11 replies to this topic

[Rambly]

Hello! Robin is currently absent for reasons and things, so I'll be hosting. Again.

Before we get started, I'd like to issue a few reminders of things covered in our guidelines. These aren't technically against the rules and won't get you disqualified, but I really strongly recommend following them. They make my job easier and they make your maps prettier!

• Please don't use Photobucket. They have a tendency to resize your images automatically, which screws with the aspect ratio of your maps. Use ImageShack, imgur, or Dropbox instead.
• If your map has a lot of white or empty space around it, please take the time to crop it out. I've been doing this myself for a while now, but I may stop, as it's rather time-consuming for me to have to do this.
• JPGs aren't really a good idea to use as a file format for maps--JPGs have artifacts, which will make your screenshots look blurry. They're really optimized for photographs with a lot of wildly varying color data, not 2D video game screenshots which usually have limited palettes. (256 colors, in ZC's case...) Use a PNG preferably, or else a GIF.

We all clear? Yeah? Okay? Good. I think I've put off actually posting the contest enough. Thank you to all of our entrants, and good luck!

Map of the Month 28

Orin XD

Jared
A small town, at the crossroads of important areas...

MoscowModder
It's a bonus dungeon. It's supposed to have the most dangerous enemies, the most devious puzzles (or close enough), and a confusing layout. If you're gonna get that item at the end, you gotta EARN it!

Dragonite
Old map is old.

[The Satellite]

I voted for Orin's. I like it the best, but I'm gonna warn you about clutter; the map does seem like it's crowded in too many places. Otherwise, it looks good and has a nice palette. I almost get a sort of ALttP vibe when looking at this. Jared's I feel doesn't have much variety, and, well, you know how I stand on square ALttP mountains so I'll leave that be. MoscowModder's is indeed very confusing, but it's an interesting concept at least. Dragonite's is also good, but I'm actually starting to get to a point where I almost feel like once you've seen one GB map, you've seen them all. That said, while it doesn't really stand out as unique to me, it still looks good.

[Dawnlight]

Orin XD blows the competition away, but what's up with those hoses having different colors. I'm thinking it's important gameplay-wise?

[Red Phazon]

The design of MoscowModder's map intrigues me the most. It makes me want to know where all of those mysterious connections go.

[Supindahood]

I noticed this just now ._.
Voted for Dragonite~

The palette in OrinXD's seem a bit dead compared to the color on the house rooves, meaning they stand out too much. I don't know if that's intended but I guess it is not.

MoscowModder has a nice dungeon map which looks interesting with the magic mirrors, but I don't usually vote for dungeon maps because I like seeing them more as screenshots because of the way dungeons are made.

Jared:
I guess it's good but there isn't much that stands out to me compared to the map I voted.

[MoscowModder]

I nulled because I hear you're supposed to do that in competitions like these.

Orin's map looks pretty cool, but extremely repetitive with the details - it looks like just the same 2 trees scattered about with the same color.

Jared's map also looks good to me, but again, it looks repetitive, with the same big tree and bush all over the place.

Drag's map seems kinda empty and uninspiring... I'm sure it looks fine in-game, but it doesn't feel special in any way.

It makes me want to know where all of those mysterious connections go.

There are only two "mysterious connections", and those are the two nearly-identical rooms that link to each other. But if you're intrigued, go play it! It's already out in Path of Shadows.

[Supindahood]

Orin's map looks pretty cool, but extremely repetitive with the details - it looks like just the same 2 trees scattered about with the same color.

Jared's map also looks good to me, but again, it looks repetitive, with the same big tree and bush all over the place.

I can guess that Dragonites map has "the same tree" used much more

But that doesn't make it worse, right

Edited by Gonken, 01 May 2012 - 02:12 PM.

[MoscowModder]

I can guess that Dragonites map has "the same tree" used much more

But that doesn't make it worse, right

Riiiiiight. That too.

[Cukeman]

Orin's was simply awesome, I just wish he had use two kinds of trees, one a lighter brown, and one a darker brown.
That would give him the variety he needs to make the map "pop" and come to life.
One of the trees is cut off in the lower left though, and another in the lower right.
Also this map begs for a few mushrooms.

Edited by Cukeman, 01 May 2012 - 02:57 PM.

[Supindahood]

I just wish he had use two kinds of trees, one a lighter brown, and one a darker brown.
That would give him the variety he needs to make the map "pop" and come to life.

Sounds like something, an palette adjustment could also make it better.

[nicklegends]

I'm voting MoscowModder. The dungeon mixes good design with good variety... it just appeals to me more than the other shots.

[Rambly]

Map of the Month 28 Results
Orin XD [5] ** [19.23%]
Jared [2] ** [7.69%]
MoscowModder [6] ** [23.08%]
Dragonite [13] ** [50.00%]

It looks like Dragonite is the winner who has won! Congratulations!