Quick Encounter Rooms (Part II)

[weem]

A few months back (March), I presented a map I had made and asked whether or not the map and the format I used was compelling enough for people to use it should I do more. That post can be found here...

Quick Encounter Rooms... would you use this?

...the answer seemed to be yes.

Eventually in the conversation, I decided this might be best to do via a web-based solution (as opposed to make them and put them out as PDF's).

So, I have started such a site and am here for more of your very valuable, and much appreciated opinions/ideas.

At this time, this is what we are thinking the site will provide...


Get Encounter Maps

- You can browse/search encounter maps and download them as you need - Free, no account needed.

- You can comment on maps, rate maps and more including selecting a map, adding your own information, and then printing/exporting it (as a PDF).

- You can search encounter maps by selecting keywords/categories such as "Dimly Lit", "Cavern", "Castle", etc

- The details page for a given map will contain notes from the designer (ideas for its use, etc), keywords for the environment (Dimly Lit, Horrible Smell, Quiet) as well as Terrain (Cavern, Water, Castle)


Submit Encounter Maps

- Submitting maps is also free of charge - you need an account, but it would be free.

- You could post your map, write up details on it and select keywords that help define it and provide a way for it to be found via searches

- You would have the ability to add your own PayPal donation button so that if someone really likes your work, they can donate to you specifically.

- When you submit a map, a black and white (greyscale) version is automatically generated for those who want it without color.



I have called this site "Encounter Pages" and you can see the splash/landing page here...

EncounterPages.com


Please let me know what you think about this, primarily...

1. What additional features would you like to see as someone who would be browsing/searching for maps

2. If you were looking for maps, what information do you want to know about it - what should be included

3. If you were submitting an encounter map, what additional features/options would you like to see


-- I can't promise to have many more features than already planned, but your feedback can help in deciding what the focus should be and how we should lay things out. We have ideas, but could use more.

Thank you,

Mike aka the Weem

[chronoplasm]

How about links to map-making resources, or some kind of tutorials section to help people learn how to make their own maps?

[Kris]

I'll be honest and say that I rarely check out the 4e sections of the forum, so I totally missed this project until weem pointed it out in a recent post of mine

Anyway, if I am understanding this right (and to boil it down to its most simplistic form), the website will contain a number of maps that will basically contain a blank key along one side that users can fill in themselves (online). This is then downloaded by that user (100% free) as a PDF - for use in their own games.

If that's true, then I'm sure the website will see a lot of use (and it is a great idea, especially since you hope to do it for free).

I do have a quick question though...

Will there be an option for folks to save their key/notes to some kind of database, so that other visitors to the site could simply pull up a map and encounter that has already been filled out?

[Wightbred]

Love this idea, and can't wait to start using the site.

1. What additional features would you like to see as someone who would be browsing/searching for maps

I'd like a free text space where the designer could talk about the monsters etc that they planned to put in the map. I think this type of connection would increase the chance I would donate as well.

2. If you were looking for maps, what information do you want to know about it - what should be included

I'd want to see a broad categories of type (eg: urban, dungeon or wilderness) then encounter space (tight, open). After that I'd just want to view thumbnails.

3. If you were submitting an encounter map, what additional features/options would you like to see

Perhaps a tips area. Somewhere where you could get ideas of the tools you can use to make these type of maps.

[Lord Tirian]

Originally Posted by weem

3. If you were submitting an encounter map, what additional features/options would you like to see

An option to submit several maps as sub-entries, i.e. allowing me to upload several versions of the same map, giving people the choice to select between them (like between labelled and unlabelled - or with certain features or not).

Cheers, LT.

[Mentat55]

Just wanted to say this looks awesome.

Definitely want a comments section (maybe you said this), especially with feedback from DMs that used a particular map, how they populated it, and what the results were like (what worked, what didn't).

[weem]

@chrono

How about links to map-making resources, or some kind of tutorials section to help people learn how to make their own maps?

Yea that's a good idea. I was thinking about a links page that would also have some links to some software, etc, but a dedicated section might be a good idea, thanks.

@Kris

Anyway, if I am understanding this right (and to boil it down to its most simplistic form), the website will contain a number of maps that will basically contain a blank key along one side that users can fill in themselves (online). This is then downloaded by that user (100% free) as a PDF - for use in their own games.

