Foundry News - Monday, October 22, 2007 - First Post

[Qwert]

I want to say that now for every map who pass from Map idea to map foundry put Anouncement post in topic of these map.

[cairnswk]

I used the wrong words I think... I mean if a map is moved from Map Ideas to Map Foundry, or from Map Foundry to Final Forge I'll have a section for it.

OK....got you on that one.

You have my full support there.

[Coleman]

FOUNDRY NEWS
An Independent News Post Owned By The Foundry Members

MAP FOUNDRY EDITION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007

CONTRIBUTORS
Coleman as the Editor & Chief and People Like You.

FORWARD
This is the first foundry news post and hopefully not the last. The general format will be the header, which is everything above this, a typical introduction in the forward and then a section on each of the three places in the foundry. As well as things around in general that I find interesting or posters have brought to my attention. I hope you enjoy foundry news and insist on future postings. If you felt I should have wrote about something but did not please post in reply or find another way of letting me know.

The amount of information to sort through is massive and not everything can always be covered. The Map Foundry and Map Ideas will likely lack many topics each week, but this information will only get better with time as the initial groundwork develops. (In other words, when I can copy paste more stuff).

One thing to keep in mind: If any part of this is incorrect and edited the edit will not replace the information, it will instead be added in this text.

Like right now. We have two other editions.
http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews & http://foundrynews.blogspot.com/

MAP IDEAS

Canada REVAMP Competition! - Clicky
Start Date: August 27, 2007
Creator: KEYOGI
Status: Vote for Map

The revamp competition for Canada in the map ideas forum is coming to a close this week. No more entries are being accepted and it has entered a voting stage. So far submission F is in the lead but there have only been 43 votes cast at the time of writing so anything could happen. It is strongly encouraged you go look at the choices and vote for your favorite. The winner will appear in the foundry in the near future, but an exact date is not evident. Happy Voting!

WWII Europe - Clicky
Start Date: August 15, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Working Draft

WWII Europe is an effort by qwert to merge the Eastern Front map with his still unfinished Western Front map into a single map. (Click For Image) There is some heavy discussion at the moment as to the size of his map not fitting the foundries new and controversial maximum size requirements. It appears as though this map will not move out of map ideas until it fits the size requirements, something which qwert hasn't shown any interest in making it do. Hard to tell what may happen here.

The Puget Sound - Clicky
Start Date: August 13, 2007
Creator: Tisha
Status: Working Draft

The Puget Sound is a map of a body of water (part of the ocean actually) in Washington. This map mostly focuses on the land around the Puget Sound. The reasons for it still being in Map Ideas are at this point unclear since it appears to fit the requirements for being moved into the Map Foundry.

Ragnarök - Clicky
Start Date: June 27, 2007
Creator: Telvannia
Status: Early Draft

Ranarök is a map designed to simulate a huge battle between the inhabitants of Norse mythology. A working map hasn't surfaced yet but we have a clear look at the general layout available. (Click For Image) This map recently resurfaced from the foundry furnace due to community interest. The Migogaror region is currently being worked on (Click For Image) and should be finished eventually. The current creator has real life commitments slowing development.

Other Topic of Interest
World 3.0 (Clicky) has been placed into Vacation Status.

State of Map Ideas
Map Ideas is intended to be a section where ideas are made and then developed into working drafts. New ideas SHOULD NOT be their own topics unless the creator of the topic intends to develop a draft. The new ideas by people not making the maps have their own topic and should only be placed there. Currently Map Ideas is flooded with idea topics that are never going to be turned into maps by the creators. The flooding is so bad that the section of the forum is nearly unusable and unnavigable.

MAP FOUNDRY

SYDNEY 2000 - Clicky
Start Date: July 16, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Vote on Continuance

SYDENY 2000 is a map based around the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, with emphasis on using main roads to attack spectator venues, good services and sports venues, while normal citizens use pedestrian crossings to make their way between the suburbs. Roads are barriers to normal citizens. Current poll reveals map may just survive for further development, if CairnsWK moves it ahead.

SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! - Clicky
Start Date: June 6, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
Status: Possibly Abandoned

SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! is about a riot in a Supermax. Supermax is a very real and frequently used term for a type of prison as much as it is for a section of a larger one. The creators of this map have recently announced abandonment although the topic title has yet to be updated. This has to do with the creators frustrations regarding the rigors of map making in general. They have both made it clear this is likely a permanent vacation.

