[CLOSED] Competitive Map Contest - 2014

It is 2014 and I would like to celebrate the start of the year with a new and exciting Competition Map Contest.

One year after the implementation of the custom map editor atWar players roughly split into two groups: Fans of scenarios and custom maps and fans of the classic EU+ +100 preset. The goal of this contest is to develop a real alternative to the well established EU+ map and integrate it into the competitive map pool aswell as letting both groups of our community move a bit closer together.

To achieve this ambitious goal this contest will not end right after the announcement of the winner. It will be followed by a phase of map promotion and a series of high level competition for individual players and coalitions on the winners map. To motivate map makers and to emphasize the need for a competitive custom map the prize pool will be provided completely by the players. As a host I will start out the contest with 3000 Protocoins out of my own pocket. And Until the very end of the contest all interested players are invited to contribute a small amount to the prize pool and show their appreciation. The winner will be selected by a hand picked jury of neutral trusted map makers and experienced competitive players.

For more detailed information please read on.

Have fun!

---

- Map must be created 2014
- Units need to be cloned from Whole World Map
- If necessary, Unit names, description and picture may be altered
- A background image is obligatory
- Authentic country and city names are obligatory
- Map balance is important, by submitting you accept to adjust map balance according to player feedback
- Only own creations are allowed for submission
- Collaborations are allowed, prize pool is split equally but only regular map contest trophies for collaborators
- Low quality submissions or uncomplying maps are excluded from evaluation
- Contest participants are not included in the jury
- Deadline for map submission is March 1st 2014 0:01 h CET, no exceptions

- In case of disputes or ambiguities I have the final judgement

---

1st - 70% Protocoins, venue for 2 tournaments, 30d map promotion, Unique Trophy
2nd - 20% Protocoins, regular map contest trophy
3rd - 10% Protocoins, regular map contest trophy

---

After determining the winning map I will host two tournaments on it. Detailed information about dates, rules and settings are to be announced.

First tournament is open for 8 coalitions competing in single elimination mode. The reward is a custom tournament winner trophy for the two finalist coalitions.
The very first of its kind!

Second tournament is open for 16 competitive players (1200+ ELO or Rank 10+) aswell in single elimination mode.
I plan this tournament to be finished within 2 days after the first game. Reward will be a custom trophy for the best 3 players.

---

Size and feel of your map should be inspired by the EU+ +100 map.

- Balanced for 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, 4v4 5k and 10+ players FFA 5k
- Balanced for 3k up to 15k starting funds, emphasize on 5k and 10k
- Average play time is about 15 to 25 turns

- Smart geographical features to encourage usage of transports
- Port city ratio is about 1:4

The diversity of regions enriches the game play on the EU+ map. Make sure you include the following regions:

- High income, High reinforcements, medium/high density (Germany, France, UK, Rus. Central)
- High income, low reinforcements, low/medium density (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland)
- Medium income, low/medium reinforcements, low density (Russia... )
- Medium income, High reinforcements, medium density (Spain, Italy, Ukraine)
- Low/medium income, medium reinforcements, medium/high density (Greece, Poland, Serbia, Romania, Belarus, Austria)
- Low income, high reinforcements, high density (Turkey)
- Low income, low/medium reinforcements, high density (aka Balkan countries/ former yugoslavia or capital only countries)
- Low income, low/medium reinforcements, periphereal (Iceland, Portugal, Ireland, Azerbajan...)

Perfect balance can only be achieved on a mirrored map. Therefore a well made two or four way mirrored map will recieve bonus points! I would even recommed to clone EU countries and cities and rename and readjust borders and city placement.

Well played, VRIL!

I look forward to anything that is made. The incentives for this are great, I hope to see 5+ viable maps.

I'll see what I can do to help, I may even try my hand at making a map, but that'll take a lot of effort. Good luck all.

I count on columna durruti/ezzatam to bring us the right custom map for competitive play

Scritto da VRIL, 03.01.2014 at 10:18

- Map must be created 2014

Ohhh... No Steam Wars submission...

Scritto da VRIL, 03.01.2014 at 10:18

- Only own creations are allowed for submission

By own creation you refer to the map-making process within AW platform and not that the background image has been taken from somewhere else and modified/adapted to a playable map, right? Or, putting it differently; if Steam Wars was made in 2014 (check this forum for the process: https://atwar-game.com/forum/topic.php?topic_id=11360), could it be submitted for this competition?

Finally, GREAT CHALLENGE!!!

Great idea vril!

Loveyou xoxo

Quota:

Quota:

Ohhh... No Steam Wars submission...

Steam wars would be a good submission for this if the map was on a smaller scale, maybe you could redo it smaller and submit for this.

Scritto da Columna Durruti, 03.01.2014 at 18:37

By own creation you refer to the map-making process within AW platform

Exactly! But if your map is based on a map or parts of a map already published by another member you cannot submit it for this contest.
Only exception is the Whole World Map.

Scritto da VRIL, 03.01.2014 at 10:18

- Map must be created 2014

This is for two reasons, to create equal chances for all participants and the second reason is because none of the published maps meets all other requirements.

