Why does the map cover such a large geographic area?

[PvtBenjamin]

Why does the map cover such a large geographic area? Seems superfluous and actually takes away from the game. Specifically the Caribbean, Mexico and Native American territories further west. Makes the game very cumbersome.

[Bo Rearguard]

Why does the map cover such a large geographic area? Seems superfluous and actually takes away from the game. Specifically the Caribbean, Mexico and Native American territories further west. Makes the game very cumbersome.

Mexico is included because if France throws in its lot with the Confederacy, then Mexico can become a (weak) Union ally. Long odds to be sure. New Mexico is there to represent General Sibley's doomed 1862 campaign to capture New Mexico and Arizona for the Confederacy. Then there is the Indian fighting here and there. As for the Caribbean I'm not sure. Maybe they are planning a Spanish-American war variant someday.

I don't mind it. It represents some peripheral aspects of the war that don't usually get gamed.

[Platoonist]

Maybe they are planning a Spanish-American war variant someday.

I was thinking a Mexican War mod could be in the works at some point.

I LOVE the map. The Strategic Command team always seem to give you more map mileage for your buck. Maybe it's those big, sparsely populated rectangular states that put people off. Kansas--Nebraska--Colorado--etc. Not the usual wargaming fare unless you are big into the Indian Wars.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

Mexico is included because if France throws in its lot with the Confederacy, then Mexico can become a (weak) Union ally. Long odds to be sure. New Mexico is there to represent General Sibley's doomed 1862 campaign to capture New Mexico and Arizona for the Confederacy. Then there is the Indian fighting here and there. As for the Caribbean I'm not sure.

This is right. The Caribbean is there to give the Europeans (especially France) somewhere to deploy new units should they enter the war.

- BNC

[OldCrowBalthazor]

Maybe they are planning a Spanish-American war variant someday.

I was thinking a Mexican War mod could be in the works at some point.

I LOVE the map. The Strategic Command team always seem to give you more map mileage for your buck. Maybe it's those big, sparsely populated rectangular states that put people off. Kansas--Nebraska--Colorado--etc. Not the usual wargaming fare unless you are big into the Indian Wars.

Yep this!

I'm also glad the map is this big. A great template for future modders for one.
But most importantly, it conveys the absolute immensity of the conflicts in North America in the 1860's and the different levels (or lack of) infrastructure there.

It's a brilliant piece of work this map. Not superfluous at all.

[PvtBenjamin]

Maybe they are planning a Spanish-American war variant someday.

I was thinking a Mexican War mod could be in the works at some point.

I LOVE the map. The Strategic Command team always seem to give you more map mileage for your buck. Maybe it's those big, sparsely populated rectangular states that put people off. Kansas--Nebraska--Colorado--etc. Not the usual wargaming fare unless you are big into the Indian Wars.

Yep this!

I'm also glad the map is this big. A great template for future modders for one.
But most importantly, it conveys the absolute immensity of the conflicts in North America in the 1860's and the different levels (or lack of) infrastructure there.

It's a brilliant piece of work this map. Not superfluous at all.

I'm sorry but I'm not seeing how its brilliant. The map goes all the way to Grenada & Honduras. We've been to Antigua & BVI many times on vacation, its beautiful, but I don't see its relevance here. I'm certainly not a game architect but the net result is hexes having a large amount of sq miles and DC & Richmond being only 9 hexes apart. 99% of the war was fought from Missouri to the Atlantic & North of Tampa. There were a couple "fights", hideous massacres actually, in Colorado & Idaho.

What percent of people who buy the game are modders?

[pz501]

Why does the map cover such a large geographic area? Seems superfluous and actually takes away from the game. Specifically the Caribbean, Mexico and Native American territories further west. Makes the game very cumbersome.

I've got no problem at all with the map size. I will admit there is a lot of unused space, and yes it can be tricky to navigate and locate units at times.

What I do find attractive is it's possible use for making mods and what-if situations. I'm thinking along the lines of Harry Turtledove's American Front series for WW1 and WW2, or maybe even an adaptation of the old SPI boardgame "Invasion America" set in more modern times.

All in all I think the size is no big problem, and the possibilities for the future are almost limitless. Just my personal opinion.

[PvtBenjamin]

Why does the map cover such a large geographic area? Seems superfluous and actually takes away from the game. Specifically the Caribbean, Mexico and Native American territories further west. Makes the game very cumbersome.

I've got no problem at all with the map size. I will admit there is a lot of unused space, and yes it can be tricky to navigate and locate units at times.

What I do find attractive is it's possible use for making mods and what-if situations. I'm thinking along the lines of Harry Turtledove's American Front series for WW1 and WW2, or maybe even an adaptation of the old SPI boardgame "Invasion America" set in more modern times.

All in all I think the size is no big problem, and the possibilities for the future are almost limitless. Just my personal opinion.