Berlin 1962 - Clicky
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: oaktown
Status: Bombardment Revision

This map is about the city of Berlin during the Cold War in 1962. For those who don't know the Cold War was a conflict between the United States and Russia that lasted for years with small skirmishes throughout the entire world. Berlin was one of these locations. The Capital of Germany. The start time for this is slightly inaccurate as this map was initially presented as the city of Berlin from a different point of view. Currently the idea of the Russian sector bombardment is being reworked.

WWII Western Front - Clicky
Start Date: July 19, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Vacation

This is similar to WWII Eastern Front, a released map. This instead focuses on the Western Front, or more on the Allies vs Germany conflict instead of the Germany vs Russia conflict. qwert has entered this map in Vacation status to take a break. He'll be back to deal with suggestions when he's more composed and relaxed. Everyone needs a break every now and then. For now, the mountain of suggestions is daunting, and only growing as the days pass.

RAIL EUROPE - Clicky
Start Date: September 1, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Awaiting colour verification and rail lines from WM, with poll still running.

This is the second in the series of rail maps planned which started with RAIL USA. Gameplay is slightly different from RAIL USA with a "rail line impassable" at some stations. Close to 99 European-flavoured stations on board covering 17 Service lines. This map is still in graphics stage. 75% "in support" poll close to ending.

THAI-BURMA POW RAILWAY - Clicky
aka: Bamboo Jack
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: A poll indicates overwhelming 76% support in favour of development continuance.

Cairnswk had a bad start with this one, creating controversy over playing on dead bodies in the Bridge On The River Kwai. After initial non-interest, the map was re-designed to be based on the Thai-Burma Railway and adjoining territories and four POW camp that can be attacked from the rail line and territories. Standard gameplay, no gimmicks, but lots of territories, with graphics featuring a definite Thai flavour and colours.

Map Foundry Debates
Currently the Foundry Process is in a state of flux as a community of foundry regulars is fighting the current processes and standards heavily. The main issues are map size and development time. These are too intricate to adequately cover in a news post but links are provided below. A resolute ending to either conflict is unlikely in the near future.

Foundry Process Debate
Size Requirements Debate

FINAL FORGE

Quick Overview

Final Forge Maps: 11

Recently Quenched

Doodle Earth - Clicky
Start Date: March 30, 2007
Quench Date: August 28, 2007
Creators: Evil DIMwit
Status: Playable

WWII Pearl Harbor - Clicky
Start Date: May 14, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: XML Glitch Ruins Gameplay

RAIL USA - Clicky
Start Date: July 7, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: cairnswk & WidowMakers
Status: Playable

Indochina REVAMP - Clicky
Start Date: July 24, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: Freakshow
Revamp: WidowMakers
Status: XML Glitch Can Impact Gameplay

Last Quench Date Before August 28, 2007 was August 6, 2007.

WWII OPERATION IWO JIMA - Clicky
Start Date: February 24, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Needs Graphics Update?

A map of the plans for Iwo Jima as seen by the allied forces. Currently the map is being held up by comments about the lines being 1 pixel thick and not blending with the map? Or something? Not everyone can see this error? It's hard not to be confused.

PORTUGAL - Clicky
Start Date: April 8, 2007
Creator: gimil
Status: Needs Graphics Update?

A map of Portugal, the country. It does a decent job of staying true to the indigenous names of areas. Currently the map is being held up by comments about the circles and names touching.

France! - Clicky
Start Date: May 14, 2006
Creator: reverend_kyle
Status: Territory Names Being Redone

A map of France, guess they got jealous of Germany. It is mostly Americanized, much like the actual country, but that is a different issue. Currently the names for some of the territories are being redone. Other then that it seems to be finished.

D-Day: Omaha Beach! - Clicky
Start Date: April 25, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
Status: Waiting for Moderator

This map has been as much of a battle field as its namesake. This map plays out a small section of the beach at Normandy during the D-Day Invasion. This map may have withstanding issues or the creators may have abandoned it if it isn't acceptable in its current state. Hard to say at this point.

Greater China - Clicky
Start Date: January 14, 2007
Creator: Wisse
Status: XML Repairs

Map of China, possibly not set in the present. Otherwise it is mostly true to native names. This map is currently finished if the current possible XML error turns out to be a fluke. Update! September 14, 2007 - Turns out the confusion was the country tag being used instead of territory. There is still a slight chance some other problem may exist, but hopefully this map will be quenched once the xml checks out.

