Fantasy map for LitRPG/GameLit novel "Into The Game" [WIP]

[Chris Allen]

I am working on my brief for a map commission to be included in my upcoming LitRPG/GameLit novel titled "Into The Game: Dungeon Crawl Quest: A LitRPG Adventure.
The end goal is to have a product that looks like a map included in the game box that is depicted on the book cover. (The first map is my starter sketch.)
INTO THE GAME - E-BOOK - FINAL.jpgInto The Game Demo Map.JPGMap I like with river valley.jpgMap in WOW game box 2.jpgMap in WOW game box.jpg
What style example do you like best for the final product?
1. Pen and ink style like the one with the Mongo River.
2. More 3D as the first WOW example.
3. More flat as the second WOW example.

[Kellerica]

For my money, Mongo River all the way! That one, while having a dreadfully low-res texture for it and a font I really hate, still has a lot of atmosphere going for it and a pretty solid color scheme. I'm personally not that fond of either the WOW maps.

[Azélor]

I would say number one too. It's the only decent map of the three.

I'm just wondering why you need a regional map for a dungeon crawler RPG.

[Chris Allen]

I would say number one too. It's the only decent map of the three.

I'm just wondering why you need a regional map for a dungeon crawler RPG.

The party works there way around the region a bit before deciding on a dungeon. Now you have me thinking. I love dungeon maps, too. It would be nice to include one of those, but I don't think I would have time to do it justice before the early April release. Possibly down the road.

[JonathanCR]

Just to be annoyingly different, I think that the 3D WoW style would be more appropriate, given what the book is. (I had to look it up on Amazon, it sounds fantastic fun.) I'm sure that "Blizivision Studios" would do a map in that style!

[Chris Allen]

Just to be annoyingly different, I think that the 3D WoW style would be more appropriate, given what the book is. (I had to look it up on Amazon, it sounds fantastic fun.) I'm sure that "Blizivision Studios" would do a map in that style!

The 3D WoW style indeed wins out! Looks cool and like you said, appropriate to the theme. Removing the legend and adding detail like lopped off heads, a finger post sign, and a raised metal portcullis that is mentioned in the story. These details will most likely barely be visible due to size of the image, but true to the story.

[Chris Allen]

All done. Note: I omitted the green "hand annotations" in the version I put in the book because I think it looks silly, even though it is mentioned in the story. Super happy with it.

[rdanhenry]

Crap and road? That seems an odd name.

Ah, the original sketch show "Crapaud Road". Perhaps maybe reconsider the font?