AOS: Orient Express 1883 [quench'd]

[isaiah40]

Then code one each as a neutral, that would eliminate anyone starting with a bonus. Maybe make those neutrals start a little higher say a 5 so that it would be a little harder to get hose bonuses right off the bat.

[ender516]

Check out Bonus Probabilities. MrBenn has posted a link there to a calculator spreadsheet which should help you work out those probabilities.

[natty dread]

But I still don't have a spreadsheet software...

[WestWind]

I like the idea of having a low neutral for every railway bonus. Who knows, maybe the person that conquer's one of those low neutrals will feel like they've "built" that section of the railway

Regardless, without the neutrals on the railway territories some of those bonuses would be way too high (i.e. +2 for holding the 2 German railway territories).

[ender516]

But I still don't have a spreadsheet software...

Maybe you should take the plunge and get OpenOffice.org. It can handle these spreadsheets just fine, and it's free.

[natty dread]

Meh, let's just say I'll code those as neutrals, to be sure. (but thanks for the link ender)

So it'll be like,

regular stations: 2 neutrals
express stations & termini, switzerland, moldova & monte negro: 3 neutrals

Burgundy, B.W, Bavaria, Austria, Hungary, Muntenia, Bulgary, Tekirdag: starting points with 3 troops

All others start random.

The current bonus scheme also looks pretty good to me...

[cairnswk]

natty...i've got to say you've done well so far, however there is nothing about the graphics that yells out "Orient Express" to me.
All this map is saying to me is "another European map with a twist on holding some railway lines"
I'd suggest taking this to another level and have some stylish graphic that expresses the theme of Orient Express perhaps in the legend or somewhere prominent that gives the map some graphic pizzazz.

[natty dread]

Yes, yes cairnswk, I fully intend to spice up the legend. I have some plans for it... it'll have to wait until the graphics shop though.

[natty dread]

Age of Tycoons?

[ender516]

I thought of that before, and thought it was already a trademarked name, so I didn't mention it. But it doesn't show up on Google, so maybe you are okay.

[natty dread]

Hmm, I think it just might be the best name so far...

[natty dread]

Update: added neutral values, added connection between Strasbourg & Amsterdam, rearranged legend a bit.

v6

Click image to enlarge.

[natty dread]

Mods, I think the poll has ran enough... Could you take it down please? I'd like to start another poll - about the name of the map pack.

Also, I'm pretty satisfied with the gameplay for now. Can anyone else see anything that should be changed? Perhaps we can get this stamped soon and start working on the visual side - I've had so much feedback on the graphics that I have put back because I want the gameplay sorted first...

[Evil DIMwit]

[Poll result]

Should this map be made?

Yes . . . 27 . . . 79%

No . . . . . 7 . . . 21%

Total votes : 34

[natty dread]

Thanks Evil.

Now, I've put up a new poll about the name for the map pack. The 3 most popular suggestions are up for voting.

For those who don't know, the map pack will consist of 3 maps: this one, Transsib (in melting pot) and Pacific Rail (not yet published, still working on the first draft). All maps feature legendary/famous railway lines in the industrial era - late 19th or early 20th century. Also, each of the maps is located on a different continent - Europe, Asia and America.

[The Bison King]

All maps feature legendary/famous railway lines in the industrial era

Not to complicate things.......... but "Legendary rail" sounds like a pretty sweet name. Age of steam works though, that got my vote

[army of nobunaga]

just leave out "Age"

What about "Choo chooo mundo:" Or "Its a great train after all" or " Chugga chugga choooo chooo pack"

Im being kind of silly, but I hate "Age of XXXX" there are a lot of cool names that will make your own stamp oin this and make it epic.

[ender516]

I voted for Age of Steam, but on second thought, maybe "Age of" is played out. Of course, it does move you to the top of the Browse Maps page. Hmm, what about "Tycoons of Steam"?

[army of nobunaga]

World of steam
Steams away


I guess im bad at names.

[theBastard]

just one notice, Moravia is not Moravia there. it is Slovakia.

[natty dread]

just one notice, Moravia is not Moravia there. it is Slovakia.

Damn, you're right. Thanks for pointing that out.

Also, I share the conserns with the "Age of" scheme getting old. But what else is there, I haven't heard any better suggestions...

[theBastard]

not at all...

I think Age of Steam sounds good. if I good remember one period of history is named by Steam so it should be fine...

[natty dread]

Hmm... well how about calling it "Steam Age" to get away from the "Age of" scheme...

[The Bison King]

I haven't heard any better suggestions...

"Legendary Rails"

[natty dread]

You know, I'm starting to think that maybe I should just scrap the idea of a common name for the map pack... I mean, the names of the maps are already long enough... The current full name of this map for example is "Orient Expres 1883: Paris - Constantinople" so with the map pack name added to it it would be a real word monster...

The people who really like these maps would know that they belong to the same map pack anyway... and what if it turns out the later maps won't gather enough support and never get made, or run into some other problems... then it would be stupid to have just one map of a map pack...