Rail Africa [Quenched]

[cairnswk]

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

Pretty much agreed, I see nothing to keep this from at least getting dual gameplay/graphics stamps.

Guys, thanks for the vote of confidence.
But i am wondering if there is anything else that would make this map look more like the Flavour of Africa.
We already have the Railway station theme in the background, but do we need some animals, people's faces, flags, whatever on this to make it feel more Africa.
Or does it feel Africa just by the shape of the continent alone.
To be honest, i am almost happy with it, but I feel it is lacking something, adn i just can't put my finger on wht that is at present, so i was hoping for some suggestions from the foundry.

[ender516]

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

Pretty much agreed, I see nothing to keep this from at least getting dual gameplay/graphics stamps.

Guys, thanks for the vote of confidence.
But i am wondering if there is anything else that would make this map look more like the Flavour of Africa.
We already have the Railway station theme in the background, but do we need some animals, people's faces, flags, whatever on this to make it feel more Africa.
Or does it feel Africa just by the shape of the continent alone.
To be honest, i am almost happy with it, but I feel it is lacking something, adn i just can't put my finger on wht that is at present, so i was hoping for some suggestions from the foundry.

Maybe the way to look at this is in comparison to the other Rail maps (Australia, Europe, USA). What do any of those have aside from the geographic outline that suggests the location? My answer is, not much. I don't see much space for more decoration that won't simply be distracting clutter. You might brighten the colour of the border, to resemble African textiles more in my mind, but it might just make it too separate from the overall earth tone theme. I suspect you are worrying that this map is not up to the calibre of the other Rail maps, but I think it is.

Find us a philatelist, we need some stamps!

[SultanOfSurreal]

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

I think we should just skip final forge and quench it right now. Everything on the map is done, which is why no one is commenting. I don't understand why this map has so few stamps.

Pretty much agreed, I see nothing to keep this from at least getting dual gameplay/graphics stamps.

Guys, thanks for the vote of confidence.
But i am wondering if there is anything else that would make this map look more like the Flavour of Africa.
We already have the Railway station theme in the background, but do we need some animals, people's faces, flags, whatever on this to make it feel more Africa.
Or does it feel Africa just by the shape of the continent alone.
To be honest, i am almost happy with it, but I feel it is lacking something, adn i just can't put my finger on wht that is at present, so i was hoping for some suggestions from the foundry.

the only suggestion I can see off the top of my head is darkening the color for the victoria falls express a smidge. it's hard to read on the bonus listing and it's kind of garish/contrasting with its background on the map.

If you want a more african-y feel, why not change the background picture to Victoria Falls or Kilimanjaro, or some other famous african landmark? I'd keep the subtle sepia tone like you have with the current background though of course.

It might also be elucidating to include the country of each city in the XML (and the drop-down attack list). For example, instead of CAI Cairo A, it would be CAI Cairo (Egypt) A. Or CAI Cairo, Egypt (A). I don't know about anyone else, but I find it interesting to know where these cities are exactly.

[RedBaron0]

If you're thinking of an animal to accent the map, the King of the Jungle is a safe bet... but I think something simple and subtle should do it. How about a pith helmet? Question is how you might add it.... could put the ticket in the band around the helmet maybe?



eh a though... looks good, but I agree with you cairns, this map just needs that bit of African flavor to round it out.

[SultanOfSurreal]

Any progress on getting some stamps up in this place?

[AndrewB]

Here is the XML file:

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v1.xml

This version contains all territories and continent definitions.

TODO: Add Territory coordinates.

[cairnswk]

Here is the XML file:

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v1.xml

This version contains all territories and continent definitions.

TODO: Add Territory coordinates.

Thanks AndrewB...good work so far.

[cairnswk]

...
Maybe the way to look at this is in comparison to the other Rail maps (Australia, Europe, USA). What do any of those have aside from the geographic outline that suggests the location? My answer is, not much. I don't see much space for more decoration that won't simply be distracting clutter. You might brighten the colour of the border, to resemble African textiles more in my mind, but it might just make it too separate from the overall earth tone theme. I suspect you are worrying that this map is not up to the calibre of the other Rail maps, but I think it is.

