Middle America Map {Advanced Draft} ~ NEW UPDATE 2.3!!

[cairnswk]

I don't see how the Caribbean Sea is an appropriate title for a region that includes Baja California, the Galapagos Islands, and Ecuador. The map looks nice, but I think a new title is in order.

i agree completely. Perhaps it would be more appropriately titled Central America.

[Gilligan]

There's a competition for that

[cairnswk]

There's a competition for that

Oops....That might be so...but Caribbean Sea this map is not.

[AndyDufresne]

The American Connection?
Americas (Central)
América Central
Centroamérica
Centro Americas

Or perhaps the best name...since we have "North America" and "South America", and "Central America" will be taken...so:

Middle America

Click image to enlarge.

Looks like the map we've got here.


--Andy

[Gilligan]

I think it would be a little weird calling it America Central since there is a bonus with that name.

[The Neon Peon]

I think the colors on a map should have little contrast.

But that is just me.

[maritovw]

i've created a poll to decide on the best name, so everyone please cast your vote!!!
if anyone has another (good) name in mind please speak up!

here's a to-do list for the next update(s):

• remove connection between T&T and Leeward I.
• rearrange names in greater antilles
• change the hue of territory names so they reflect the color of the continent (like the USA)
• change the name (depending on the poll outcome)

[MrBenn]

(The) Caribbean Sea
(The) Americas
Centroamérica
Middle America

Of the four options, 'Middle America' got my vote

[lgoasklucyl]

Didn't realize 'Middle America' was a geographic region- vote changed =)

[maritovw]

it looks like the map will be renamed after all... i'll try to come up with a map update over the weekend...

[ghirrindin]

/

[lostatlimbo]

I concur with all of ghirrindin's points. Seems pointless.

[Gilligan]

Then what's the point of Age of Realms 2 and Age of Realms 3?

I say keep going with it...

[captainwalrus]

Making a map that is fun to play just to improve the site is as good a reason as any IMO.
Keep going!

[MrBenn]

Poll Results: What's the best name for the map?
Poll ended at Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:37 am

(The) Caribbean Sea... 8... 25%

(The) Americas... 0... No votes

Centroamérica... 7... 22%

Middle America... 17... 53%

Total votes : 32

[MrBenn]

This map was started back in 2006, and two years ago, was in the Final Forge - on the verge of being quenched! Since then, many more maps have been put up for play, and the relative standards have changed - which is why this map is now back in the drafting room, rather than back into FF.

ghirrindin has raised some valid points about the historical and geographical accuracy, as well as the linguistic concerns - and it would be useful to hear the mapmaker's opinion on these...

[maritovw]

hi everybody... sorry for not posting for a week or so, but I have been kind of busy with real life (back to university again)... thank you all for your support of this map... now, answering to ghirrindin's post...

There's no clear idea or concept driving it along other than to get a map stamped in your name. It appears as if you spun a globe, touched your finger to it, and then centered this map on where your finger stopped the globe. I think the mere fact that you are struggling to come up with an appropriate name is a sure symptom of this problem.

There are a lot of maps in CC, and I like most of them. However, I do prefer "geographical" maps that depict a real region of the world. I also very much like maps that keep (at least most of) the original rules and mantain a simple, classic gameplay. I am sure that there are many other players out there that enjoy these maps as much as I do, and this is why I decided to make a map such as this one.

As for the location, I chose it simply because I happen to live in Guatemala. I feel that this map nicely depicts the geographical surroundings of Central America, which (aside from the recently started map competition) doesn't really feature in any map on CC. Not even Mexico, which in this map is a large 'continent', has been given much importance on any CC map. I mean, c'mon, there are even maps from Luxembourg & Malta! (no offense to any Luxembourgians or Malteses out there)

As for the name, I started the poll in response to comments from people who thought that the name it had just wasn't the most appropriate one. But one thing that I want to make clear is that we were looking for the most appropriate name for the map, and not the most appropriate map for the name.

Also, the name "Middle America" will simply not do, because this is a loaded term, and when you say "Middle America" most people from the United States will think you're talking Midwest.

I'm really sorry if people from the United States will think of Midwest, but the fact that they think they are America doesn't mean they are right. The term "America" refers to the whole continent and it has long been widely misused interchangeably with "United Stated of America". Calling this map "Middle America" is accurate.

Likewise, you've sprinkled pirate imagery all over the map, and this is confusing considering the territories you've included. [...] And how can you think about the theme of pirates as an enhancement to the gameplay beyond a simple map layout of basic territories and bonuses? And if you want pirates to be the actual theme of this map, your treatment of the Caribbean Islands is much, much too brief. [...] Your map suffers from historical and geographical sloppiness. When is this map supposed to take place? [...] And what do pirates have to do with any of these places? [Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Nuevo Mexico]

First and foremost, pirates are NOT the theme of this map. This map is, like many other maps on CC, one that depicts a geographical region as we know it today. I used pirate, naval, and Aztec scenery on the map merely to make it more visually appealing. Never on this thread nor on any other one have I stated that I pretended any of these themes to be the actual theme(s) of the map. I simply happen to believe that the map looks nicer with this imagery than without it.

You've labeled the North American continental bonus as the "United States"

Yet again, since when "North America" = "United States" ?? Where do you believe Mexico belongs to? Central America?

You switch from English to Spanish geographical names. Why not keep it consistent and label everything in North America in Spanish? Tejas, not Texas?

I use the local language name for naming each territory, whether it is English, Spanish or French (Haïti). I like it better this way because i feel it adds a little something to the map.

[maritovw]

Poll Results: What's the best name for the map?
(The) Caribbean Sea... 8... 25%
(The) Americas... 0... No votes
Centroamérica... 7... 22%
Middle America... 17... 53%

Total votes : 32

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Votes have been cast. People have decided. As of today, this map has been renamed from CARIBBEAN SEA to MIDDLE AMERICA.
Updated version coming soon.

[maritovw]

NEW MAP UPDATE!!! VERSION 2.3

COMMENTS PLEASE!!

[gimil]

NEW MAP UPDATE!!! VERSION 2.3

COMMENTS PLEASE!!

Can you note the page number of your recent draft? It makes it easier to find the latest update and read recent discussions.

Thanks.

[maritovw]

NEW MAP UPDATE!!! VERSION 2.3

COMMENTS PLEASE!!

Can you note the page number of your recent draft? It makes it easier to find the latest update and read recent discussions.

Thanks.

It's on the first post, I updated it to reflect the latest version

[MrBenn]

NEW MAP UPDATE!!! VERSION 2.3

COMMENTS PLEASE!!

Can you note the page number of your recent draft? It makes it easier to find the latest update and read recent discussions.

Thanks.

It's on the first post, I updated it to reflect the latest version

Click image to enlarge.

I think gimil was asking to post the latest image in the thread too... this way it helps to track comments to particular versions of the map

[MrBenn]

The borders look quite pixellated - I've been referring people to the advice RjBeals gave me about how to draw nice smooth borders: viewtopic.php?f=127&t=73566&p=1371256#p1770213

[ghirrindin]

/

[mibi]

Shouldn't this be central america? Middle america is a term often used to describe the midwest states.