*** August 09 Challenge - Create a city map for Kaidan (sponsored) ***

[Gandwarf]

Well people, finally a challenge that's posted on time. I am not saying I am the newbie and the other community leaders are slackers. No, you will definitely not hear me say that.

This month's challenge is sponsored by our very own Gamerprinter and the Dementia 5 Publishing House. Not saying I am lazy, but I would like to quote Gamerprinter now:

August '09 Sponsored Mapping Challenge - Create a City Map of Oten-jo, for Kaidan: a Japanese Ghost Story setting.

Sponsor: "Gamerprinter", Gamer Printshop & Dementia 5 Publishing House

Challenge: Create a City Map of approx. 3500 people, which is roughly 500 homes, 100 shops, 3 temples, 1 shrine park, 1 castle within city walls, wharfage on the west bank of a river.

You are free to choose your own style, use any software, even hand-drawn work.

References: 3 sets of images offer views found in feudal Japanese cities, please review all of them as each shows a different aspect of a city. Note the closeness of buildings and the narrow streets, alleys often have small gates limiting access.

http://www.gamer-printshop.com/kaida...-resource1.jpg
http://www.gamer-printshop.com/kaida...-resource2.jpg
http://www.gamer-printshop.com/kaida...-resource3.jpg

Tanaka's challenge (mentioned in the reference material):
http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=5434

Although as the Nagasaki map shows Japanese systems use a grid format for street layout, but also castle towns are a bit maze like to prevent direct access to the castle from the city gate.

Winner: will be selected by standard vote by community at the end of the month (Aug. 26).

Prize: Winner will receive a $50 paid commission fee, have their map published in the first adventure of the next campaign to be published some time this fall. Also when the publication is available, winner will receive a free download of the adventure.

If successful we hope to offer other Map Challenges for other aspects of Kaidan.

Good Luck!

So, the winner gets a cash prize and his/her map published in a new RPG setting.

And just to make sure everyone knows what they are signing up for:

The winner supplies Gamerprinter with an unlabeled version of his/her map. The winner keeps a CC license (http://creativecommons.org/) for this work. Gamerprinter will proceed to label the winning map and receives publishing and commercial rights for his version.

So get cracking everyone. This is your chance to make yourself immortal.

[Gamerprinter]

What a masterful CL's job you've done, Gandwarf!

I am the only member and previous Challenge Winner, that has sponsored a Challenge twice! I'm proud of that.

I've posted lots of resource photos to review, but don't think you have to include them all, I just wanted the entrants to get in idea what something might look like.

If you have any questions, just ask. I'll try to keep up on the thread to answer anything you might have for me.

And here's a link to the publisher's website, if you want to check that out - Dementia 5 Publishing.
http://www.dementia5.com click on community link on home page to take you to the forums.

GP

[Gandwarf]

What a masterful CL's job you've done, Gandwarf!

Why, thank you Gamerprinter
And thank you for sponsoring!

[zenram]

Mmm, a chance to learn more about drawing a city, perfect... Oh and is sponsored XD Great

[Jykke]

600 buildings, a bit too much for 3d project Well, I probably don't have time to participate anyway. I hope there will be some great entries on this one!

[mmmmmpig]

I have a few questions to start with concerning the map for this challenge. I am sure that I will have more questions as I go along.

1. Any background on the temples and/or shrines other than they should be kind of feudal Japanese in style?

2. Is there an overall description of the city anywhere in the game system or are we free to choose the city's overall ethos?

3. What is the final expected size of the finished product? This can/will determine level of detail.

I am sure that I have other questions, but these are the three that I came up with.

[Gamerprinter]

I have a few questions to start with concerning the map for this challenge. I am sure that I will have more questions as I go along.

1. Any background on the temples and/or shrines other than they should be kind of feudal Japanese in style?

2. Is there an overall description of the city anywhere in the game system or are we free to choose the city's overall ethos?

3. What is the final expected size of the finished product? This can/will determine level of detail.

I am sure that I have other questions, but these are the three that I came up with.

Answers:

1. Temples of Kaidan, follow the ficticious religion called Zao, which is essentially "Buddhism without Enlightenment." However aspects pertaining to Buddhist temples still apply to Kaidan Temples. Pagodas - stack of five roofed tower, large block temples (like the one shown in the photo of the reference material - page 2 I think.) Temples are usually enclosed by low walls to its rear and sides (fronts are open to the street.) Most temples contain gardens with a koi pond water feature often with a tiny islet and bridge accessing. Also trees like Cherry Blossoms, Willows and Pines are grown in Temple Gardens.

2. The general map posted in the reference material shows the basic shape of the city, location pertaining to the castle hill to the south, and the river to the west. Also shows general locations of districts in that city: Samurai District, Temple District, Residential District, etc. However, is there anything written describing the city of Oten-jo specifically - not yet. So you are free to lay the ground work anyway you please. I will write the City's description after map completion. So the cartographer with the winning map, will help determine what Oten-jo really is. You have full control of this yourself.

3. Final Map Size (good question) - the final goal is to have a map that will be placed as a standard letter size map (8.5" x 11") at 300 ppi. If you want to create a larger dimension/resolution map, you are free to do so, and that would actually be helpful to the final product, so a larger dimension map could be made available as a print from Gamer-Printshop.com - but the basic goal is a map for inclusion in a standard document at 300 ppi, ready for printing on users desktop inkjet printer. (Actually if you designed for an 11" x 17" at 300 ppi, it might ideal for my needs.)

Anymore questions? Just post them here, I am ready to answer!

I know this is a slightly difficult challenge, but I hope many people try - besides making a city map for any purpose is just good practice, cartographically speaking!

GP

[Immolate]

GP, what is the meandering line going through the middle of the city? Is that a stream? If so, I'm going to have to make a citizen's arrest for the River Police and hold you until the authorities arrive.

(edit) also, what is the significance of the rectangular line close to the river?

[msa]

Doh! I was hoping to participate in the GP challenge but I've got to finish a Ph.D. and find a job this month, so probably not happening! Good luck all

[Gamerprinter]

What??!! How is education and money more important than a map!

Too bad, I would like to see you try this, but completely understand where you're coming from - good luck!

GP