Battle of Actium - Clicky
Start Date: June 2, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status:Waiting for Lack's new XML fix.

This is about the Battle of Actium. That's where Octavius and Antony fought in the water over Cleoptra's son being allowed to inherit Rome or some nonsense. It's Julius Ceaser's fault. Thankfully, most current female political leaders are hideous. Moving on, this map is ready for playing once lack fixes the broken features in the new xml code.

The Netherlands - Clicky
Start Date: December 29, 2006
Creator: Lone.prophet
Status: Graphic Work
The production time for this map of the Netherlands is a bit off base as the whole graphics portion was redone recently. The graphics are still undergoing work.

South Africa Map - Clicky
Start Date: March 16, 2007
Creator: Crowley
Status:Waiting for Moderators

Map of South Africa. This map is so great it entered Final Forge in August and nobody had anything bad to say about it since. If history is any indication this will change once the moderators remember it exists.

Italy - Clicky
Start Date: December 12, 2006
Creator: RjBeals
Status: Waiting for Update

A map of Italy. Shocking! RjBeals said on September 4th that he'd update this soon with the Vatican somehow.

MALTA Map - Clicky
Start Date: December 6, 2006
Creators: Ruben Cassar & Yeti_C.
Status: Needs Yeti_C's signature.

Map of Malta. If you are starting to notice a trend a lot of December maps of countries were started and are just now nearing completion. The moderators' words on the status of this are vacation, but it needs Yeti_C's signature, as he is the xml artist. So it is not finished regardless.

The Solar System - Clicky
Start Date: June 14, 2007
Creator: maxdetjens
Status: Creator Missing

This is a map of the Solar System. Sort of. It borrows some science fiction ideas, so it is a potential future map of it. maxdetjens started dead beating on August 25 (possibly 24th) and has since vanished. He has a website (clicky). It's a personal one about him that was updated September 9th. So if someone could scout that out and maybe inform the paper as to what may have happened, let the Foundry News know. At current he is missing in action.

Update - September 14, 2007 - This just in from Night Strike who received this information from max after an e-mail inquiry. "Sorry about the delay. I had the opportunity to start a new business. Now that thats pretty well in hand I am working on the next update to the map. Look for updates on Sunday as well as new comments on the thread. - Thanks!" It's good to know he's all right at least, it's easy to assume the worst.

WRAP UP
Hope you liked the first Foundry News. If you didn't send me a PM or reply to this topic and I'll see what I can do. If you did like it, do that too. (Warning, any pms sent to Coleman as of this instant are considered foundry property and can be publicized in Foundry News without the sender's consent.)

Archived Version

[edbeard]

could you add South America to the list? I just update a little while ago. It's a joint project between myself and Marvaddin

[Coleman]

could you add South America to the list? I just update a little while ago. It's a joint project between myself and Marvaddin

Working on polishing and posting the new edition as we speak. I'll be sure to have it on the new news post.

[reverend_kyle]

If the moderators do decide to include a sticky somehow. It would probably be best done in one of the topics they already have as a link to one of the blog editions. http://foundrynews.blogspot.com/ or http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews
.

Hey mr. mod, you can sticky it yourself now.. you realize that right?

[Wisse]

my china map is updated all things are ready, if there are no problems it will be quenched in 2-3 days thats an update for your news coleman

[Coleman]

If the moderators do decide to include a sticky somehow. It would probably be best done in one of the topics they already have as a link to one of the blog editions. http://foundrynews.blogspot.com/ or http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews
.

Hey mr. mod, you can sticky it yourself now.. you realize that right?

I could, but Andy has said he doesn't see the need to sticky this just yet, and I'm fine with it being a topic that floats around. When the news gets a little old it drifts out of the way. If it was a sticky I would feel compelled to update it every day.

[reverend_kyle]

If the moderators do decide to include a sticky somehow. It would probably be best done in one of the topics they already have as a link to one of the blog editions. http://foundrynews.blogspot.com/ or http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews
.

Hey mr. mod, you can sticky it yourself now.. you realize that right?

I could, but Andy has said he doesn't see the need to sticky this just yet, and I'm fine with it being a topic that floats around. When the news gets a little old it drifts out of the way. If it was a sticky I would feel compelled to update it every day.

Glad you've put some thought into it and conferred with andy instead of abusing your powerslike AK iceman

[DiM]

hey where's my map?

