World Reduced

@ Matty... well it kind of is on the map. What do you reckon Syg? To a NZ'er that shape representing NZ looks like how we think the world thinks of NZ. "Where is NZ? Oh somewhere by Australia. We are use to it, but it just gives an Australian something more to laff at. http://www.buzzfeed.com/nickw44/31-reasons-why-australia-and-new-zealand-share-the-gmia

There is an even bigger travesty on these world maps, Wales is unrecognisable and even though it is thought that a Welshman called AmMeric (son of Meric) discovered the Americas before Columbus, but not before the Inuits of course, we seem to be left as a dimple on the tiny blob of the UK, I propose that Wales be enlarged by 5000% and placed in the centre of the Map so that the world may revolve around it! What is the general opinion of this? *Removes tongue from cheek and smiles cheekily* All test games almost finished and my personal feedback coming soon.

I agree with Aero! As long as you blow up Antarctica in proportion too. :)

Here is a bit of feedback for World Reduced (26 territories). I tested the following: [spoiler=6p Capitals (increasing)][b]6p Capitals (increasing)[/b] In comparison with World Classic this game pretty much lasted as long as classic (10 rounds), with kills being around the same expected time and final card value being 50. The map catches you out a bit, because all the world maps are far bigger in territories than this and when playing this map, your mind still sees World Classic (42 territories). The starting territories are few but adequate (4) and there are limited places for card victories, but it is far easier to get unblocked from a spawn block due to opponents card necessity. I had the Peru Capital in this game and noticed that it is the only Capital with 1 exit route and if you get a drop on Brazil you are spawn blocked, BUT it is possible to move all the Cap' troops to Brazil still protecting the Cap', thus releasing the block (after killing Argentina of course). So essentially the Peru Cap' has 2 exit routes! I didn't do this, because a player put a lot of troops in Brazil and I didn't want to risk wasting troops, but this is a nice little 1 Bonus for whoever lands Peru as their Capital. I didn't get to use the new connection in this test.[/spoiler][spoiler=5p Capitals (increasing)][b]5p Capitals (increasing)[/b] This was very similar to 6p except the card values didn't raise in as many rounds, but surprisingly this went to 12 rounds and card value was still 25. The India & E.Siberia Caps have the best tactical advantage with 3 exit routes each, but India has the most advantage being able to hit so many more Caps more easily especially with the new connection from M.East to N.Africa and it's easier for this Cap' to take Australia too. However, that does not mean there is more chance of winning, just less chance of being blocked and easier to run the board. Ironically, I haven't seen anyone with the India Cap' win yet. I'm not sure if it's due to troop numbers or troop blocks, but I also have not seen anyone run the whole board on this Map in Capitals of 4p +. In this test I had the U.States Cap' and I experienced being semi blocked due to card necessity where another player can pretty much shut you down for victory cards due to self blocking in the other direction. This is due to this Cap' position only having 2 exit routes N & S. However, it does NOT mean that, even with not taking cards, you will not be able to win, as I did from this poor position. There are a few adjustments to be made in playing style and tactics when playing 4p, 5p or 6p Capitals, but the game is good and as tactical as any other World map. I haven't seen much potential for stalemate or board running (I think due to Cap' proximity). This does not mean it can't happen, it's just that I have only had time to do a few test games and haven't seen it happen. Overall, I believe this map can sustain up to 6p Capitals without problems.[/spoiler][spoiler=4p Domination (fixed)][b]4p Domination (fixed)[/b] This has a really nice quick-game ability. There is a lot of potential to be able to work out a timing strategy to win at this far more frequently than other games. I didn't win this test, but was poised to if Black hadn't pounced. It was all about the luck of a 3 card set. The game only just got into round 4 when it ended. With 4p the Domination territories are set to 15. This initially seems like a lot being more than half the map and each player having only 6 to start, but it is a case of: create a troop concentration and for the first 3 rounds collect a card but leave as few 1's around as possible, keep an eye on attack routes and if you get the 3 card set, pounce in round 4. The extra connection makes this a fast and achievable game. Domination is always the set up that catches a lot of players out and if you haven't played a lot of it, it also leaves a lot of players amazed with how it ended. This map is a very good 4p Domination Map.[/spoiler][spoiler=4p Death Match (increasing)][b]4p Death Match (increasing)[/b] This is of course the same as all maps, as good a game as the players on the field. In this test the game was a bit short lived due to a weak link. The ability to take and hold bonus regions is a little easier on this map compared to Classic, but with 3p or 4p in particular, if 1 player over-attacks another, the game is pretty much over, especially when card values are rising. I don't think that is different to any other map. I particularly liked the new connection in this game because I was able to fortify all the way from Brazil to China by owning China, India & M.East all I had to do was kill the 1 in N.Africa and I got well away from the big fight for S.America and I also had enough grouped troops to take and hold Australia. It was only cards (lack of set from 4) that decided the outcome but nonetheless, the game had all the same attributes as World Classic, but on a smaller scale.[/spoiler] I found NO glitches, missing links, broken connections or mismatches in this game, everything appears to be working as intended. I know this is not an extensive test, which would need many dozens of games of each type, but it is hopefully something to allow this map to pass beta tests and take its rightful place in the World map quartet!

