New way to RPG? A Zombie setting with Google Maps

[BleedalBeans]

Has anybody else tried using Google map's create your own map to spice up contemporary settings?

Using "All Flesh Must Be Eaten" by Eden Studios as the ruleset, (which is pretty simple and quick) I've made a pretty killer sandbox setting on google maps. It's really handy because you can mark points on the map, designate zones, and draw lines all with the ability to be notated and organized. For total immersion you can use street view to give your players even more options like "I'm gonna run into the 7-11 across the street and look for some supplies" and "I'm going to take cover behind that lamp post right there".

My personal Sandbox game is set in Corvallis, OR on the eve of the Bedlam Football game between OSU and OU (nicknamed the Civil War) when the zombie outbreak happens. Around 100,000 people are trapped inside the town when the Government puts a lockdown on the city.

So far the players and I have loved it.

Anyone else have any experience or ideas?

 

[kitsune9]

Has anybody else tried using Google map's create your own map to spice up contemporary settings?

Using "All Flesh Must Be Eaten" by Eden Studios as the ruleset, (which is pretty simple and quick) I've made a pretty killer sandbox setting on google maps. It's really handy because you can mark points on the map, designate zones, and draw lines all with the ability to be notated and organized. For total immersion you can use street view to give your players even more options like "I'm gonna run into the 7-11 across the street and look for some supplies" and "I'm going to take cover behind that lamp post right there".

My personal Sandbox game is set in Corvallis, OR on the eve of the Bedlam Football game between OSU and OU (nicknamed the Civil War) when the zombie outbreak happens. Around 100,000 people are trapped inside the town when the Government puts a lockdown on the city.

So far the players and I have loved it.

Anyone else have any experience or ideas?

I have thought of using Google maps for modern settings, but haven't ran any modern games yet.

 

[nakia]

I have a friend who uses Google Earth for fantasy maps -- take New Zealand, rotate 45%, and viola!

 

[BleedalBeans]

Using New Zealand is a brilliant touch. If it worked for Peter Jackson...

 

[Obryn]

I quite literally use Google Maps for every modern-day Call of Cthulhu game I run. Then again, I lose hours in Google Earth on a routine basis, anyway.

Seriously, Google Earth + Wikipedia = infinite modern-day horror possibilities. What's more, the Panoramio layer gives me ready-to-use visual aids.

For a recent mission in Chicago, I was even able to use it during the actual game for tactical planning... Those 3-d buildings absolutely rock.

-O

 

[weem]

Has anybody else tried using Google map's create your own map to spice up contemporary settings?

Using "All Flesh Must Be Eaten" by Eden Studios as the ruleset, (which is pretty simple and quick) I've made a pretty killer sandbox setting on google maps. It's really handy because you can mark points on the map, designate zones, and draw lines all with the ability to be notated and organized. For total immersion you can use street view to give your players even more options like "I'm gonna run into the 7-11 across the street and look for some supplies" and "I'm going to take cover behind that lamp post right there".

Sounds cool! I like it, hehe.

My personal Sandbox game is set in Corvallis, OR on the eve of the Bedlam Football game between OSU and OU (nicknamed the Civil War) when the zombie outbreak happens. Around 100,000 people are trapped inside the town when the Government puts a lockdown on the city.

I've been there a few times! (I was born in Eugene)

---edit---

I'm a big Ducks fan though, hehe - sorry

 

[BleedalBeans]

I picked Corvallis because it was pretty small in area, I nor any of my group had really heard of Corvallis, was 90% covered by streetview, and I liked the idea of a college town during a zombie invasion.

The whole process of setting up the map takes a lot of time, and after a while I found myself doing research on the town, and it even pays off during the game.

 

[weem]

I picked Corvallis because it was pretty small in area, I nor any of my group had really heard of Corvallis, was 90% covered by streetview, and I liked the idea of a college town during a zombie invasion.

The whole process of setting up the map takes a lot of time, and after a while I found myself doing research on the town, and it even pays off during the game.

Ahhh, so you aren't from there or live there or anything, I see, my bad, hehe.

Still a good idea. I have played with editing Google maps for various uses (I do web development so it has come up) but never thought to use it for such a thing. It would be interesting to hear how your first played session goes.

--edit--

And for those who don't know (because it is interesting and I love football)...

The Civil War is the colloquial name for the annual college football game in the U.S. state of Oregon between the Oregon State Beavers and the Oregon Ducks. First played in 1894, it is the seventh-oldest college football rivalry game in the United States.

Go Ducks!

 

[Hussar]

Very cool idea.

Now, if they'd just allow you to add layers to make it look SF, or post apocolyptic, that would rock.