[mibi]

you should make a new thread each time... so it doesn't end up like a stack of old newspapers.

[Coleman]

I thought about that but I didn't want to flood the foundry with news posts. This will work for now. I hope.

[Night Strike]

I thought about that but I didn't want to flood the foundry with news posts. This will work for now. I hope.

You could sticky a new version (although you already covered that) and lock up all the old versions so they shuffle away.

[Coleman]

hey where's my map?

I know I'm a moron. It's in there now. I put it under Map Ideas as I think you should know we (the CAs) kind of want to move it (and other oversized maps if they exist) back to Map Ideas until we come up with an official way (lack approved way) to include them.

We will not be moving it back though, under the idea that there is no reason a map should ever be shoved backwards in the production cycle. Instead I'm just using this opportunity to let it be known that future oversized maps won't be able to leave Map Ideas, or advance on the production cycle at present.

I personally don't want to discourage anyone from attempting to make oversized maps, as it is possible in the future we will start including them. Unlike Keyogi I don't want to try to halt your work, just don't expect it to be able to reach final forge for a while, or, while I hate to say it, possibly don't expect to reach forge ever, although there is enough demand in my mind that it will eventually be possible. Speaking as a member and not as a moderator for that part.

As moderators we would like people to work on maps that we can actually quench. If you just can't help yourself though...

[DiM]

hey where's my map?

I know I'm a moron. It's in there now. I put it under Map Ideas as I think you should know we (the CAs) kind of want to move it (and other oversized maps if they exist) back to Map Ideas until we come up with an official way (lack approved way) to include them.

what?? why move it? Age of Realms fits the size guidelines. it has a small version of 630*600 px. it was a few pages long arguement and at the end i made a small version according to the guidelines. and now you want to move it back?

[Coleman]

hey where's my map?

I know I'm a moron. It's in there now. I put it under Map Ideas as I think you should know we (the CAs) kind of want to move it (and other oversized maps if they exist) back to Map Ideas until we come up with an official way (lack approved way) to include them.

what?? why move it? Age of Realms fits the size guidelines. it has a small version of 630*600 px. it was a few pages long arguement and at the end i made a small version according to the guidelines. and now you want to move it back?

If you continue reading, we did not move it. To be honest I haven't looked at it in a while. I really should. I'll come back and edit this after I do. I forget what Keyogi had you do and what happened after.

EDIT: Okay, sorry. I think you may want to wait. It is possible the size restrictions could end up being lifted eventually. I'll correct where I put the news post. In it's full form if it was still supersized we would have wanted to move it, but like I went on to say, no map will ever be moved backwards in the production cycle. At least not without a ton of grief from me.

I'm still working on getting better at looking at everything. After editing the write up you sent me I would really like to see the map published.

[DiM]

hey where's my map?

I know I'm a moron. It's in there now. I put it under Map Ideas as I think you should know we (the CAs) kind of want to move it (and other oversized maps if they exist) back to Map Ideas until we come up with an official way (lack approved way) to include them.

what?? why move it? Age of Realms fits the size guidelines. it has a small version of 630*600 px. it was a few pages long arguement and at the end i made a small version according to the guidelines. and now you want to move it back?

If you continue reading, we did not move it. To be honest I haven't looked at it in a while. I really should. I'll come back and edit this after I do. I forget what Keyogi had you do and what happened after.

let me clarify. the map was too large i wanted to do a large 850*850 and small 700*700. in the end i gave up and made a small version of 630*600. to do this i had to cut 30 terits. and this is the reason the map is on hold at this moment. if any time soon the size restrictions are lifted the map will be done with all the terits. if the restrictions will remain i'll continue from where i am now with the small version that has 30 less terits. if i remember corectly it now has 96 instead of 130.

[Coleman]

I just want to revisit what cairnswk said while we are talking here. If there is anyway you want to continue with the 96 territory version until a supersized map is quenchable I would be very very happy. It is still quite good as 96 territories and when we can do supersized maps you could come back and put forward the large version as a revamp.

I don't know what problems this would create for your later chapters however. Which I suspect is why you detest the cutting of the territories. It would be nice to have something though, as I like the map.

[DiM]

I just want to revisit what cairnswk said while we are talking here. If there is anyway you want to continue with the 96 territory version until a supersized map is quenchable I would be very very happy. It is still quite good as 96 territories and when we can do supersized maps you could come back and put forward the large version as a revamp.

