Baltic Crusades

[porkenbeans]

My access key is expired.

[theBastard]

it is not possible simple close window which ask for key? o.k. I will tomorow post png files for you

version with bonuses:

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[porkenbeans]

OK, but post the latest version without the new texture added. And remember no text or icons please.

[theBastard]

is it ok, pork?

show

this one is better, pork !!!

show

pork, could you do one version with river banks layer for me?

[porkenbeans]

v1

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v2

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v3

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v4

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[theBastard]

very nice work. I like the v3 but your first was the best I think...

Click image to enlarge.

I will post here last version, could you "play" with it? hm, I have problem with map/GIMP. I can not draw on map...

[theBastard]

still have problem with draw. maybe because I used Script_Fu...?

last version. pork this could be fine when you a little do it more "dark" as in your first picture (shown in my post upper).

Click image to enlarge.

[Industrial Helix]

The graphics are very nice with the latest version, save for the areas where it isn't completely filled in.

Narva is a little tough on the eyes.

Are the castles that sit on the borders attacked by each region? If so, then that's what they portray. If not, then you might want to fix that.

Does Ragnir cross the river?

The trees are a nuisance though... perhaps you should take a screen shot of a forest in Google Earth, cut it and use that.

It's not done yet, I think, but its pretty close.

[theBastard]

The graphics are very nice with the latest version, save for the areas where it isn't completely filled in.

thanks. maybe with pork´s help it could looks better. what exactly you mean completly filled?

Narva is a little tough on the eyes.

you mean it is hard to see it?

Are the castles that sit on the borders attacked by each region? If so, then that's what they portray. If not, then you might want to fix that.

yes, the castles are strategic points - cross of rivers, cross between regions or could attack all regions whit borders.

Does Ragnir cross the river?

yes, I´ll move it to north a little.

The trees are a nuisance though... perhaps you should take a screen shot of a forest in Google Earth, cut it and use that.

I thought about this, but when I have models of settleemnts and ships I want to have models of trees here. the truth is that trees are photography of one tree... maybe I could a little blur them?

It's not done yet, I think, but its pretty close.

I know, but it is PR and sounds more atractive...

thanks for feedbacks.

btw, I still have problem with GIMP - I´m not able to draw with Pencil tool ar Paintbrush tool.

[theBastard]

small version (630x600ň with moved Ragnit.

Click image to enlarge.

[Industrial Helix]

What I mean by not filled in is, fr example, Sudnovia. Is it not filled in for a reason? It's hard to tell if the territory has any function.

On the small map, enlarge the text a little and make it darker. It's hard to see clearly. Actually... the whole small map could use a little more darkness. I think its too faded.

In the upper left instructions, it should read: "Ships lose 1 army per turn"

And the land and sea routes... I see two colors crossing sea and only red crossing land. Either use one color or make black the land and red the sea.

[theBastard]

What I mean by not filled in is, fr example, Sudnovia. Is it not filled in for a reason? It's hard to tell if the territory has any function.

look at Region bonuses legend. Sudovia gives +1 for East Prussia.

On the small map, enlarge the text a little and make it darker. It's hard to see clearly. Actually... the whole small map could use a little more darkness. I think its too faded.

you are right. I wait if pork will do any wonder with his graphics skill...

In the upper left instructions, it should read: "Ships lose 1 army per turn"

o.k.

And the land and sea routes... I see two colors crossing sea and only red crossing land. Either use one color or make black the land and red the sea.

there are two colours of routes because Hanseatic bonus. when three Hanseatic towns are connected it gives +1. but the connection only valid for red routes, so over islands Dago and Osel bonus of connection does not valid.

[theBastard]

new version with another grunge texture. also fonts are bigger, changed text about routes.

Helix, do you think that trees are so terrible? if yes I will change them.

630x600

Click image to enlarge.

[theBastard]

here are two new versions with different grunge texture. the third is previous. which one is the best?

version 10 (630x600)

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version 09 (630x600)

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version 08 (630x600)

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[theBastard]

...and I would like to go with this one...

this should be a final version. I think that colours of "shields" in legend match with colours in map, the fonts are visible fine. it is enough dark but not so much. still trees could be changed...?
630x600 size

Click image to enlarge.

[Evil DIMwit]

How do the Hanseatic connection bonuses work? Say I own Danzig, Konigsberg, Visby, Windau, Riga, and Reval. What would my bonuses look like?

