Digital map of an imaginary town and surrounding countryside - for a visual novel/game

  • Status: Closed
  • Prize: $500
  • Entries Received: 34
  • Winner: reyesonline

Contest Brief

This contest is for a digital map image of an imaginary town with some surrounding countryside.  It will be used in an upcoming visual novel game for point-and-click navigation.  I will give some direction for what I am looking for below, however I am flexible with the methods and tools you use.  The contest will be won by the person who makes the most compelling art that is in line with my vision.  Please feel free to ask questions!

About the game-world and town:
The year is 2022.  After a mysterious invasion by otherworldly forces, humanity is on the defensive.  In the USA many cities and towns have fallen, but a few have survived.  This town is one of those fortunate few.  It is small with only a few thousand inhabitants and its people survived by building a wooden wall around the town's perimeter.  The town buildings are reasonably modern having been built between 1980 and 2000.  Most buildings do not exceed a few stories in height.

Because the town map will be used as the centerpiece of a visual novel game that features point-and-click travel, there should be various Points Of Interest (POI) that visually stand out.  The POI don't have to be highly detailed but they do need to be easily recognizable.

Town POI list:
- residential areas (mainly houses and green space)
- a town hall
- a high school
- a park (w/ trees, a field, a large pond, trails)
- a few retail shops (including a grocery market)
- an outdoor sports field (soccer fields, tennis courts, maybe even a running track)
- a run-down house (something kids might venture into on a dare)
- a restaurant/cafe
- a cemetery
- a police station
- a hospital
- an adult shop
- a church
- a farm (mostly agriculture, a small amount of livestock)
- town walls (made of wood, surrounding the entire town) and gate (on the north side of the town)

Outside town landscapes and POI:
- some forests (including a small lumber yard)
- some fields
- some hills (including a small mining site)
- a river
- a few ponds

You don't need to label the POI themselves, but they will each need a small visual indicator, which when rolled-over by the mouse cursor will pop up the name of POI (I will build this functionality in the game).  You just need to make the small visual indicators.  It needs to be clear, but not too distracting from the overall look of the map.

About the style of the map:
My favored design style for this contest is isometric. See this webpage for a great example: http://isometricmaps.com/how-to-use/

On a realism scale of 1 to 10 (where 1 is cartoon and 10 is realism) I'd prefer this map to be in the 7-8 range. Mostly realistic looking.

Even though this town is in a world that is ruined after a catastrophe, the feel of the image should be more hopeful than depressed.  So use lighter colors when possible instead of darker colors.  Not exactly cheerful but grass should be green, and it's a sunny day outside, etc... The buildings themselves are intact.

Other details:
The town should take up about 3/4 of the image, with the surrounding countryside taking up about 1/4 of the image. The viewer perspective is zoomed out (between maybe 500-1000 feet altitude?) and angled somewhere between ~45-85 degrees.

For various examples of what I'm seeking, Google image search for: "video game town map zoomed in".  Many of these images show the general idea of what I'm seeking, however please keep in mind that I'd like something a little more realistic looking.  My visual novel will be using realistic 3D renders and I don't want the style of the town map to be significantly different from the other content.

I will need editable files of your work so I can make changes to the map in the future.

Thank you... and good luck in the contest!

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Top entries from this contest

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Public Clarification Board

  • bzingo
    Contest Holder
    • 3 years ago

    Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for this contest :)

    • 3 years ago
  • lynchman100
    lynchman100
    • 3 years ago

    Hey there, i've been watching this contest, did you receive an image you feel happy with?

    • 3 years ago
  • AngeloBueno
    AngeloBueno
    • 3 years ago

    Hi there, kindly check #79

    • 3 years ago
  • futureoverhope
    futureoverhope
    • 3 years ago

    hoho , Am I the last?

    • 3 years ago
  • futureoverhope
    futureoverhope
    • 3 years ago

    Hey,Please check it #77

    • 3 years ago
  • soashkani
    soashkani
    • 3 years ago

    wait till the end. I'LL POST AN ENTRY TODAY

    • 3 years ago
  • GabrielGoistais
    GabrielGoistais
    • 3 years ago

    Uploaded Entry #65 Thank you!