The map would have (next to it) information from the creator (you, for example). A visitor (or someone who wants your map) could print the map with your info, or instead go to a page that has the map along with empty fields so they could fill in their own information, which could then be printed.

Will there be an option for folks to save their key/notes to some kind of database, so that other visitors to the site could simply pull up a map and encounter that has already been filled out?

As I mentioned above, it would already be filled out - by the creator. They could then bring up a blank form and fill out the information themselves to print. We have considered keeping those stored for others to use/rate/comment on, but that's not been decided on 100% yet.

@wightbred

I'd like a free text space where the designer could talk about the monsters etc that they planned to put in the map. I think this type of connection would increase the chance I would donate as well.

This kind of information could be placed in the "notes" section, so this is possible under the current features!

I'd want to see a broad categories of type (eg: urban, dungeon or wilderness) then encounter space (tight, open). After that I'd just want to view thumbnails.

This will be possible. When users add their maps, they will choose keywords to associate to their maps. To quote the feature as I have it at the top... "The details page for a given map will contain notes from the designer (ideas for its use, etc), keywords for the environment (Dimly Lit, Horrible Smell, Quiet) as well as Terrain (Cavern, Water, Castle)" - this will translate to searches as well - you can look at lists of maps based on keywords etc.

To give an example, if you were looking at a map I made and it had the keywords "Dimly Lit, Horrible Smell, Quiet" you could click on any one of those (EX: "Dimly Lit") and see a list of maps that contain that keyword as well. When you do an initial search for maps, these keywords will be available as filters for your search.

Perhaps a tips area. Somewhere where you could get ideas of the tools you can use to make these type of maps.

Sounds like the suggestion Chrono had, and is something that will more than likely get added!

@Lord Tirian

An option to submit several maps as sub-entries, i.e. allowing me to upload several versions of the same map, giving people the choice to select between them (like between labelled and unlabelled - or with certain features or not).

Yea, this will be an option for sure for just that reason. At the moment I am thinking that we'll allow 2 maps to be uploaded per listing. The listing itself will generate black/white versions of each map so that would be 4 total (if you added 2).

@Mentat55

Just wanted to say this looks awesome.

Definitely want a comments section (maybe you said this), especially with feedback from DMs that used a particular map, how they populated it, and what the results were like (what worked, what didn't).

Thanks!

Yea, comments will be in - very important imo. I was thinking that when you add a comment you would choose what kind it is (feedback, suggested uses, in play), etc so that you could filter what you want to see - EX: if there is a map with 72 comments, you may not care to see 55 posts of 'awesome' or 'good job' so you choose to just see "suggested uses" for that map, etc.

[Elsidar]

Looks like a fantastic idea. Reminds me a lot of DungeonMastering.com, though what you have in mind for Encounter mapping I think is a very valuable tool. If there's a way to combine the output of their monster creation tools with your mapping tool, it'd be a match made in heaven.

[weem]

Originally Posted by Elsidar

Looks like a fantastic idea. Reminds me a lot of DungeonMastering.com, though what you have in mind for Encounter mapping I think is a very valuable tool. If there's a way to combine the output of their monster creation tools with your mapping tool, it'd be a match made in heaven.

Very cool - to be honest I had not heard of that site until now, but yea I'll have to check them out (more than I have) - it could be there is some way we can work together

[Xaos_Bob]

1. What additional features would you like to see as someone who would be browsing/searching for maps?

- Labeled/Unlabeled
- Search by terrain type (natural cavern, forest lane, charnel house, etc.)
- Monster focus, trap/hazard focus, skill challenge focus or combinations
- Lair, locale or short dungeon
- Full-color/high detail, greyscale/easy-print

2. If you were looking for maps, what information do you want to know about it - what should be included?

Same as #1.

3. If you were submitting an encounter map, what additional features/options would you like to see?

- Ability to submit in multiple graphics formats (.jpg, .tga, .bmp, etc.)
- Ability to submit as PDF (or have it converted to PDF for distribution on the site)
- Linkback to the artist's site, if applicable, and/or artist's email, if desired


Your splash page looks fantastic--very professional. This is a great idea. I'm looking forward to seeing how this goes.

[weem]

Thanks for the feedback Xaos I really appreciate it.

As far as #1 goes, that will all be there. Specifically, regarding the last point, a grayscale version will be created for any map added. I may need to add the otpion to turn that off though, as some people may want to submit their own "print-ready" map that is lowered in detail as opposed to simply converted by color mode.

