Estimates to recreate typical old-school module maps

[kbluck]

I'm in the process of developing an old-school Greyhawk campaign, played using a combination of PbP and Fantasy Grounds. After some experiments I've determined that I just don't have the time to spend lovingly developing the maps for the various modules I hope to run. My mapmaking skills are not great, so it will take a long time for me to do things that somebody else with better skills can probably knock out much more efficiently. I'd rather spend money than time in this area.

In the interest of developing a budget, I'd like to get some idea of what it would likely cost to have a skilled mapmaker recreate the maps for a typical old-timey Gygax-era module. Let's consider the classic adventure C2: Ghost Tower of Inverness.

Here are links to some small images of that module's maps for evaluation:

Ruins Level: https://db.tt/OyQNTtCi
Dungeon Level: https://db.tt/Mvgp3rq5
Tower Levels: https://db.tt/xosfl01Q

My preference would be for a "realistic" overhead tile-based view in the "Dundjinni" style (although not necessarily created on that platform) with a subtle grid on 5' squares, 50px per 5' square, suitable for use in Fantasy Grounds with character tokens. Appearance-wise, something along these lines:

http://platoon.dk/dnd.maps/shadowfel...fellLevel1.png

The resulting map images would be strictly for private gaming use and would not be published to the general public.

Just to be clear, this is not a specific request to create maps. I'm just looking for estimates, in the interest of creating a budget.

Thanks for your input!

--
KB

[jwbjerk]

I'd estimate between $35 and $60 per map depending on the size of the map and the details of the agreement, for instance how many revision and revisions for style or just for gross errors.

[Tonnichiwa]

Well, from what I've seen of the pricing structure artists use it will probably be much more than $35 to $60 per map. I've been watching people request maps be done on here for a few years now and a lot of people don't realize how expensive maps can be. Basically a person requesting a map is asking someone they don't know to make them a piece of art. That, in and of its self is not so bad, but what is being asked of the artist is her or his time and ability. And nobody wants to put in the time it takes to do a map for free because maps can take quite a bit of time to make. Often I've seen them start at $500 per map and go up in price depending on how detailed they want the map to be.

Why such a high price? because the person making the map doesn't want to get paid pennies for their time. A lot of the artists that do commission work do it for a living and cannot afford to lowball or they won't eat for the month.

[sword peddler]

hi! I make my living off drawing (by hand, in traditional mediums) these kinds of maps, and I can give you some insight. I personally charge based on size and most other guys and gals I know do the same. A 4th of an 8.5x11 inch page will run you from 80 to 100, all the way up in between 200 and 250 for full pages. The last full color, half page dungeon map I did cost the client 150 dollars. But those are lowball estimates of my own work. Maps are not cheap, whether or not they are for personal or commercial projects.

[jwbjerk]

Well, from what I've seen of the pricing structure artists use it will probably be much more than $35 to $60 per map...

Why such a high price? because the person making the map doesn't want to get paid pennies for their time. A lot of the artists that do commission work do it for a living and cannot afford to lowball or they won't eat for the month.

hi! I make my living off drawing (by hand, in traditional mediums) these kinds of maps, and I can give you some insight.

My estimate may be a bit low, but it is based on the idea that the properly prepared artist could do quite a few of these per work day. These are maps assembled out of pre-created resources -- not works of art painstakingly crafted by hand.

What you say maybe generally true, but it feels like you haven't taken the time to understand this particular request.

[anomiecoalition]

I'm an amateur and do commissions as a hobby - so my prices are lower because I can't compete with some of the amazing artists on here that can charge hundreds of dollars for a map. But for the style you are looking for (dungeon maps with pre-made symbols) I would probably quote you in the $50-100 range per map. I have many such maps (including recreations of old school DnD maps) on my website if you want to check it out. DrunkenNerdery.com

[jpstod]

For Commercial Originals I would range about what others are asking...
For Recreations less...
I tend to stick to Battle Maps (72 DPI) 1"=5'