Nordic Countries [Quenched]

[mibi]

this map looks better

[natty dread]

Thanks mibi.

[natty dread]

So if no one has any more complaints.... ?

[porkenbeans]

The only thing that I can see that you may want to address is, reducing that bevel. Outside of that, I say it's done. Stick a fork in.

[natty dread]

You probably didn't notice, but I already did recuce the bevel. Compare latest with the previous version. I don't think it should be reduced any further though, it's already at 2 pixels and 1 pixel just doesn't cut it

[RjBeals]

quench.

[natty dread]

quench.

I concur!

[MrBenn]

Natty, this is looking so much better now - you've fixed up the things I was going to suggest with the borders and random shadow in the middle of the land; those small changes have had a net positive effect on the rest of the map.

For me, the only thing which looks slightly amiss now is the cleanliness of the land on the minimap. Apologies for not checking back to view previous incarnations of it, but part of me would like to see a small amount of texture on there (but nowhere near as much as on the actual map, if that makes sense).

I was also going to comment on the sea paths that extend over the land, but it looks like you've addressed that issue already

[mibi]

Natty, this is looking so much better now - you've fixed up the things I was going to suggest with the borders and random shadow in the middle of the land; those small changes have had a net positive effect on the rest of the map.

For me, the only thing which looks slightly amiss now is the cleanliness of the land on the minimap. Apologies for not checking back to view previous incarnations of it, but part of me would like to see a small amount of texture on there (but nowhere near as much as on the actual map, if that makes sense).

I was also going to comment on the sea paths that extend over the land, but it looks like you've addressed that issue already

don't listen to this, there is no reason for further texturing.

trust me, im a famous designer!

[natty dread]

Aaaagh, I'm so conflicted right now.

On one hand, mibi is a famous designer.

On other hand, MrBenn holds the stamp...

Tell you what, I'll make a version of the large image with a slight texture on the minimap, and then we can decide which version to use after we see how each looks.

[natty dread]

Ok, here is for comparison- version without minimap texture
[bigimg]http://img532.imageshack.us/img532/8189/northeuropev58a.png[/bigimg]
version with minimap texture
[bigimg]http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8186/northeuropev58b.png[/bigimg]

I don't know... I kinda like the textured one, but the plain one is definitely clearer / easier to read.

What says the foundry?

[RjBeals]

with the texture. but yeah, the font is a bit hard to read.

[porkenbeans]

Without the texture for sure.
With it, it starts to look like a playable area, like Iceland.
The function of the legend is to explain certain items of the map. It does not require any embellishments in the way of texture or bevel etc.

MrB always says "function over form". And, as beals points out, the text is harder to read with the texture.

I just noticed that the kerning needs to be adjusted on some of the text. There sems to be enough room to widen out the text in many places. Some of the letters are really jammed up, if you know what I mean. Helsinki and Halsingland for example.

[natty dread]

I made one more texture version. This is kinda neat, it's kind of a metallic shine.

[bigimg]http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2034/northeuropev58c.png[/bigimg]

[porkenbeans]

I think that if you put a bevel on it, it should be the same as the map. I would like to see it without a bevel, and maybe through in a drop shadow to lift it up from the map.

[natty dread]

Dropshadow didn't work but here it is without the bevel:

[bigimg]http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/6668/northeuropev58d.png[/bigimg]

[MrBenn]

I prefer the slight texture; not too sure about any of the other effects you've been playing around with, although less is generally more.

Is there any reason you're using italicised text in that minimap? It'd probably be easier to read in a standard font. You've got a weird outer glow on Foroyar. Hmm, just seen the similar thing on Svalbard... It would be nice if those additional instructions were in the legend box somewhere I know there's not much room though... but there might be room if you were to remove the internal border to the minimap box (the one around Iceland) and move the South Norway text/number down a bit. You can get some extra room by putting the North Norway text where the 3 is and moving the 3 down beside Norrland...

If it doesn't work, then it doesn't work. I'm happy with how you've lifted the map a notch over the past week or so. The finishing line is in sight

[natty dread]

The glow around the islands is the same as is around all land area. I don't see reason for changing that...

As for additional instructions for the islands, I had them earlier, people wanted them out, and I'm not sure about adding them in again... Like you said, "less is more"... Couldn't I just see how it works as it is? If there's complaints when the map is in beta I can add in the instructions. (there's no way to fit them on the minimap box though... I used to have them where the compass is now).

As for the minimap text, sure, I can try it non-italicized.

[porkenbeans]

No, there is definitely a bevel going on, It may be that you are using an inner shadow or something to produce it, but it is there. It's not that I don't like it, or that it doesn't look good, It's just that it should match, if you are going to use a bevel on it.

[Industrial Helix]

nitpick... could you decrease the opacity of the bevel just a little bit more?

[ender516]

As far as texture on the mini-map goes, my favourite is the one just below the one with no texture. With no texture, the colours of the mini-map are too dissimilar to the main map, and the later ones with the "metallic shine" seem to have a curvature which appears out of place to me. I also think the italics in the mini-map could go: a normal font (like the "All Sweden" and so on in the bottom right) would be clearer, and the italics was intended as a key to mark capitals.

[natty dread]

Ok... can't you guys just agree on something for once?

Well, I tried to listen to all of you equally, so I reduced the glow, adjusted the texture, redid the bonus area names, moved the bonus numbers around and:

Click image to enlarge.

[grifftron]

Looks great natty!

Congrats on making into the Final Forge.

-griff

[natty dread]

Thanks griff. Do you have any preference to the minimap issue?

[ender516]

Ok... can't you guys just agree on something for once?

Well, I tried to listen to all of you equally, so I reduced the glow, adjusted the texture, redid the bonus area names, moved the bonus numbers around and:

Click image to enlarge.

Everything you changed is better, but the font in the mini-map could be better still, I think. The zone names seemed squished horizontally, like you used Helvetica Narrow instead of Helvetica (just an example, I have no idea what font you are using). Or maybe it is a colour or other effect. But the "All Norway", "All Sweden", "All Finland" lines are fine. Would there not be enough room to use that font and style for all the mini-map text?