As for #3...

- Multiple formats will depend, not quite sure yet
- PDF's will be generated automatically. Though, I may need to consider the ability to turn this off as well incase people want to do their own PDF's (with added details, graphics, etc).
- Linkback options etc will be a go


Thanks again!

[MortalPlague]

This is a very cool idea. Two things I would like to see:

1) Random Map Generator - The basic version would let you click a button and a map comes up, complete with monsters and hazards all picked out for you. If you are running a one-shot and you need an idea, it could help, even if you don't use that particular map.

The complicated version would involve having people tag exits on their maps and match up the various maps, making a dungeon proper (with 6-8 encounters or so). This seems like it would take a great deal more work, however, and I don't think it's really what the site is aimed at.

2) Connected Maps - If somebody submits a collection of maps that form a coherent dungeon when assembled, it would be neat if they had the option to tag "Next map south" so others could get the same collection of encounter areas. Alternately, users could, at their discretion, use just one or two encounter areas.

[ukingsken]

I think it would be a great idea. Something I thought might go well would be now and then find someone (A community member, someone you know etc) to do like a series of rooms that could then join together to form something more extensive?

[weem]

@MortalPlague
Thanks! As for #1, that's not a bad idea - the basic version could be done pretty easily - as for the second part, that would indeed take more work. It's something we could do, but we will probably wait and consider this (with other options) at a later date. As for #2, we can do this pretty easily to an extent. For example, we can allow someone to enter a map and then when they hit submit, they could be prompted to select whether they are done or if they would like to add a related map. As for the direction and linking them up, we can do anything with regards to programming, but from a user interface/ease of use/understanding point of view, it would take a bit more time to figure out the best approach. I like the idea, but this might be something we'll have to consider for a later date.

@ukingsken
Thanks again! This is semi-related to #2 in MortalPlague's post as far as connecting maps, but with regards to the part about having someone put together a dungeon (for example) made up of multiple maps that's a good idea. We had already discussed the idea of being able to select multiple maps and then detail out each room and save them collectively - I think it's important. So you could submit a few yourself, or go and grab just the maps from various submissions, etc and put them together.


Thanks again everyone - any more feedback would be appreciated - we are still in the "sketch it out" phase at this point.

[Rechan]

I'm eager to see these things, yessir.

Some maps I'd like to see:

Interior Buildings (Inns/Houses/Warehouses/Towers/etc). Just anything inside.

Outdoor wilderness maps. Forests, deserts, etc.

[Rechan]

Looks like someone else is doing this, too:

Random Encounter | The Geek Horde!

Although his is just a small thing, done once a month. Hopefully weem will do it with more frequency.

[Nytmare]

Not to take the wind out of your sails, but have you seen the Cartographers' Guild yet? Cartographers Guild :: Homepage

[weem]

@Rechan

Looks like someone else is doing this, too:

Random Encounter | The Geek Horde!

Although his is just a small thing, done once a month. Hopefully weem will do it with more frequency.

Doesn't appear to be the same thing - and, once the site is up there won't really be anything for me to "do". Anyone can come and put up their own maps, etc. Or you can grab someone's map, add your own information and print it, etc.

@Nytmare

Not to take the wind out of your sails, but have you seen the Cartographers' Guild yet?

No wind has been taken out of my sails I am a member there so yes I have seen it - and, this site will be nothing like CG except that both will have maps. This site will focus on having easy access to multiple formats and choosing your own information for them, etc - CG is more focused on sharing of the maps for feedback and discussion etc (at least it was when I was a little more active there).

Thanks guys, appreciate the posts!

[Lord Tirian]

Originally Posted by weem

@No wind has been taken out of my sails I am a member there so yes I have seen it - and, this site will be nothing like CG except that both will have maps. This site will focus on having easy access to multiple formats and choosing your own information for them, etc - CG is more focused on sharing of the maps for feedback and discussion etc (at least it was when I was a little more active there).

Actually, I think this page and CG could complement each other quite well - CG is a pool of creativity, but it's hard to find things there, because it's more like a gigantic workshop - and there is not a lot of organisation, even for finished maps.

Your project seems to be ideal to store all these finished, beautiful maps in a way, where they are easy to find and select.

Cheers, LT.

[Lwaxy]

I'm watching the page, hoping for news.