[RedBaron0]

Consider a light glow around the text. The map is very dark, while this isn't that much of an issue, being able to read the text is. Consider a different color for your ships path. The red blends right into the background under vischeck, and even being able to see color they're not very easy to see. Something brighter, white, yellow, or something with a bit of glow.

[theBastard]

to Evil DIMwit,

the idea is that bonus is valid for three connected Hanseatic towns in a row and it is not possible to combinate connection. only connection by red trade routes through ships gives you bonus. you must have allways another three Hanseatic towns connected. for example: you hold Dorpat, Reval, (Reval ship) and Visby and you got +1 bonus. if you also have Danzig and (Danzig ship) there is not possible to do next bonus from connection of Danzig, (Danzig ship), Visby, (Visby ship) and Reval.

to RedBaron0,

there are two more version which are more light. maybe I could go with any of them?

Click image to enlarge.

or

Click image to enlarge.

[Industrial Helix]

Ah, you're right about the instructions... shame on me for not reading them through properly.

As for the trees... they look alright. The part that really bugs me is the line of trees above Samgoria. I'd say keep the trees and clump them at Samgoria to create more of a forest, you've got the room for it.

As for the map version, stick with the one you chose and follow redbaron's advice.

[CoolC]

The version 10 is pretty nice to look at but you need to either increase the size (probably hard or impossible due to size restrictions) or change the font (more likly) because right now I have major difficulties reading ANY text on the map. It can be done but it requires effort. Try with some font which is clearer but still a bit "fancy", just not so much.

[theBastard]

thanks CoolC, about font was enlarged. now with Outer Glow it looks better, I think. I do not think that it is too fancy (maybe because I work with it long time... ), I played some maps where was font much more difficult to read.

o.k. here are two versions. choose which one is better.

version 14

Click image to enlarge.

version 15

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[Industrial Helix]

Something else just struck me, the shields ought to have the same texture as the colors on the map. Also, I think it is a tad too dark and lightening it a little bit would really seal the deal... Well, that and fixing some of the spelling errors such as "ships lost one" and crusades ought to have an s at the end.

[theBastard]

Something else just struck me, the shields ought to have the same texture as the colors on the map.

I will do them...

Also, I think it is a tad too dark and lightening it a little bit would really seal the deal...

than could we go with version 15? it is a little more lightning as version 14.

Well, that and fixing some of the spelling errors such as "ships lost one" and crusades ought to have an s at the end.

ships are fine, crusades will be edited

one question: as Evil DIMwit noticed the Hanceatic bonus (for three connected Hanseatic towns) is maybe not clear.

How do the Hanseatic connection bonuses work? Say I own Danzig, Konigsberg, Visby, Windau, Riga, and Reval. What would my bonuses look like?

to Evil DIMwit,

the idea is that bonus is valid for three connected Hanseatic towns in a row and it is not possible to combinate connection. only connection by red trade routes through ships gives you bonus. you must have allways another three Hanseatic towns connected. for example: you hold Dorpat, Reval, (Reval ship) and Visby and you got +1 bonus. if you also have Danzig and (Danzig ship) there is not possible to do next bonus from connection of Danzig, (Danzig ship), Visby, (Visby ship) and Reval.

EDIT: the shields are match with regions colours.

Click image to enlarge.

[Evil DIMwit]

What about... Konigsberg, Danzig, Danzig ship, and Visby?

[theBastard]

yes this could be possible. the idea is simple: the first three connected Hanseatic towns give bonus. for next bonus player needs to have another three connected Hanseatic towns. but I do not know if this is clear... and there will be too much combinations - too much codding...

all yours ideas are welcome here

EDIT: hm, maybe add to legend "+1 for three connected in row by"
the possible combinations:
Thorn, Danzig, (Danzig ship), Konigsberg
Thorn, Danzig, (Danzig ship), Visby
Danzig, (Danzig ship), Konigsberg, (Windau ship), Windau
Danzig, (Danzig ship), Visby, (Visby ship), Reval
Konigsberg, (Danzig ship), Visby, (Visby ship), Reval
Konigsberg, (Windau ship), Windau, (Riga ship), Riga
Windau, (Windau ship), Konigsberg, (Danzig ship), Visby
Dorpat, Reval, (Visby ship), Visby

there is allways possible to connect in row only 5 Hanseatic towns. only one time is possible to connect 6. so only one time could be bonus doubled, but this will be hard I think - it needs to hold: Dorpat, Reval, (Visby ship), Visby, (Danzig ship), Konigsberg, (Windau ship), Windau, (Riga ship), Riga.