World Double 2.0

This is a new version of the old World Double map, with different graphics and some more connections from/to Argentina and New Zealand. It has to be tryed because many different versions were proposed in the past. Please let me summarize the history of World Double by a few images. [spoiler=My first World Double idea][img]https://i.ibb.co/GfFxfKQD/World-Double-02.jpg[/img][/spoiler] [spoiler=Clarke proposed a new intriguing layout][img]https://i.ibb.co/HDBCj2wW/WD-Blank.png[/img][/spoiler] [spoiler=Hoodlum started the graphic job][img]https://i.ibb.co/TBR4TqwF/WD-06.png[/img][/spoiler] [spoiler=Hoodlum sent me the file and I changed the text][img]https://i.ibb.co/Z6VdVrFd/WD-09-copy.jpg[/img][/spoiler] A discussion arised about the sea connections arrangement. Several proposed their own version. This one simingly was the most wanted: [spoiler=Further graphic development][img]https://i.ibb.co/DPVQ390m/WD-11-6bis.jpg[/img][/spoiler] The main reason for the change was to create easy-to-defend regions with only 2 territories to defend. I didn't care much about it really. [spoiler=World Classic-like colors][img]https://i.ibb.co/JjwXt68p/WD-12-4.jpg[/img][/spoiler] [spoiler=I was still bounded to the original Hoodlum's version, but no one supported me!][img]https://i.ibb.co/M5Jkv3S7/WD-15original.jpg[/img][/spoiler] [spoiler=A "compromise version" was created with easy-to-defend regions][img]https://i.ibb.co/wFfFg5Sf/WD-17.jpg[/img][/spoiler] The thing that hurt me the most was to remove the sea connection between the two New Zealand's. Finally Aeronautic graphicized it, his own way: an excellent job, of course! [spoiler=This is the current World Double map by Aeronautic][img]https://i.ibb.co/xSGfTqnC/70-large.jpg[/img][/spoiler] The idea of ​​easy-to-defend regions also made sense to me. However, with Clarke's proposed layout, it's impossible, since all the smaller regions are intertwined. So we were forced to remove some connections that seemed perfectly natural, such as Argentina--India and New Zealand--New Zealand. At this point, now I propose this new version, which is very similar to Hoodlum's-Clarke's original, but with the addition of the Western Australia--Central America connection, which appears to be crucial for ensuring the movement on the map's wings; already in place in the current World Double by Aeronautic. [spoiler=World Double 2.0][img]https://i.ibb.co/G3M4c9nv/WD-20.jpg[/img][/spoiler] I can't compete in graphics with Aeronautic, but I did my best! I decided to change the colours a tiny bit, with almost-purple ocean, in order to make the two of them a bit more different and easier to be recognized. I don't know if it is the case to keep both maps or if it is better to discard (discontinue) one of the two... I would simply say: let's just try this new map for one year or so, and then we will decide what to do.

hmmm, wierd my favourite is Hoodlums version due to colors. I like how they pale out, gives a slightly vintage look, without looking "yellowish".

im a fan of aeronautics work, and like his version the best. (current). it keeps the style of our classic map. the sea connection between the two new zealands would be cool, and why not? i barely remember drawing this lol.

[quote=Hoodlum]im a fan of aeronautics work, and like his version the best. (current). it keeps the style of our classic map. the sea connection between the two new zealands would be cool, and why not? i barely remember drawing this lol. [/quote] If I remember correctly, the "issue" with connecting the two NZs was the resultant super region being too easy to take and hold for a +6 bonus. When someone takes one of the Oceanias, they would easily take and hold the next, leading to stale and repetitive gameplay. Possibly ^^ I've always thought the Oceania bonus should be reduced to a +2 anyway. Even as a +2 I think it would arguably still be a nicer region to hold than the SA region. Responding to Bishop's proposed new connections, I agree with him. It makes perfect sense visually to connect the Indias to the Argentinas. And the NZs together. The Argentina to W. Australia connections, I don't mind either way. Overall I think it would improve the gameplay. The graphical job you have done is very high quality too, in my opinion. However, I don't think it would be good for the site to have 2 World Double maps. Each would take away from the uniqueness and the popularity of the other. I have similar thoughts when it comes to World Classic, Modified, and Non-Classic - even though the gameplay variations are interesting, does it really improve the quality of the map portfolio to have so many similar variants?

@@Dima: I honestly like my ocean texture which actually is not a texture, it's a true satellite image of the ocean floor: or better two images, one upright and one upside down. However, I managed to mask the joining line, so it became a single perfectly symmetrical image. Perhaps a compromise on colours, saving my ocean could be [url=https://i.ibb.co/DPVQ390m/WD-11-6bis.jpg]this one[/url]? @@Hoodlum: Aeronautic achieved to reproduce the same exact colour scheme and the same style of World Classic. A grat job like only a pro can do. However that achievement was unrequested, and unwanted for my part. I mean, every map should possibly has it's own style and colours. When I look at the games waiting for players I'm used to use the box view (not the list view) and I can easily mistake W. Double for W. Classic because they share exactly the same colours. Other maps have a title that is well-readable from the thumbnail, but W. Double has an almost invisible title, just as it is for W. Classic... It's just a minor critic, still an excellent job from Aero. We could keep the old graphics and add the new connections, yes, but I'm scared to put my hands on Aeronautic's work: gradients, shadows, almost invisible light effects, I feel like I risk to ruine it! Perhaps I will try if/when the new connections will be approved. @@Virtuosity98: Thanks! and yes I agree to have only one World Double map, eventually, but first we should test both of them, for a while... At least 6 months I guess! I would like instead W. Classic, Modified and Non-Classic to stay: the original Risk map is untouchable for me, and the other two are two different small variants that can potentially be considered better for some tournaments or for some particular game settings, I don't know... Modified is a truly minimal change (in gameplay) from W. Classic, while Non-Classic is a bit more than that, let's say it's my attempt to normalize a bit the original map to the D12 standards. [i]Note: On my last map edits I drastically reduced the brightness and contrast of the territory labels. Just because are the territories that everybody knows, they don't need to be very hyper well-readable, just enough readable is enough for me. And then, by doing so the whole image looks calmer, let's say 'less noisy'.[/i]