things

[Minister X]

I'm curious to learn what the community thinks of this idea/map. It's self-explanatory except to say that the army numbers shown are neutral starters but not killer neutrals. Allow me to describe what I see as its good points:
•easy to read and understand but has 72 terts.
•gameplay is sufficiently complex but not obscure - small chance this map would be used for point farming.
•not much room for luck of the drop to be important.
•somewhat unique in the odd distribution of bonuses: 3 very large, 3 medium, and 4 very small but no medium-large or medium-small. (All calculated using the spreadsheet.)
•the small version can be made quite small.

Then there are what might be considered the controversial aspects:
•no theme.
•nothing fancy or pretty (though I think the map is attractive enough).

So the question is: can a plain vanilla game be accepted simply on the basis of clarity/simplicity and potentially interesting gameplay? If not (and if gameplay really is potentially interesting), maybe this post can foster a philosophical discussion about themes and appearance. This post is also something of a Rorschach test: there are so many potential things that might be suggested ("try this..." or "add that"); how many will be?

[Map is 800x840. If a mod would want this in the Drafting Room I'll convert to proper post format.]

Click image to enlarge.

[Victor Sullivan]

I have a hard time seeing this as a good map, honestly. Theme is a real big factor when trying to attract users to your map and aids in graphical direction. I simply think there's a better concept out there to pursue.

-Sully

[QoH]

I think this is really quite interesting. Maybe find a way to make not so random. Maybe introduce sub bonuses within each category.

Or better yet, do a daily life thing, with home, school, work etc.