    • 3 years ago
  • mirandalengo
    mirandalengo
    • 3 years ago

    Hello Sir, could you please check my entry #63 ? I would appreciate any feedback from you.

    • 3 years ago
  • freemarkcasty91
    freemarkcasty91
    • 3 years ago

    entry #62 is already inside a a top game engine UE4 ...ready for your direction full 3d. i am a level designer so i can help you in this.

    • 3 years ago
  • Cobot
    Cobot
    • 3 years ago

    please check the entry #53

    • 3 years ago
    1. rashid78614
      rashid78614
      • 3 years ago

      haha

      • 3 years ago
    2. Cobot
      Cobot
      • 3 years ago

      "haha", what do you mean, something funny?

      • 3 years ago
  • rashid78614
    rashid78614
    • 3 years ago

    sir you looking same as attach picture. or something else

    • 3 years ago
  • AC3Designe
    AC3Designe
    • 3 years ago

    hi please check the entry #56

    • 3 years ago
  • Eccaia
    Eccaia
    • 3 years ago

    Hello! I am really interested in this contest, but I have a little problem with the link which does not allow me to see it, and the attached file cannot be seen, it opens but it is completely blank. :( I can give you a really beautiful work, so I would like to ask you if you can help me with your reference? I will be very grateful to you. :)

    • 3 years ago
    1. wilsontiruvalla
      wilsontiruvalla
      • 3 years ago

      May not be able to open in Photoshop. But u can see it in the mobile....

      • 3 years ago
  • Moy48
    Moy48
    • 3 years ago

    Hello CH, please check my entry #46

    • 3 years ago
  • lodhiAyush
    lodhiAyush
    • 3 years ago

    Hello Contest holder Please use googles Reverse Search image for the entries as many people just post other peoples work or use of free art available which needs attribution when used. so be carefull.

    • 3 years ago
  • AC3Designe
    AC3Designe
    • 3 years ago

    hi please check the entry #42

    • 3 years ago
  • unreal0044
    unreal0044
    • 3 years ago

    Please Don't Close the contest yet., Working on it.,

    • 3 years ago
    1. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      I plan to allow the contest to finish before selecting a winner :)

      • 3 years ago
  • bzingo
    Contest Holder
    • 3 years ago

    I'm attaching a link to an example of my favored design style for this contest.

    http://isometricmaps.com/how-to-use/

    • 3 years ago
    1. RayCoalescence
      RayCoalescence
      • 3 years ago

      you want it more realistic than this though correct ?

      • 3 years ago
    2. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      Ideally yes.

      • 3 years ago
  • sunilkaz
    sunilkaz
    • 3 years ago

    is a completely 3d design acceptable??

    • 3 years ago
    1. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      I think so. Feel free to show me an example of what you're thinking and I can give more accurate feedback.

      • 3 years ago
  • Rdower
    Rdower
    • 3 years ago

    Is a 3D rendering needed? or would a Photoshop file be sufficient? Basically, I am asking if I could create a 2D image for this alone.

    • 3 years ago
    View 1 more message Processing...
    1. Rdower
      Rdower
      • 3 years ago

      I think my question boils down to, what do you need? simply an image? or do you need the ability to easily change the view of the city (above, 45 degree angle, zoom into street level etc.

      • 3 years ago
    2. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      I just need the image (and the files used to make it, so modifications can be made in the future, if needed).

      • 3 years ago
  • Ronnielim88
    Ronnielim88
    • 3 years ago

    please check #28. thank you

    • 3 years ago
  • GabrielGoistais
    GabrielGoistais
    • 3 years ago

    Working on it.

    • 3 years ago
  • Zarminairshad
    Zarminairshad
    • 3 years ago

    please check #14 #15 #16 #17#18 #19 #20 #21 #22

    • 3 years ago
  • Moy48
    Moy48
    • 3 years ago

    Hi, could you provide a picture of the art you already have so we can match our designs, also maybe you can provide real photos of examples of buildings you like, we as designers work with our eyes, if you give us examples that you like our designs will like much more, also do you want an ortogonal city or an organic city?

    • 3 years ago
    1. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      Hi Moises, unfortunately I don't have any other art to show yet. You can take either and organic or ortogonal approach to the town, although I think my preference leans towards something of a mix. Relatively organized, but also somewhat organic. For guidance on style options, I just made a post about that (above).