I have some more hints for you. There are several maps out there with excellent gameplay but lacking in other aspects necessary for competition. I recommend you check these maps out so you get an idea of what works well already:

Lunatis by Safari - Great shift of city density from region to region. It looks very authentic. When you lay out your cities take this map as role model. City density on your map should not be higher or lower on your map. And just as important here is the balance of the income. There is no other custom map even close in terms of income balance, yet there still is room for improvement. For my taste it is a bit too high in general and needs a better concept of distribution from region to region.
A Song of Ice and Fire by Pulse - The whole region around the passage between the two big Islands provides an excellent density of cities. And there are hardly any countries with more than 4 cities which is perfect for thrilling fights. Also note all the very small islands scattered around the two main land masses.
Greek World by Talos - All the islands and the jagged coast line, this is what I call perfect geography.
EU++ by Pinheiro - I couldnt find a link to preview, but you should be able to find it in game. Posting this one is just for its size. Dont get any bigger! You can play large team fights perfectly here. If you want to focus your map on 1v1 to 3v3 get down to the regular EU+ size.

Do you want it in a gold plate too? THIS IS MADNESS.
The only person capable of doing this stuff, is nothing more and nothing less than; TIK-TOK

Scritto da Tundy, 04.01.2014 at 14:01

Do you want it in a gold plate too? THIS IS MADNESS.
The only person capable of doing this stuff, is nothing more and nothing less than; TIK-TOK

On a golden plate? Sure, why not.
The conditions are clear, meaningful and fulfillable.
There are other capable map-makers besides Tik (who is definitely a great map/scenario artist).
Just give it a try.

I would like to be the first to submit a map: http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5361

Its called M. Europa, I made it today from scratch. What makes it interesting is that it loops around, so you no longer watch one way, you have to watch your back as well.

How many can we submit?

Scritto da Cthulhu, 06.01.2014 at 10:55

I would like to be the first to submit a map: http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5361

Its called M. Europa, I made it today from scratch. What makes it interesting is that it loops around, so you no longer watch one way, you have to watch your back as well.

How many can we submit?

That map is bad, and you should feel bad. No onffense but you probably made that up in less than an hour.

For reference, the scale of europe is around 2500x1500 pixels, if you are cloning world units, you probably want to keep it near this.

also, i would go for more port cities that europe, or atleast more port capitals, to make naval strategies more viable.

I would like to present my second map: http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5373
2500x1500 pixels

Scritto da nonames, 06.01.2014 at 12:40

For reference, the scale of eEurope is around 2500 2200x1500 pixels, if you are cloning world units, you probably want to keep it near make it bigger than this, so you don't risk cities being inaccessible on the edges and hidden by the toolbars.

There, I fixed it for ya.

Http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5382

I would like to submit my third map.

Name is True Competition
2500x1500px

This is my most competitive/balanced map yet

Scritto da Tundy, 06.01.2014 at 11:33

Scritto da Cthulhu, 06.01.2014 at 10:55

I would like to be the first to submit a map: http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5361

Its called M. Europa, I made it today from scratch. What makes it interesting is that it loops around, so you no longer watch one way, you have to watch your back as well.

How many can we submit?

That map is bad, and you should feel bad. No onffense but you probably made that up in less than an hour.

At least he tryed unlike someone ;^)

This is great! I'll donate 150 PC.

I am guessing scenarios do not count? I might try and enter it since i have multiple maps that i have been making but without the scenarios its kinda meh.

No scenarios! Only maps or map presets from 2014

Frankly, they don't seem like the bestest of maps but it's a great start nonetheless. All three maps do seem rather interesting though, especially that third one. Nice to see you accepting the challenge, Cthulhu.


I hope to see some more maps being posted in the future.

Scritto da b0nker2, 23.01.2014 at 02:19

I shall make 3 maps for entry this is the first one, very open to critique.

http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5632

Yes was made from paint

I like the style, MS Paint is a simple tool but you can still get great results if youre creative!

If you go for a looped map, which I like a lot. I suggest you make the ocean a little smaller or add in some islands in there so it gets easier to travel from east to west across the see. If the distant between two cities on each coast is bigger than 8 or 9 (~general movement range) it will be very hard or almost impossible for IF and GW to cross.

My First entry 'Paint World 2', the larger map is designed for 3v3/4v4 there is a preset version for 1v1/2v2 matches.

http://atwar-game.com/map/?id=5655

Was made from Scratch using paint to draw the Islands etc, Economies I will keep tweeking.

These maps from b0nker2 are looking quite great. I really hope there will be more people who will take up this challenge.

Hey there,
I submit my new map Foundation's Edge. More information can be found HERE and the map preview (Map Viewer) HERE.

Scritto da Columna Durruti, 26.01.2014 at 09:44

Hey there,
I submit my new map Foundation's Edge. More information can be found HERE and the map preview (Map Viewer) HERE.

This looks fantastic! Will give it a few play throughs

Tunder will submit a map soon

Scritto da Tunder4, 27.01.2014 at 12:23

Tunder will submit a map soon

i hope one with a nice background

Scritto da Safari, 27.01.2014 at 12:25

Scritto da Tunder4, 27.01.2014 at 12:23

Tunder will submit a map soon

i hope one with a nice background

And I wish i had my main, but nobody gets what the want in life.
Jk safi, iit will have a nice background

If anyone wants to get some feedback on his map you can always contact me in game.
And all the general advice I can give you can be found in this thread, so this should be fair for everyone!

Scritto da Tunder4, 27.01.2014 at 12:27

Scritto da Safari, 27.01.2014 at 12:25

Scritto da Tunder4, 27.01.2014 at 12:23

Tunder will submit a map soon

i hope one with a nice background

And I wish i had my main, but nobody gets what the want in life.
Jk safi, iit will have a nice background

PM me what you want I'll make a background for you, make me collaborator. Multi-colored maps look really unclean and colors do not seem properly "distributed", some parts are darker than others.