As I sketch out future creative plans I got to thinking about maps. They are extremely integral part of most any published adventure. As I run nearly all of my games via Roll20, a virtual table top (VTT) I really love importing the maps (preferably unkeyed) from any adventures I wish to use (which is why I want most of my purchases in Print / PDF bundles, but that's a whole 'nother topic). Add in Fog of War and you have a very efficient way to run your table.
So, how important are blank / unkeyed maps in your adventure purchases? Is the extra feature appreciated? Is it's omission a deal breaker or do you just not care because you don't use them?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Picturing Solo History
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There are many gamers who will tell you that it was *Vampire the Masquerade*
that got them into roleplaying. That was in the 1990s. There are many
gamers ...
1 hour ago
Don't care, don't use VTTs.
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ReplyDeletePlaying more and more online, it is becoming more and more important to me. Maybe not a dealbreaker, but increasingly important.
ReplyDeleteI target unkeyed maps and have been known to purchase maps via rpgnow if I can't find a suitable image on Pinterest. With that said, I play in two C&C games, both also using Roll20, where the Keepers use keyed maps and no fog of war and it does not deter my enjoyment in any way.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea and have bothered to un-key maps for Roll20. I've been moving away from that because that's just a big pain. So it might make me buy something.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea and have bothered to un-key maps for Roll20. I've been moving away from that because that's just a big pain. So it might make me buy something.
ReplyDeletethere is a shit ton of assets on the roll20 marketplace now, like so much you can probably and easily find what you need to make something cool. there is even some bitchin, hex tiles you can use to make hex maps a single hex at a time.
ReplyDeleteSince I never play online, zero. But we've discussed that already. :-)
ReplyDeleteSince I never play online, zero. But we've discussed that already. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest problems with most game publications is a keyed map...and nothing else. Yggsburgh, by Gygax, had a nice map by Darlene, but it was keyed and therefore worthless. In the same publication where so much attention was lavished on an unusable map, the actual city of Yggsburgh was represented by a very low quality map that looked much like a picture of the industrial district of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteIn the absence of printed maps, modern publications should be supported (at minimum) by downloadable maps that can be printed either in color, or in black and white...and should be available in both keyed and un-keyed versions. At minimum.
ReplyDeleteI use d20pro to display maps at the table and sometimes to play online. If there isn't a player map, I make one. And if I need to make maps, it definitely has a bearing on whether a purchase is made.
ReplyDeleteAs I play mostly online nowadays, unkeyed maps are important but not a deal breaker as I often redo some maps ... If I really like the adventure.
ReplyDeleteI haven't played in meatspace for years. Having an unkeyed map for vtt use is a huge bonus for me, though not a complete deal breaker. I have used theater of the mind when needed.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a deal-breaker, but having played in games online without an unkeyed map and in games with one . . . unkeyed is a tremendous help. It's a serious plus.
ReplyDeleteIt may actually be a deal-breaker to not have unkeyed maps. It definitely makes it less likely that I'll ever run a given module. I like printing out unkeyed dungeons, cut them up and hand the map-fragments to my players as they explore and know quite a few other GMs who do the same.
ReplyDeleteJust my 2 cents. (Slinks back to lurk-mode)
I'm unclear on what "unkeyed" means. Without numbers and letters? Without symbols? With that stuff but no actual key explaining what things mean?
ReplyDeleteDue to medical issues, I am only able to play online. Even then, having the stars align with free time, players available, and other people's needs not interfering for x hours is a rarity.
ReplyDeleteIf a product has non keyed maps, if I am remotely interested in it, I am more than twice as likely to purchase it for online play. Conversely, if it doesn't - unless I am REALLY interested in the material, I will pass on it as I don't have the time to edit/redraw, etc.
When I check out Kickstarters, if I am on the fence at all, I often send the creator a message explaining my situation and asking if the pdf will include unkeyed maps for online play and request it. Some have written back saying they can see how it would be beneficial and have never considered it before my asking. I hope it becomes the norm.
Important to me as most of my playing is online. I have redrawn many DCC maps in Dungeonographer or Dunjinni for this reason so not to gave to do that would be a big selling point for me.
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