      • 3 years ago
  • bzingo
    Contest Holder
    • 3 years ago

    I wanted to share a style that I've found to be pleasing for map design. This is not by any means the only approach to take, but I've had a number of designers ask me for guidance and this is something I like.

    Isometric map design examples:
    https://duckduckgo.com/?q=isometric+3d+map+of+city&t=ffab&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

    • 3 years ago
  • robmendz08
    robmendz08
    • 3 years ago

    This is a very interesting contest, how ever we need to know exactly how big is this city and how detailed can we go every house design... as you mention this city is surrounded with a wooden wall, means the city is enclose just like the walking dead series? It's hard to provide a design or a style to surprise you there are a lot of style we can use on the design of the town. If you can give us a bit add on details or images you can give us would be very helpful.. Thanks

    • 3 years ago
    1. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      Hi Mumar, thank you for your feedback. I'll start by saying that even though I'd like the style of the town to be mostly realistic looking, the image itself can be more representative than exact when it comes to size and proportions. What I mean by this is that even though thousands of people might live here, we don't need to show houses for all of them. Just a residential area to represent where people live. The key is that each POI is distinct and clear, and yet put together with the rest of the art, it feels like a town. As for the wall, it can be anything from a palisade to something using boards. I just want it to be made of wood. It's not huge, but it's not small either. So maybe 8-12 feet tall? Something people would patrol by walking on is fine, but not strictly necessary. Please let me know if I've answered your questions, and feel free to ask more :)

      • 3 years ago
  • bzingo
    Contest Holder
    • 3 years ago

    Does anyone have an opinion on how could I improve the instructions for this contest? I did my best to explain what I'm looking for, but I'm not an artist and I'm not sure if I left out any critical details. Feedback is welcome.

    • 3 years ago
    View 6 more messages Processing...
    1. soashkani
      soashkani
      • 3 years ago

      hi there. this contest is one of my favorites regarding its subject. well, I have some questions. you've mentioned you need editable file I am going to build a rough 3d modeling and then refine it in editing photo Softwares like photoshop so at the end you can just edit the photoshop files, not the 3d one, is it OK? and I would like to know which software you wanna use for your game? UNITY3D, UNREAL, CryEngine? 'm using unity3d so I am thinking of the way of creating it with the feasibility to animate then in unity3d.

      • 3 years ago
    2. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      Hi Sina, I'm glad you like the contest! I'm planning to use Ren'py engine for the visual novel. I don't expect any animation with the map, it will just be a static image with some roll-over functionality. About your file question, if you are building the mode in some 3D software and then using photoshop to finish, ideally I'd like both files so it could be fully modified in the future.

      • 3 years ago
  • Puerto Rico Mapping
    Puerto Rico Mapping
    • 3 years ago

    Hello, do you like my desing, can u give me some feedback about it?

    • 3 years ago
  • cgjr96
    cgjr96
    • 3 years ago

    please cheak my entry #12

    • 3 years ago
  • wilsontiruvalla
    wilsontiruvalla
    • 3 years ago

    Working.

    • 3 years ago
  • Fireprince14
    Fireprince14
    • 3 years ago

    Could you please specify the size of the whole map?

    • 3 years ago
    View 2 more messages Processing...
    1. bzingo
      Contest Holder
      • 3 years ago

      Although the user will not be able to enter every individual house on the map, each POI will be clickable, and the main character will be able to visit those locations.

      • 3 years ago
    2. Fireprince14
      Fireprince14
      • 3 years ago

      Ok thanks for the feedback. I'll have an entry for you soon

      • 3 years ago
  • manjiribhave
    manjiribhave
    • 3 years ago

    yes you should provide any samples reference image.So designers can understand what you are exactly looking for.

    • 3 years ago
  • Puerto Rico Mapping
    Puerto Rico Mapping
    • 3 years ago

    Hello. Im preparing an offert to you.

    • 3 years ago
  • bzingo
    Contest Holder
    • 3 years ago

    Sealed, by popular demand :)

    • 3 years ago
  • loge20ar
    loge20ar
    • 3 years ago

    #sealed

    • 3 years ago

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