I don't know what problems this would create for your later chapters however. Which I suspect is why you detest the cutting of the territories. It would be nice to have something though, as I like the map.

the problem is that if i continue with 96 terits chapters 2 and 3 have to be redisigned. however i could make this 96 terit version and if by the time i do chapters 2 and 3 the size limits are over i can make 2 and 3 how i originally envisioned them and leave chapter 1 as it is. revamping a map to change from 96 to 130 terits is impossible because the bonuses the borders and everything is changed and it will screw active games.

[Coleman]

revamping a map to change from 96 to 130 terits is impossible because the bonuses the borders and everything is changed and it will screw active games.

You are right, but lackattack could block future ones from being made and then put out the new form. This is without talking to him though, and he may be thinking "hell no!" to that idea. If supersized games are available after chapter 1 is done it could just be one more thing for you to use to distinguish the new chapters.

[Qwert]

WWII OPERATION IWO JIMA - Clicky
Start Date: February 24, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Needs Graphics Update?

Coleman can you change these to these.

WWII OPERATION IWO JIMA - Clicky
Start Date: February 24, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Waithing 10 days to Andy finaly reply.

[Coleman]

I'll change it, but not to that.

[Coleman]

FOUNDRY NEWS
An Independent News Post Owned By The Foundry Members

MAP FOUNDRY EDITION
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2007

CONTRIBUTORS
Coleman as the Editor & Chief and People Like You.

FORWARD
Going to be seeing some new items this week. I'll be adding a few more maps I've noticed and had time to study in all the sections. There is a new portion titled "Movement" between Map Ideas and Map Foundry where, well, I tell you what moved from map ideas to map foundry in the past week. Should be pretty straight forward. I may even date them. That should be fun? Right? RIGHT!?

What else? There are some messages from Andy and new staff, which cairnswk and I are now a part of as replacements for Keyogi who has real life commitments he must fulfill. That's up in announcements in the following topic: (clicky).

As always, it is better to go to the topics themselves to get the most information. Everything contained inside these news posts are simply brief glances at the maps and can quickly grow out of date. There are links everywhere for your convenience if you want to find out more about a map or topic. Oh, I've also started sorting from oldest to youngest. This should help maps that have been in development for a long time get more attention as well as giving the news a bit more structure.

One thing to always keep in mind: If any part of this is incorrect and edited the edit will not replace the information, it will instead be added in this text.

We also have two other editions if the forum doesn't quite suit your fancy.
http://www.xanga.com/FoundryNews & http://foundrynews.blogspot.com/

MAP IDEAS

Ragnarök - Clicky
Start Date: June 27, 2007
Creator: Telvannia
Status: Early Draft

Ranarök is a map designed to simulate a huge battle between the inhabitants of Norse mythology. A working map hasn't surfaced yet but we have a clear look at the general layout available. (Click For Image) This map recently resurfaced from the foundry furnace due to community interest. The Migogaror region is currently being worked on (Click For Image) and should be finished eventually. The current creator has real life commitments slowing development.

WWII Europe - Clicky
Start Date: August 15, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: On Hold

WWII Europe is an effort by qwert to merge the Eastern Front map with his still unfinished Western Front map into a single map. (Click For Image) It has been confirmed that at current this map is halted until the foundry can decide how to officially handle oversized maps.

State of Map Ideas
The new moderation team is committed to cleaning this place up. Finding real map idea topics amidst the sea of suggestions is difficult. Many seem to be abandoned before they really begin.

MOVEMENT

Monday, September 17, 2007
The Puget Sound

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Canada REVAMP!
Pixel World

MAP FOUNDRY

SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! - Clicky
Start Date: June 6, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
Status: Vacation

SUPERMAX: Prison Riot! is about a riot in a Supermax. Supermax is a very real and frequently used term for a type of prison as much as it is for a section of a larger one. This map is now in vacation status until the creators are comfortable with picking it up again.

South America - Clicky
Start Date:June 17, 2007
Creators: edbeard & Marvaddin
Status: Polishing
Finally a map of South America. This region is very neglected on the site for geographic maps so it is nice having one in development. This map looks near Final Forge, with a few withstanding graphical and gameplay discussion points.

WWII Western Front - Clicky
Start Date: July 19, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Waiting for Forge

This is similar to WWII Eastern Front, a released map. This instead focuses on the Western Front, or more on the Allies vs Germany conflict instead of the Germany vs Russia conflict. qwert has returned from his vacation status this previous week and has begun updating the map again; mostly the graphics.

