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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:16:05 GMT
From TUFFF (August 2012)... For each of the FF books I have read, I have been trying to map them using Microsoft paint. This isn't really the most advanced piece of software so I was wondering if anyone else does anything similar and if so, what do they use to map the books? Also, I have a more specific question. On the Outspaced site there are a number of really good PDF maps which I have been looking at to help out when I get a bit stuck. I am now trying to map Greyguilds in Talisman of Death and must admit that it is causing me a bit of a headache. Has anyone tried mapping Greyguilds? The outspaced one doesn't seem to follow the text exactly and my map looks like a mess!
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:16:34 GMT
From TUFFF... I also use Microsoft Paint. These days I generally only bother with maps when I'm having trouble keeping track of what's where. Legend of Zagor and Revenge of the Vampire are the most recent FF books for which I've done maps.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:18:15 GMT
From TUFFF... I always attempt a map for every book. Some are easier than others, of course. I've always been a bit of a cartographer, mapping out text adventures on my C64 using graph paper, so the opportunity to map a FF book is always a welcome one. My maps are just basic pencil drawings for my own use in playing, nothing intended for sharing / release / web site publication. They look remarkably like the one included in the 25th anniversary tWoFM, that's the style I do mine in.
I have a hardback a4 spiral bound notebook and every double page belongs to one book, with the map on the left and the adventure sheet on the right. All in order of course My adventure sheets are carefully drawn with a ruler and black biro, and then I fill them in in light pencil so they can be reused and the map on the left is gradually added to as I get further in the adventure during subsequent attempts. Underneath each adventure sheet I have many encounter boxes, and then finally at the bottom of the page I have a small section where I keep track of each attempt:
Date - Initial Stats - final "Score" (eg. hero points, FEAR, etc) - outcome of the adventure and number of creatures killed. ~ Vae Victis! ~
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:19:12 GMT
From TUFFF... I've never actually mapped FF books, with the exception of Scorpion Swamp. Mostly I rely on memory (which is pretty poor) or make long notes if I'm doing a Solution. Two Words
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:21:47 GMT
From TUFFF... Interesting to see what others do - I am quite a stickler for my paint maps and try to depict forest and grassland in the correct colours, etc. Most of the time they end up looking pretty poor but it keeps me off the streets.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:35:42 GMT
From TUFFF (March 2013)... I used to try to map the gamebooks showing dungeon layouts, forests, cities & streets but I only recently realised that it may not actually be possible. The author may not have had a map in mind when the book was written so there may be instances where a map cannot be logically derived. Now I use a graph and node method, with section numbers as nodes and with arrowed lines joining linked paragraphs. Number on its own = unread section referenced in a section that's been read
Number in a circle = read
Number in a square = instant death Arrowed line = section refers to joined section
Dotted line = other referential method (e.g. turn to the section with the same number as on the small brass key etc)
Wavy line = move between sections where it's not a user choice e.g. test of luck or skill, or just a single option e.g. "now turn to...". Paragraphs with particularly crucial items or encounters have a small text label adjacent to them. This has the advantage of clearly showing the structure of the book, areas to be explored and how to access them. Done on paper. Usually after a bit of straightening up on two sides of A4.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:36:55 GMT
From TUFFF... I just use a pencil, eraser and a pad of A4 lined paper. I give each encounter or event a number and link them with lines. On a separate page I make notes for each number on what is there and what to do. I don't use the reference numbers, instead starting with encounter 1, then 2 etc. I have found that any book can be mapped in a few hours with this method. I did once do a map of Portal of Evil in Lego.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:38:06 GMT
From TUFFF... I tried to make a map of HOH many years ago but found it impossible to do so. The place would have to be the size of a shopping centre.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:38:44 GMT
From TUFFF... Upstairs is straightforward (but spacious). Downstairs is harder to make work. Never tried the cellar. Trying to make all the secret passages and so on connect the right rooms would probably break your brain.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:39:19 GMT
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:39:59 GMT
From TUFFF... Either the different levels depicted are not in the same scale, or there's some serious dimensional warping going on there. And the two doors leading out of the drawing room aren't exactly 'next to' each other (section 353).
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:40:34 GMT
From TUFFF... I did once do a map of Portal of Evil in Lego. Awesome...how did you manage it? How well did it work?
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:41:08 GMT
From TUFFF... When I was young I never made maps, and thus basically never won any books. Now I just use a spreadsheet. Since I use a computer to handle the battles, I'm always playing near a computer, and spreadsheets are really easy to rearrange if you get something wrong, or to edit and add information.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:41:44 GMT
From TUFFF... I don't like to make maps. I prefer using memory. It makes it more fun for me. I find I end up making some of the same mistakes as before and dying in the same place...or try to get back to a specific encounter, only to find that somehow I've veered off on an entirely different tangent. Making maps would ingrain too much into my brain. Attempting the books from memory adds a lot more replayability, I think.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:41:57 GMT
From TUFFF... Agreed. Plus, it's a lot less hassle!
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:42:28 GMT
From TUFFF... I love mapping the books when they are mappable. It's a major part of the enjoyment for me. I love making flow charts too, and now that Simon Osbourne has done them all as SVGs, I like annotating these instead.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:43:05 GMT
From TUFFF... Psst, paltogue: There's no U in my surname! (Pet Peeves 101)
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:44:20 GMT
From TUFFF... Psst, paltogue: There's no U in my surname! (Pet Peeves 101) Ha, ha, I had a feeling as I typed it that I had gone for the wrong one, but I didn't take the time to check. If it's any consolation, my surname is subject to constant misspelling too. It winds me up no end as well.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:44:51 GMT
From TUFFF... My surname is also a hotspot for rogue 'U's appearing. With the bonus that no-one can pronounce it either. And when people can pronounce it, they find it funny. Thanks Dad!
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:45:42 GMT
From TUFFF... My first name is constantly being written wrong, even by people having it stare them in the face, like in my email or on my cubicle wall (yes I'm in a Dilbert world). And it's a simple name, too! Speak in extremes, it will save you time.
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Post by thealmightymudworm on Mar 16, 2014 2:46:40 GMT
From TUFFF... It's not enough that I regularly have to point out, "That's 'Jolley' with an 'e-y'." Often I also have to explain that the 'e-y' is spelled 'e-y', not 'i-e'.
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Post by stevendoig on Mar 21, 2014 21:52:21 GMT
Interesting about the 'Lego' map, I mind my pal making a Warlock of Firetop Mountain dungeon out of lego, and then inviting my wee lego knight to battle his way through it.
ah, memories!
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Post by a moderator on Mar 21, 2014 22:08:16 GMT
I've made several maps of FF book settings for the computer game The Battle for Wesnoth. I've done TWoFM, Scorpion Swamp, Dead of Night and Seas of Blood, and I keep thinking about trying The Forest of Doom and Sword of the Samurai. I'd have to map out the books first, though.
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Post by nathanh on Mar 23, 2014 18:29:32 GMT
I've made several maps of FF book settings for the computer game The Battle for Wesnoth. I've done TWoFM, Scorpion Swamp, Dead of Night and Seas of Blood, and I keep thinking about trying The Forest of Doom and Sword of the Samurai. I'd have to map out the books first, though. Are these available for download?
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