9 Player Caps, all of Aussie ends up neutral. Very weird to me at least. Just didn't want there to be an issue with the programming that caused it to do that every time. Game is still in progress, I'll get more details to you once done if needed.

So do we have enough feedback to remove this map from Beta?

I can only speak from my observations and experiences, but I see no reason why it can't be removed from beta and made live to all. It is an aesthetically nice looking map with a high level of graphic refinement and has a place in the World Map quarter, plus it has been tested by many players and found to be quite enjoyable and interesting to play with neither technical nor game-play problems (apart from the 9p Australia neutrals mentioned above, is this coincidence? Does it happen every game?) I believe though that these decisions should always be made by the D12 Owner & Senior Staff on the information they receive from the other staff and helpers.

Well, the 9p will happen "frequently" as we have 2 territories per player and 8 neutrals... chances of 3 of them being neutral are not incredibly low.

Thanks for your detailed feedback Aero. Sorry for not having time to read it until now. It looks consistent and usefull. The map can be released for me... But, 2 little details: - This was supposed to be a provisional version waiting for one with the new connection on the land rather than on the sea. It was Fendi's homework I guess. But I don't know how work it is. - Also, we were supposed to make some test with the new connection and the old 2 caps placement (i.e. Peru Papua). And probably that was my homework, but I was busy to play other games really :P Also if I make the change then practically I need to test it by myself and I hadn't time for that.

Okay 2 caps are now Peru and Papua N.G. as it was in the 1st design. We initially found there was a concrete advantage for Papua, but now with the new connection in place it would be reduced and hopefully the 2 caps equalized. [u]Please, help me to do this test as fast as possible.[/u] Few games are not enough to evaluate, every one needs to play many in order to get a concrete idea. Hopefully in few hours the test can be ended so taking a decision between Peru-Papua or Canada-India. The first seems cooler but also the second has some good points. Every feedback will be helpful to evaluate, Thanks.

Well I have thought about it and came to the conclusion that I'd rather have the extra connection between North Africa and Middle East instead of adding another territory (Egypt). This is mostly due to the fact that adding an extra territory will create imbalance (according to me) and make Africa one of the larger (and harder to hold) regions. Then again, I haven't played this map so maybe my way of thinking is completely wrong, which means, if creating another territory is better for the game play then I will create one.

@Fendi, I think you misunderstood, I think they mean something like this, but with decent quality, not adding a territory but replacing the connection with a standard land connection: http://www.bluemelon.com/photo/5251176.jpg Am I right?

Oh that would explain some things, but..won't that make the whole region look awkward or is it just me..?

To be frank, most of the regions of the map seem awkward to me... Not that I don't like it or the map, but makes me easier to distinguish it from Classic. Maybe moving the labels or improving the quality can reduce the awkward effect. It can be though because Africa is in the middle and it's the first thing that we see.

Territories are formed by "transposition" from the territories of World Classic, joining some of them, except Egypt that is the odd-ball being cut in 2 parts. It should be simply joined to North Africa, as in Psymon example, but better, I mean it should correspond to the real border between Egypt and Sudan as it is in World Classic. And also, I was shy to say it, but Psymon introduced the argument, I think [i]'Middle East'[/i] should be written on the North part of the territory as it is in World Classic, because as it is now it's too close with [i]'East Africa'[/i] and [i]'India'[/i], it doesn't look well spaced. Plus, with the change on the North Africa border also East Africa tag and circle should be moved a little bit southerner. And I don't know what exactly looks awkward to your eyes.