Game map

[bearfieldlee]

Its just a point on cosmetics to the devs but have you considered using a map scan of the actual gameboard map in game?

[aardvarkpepper]

Originally posted by bearfieldlee:

Its just a point on cosmetics to the devs but have you considered using a map scan of the actual gameboard map in game?

Good idea, but I'd say contact WotC for the original artwork that's probably in a .pdf somewhere rather than using a scan.

Though having territories change color (rather than using control markers as in the board game) potentially means palette switches would be an issue, the map would be more visually appealing.

Anyways submit the idea to Beamdog's official support site I'd say.

[bearfieldlee]

Yes, I think I will. It would be a huge improvement in my opinion.

[bearfieldlee]

For territory swaps they could always just use control markers the same way the game does. Maybe enlarge them a little for clarity.

[aardvarkpepper]

Originally posted by bearfieldlee:

For territory swaps they could always just use control markers the same way the game does. Maybe enlarge them a little for clarity.

Individual players may prefer control markers as an aesthetic choice, and control markers may be easier to implement than palette switches. But colors (and grayscale options for colorblind) don't use up board space.

So I'd say if the board game's map were scanned in (or a .pdf of variant of that map used), palette switches would still be the way to go.

Stylistically, 1942 Online needs to focus on simple visual presentation.

With the board game, your eyes and mind can change focus instantly from one particular territory to another territory on the other side of the map to other territories surrounding the first territory you looked at &c.

With the online game, you need to manually pan and zoom &c to see what's going on, so trying to present information as simply as possible at all times is more a priority. More simplicity in visual presentation means less need for players to pan here and there and zoom in and out, as a simpler representation means more of the map may be viewed without important tactical information being lost.

[bearfieldlee]

Would it not be very difficult to match the exact colours of the gameboard map doing it that way?

[bearfieldlee]

By that I mean that the gameboard map has quite subtle terrain textures depicted underneath the main colours and I imagine that would be quite difficult to seperate.

[aardvarkpepper]

Depends on how detailed they want to go. They could just take a .pdf, change to black/white, decrease saturation, and apply palette switches on top. Or if there's a file of the Axis and Allies board without border color overlays, they could use that and implement different colored / grayscale pattern borders with a fade effect (most visible with Japan on the board game I think judging by photos). (Even if the map wasn't available they could make one). Or they could apply a palette switch first, and have an artist retouch each territory as necessary for each possible controller.

Other possibilities I'm sure; those are just a few.

[jasonwclark]

I think they should provide a number of graphics options with map overlays or skins or alternative unit styles. Things like a topographical map with roundels, or different color schemes or color patterns for the standard map.

Not exactly on the same topic, but I had pretty high expectations from the art team, and right now all the still images for the splash screens and whatnot still look like concept art roughs. Probably the slickest thing its got going for it is Jim Butcher's official box art. But James R. Butcher Jr is obviously a very well trained illustrator, so you can't expect that level for everything. Still I don't know why we can't just use period photography or illustrations from the public domain to fill in those gaps? There are thousands of thematic images in the internet archives that could be used for splash screens and such to create a greater sense of immersion.

Another pet peeve is the prominent use of WW1 era German flags for everything. Obviously there are strong reasons to avoid using the actual period flag, but they should just make it a generic red banner with a Balkenkreuz like most games do. The one that serves as the German roundel in the actual boxed game. That's also the one that was also used for the gray "enemy" themed plastic army men of the 1950s and 60s, which is kinda the origin of the little plastic dudes we use in A&A.

[bearfieldlee]

Originally posted by jasonwclark:

I think they should provide a number of graphics options with map overlays or skins or alternative unit styles. Things like a topographical map with roundels, or different color schemes or color patterns for the standard map.

Not exactly on the same topic, but I had pretty high expectations from the art team, and right now all the still images for the splash screens and whatnot still look like concept art roughs. Probably the slickest thing its got going for it is Jim Butcher's official box art. But James R. Butcher Jr is obviously a very well trained illustrator, so you can't expect that level for everything. Still I don't know why we can't just use period photography or illustrations from the public domain to fill in those gaps? There are thousands of thematic images in the internet archives that could be used for splash screens and such to create a greater sense of immersion.

Another pet peeve is the prominent use of WW1 era German flags for everything. Obviously there are strong reasons to avoid using the actual period flag, but they should just make it a generic red banner with a Balkenkreuz like most games do. The one that serves as the German roundel in the actual boxed game. That's also the one that was also used for the gray "enemy" themed plastic army men of the 1950s and 60s, which is kinda the origin of the little plastic dudes we use in A&A.

Yes, I agree with multiple map options. Being as this is still early access they may well be considering these options. I can't imagine they are intending to leave the map the way it is for the full release. That iconic style of map on the tabletop version just instantly says "Axis and Allies" and no further introduction is needed for longtime players. You're immediately at home.

There was another online version of 1942 that got cancelled from lack of support or money or whatever a few years ago which used the real map (with control markers). I don't know if you played that one but it was really great.

[bearfieldlee]

Originally posted by aardvarkpepper:

Depends on how detailed they want to go. They could just take a .pdf, change to black/white, decrease saturation, and apply palette switches on top. Or if there's a file of the Axis and Allies board without border color overlays, they could use that and implement different colored / grayscale pattern borders with a fade effect (most visible with Japan on the board game I think judging by photos). (Even if the map wasn't available they could make one). Or they could apply a palette switch first, and have an artist retouch each territory as necessary for each possible controller.

Other possibilities I'm sure; those are just a few.

Theoretically, that sounds like it would look great but I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that done before.

Have you tried 1941 on google play store for Android? There are both 1941 and 1942 options and it isn't an officially supported (WotC) version, just a lone developer but its actually very good.

[JBJasonBourne]

I am not a major follower of discussions, but a big fan of the board game version of the game. In general, I also think the map needs to have some 3-dimensionality (such as terrain features). Adding my vote. The markers could be in 3-dimensions. In theory, as a software developer, I think the players ought to have an option to choose whether the pieces are in 3-D or flat (2-D). And it would be possible to change the look/colors of the map. The second feature request (changing look/colors of map) may be more difficult depending on how the code is implemented in regards to zone and movement. The current map seems very boring. Just adding my vote for better maps.

[bearfieldlee]

Yeah, it is apparently an accurate representation of one of the boardgame versions but they picked a rather uninspiring one in my opinion. Probably for claritys sake.

[thealbert83]

To the developers of A&A Online: Please do make a 1940 Global Version Online! I really find the balance and the gameplay with the 1940 maps much superior over the 1942 versions. Plus with the larger maps and more countries to play as, it will really elevate Axis and Allies to a higher level of online play. Please do make it happen!