Creating a Fictional World. (Warning Large Images)

[JWay]

I've started with my first official draft of my fictional world of Terraveritas. I'm looking for feedback especially critiques from people who are more experienced with names/maps/etc. This is my first time doing anything close to like this. So I appreciate all tips!

All said and done I'll release a quick start and all that. But my OCD needs to get the map right first.

Here's the Landmarks map: Its 3 countries, split into "states".



Here's the map with all of the cities.



Again thanks a lot.

FWIW, I used Civilization 5 to create the base map. Then drew my own stuff pretty much every where else.

[gbmoore121]

What an interesting map style! Really enjoy it. I am working on a 2nd gen for my fictional universe. I will take a closer look at this when I am at home and can download the images for easier review.

Have you ever checked out the Cartographer's Guild?

These guys do some great work and post some tutorials and tools. Good resource.

[JWay]

Thanks for the link, I haven't seen that yet. Lunch time reading!

[ELDoro]

Looks sweet, I'll follow along with this.

A little bit about how you made the map. You said you used Civ V. I have never played Civ V but is it a map editor you used or something just playing an actual game?

thanks

[JWay]

I used the map editor. Then bent it a bit after the fact to clean it up.

[Elektranaut]

Here a cheap and cheerful programme I use for maps
Greenfish Relief Map Generator Freeware download and reviews from SnapFiles

[Nugget699]

It really depends on how much "realism" you are striving for in your map.

For instance:

- Elin River isn't that realistic as it doesn't run from the mountains.Consider splitting it in two and having one half run out to sea by Lunaville and the other half running to Three States Lake. Both should start near Lazy Mountains.
- The same could be said for the river just south of Green Ridge Mountains. The river should flow from the mountains and reach the lake.
- A key would be useful to know how big each city is in regards to population. You are using different sized circles but I don't know the population differences between them.
- The state capital symbols are far too big. Consider making them a bit smaller.
- You named the islands in the top left, but none of the other smaller islands have names.
- Creating a flag (and even state flags) could be an idea, it certainly helps me immerse myself.
- The city in the top left island is called "Kaye Island" which doesn't make sense. Is that the name of the city, or the Island?
- More an aesthetic thing, but consider using a stroke to outline the names of places as opposed to the drop shadow you're using now.


Hope that helps

[JWay]

Thanks for the suggestions. I can't believe I forgot the legend. Also I thought I had the rivers leaving mountains. I think I'm missing them.

Great stuff!

[GiantYankee]

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[stevebydac]

Originally Posted by Elektranaut

Here a cheap and cheerful programme I use for maps
Greenfish Relief Map Generator Freeware download and reviews from SnapFiles

I use this too. It's great.

[blueturf]

Originally Posted by Elektranaut

Here a cheap and cheerful programme I use for maps
Greenfish Relief Map Generator Freeware download and reviews from SnapFiles

Yep...Greenfish is a great way to get a fictional map created. I wish I would have found it before I put hours into Photoshop and SimCity screenshots.

JWay, I love how your world is shaping up, especially some of the city names. I agree with Nugget699, that the little details outside of what is created in-game, add to immersion. National flags, road maps and even small write-ups covering the make-up, industry and landscape of each major city helps you get lost in your fictional world.

I am assuming each color is a different nation? Will they each have their own baseball league? Or will the leagues be combined through each country? This could make for some interesting rivalries.

[legofarley]

@blueturf: I too was just thinking about using SimCity to do something like this.