's Cradle map also has differently "themed" or "colored" nation-areas, which are largely separated from each other by geographical features (generally mountains). The way this created chokepoints was a plus, IMO. Shahrivar might possibly give an advantage to Red and disadvantage to Orange, but this is pure speculation based on the picture; I have not examined the province adjacencies.
3) Wraparound maps are not very common (and, probably, are difficult to make). I'm not sure I like full-wraparounds, but half-wraparounds (cylindrical maps) are really nice, and I can't think of any other than Ringworld. A second half-wrap map would be nice.

Thanks for your efforts; I look forward to playing on it!

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Great map!!!!

Hurry up and get that new computer! We need more beautiful maps from YOU!!!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/rant.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

I'm totally agree with Gandalf Parker (as often...), this map is an "author" map, and like this, it's a really wonderfull map...
If somenone wants to "mod this mod", it's always possible. Just edit the txt file, and go on !
In my opinion, I like to discover such a map, very personnal and original.

Congratulations, Sacha your map is exceptionnaly pretty !

Just hope that illwinter.com will put it soon in their map zone.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Very nice map, and I've uploaded it to mosehansen - sadly, someone else created a game in the open slot while I was uploading, but it's there for future games.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

This beautiful map is now available on my site. (Sorry about the delay, I was out of town.)

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Thank you very much everyone for your congratulations, advice and support ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
This is very stimulating.


When you have played the map, please tell me which sites or landscapes are your favourite (just for my own pleasure), and if you like maps with represented sites.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

I totally love the horsies prancing around!

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

One thing that would be nice : adding #nostart for a number of the provinces that have only 2 or 3 neighbors. Reduces the likelihood of someone starting in a trapped position where it's very difficult to take their first province ( for instance, if the neighbors continue knights ) while everyone else can expand.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Yes, this surely would be necessary. A friend of mine is currently modifying the map file in order to add "no start" provinces.


Regarding my personal work, I have just started a new map, which is mostly aquatic. It takes place after a sort of mystic cataclysm. The background is written by my friend Kern Ridenow, who is the author of Hannoerth, the world which inspired the Tyrande map for Dominions II created by Robin le Guetteur.
But don't expect it before July ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif



PashaDawg, glad to know you appreciate the little unicorns ! The vale of unicorns is one of my favourite site too (with the Palace of dreams and the crystal garden and... oh I loved drawing everything). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Cool! Any chance it would be a small map? One thing that's currently lacking is good looking, playable small maps; basically a shortage of anything from 40 to 100 provinces, the sort that are preferable for blitz games or anything with 2-4 players. ( Cirlani has somewhat too many provinces, Aran too many bad start provinces, Yalun-to is problematical with the isolated sections of the map, and ... everyone has played way too many games with the Urgaea map http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Yes we plan to do a 40 provinces map, and the story background proposes 4 nations to play.
It will look like Shahrivar (with sites represented by drawings on the map) but will be more scripted (indep population, may be heroes... don't know yet). But of course it shall be played in "free" mode too.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Yeah, I'd like more maps the size of Reemergence of Urgaia, which I love.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

For those who want to use this for MP games, adding the following #nostart lines should eliminate all the provinces that only have two neighbors, making for a more balanced MP game then if one player has 6 provinces and the other only 2.

#nostart 177
#nostart 174
#nostart 170
#nostart 180
#nostart 179
#nostart 175
#nostart 87
#nostart 82
#nostart 3
#nostart 96
#nostart 106
#nostart 134
#nostart 79

Think I caught them all - 3 neighbor provinces I felt were passable, but 2 neighbors ones tend to have knights in both neighbors. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

Thank you very much Cainehill !! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

One thing I've noticed about the victory point sites in shahrivar_180 : they seem a bit skewed in their distribution - was this intentional? Specifically, the top and bottom left corners each have two victory point provinces bordering common provinces. This would make it very easy for someone with a lucky starting position to grab both sets within the first 5 or so turns, while other starting positions might have 7 or 8 independents separating them from the nearest VPs.

Re: New Map for Dom2 : Land of Shahrivar
 

It's true, but the last ones won't suffer any invasions and will have a big territory to develop.

Don't know if it's fine or not, but we are playing a multiplayer game on this map with a few friends (we're 8) to see how it looks like. I'll make another file if the game goes too bad.


But, as I was saying a few posts above, I'm not a Dominions 2 strategist, my job is drawing. I'm sure the map is not perfect from a strategic point of view. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif So feel free to make other files to play on this map, I'll be proud if you think that my graphical work deserves it.

(by the way, I must also apologize for the poor english I've been speaking here since my first post... I wanted to say it. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

Really is gorgeous - I was just noticing the bridges and the castle reflections. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And I'm attaching a modified .map file that has the 2-neighbor provinces #nostarted, and also has the forts removed, since those provinces can be taken by a single scout. Something of an unfair advantage if someone starts next to two free provinces, imo.

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

I love this map. Very beautiful.

When I was playing SP, it looked like some of the workings of neighbors was odd. For example, from province 9 (Hesperin), I could jump to 31 and 16. Was this intentional?

Also... if I could make a map request... I would love a new 1x1 type map. I play a lot of 1x1 games, and the only one that works right now is Clash of the Titans. Another option would be swell... Your map is so nice. I'd love to play on another, too.

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

Thanks again Cainehill ! I'm going to let people know about that file on my website.

PashaDawg, yes, it was intentional. If you look closely, you'll see a road linking all these provinces.
But you're right on one point : it's the only place with a long road like this, so, it's quite odd indeed... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Hope you'll like the little map (40 provinces) I'm drawing at the moment. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif Yay!!!! A little map!! Yay!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

[img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/Martini.gif[/img] http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image.../beerglass.gif

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

Little map=good map=:)

Re: Unfortified Land of Shahrivar
 

I like little maps too [img]/threads/images/Graemlins/PointUp.gif[/img] <--Imagine its the thumb that is up

Land of Shahrivar map file
 

I've modified the map file for a multiplayer game, it may be useful for other people.

The VP are more balanced and there are 7 scripted starting provinces. The scripted special sites are still there.
You need 18/34 VP to win.

See the attached file (remove .txt in the name).


By the way, would a moderator be kind enough to move the topic in the modding forum ? Thanks. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif