MAGELLAN'S MAP SUBMISSION

Map Name:	Island Lords  IslandLo.mp2

Map Maker:	Keith Williams

E-Mail Address:	keith.williams@virgin.net

Map Type:	Multiplayer
		6 Humans Or Computer

Description:	Resources on your island are limited, while nearby lands hold great riches.  Explore and gather, but beware, others have the same idea.

Special Win:	NONE

Special Loss:	NONE

Special Other:	NONE

Narrative:	See below

All Human Sides
Completely
Play-Tested:	Yes

Although technically a multiplayer map, this was conceived, and has been tested, as a single player map, but one which offers a choice of any colour you like.  I have no experience of multiplay, so I don't know how it would work, but I imagine it would be a neutral ground on which to test your skills against each other, as all sides start equal.  With enough human players it should be possible to remove the events which help the computer players, which can get irritating.  Any feedback on this would be most welcome.

The basic starting concept is a peaceful isolated race, who know nothing about the outside world.  The only way they are going to find out is to go and look, and there are no short cuts in the form of liths, whirlpools, watchtowers or Magellan's Maps available, so this is basically an explorer map.  There are several lighthouses, to speed up movement once you know where you are going.  Being my first map, I found it difficult drawing roads without making them a complete mess, so you will find that this is not a very advanced civilization as far as the road network is concerned.  There are, however, not that many long distances to travel on land.

Most of you will already have realized that, with all colours available, this map will not provide a great challenge.  I thought it best for a first map to restrict my ambition.  I have tried to give some help to the computer players, but this is limited, and experienced players should have no difficulty winning.  The computer players should all be active and should be sending level 6 units to fight you before the end, but by then you should be so fabulously wealthy that you can afford the troops to beat them.  I hope this will be a map you wish to explore thoroughly, rather than try to knock out the computer players as quickly as possible.  I've tried to make all areas interesting to visit.  The greatest rewards go to the first there, but there should be something to make the trip worthwhile for latecomers.  The map is probably best suited to those relatively new to the game, or those in the mood for a comparatively relaxed evening of exploration and discovery, rather than a fierce challenge.

There are a lot of treasures to be found, some guarded, some open, some hidden, so thorough exploration will be rewarded.  There are also a lot of artifacts, so it would be wise to try to keep slots free, in case you trigger one of the events.  Several of these are colour specific so that you can play the map a second time and still find something new.

Many thanks to the panel of map testers, who have helped me improve the map.

I am well aware that I have a lot to learn about map design, and am anxious to learn, so any comments would be very much appreciated.