Remake of SPI/TSR WW2

[marcusm]

Or Third Reich or in fact, a combination of both.

I want to re-recreate the entire map so if anyone has a large jpeg of it, please send me a pm. I had the boardgame but lost it somewhere. I want to re-create the counters as well.

If Nick reads this. Any chance one could "borrow" your hex making utility?

[marcusm]

I should be clear about one thing. I talk about "insipired by" not copying.

Anyone have a good map of Europe in WW2 (open source or bought from some image stock).

marcus

[Barthheart]

I'd love to make an AT version of Third Reich! I have the game board in several versions: Cyberboard, hard copy, ADC 2 (AWAW ver)... Original map is hex points up so we'd have to rotate the map 30 deg left or right.

The only problem I see is the scale the english channell on the original game is not even 1 hex wide so ships can't pass through it.

We could use tweber's srat war event code from the Europe 39 scenario...

[marcusm]

You know what would be cool. If we could find something similar (Open Source) without
the hex grid. Reason being, I think you need to split them up. I havent found such a uitlity yet but
I think I can write my own in C#.

Or (this is Vic.s domain). Is it possible to use one single graphic and have hexes as "overlay"? That would
be awesome if possible. Obviously not usable for random maps.

Marcus

[marcusm]

I see no reason why it couldn't work. I mean, you could just create tons of alpha(transparent) hexes
and manually just enter terrain values in editor. And then use a the existing overlay function. Can you
keep the overaly image in runtime?

Marcus

[Barthheart]

Oh... inspired by.... well I was working on a map for Europe war at about 33 km per hex and 1 week turn... kind of like Wair in Europe. In fact I am using the WiE map as the base for mine. I was going to extend it to North America by the use of varying hex scales across the ocean....

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: marcusm

I see no reason why it couldn't work. I mean, you could just create tons of alpha(transparent) hexes
and manually just enter terrain values in editor. And then use a the existing overlay function. Can you
keep the overaly image in runtime?

Marcus

The overlays do not stay in the runtime game. Don't need to though. If you use the map as a template and use your own graphics then I don't think there is any problems....

[marcusm]

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

Oh... inspired by.... well I was working on a map for Europe war at about 33 km per hex and 1 week turn... kind of like Wair in Europe. In fact I am using the WiE map as the base for mine. I was going to extend it to North America by the use of varying hex scales across the ocean....

Was thinking of buying something from istockphoto. Just a good looking map and split it up bu t the optimal would be something WW2 themed.

I want to originate from a full good looking map then either a) split it up in hexes with some utility or b) Hope we can "mod" the system to allow for static backgrounds with transparent hexes (already suggested this to Vic). If this was made then this game would be the best thing ever.

[marcusm]

ORIGINAL: Barthheart

The overlays do not stay in the runtime game. Don't need to though. If you use the map as a template and use your own graphics then I don't think there is any problems....

I suspected that but I hope we can get Vic to allow for this. Just look at the stunning GoA map. Since GDI+ has full support for Alpha channels I see no real obstacle to this. the hexes would still be there but just have the borders. Terrain info would have to be edited of course but that is easy with many modders .

marcus

[marcusm]

Btw. Are Decisiongames tough on using their maps in mods like this? (I know they dont do TR but their WW2 map would do as well).

[Barthheart]

Here's what I have so far....

[Barthheart]

Close up

[Barthheart]

There's no way they can call this copy infringement. I'm using their Map as a trace element then making my own terrain and such. So it's inspired by not copied and I'm not selling their property as teh game will operate very differently from the board game.

[tweber]

Personally, I would not copy an existing game map.  Instead, I would try to use source materials since:
 
- you do not have to worry about copy right
- a copy of an existing game map is really just a copy of the orginal designer's interpretation of source material
- it is easy to get source material.  I like West Point's Military Atlases
 
I have played lots of strategic games like WiF and A3R.  I try to pull some of the elements I like from those games.  The thing to keep in mind is that a paper game is a different media so games are designed around the limitations.  So, Third Reich does production quarterly.  This was probably designed to improve playability.  With the computer handling most of the underlying details, you may not have to copy this closely and still capture the spirit of the game. 
 
Good luck with your effort.  Feel free to send me a note if you are stuck with anything.

[Barthheart]

Also inspired by this game:

http://jamesburnett.com/globalfury.htm.

[tweber]

What are the dimensions of the map?  It looks big.  You are probably going to want to change the movement costs, especially of Air and Naval units.

[marcusm]

Note though. I want to re-create the tileset of TR.
Just need to find a way to "slice up" a bitmap to hexes.

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: tweber

Personally, I would not copy an existing game map.  Instead, I would try to use source materials since:

- you do not have to worry about copy right
- a copy of an existing game map is really just a copy of the orginal designer's interpretation of source material
- it is easy to get source material.  I like West Point's Military Atlases

I have played lots of strategic games like WiF and A3R.  I try to pull some of the elements I like from those games.  The thing to keep in mind is that a paper game is a different media so games are designed around the limitations.  So, Third Reich does production quarterly.  This was probably designed to improve playability.  With the computer handling most of the underlying details, you may not have to copy this closely and still capture the spirit of the game. 

Good luck with your effort.  Feel free to send me a note if you are stuck with anything.

Thanks for the offer tweber, I'm sure I'll need to take you up on that. As for the map, I couldn't find anything that gave me the right orientation/scale/feel. The WiE map just does part of what I need too. I'll need to build the parts that extend to Norht America, Iceland. Also want to make routes arounf Africa up to the Red Sea. This will be like the monster games of old and will take me some time just to get teh map right (massive understanment there[:D])

[Barthheart]

ORIGINAL: tweber

What are the dimensions of the map?  It looks big.  You are probably going to want to change the movement costs, especially of Air and Naval units.

The map is big...200 x 200. Yes movement cost will change. Also I'll need "different" types of sea hexes with different move costs to simulate the distance to North America and around the Horn.

[marcusm]

Does anyone know if a map similar to the Third reich one exists without any hex overlays? Buyable or "borrowable"?

Please PM me a jpeg of such a map if possible.

marcus