DUNGEON #114 Map File Now Available

Ricochet · Aug 17, 2004

Very nice, and very appreciated!

Coreyartus · Aug 17, 2004

I do have to admit, jpegs would be better for me, personally. That would allow Paizo to put them on the web at higher resolutions. A PDF won't allow you to print out larger scale maps that are: 1) easier to read, 2) at a quality that doesn't look like it's been torqued too much, 3) easily adaptable for home play.

I've tried blowing up other downloadable map images to a very large scale in Photoshop, and then printed them out on transparencies to actually lay down on top of my battlemat. It makes for a great visual if the download resolution is high enough. Sometimes having the battlegrid on the file is problematic, but then one can print them out in color on paper, and use them as highly effective "pre-made" Dundjinni-style battlemats.

Having all of the secret doors and "DM-stuff" marked on the map is VERY problematic to "cover up", and makes the visuals useless as player hand-outs. Downloading those images is simply superfluous. Player maps will actually get used. And if one does indeed need another copy of the map as a DM, simply buying another copy of the magazine provides a better quality print than downloading and printing out a file of the same image (most of the time).

One thing I do have to say is REALLY great is the images that aren't maps. Maps are great and all, but sometimes it's really great to have a different kind of visual. Showing a picture of a monster/NPC that the players don't recognize is VERY close to what it's really like--they dunno what it can/can't do! They have to look for visual clues! And that's really fun.

Thanks, Eric! Glad they got up there! Well done!

And, golly, how much lead time did Ben Huen need to paint that doubletruck spread of the waterfront for Mad God's Key? It's beautiful! Jason must have had that mod into you guys a LONG time ago...

Coreyartus

Coreyartus · Aug 17, 2004

Oh, I do gotta say, though, that Veltargo's image bears no resemblance to the NPC described in the text of Mad God's Key. I wonder which came first?

Coreyartus

Seravin · Aug 17, 2004

I like it.
Erratta, maps, pictures...If this content is the new standard, then Paizo's website has become a must-visit (at least once a month) for me.

My only complaint would be that on a slow connection it would take awhile to download. Zipping it up doesn't appear to gain a whole lot though.

Also, I like the new format for both magazines. Good job.

Kylearan · Aug 17, 2004

Well met!

I'd like to see single jpeg files as well, in order to easily change them; sometimes I just want to alter the adventure or room layout to accomodate to my current campaign, and that's easier with a single file for each map.

Erik Mona said:
Out of curiosity, why does everyone want that Marsember map without the labels?

;-) The labels are probably not present on the map bought by the characters? It looks better without the labels? Don't tell the players the important sites beforehand? Making fun of you? I think these are reasons enough. *g*

Kylearan

Welverin · Aug 17, 2004

The Cardinal said:
nice idea, BUT...

...I hate PDFs
...I want JPGs
...I second the wish for player & DM versions

I agree with these three points and would suggest zipping the whole package as well.

How about providing them in PDF and JPG so people can choose the format they prefer?

Numion · Aug 17, 2004

Welverin said:
How about providing them in PDF and JPG so people can choose the format they prefer?

So we'd have four versions? PDF / JPEG, Player / DM ..

BryonD · Aug 17, 2004

Numion said:
So we'd have four versions? PDF / JPEG, Player / DM ..

Agreed on the confusion.
Nothing like looking a gift horse in the mouth, eh?

I can see the PDF/JPG thing, no big deal there.

But expecting them to produce re-worked versions as a give-away doesn't seem reasonable to me.

Mystery Man · Aug 17, 2004

Erik Mona said:
I'm posting this in General because it's a follow-up to dozens of questions that have also been posted to his folder. Moderators, please be gentle.

::Ahem::

The downloadable Map Supplement for Dungeon #114 is now available at paizo.com. Please take a look and get back to me with feedback about whether or not you find the format useful for your games.

The plan is to do a similar file for every issue from here forward.

And thanks for everyone's patience!

--Erik Mona
Editor-in-Chief
Dungeon

Thanks. I grabbed #114 yesterday and I think the new changes are great.

Rauol_Duke · Aug 17, 2004

Erik, #114 is great and thanks for the downloadable maps. We've missed 'em. Putting them together with errata and pix from the issue is a great idea IMO. Thanks again and keep up the good work.