Age of Realms Trilogy- Chapter 1: Age of Might - Clicky
Start Date: July 21, 2007
Creators: DiM, gimil, yeti_c
Status: On Hold

Age of Realms Trilogy- Chapter 1: Age of Might features a new gameplay concept where each person starts with just 1 territory (a castle) and expands by 'liberating' villages' resources and factories it also features an immersing story set up in a realm of fantasy where the goal is to start as a noble prince and rule the kingdom. but due to it's chapter based nature this is only the beginning. chapters 2 and 3 will bring continuity to the story and will add twists and turns in the plot. all 3 chapters will take place on the same map but each time the landscape will change to portray the events in the chapter plus new gameplay features will help make each chapter unique. It has been confirmed that at current this map is halted until the foundry can decide how to officially handle oversized maps.

Pixel World - Clicky
Start Date: July 25, 2007
Creator: BelJoDude
Status: Gameplay Discussion
Pixel World is just what it sounds like, sort of. The idea is to fit as many territories as possible onto a map with the current size constraints imposed by the foundry policy while maintaining decent gameplay. The current, and possibly only, workable solution is starting with a lot of neutral territories, which may be largely unpopular. Otherwise players may start with 40 armies, a very obvious imbalance for who goes first vs who goes last.

Berlin 1962 - Clicky
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: oaktown
Status: Bombardment Revision

This map is about the city of Berlin during the Cold War in 1962. For those who don't know the Cold War was a conflict between the United States and Russia that lasted for years with small skirmishes throughout the entire world. Berlin was one of these locations. The Capital of Germany. The start time for this is slightly inaccurate as this map was initially presented as the city of Berlin from a different point of view. Currently the idea of the Russian sector bombardment is being reworked. Community input has been requested.

The Thai-Burma POW Railway - Clicky
aka: Bamboo Jack
Start Date: August 4, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Awaiting Updates

Cairnswk had a bad start with this one, creating controversy over playing on dead bodies in the Bridge On The River Kwai. After initial non-interest, the map was re-designed to be based on the Thai-Burma Railway and adjoining territories and four POW camp that can be attacked from the rail line and territories. Standard gameplay, no gimmicks, but lots of territories, with graphics featuring a definite Thai flavour and colours. This map has passed its popularity vote and is now awaiting updates from cairnswk.

The Puget Sound - Clicky
Start Date: August 13, 2007
Creator: Tisha
Status: Polishing

The Puget Sound is a map of a body of water (part of the ocean actually) in Washington. This map mostly focuses on the land around the Puget Sound. Wicked recently moved this to the map foundry which was apparently quite upsetting for a few foundry members. This argument was short lived and development on the map has started up again.

Canada REVAMP! - Clicky
Start Date: August 27, 2007
Creator: WidowMakers
Status: Polishing

The revamp competition for Canada in the map ideas forum is complete. Congratulations to WidowMakers who won with map submission F. A full list of all participants and which map(s) they authored can be found in the first post of the topic. Be sure to stop by and check out the progress and give WidowMakers suggestions on areas to improve. Thanks to everyone who participated!

RAIL EUROPE - Clicky
Start Date: September 1, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Awaiting rail colours.

This is the second in the series of rail maps planned which started with RAIL USA. Gameplay is slightly different from RAIL USA with a "rail line impassable" at some stations. Close to 99 European-flavoured stations on board covering 17 Service lines. This map is still in graphics stage, and is awaiting rail colours being added as the most significant lacking graphical component.

Map Foundry Debates
Currently the Foundry Process is in a state of flux as a community of foundry regulars is fighting the current processes and standards heavily. The main issues are map size and development time. These are too intricate to adequately cover in a news post but links are provided below. A resolute ending to either conflict is unlikely in the near future.

Foundry Process Debate
Size Requirements Debate

Other Topics of Interest

• Sydney 2000 (Clicky) has been Abandoned.
• The XML checker is being redone by yeti_c and lackattack so it should understand the new XML in the near future.