Find us a philatelist, we need some stamps!

Thanks ender516, yes we do need at least a gameplay stamp

[cairnswk]

If you're thinking of an animal to accent the map, the King of the Jungle is a safe bet... but I think something simple and subtle should do it. How about a pith helmet? Question is how you might add it.... could put the ticket in the band around the helmet maybe?
http://www.argoss.co.uk/pictures/pith_helmet.jpg
eh a though... looks good, but I agree with you cairns, this map just needs that bit of African flavor to round it out.

nice suggestion for the helmet, RedBaron0, and thank you. I think, however, the helmet is a hunting representation of colonialism (not to say the railway systems aren't of course, but....) of the past and perhaps more appropriate to another map version of Africa.
I have found some appropriate motifs but now just to get them on there....somewhere.

[cairnswk]

Any progress on getting some stamps up in this place?

nope. not yet. they've all gone to ground

[cairnswk]

OK....problem s-o-l-v-e-d
the image needed people in it. Not too many just a few to give it life with some abstract design in the background.
So that some elements didn't clash, i had to reomve the desert and mountains from the map and re-color it so that the people also stood out.
Hope you like.

Click image to enlarge.

[isaiah40]

I don't know if it's just me but I'm having a hard time reading lines F and M I know it's those two because I can read all the others. Is there any way you can change the color of those? Other than those two it is really looking to be a good map!

[ender516]

I don't know if it's just me but I'm having a hard time reading lines F and M I know it's those two because I can read all the others. Is there any way you can change the color of those? Other than those two it is really looking to be a good map!

It's not just you, those are the hardest for me to read as well. Cairnswk, have you checked this map with the colour-blind tests yet? I'm not colour-blind, so I don't have the links to them at my fingertips, but it would be good to know if there are other colour issues here. As far as the ticket goes, sometimes forms are given backgrounds which alternate from line to line to aid reading across one row. I think rows F and M would show up better on the light beige used on the border of the ticket. Unfortunately, a simple alternation of backgrounds will not fix both of these (the first is on an even-numbered row, the second on a odd-numbered row). Perhaps a cycle of three backgrounds, light then medium then dark would work. Of course, in fixing these two rows, others may go bad. This could take a lot of experimenting.
I do like the new figures, but the imagery in the Arabian Peninsula is quite indistinct. I have no idea what I am seeing there.

[SultanOfSurreal]

The earlier version is a lot better

[cairnswk]

The earlier version is a lot better

Would you like to elaborate on why you think that please.
I'm intertested to know your opinion

[cairnswk]

...Is there any way you can change the color of those?...

Not Really Isaiah40, i've been thru this process quite considerably and these are the best colouts on that bakcground, however i will continue to tweak them as best i can.

[cairnswk]

It's not just you, those are the hardest for me to read as well. Cairnswk, have you checked this map with the colour-blind tests yet? I'm not colour-blind, so I don't have the links to them at my fingertips, but it would be good to know if there are other colour issues here. {/quote]

The rail maps are almost CB proof in that the lettering system beside the stations on the map indicates for CB players which line they are playing on. So that I don't think this is an issue with the colours.

As far as the ticket goes, sometimes forms are given backgrounds which alternate from line to line to aid reading across one row. I think rows F and M would show up better on the light beige used on the border of the ticket. Unfortunately, a simple alternation of backgrounds will not fix both of these (the first is on an even-numbered row, the second on a odd-numbered row). Perhaps a cycle of three backgrounds, light then medium then dark would work. Of course, in fixing these two rows, others may go bad. This could take a lot of experimenting.

Yes even i have small difficulty seeing those on the small map, but the big map makes them much clearer.
I have experimented considerably with the colours and backgrounds for the tickets, and these are the best combos.
As i said i will continue to tweak in the hope that i find a balance.