That's fair, it isn't the end of the day just seems like wasted space. I've been playing SC a long time have no real problem navigating just "what's that doing here?" I'm concerned given the map size and # of units but maybe that fills in over time.

thanks

[eightroomofelixir]

I'm sorry but I'm not seeing how its brilliant. The map goes all the way to Grenada & Honduras. We've been to Antigua & BVI many times on vacation, its beautiful, but I don't see its relevance here. I'm certainly not a game architect but the net result is hexes having a large amount of sq miles and DC & Richmond being only 9 hexes apart. 99% of the war was fought from Missouri to the Atlantic & North of Tampa. There were a couple "fights", hideous massacres actually, in Colorado & Idaho.

I do wonder if the Eastern Theater will have far more hexes if the southern edge of the geographical region included in the map ends around San Juan, Puerto Rico rather than all the way down to the Windward Islands.

What I do find attractive is it's possible use for making mods and what-if situations. I'm thinking along the lines of Harry Turtledove's American Front series for WW1 and WW2, or maybe even an adaptation of the old SPI boardgame "Invasion America" set in more modern times.

However, TL-191 Mod requires a considerable change to the current map design. Turtledove's Great War in North America has several Pacific Fronts and a Utah Theater, which the current map does not have. In order to make a mod like such, the modder still needs to draw a new map from scratch. (I have been following and giving feedback for a TL-191 North American mod for the SC:WWI for a long time.)

[pz501]

[/quote]
However, TL-191 Mod requires a considerable change to the current map design. Turtledove's Great War in North America has several Pacific Fronts and a Utah Theater, which the current map does not have. In order to make a mod like such, the modder still needs to draw a new map from scratch. (I have been following and giving feedback for a TL-191 North American mod for the SC:WWI for a long time.)
[/quote]

You're right about that if someone wanted to do a true TL 191 Mod, and I'd really like to see that at this map scale. I also think someone could do a sort of half mod where the Pacific, and Utah (along with the Sandwich Island) areas are ignored, or better yet factored in using various events.

For the SPI Invasion America, it would be about the same since if I remember correctly there was a "Pan Asian Alliance" (or something like that) invading the West Coast.

Or, something could be done just using the existing map and having it be "based on" TL 191/Invasion America, etc. Only reason I mention this is because map making in SC looks to be a real chore from what I've read.

Anyway, I still think there are a lot of possibilities, and I'd hate to see the map get cut down or the ground scale increased to make it smaller.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

I used to be quite an active modder before deciding to make a game of my own, so I did leave quite a few things in ACW that perhaps don't need to be there on the off chance that a modder might want them... because I know 2015 me would have wanted them there Indeed a TL-191 scenario for SC2 was the first serious thing I attempted to make for SC (wasn't very good )

I still have the giant template file for the map (with a hex grid overlaid) so if someone would like to extend the map further west, let me know and I'll be more than happy to send it over.

- BNC

[pz501]

I used to be quite an active modder before deciding to make a game of my own, so I did leave quite a few things in ACW that perhaps don't need to be there on the off chance that a modder might want them... because I know 2015 me would have wanted them there Indeed a TL-191 scenario for SC2 was the first serious thing I attempted to make for SC (wasn't very good )

I still have the giant template file for the map (with a hex grid overlaid) so if someone would like to extend the map further west, let me know and I'll be more than happy to send it over.

- BNC

I'll take you up on that offer. I'd like to see what can be done (no promises!), and now I know why certain items are available in the editor.

I say that's good planning on your part.

I'll send you a PM with my email address.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

I used to be quite an active modder before deciding to make a game of my own, so I did leave quite a few things in ACW that perhaps don't need to be there on the off chance that a modder might want them... because I know 2015 me would have wanted them there Indeed a TL-191 scenario for SC2 was the first serious thing I attempted to make for SC (wasn't very good )

I still have the giant template file for the map (with a hex grid overlaid) so if someone would like to extend the map further west, let me know and I'll be more than happy to send it over.

- BNC

I'll take you up on that offer. I'd like to see what can be done (no promises!), and now I know why certain items are available in the editor.

I say that's good planning on your part.

I'll send you a PM with my email address.

Sent. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

- BNC

[pz501]

I used to be quite an active modder before deciding to make a game of my own, so I did leave quite a few things in ACW that perhaps don't need to be there on the off chance that a modder might want them... because I know 2015 me would have wanted them there Indeed a TL-191 scenario for SC2 was the first serious thing I attempted to make for SC (wasn't very good )

I still have the giant template file for the map (with a hex grid overlaid) so if someone would like to extend the map further west, let me know and I'll be more than happy to send it over.

- BNC

I'll take you up on that offer. I'd like to see what can be done (no promises!), and now I know why certain items are available in the editor.

I say that's good planning on your part.

I'll send you a PM with my email address.

Sent. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

- BNC

Received. Many thanks for providing it, and I'll see what I can do with it.