FINAL FORGE

Quick Overview

Final Forge Maps: 11

Recently Quenched

Doodle Earth - Clicky
Start Date: March 30, 2007
Quench Date: August 28, 2007
Creators: Evil DIMwit
Status: Playable

WWII Pearl Harbor - Clicky
Start Date: May 14, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status: Playable

RAIL USA - Clicky
Start Date: July 7, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: cairnswk & WidowMakers
Status: Playable

Indochina REVAMP - Clicky
Start Date: July 24, 2007
Quench Date: September 8, 2007
Creator: Freakshow
Revamp: WidowMakers
Status: Playable

Last Quench Date Before August 28, 2007 was August 6, 2007.

France! - Clicky
Start Date: May 14, 2006
Creator: reverend_kyle
Status: Territory Names Being Redone

A map of France, guess they got jealous of Germany. It is mostly Americanized, much like the actual country, but that is a different issue. Currently the names for some of the territories are being redone. Other then that it seems to be finished. Nothing New

MALTA Map - Clicky
Start Date: December 6, 2006
Creators: Ruben Cassar & Yeti_C.
Status: Needs Yeti_C's signature.

Map of Malta. If you are starting to notice a trend a lot of December maps of countries were started and are just now nearing completion. The moderators' words on the status of this are vacation, but it needs Yeti_C's signature, as he is the xml artist. So it is not finished regardless. Nothing New

Italy - Clicky
Start Date: December 12, 2006
Creator: RjBeals
Status: Waiting for Update

A map of Italy. Shocking! RjBeals said on September 4th that he'd update this soon with the Vatican somehow. Nothing New

The Netherlands - Clicky
Start Date: December 29, 2006
Creator: Lone.prophet
Status: Graphic Work

The production time for this map of the Netherlands is a bit off base as the whole graphics portion was redone recently. The graphics are still undergoing work. Nothing New

Greater China - Clicky
Start Date: January 14, 2007
Creator: Wisse
Status: Waiting for Moderator

Map of China, possibly not set in the present. Otherwise it is mostly true to native names. This map is currently undergoing some slight work as Wisse desires another update. Update: Wisse has stated he feels finished and would like a moderator to see if it is good for quench.

WWII OPERATION IWO JIMA - Clicky
Start Date: February 24, 2007
Creator: qwert
Status: Needs Graphics Update?

A map of the plans for Iwo Jima as seen by the allied forces. Currently the map is being held up by comments about the lines being 1 pixel thick and not blending with the map? Or something? Not everyone can see this error? It's hard not to be confused.

PORTUGAL - Clicky
Start Date: April 8, 2007
Creator: gimil
Status: Needs Graphics Update

A map of Portugal, the country. It does a decent job of staying true to the indigenous names of areas. Currently the map is being held up by comments about the circles and names touching. Nothing New

D-Day: Omaha Beach! - Clicky
Start Date: April 25, 2007
Creators: mibi & Coleman
Status: Waiting for Poll Results

This map has been as much of a battle field as its namesake. This map plays out a small section of the beach at Normandy during the D-Day Invasion. A poll has just been set up asking about the German territory colours. Please vote. You can find the decision here first after a week of voting.

South Africa Map - Clicky
Start Date: March 16, 2007
Creator: Crowley
Status:Waiting for Creator Update

Map of South Africa. This map is so great it entered Final Forge in August and nobody had anything bad to say about it since. Unfortunately, Crowley has expressed an interest in providing a final update so we have to wait for that.

Battle of Actium - Clicky
Start Date: June 2, 2007
Creator: cairnswk
Status:Waiting for Quench!

This is about the Battle of Actium. That's where Octavius and Antony fought in the water over Cleoptra's son being allowed to inherit Rome or some nonsense. It's Julius Ceaser's fault. Thankfully, most current female political leaders are hideous. Moving on, this map is ready for playing and is waiting for quench.

The Solar System - Clicky
Start Date: June 14, 2007
Creator: maxdetjens
Status: Adjusting Brightness

This is a map of the Solar System. Sort of. It borrows some science fiction ideas, so it is a potential future map of it. maxdetjens went missing during part of the development process due to real life getting in the way. He is now back and updating full time. The map is currently having brightness adjusted.

WRAP UP
Hope you liked this edition of Foundry News. If you didn't send me a PM or reply to this topic and I'll see what I can do. If you did like it, do that too. (Warning, any pms sent to Coleman are considered foundry property and can be publicized in Foundry News without the sender's consent unless they are specifically related to Cartography Assistance, in which case, standard privacy rules apply.)

[gimil]

coleman you best update to show the newly quenched maps

[Gnome]

why do you never add Midkemia to your foundry news