I do like the new figures, but the imagery in the Arabian Peninsula is quite indistinct. I have no idea what I am seeing there.

I wouldn't worry about it...it's hang-over from the background image and should be almost gone now.....please F5 everyone for the new images above.

[ender516]

It's not just you, those are the hardest for me to read as well. Cairnswk, have you checked this map with the colour-blind tests yet? I'm not colour-blind, so I don't have the links to them at my fingertips, but it would be good to know if there are other colour issues here. {/quote]

The rail maps are almost CB proof in that the lettering system beside the stations on the map indicates for CB players which line they are playing on. So that I don't think this is an issue with the colours.

As far as the ticket goes, sometimes forms are given backgrounds which alternate from line to line to aid reading across one row. I think rows F and M would show up better on the light beige used on the border of the ticket. Unfortunately, a simple alternation of backgrounds will not fix both of these (the first is on an even-numbered row, the second on a odd-numbered row). Perhaps a cycle of three backgrounds, light then medium then dark would work. Of course, in fixing these two rows, others may go bad. This could take a lot of experimenting.

Yes even i have small difficulty seeing those on the small map, but the big map makes them much clearer.
I have experimented considerably with the colours and backgrounds for the tickets, and these are the best combos.
As i said i will continue to tweak in the hope that i find a balance.

I do like the new figures, but the imagery in the Arabian Peninsula is quite indistinct. I have no idea what I am seeing there.

I wouldn't worry about it...it's hang-over from the background image and should be almost gone now.....please F5 everyone for the new images above.

You're right, I had forgotten that the letters duplicate the colour information. I was just thinking that if you were considering changing the colours for the sake of legibility in the legend, then you would not want to trade one problem for another.
And again, you're right, the legend on the large map is clear enough.
So, I guess I can live with the map as it stands. Good work!

[isaiah40]

Okay I see now I guess I should look closer at the map. Well, it sure looks good! Can't wait to play!

[SultanOfSurreal]

The earlier version is a lot better

Would you like to elaborate on why you think that please.
I'm intertested to know your opinion

I just prefer the texturing on the continent to the vague outlines of people in the background, if I have to choose (for whatever reason, since they're apparently mutually exclusive). The texture on the continent was really well-done and made it feel like you were actually playing in Africa. This version looks like a literal cardboard cutout in compaison. I don't think it's a very good trade-off.

also the people in the background look like weird zombies. Or something. They're unnatural looking, anyway.

[cairnswk]

...
I just prefer the texturing on the continent to the vague outlines of people in the background, if I have to choose (for whatever reason, since they're apparently mutually exclusive). The texture on the continent was really well-done and made it feel like you were actually playing in Africa. This version looks like a literal cardboard cutout in compaison. I don't think it's a very good trade-off.

also the people in the background look like weird zombies. Or something. They're unnatural looking, anyway.

Mmmm. OK, that''s your opinion and I respect you for that.
As mapmaker however, i didn't feel the same as you about the land texture. To me it felt like all that fuss going on on the continent was distracting from the stations and i didn't really like it after a while.
That's why i changed it. To my mind now the scene in the background depicts a scene quite typical in Afica with women carrying stuff on their head, and actually compliments the station scene and adds a small touch of colour to what was a very earthy map.

[AndrewB]

Version 2 of XML is created.

But I would need to re-align some of the coordinates.

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v2.xml

[cairnswk]

Version 2 of XML is created.

But I would need to re-align some of the coordinates.

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v2.xml

AndrewB. that looks great. Thanks.
One small thing, the coordinates for PLZ are missing. <- Now Fixed.

Click image to enlarge.

[AndrewB]

Version 3 of XML is created.

Some coordinates are changes, PLZ is fixed

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v3.xml

[cairnswk]

Version 3 of XML is created.

Some coordinates are changes, PLZ is fixed

http://bolonniy.com/CC/Rail_Africa_v3.xml

Thanks AndrewB....that image above is updated.