How can we improve?
Added 2020-10-07 23:13:02 +0000 UTCAs a relatively new Patreon member, much of this process is still new to me and I want to make sure that besides creating the maps, I'm doing everything I can to provide you with the experience and services you're wanting!
So, what would YOU like to see changed and/or improved?
I would love to try and improve anything and everything you need, so let me know and I will do my best to see them realized!
Best,
Jeff @ Morvold
Comments
Thanks, Dr. Balbi! Great suggestions, and I was planning to continue running a line of supplemental maps for existing Adventures, as well as introducing new maps, as it seems like there are audiences for both. I appreciate the time you took to respond and consider!
Jeff Todd
2020-10-11 19:47:15 +0000 UTCIts production is very good. I see that the best part is in Phandelver. I suggest you choose a long campaign to continue production like Storm King's Thunder (SKT) or Tomb of Annihilation (ToA). I think that many maps are missing, or alternative maps, for SKT and ToA. In my opinion, the official map of The Thundering Lizard Inn (made by DM Guild) is very bad. There are no temple maps for Savras, Sune, Gond, Tymora or Waukeen (Port Nyanzaru, ToA). There are no place maps of Bryn Shander (SKT), like House of the Triad, Marketplace, Town Hall, and others. Choose a long campaign that you like and work on the details. I see many maps of Curse Of Strahd (CoS) on Patreon. I don't think that CoS would be a good choice. But, you can do a survey.
Dr. Rafael Balbi
2020-10-10 03:28:01 +0000 UTCThanks Ross! Those are some great suggestions. Sounds like the modular style of play is popular, so I will try and integrate that into future projects and maybe think about releasing some modular stuff for existing maps, as well, to make them more flexible and useful. As for people subscribing only to grab all of the maps and leave -- yes, it happens, yes, it sucks, but, I try not to worry about those people. I feel like those people are going to steal/get your product no matter what you do and rather than focus on people who DON'T want to support me, I'd rather focus on rewarding and providing for the people that DO want to support me -- hence, this thread. I think it's important that you guys have access to the past maps/work for many reasons, including the one(s) that you mention, and have no immediate plans to change that. If people want to come steal it, well, maybe they're in a bad situation financially and just have no other way, and I'm happy to help them. If they're just jerks -- then I'd rather it be their shame than my regret (not to share my maps with the GOOD people only to spite the bad ones).
Jeff Todd
2020-10-08 13:35:07 +0000 UTCsorry for the delay, Few things. 1.) I still think modular stuff is super useful (similar to what Adam said in some ways, having a few modular tiles you can slap down around some of your amazing creations would be highly useful) 2.) some of the assets you create are really stunningly good, I'd love to see an asset pack of some of the stuff you've made with only the base set. I've tried following your inspirations and... wow I am very very bad at it (I suspect, in fact, that you are very good at it) 3.) this is more of a patreon map maker thing. So, there's a... quirk to making money doing this. One thing that happens a lot with map maker patreons is that someone will sub for like a week, download all the stuff, and then cancel their pledge. It's a real dick move, and I hate that people would try to exploit you like that, but it is something you should be aware of. One way of dealing with this is to just not care. it's not a super high number from what I've heard, and if you are a prolific enough maker, or have a popular enough Patreon, it doesn't really impact you much. One of the most common ways I've seen to deal with it is only have your stuff up for that month, and then archive it somewhere and then put the new month's stuff up. This is fine but I have one MAJOR problem with it. I'm FAIRLY hands off with my patreons. I want to support someone to make what they want to make, and I want to be able to come back later and kind find the stuff that speaks to me, grab that, and leave the rest. If that archive mentioned above isn't available in some way.... I end up missing out on like, a years worth of stuff. Now, I believe there is a way to check how long someone has been backing you (don't know that side of the curtain unfortunately), so it might make sense to share the archive with someone if they directly message you asking for it, so you can look them up and see that they aren't trying to take advantage of you. but that feels like a lot of uneccessary work on your part. I am not sure what solution would work best for you, but since you are newer at this I wanted to give you the heads up that this happens, and try to encourage you to, if you need to find a solution, lean towards one where it IS possible to get the archive somehow. anyway, I think you are doing a great job so far, keep it up! And if there's anything we can do for you, do ask.
Ross Ramsay
2020-10-08 13:11:03 +0000 UTCInteresting -- that's a great point and suggestion. I may not be able to do it for every map, but perhaps I will begin entertaining the idea of a Triptych Map Pack -- where it's a map flanked/bordered by additional maps, or a progression (through a mountain pass, for example), eventually ending in a cavern of mountain orcs, etc... I do understand the desire to have broader maps for the purposes of long-range combat or spell effects, but the Dwarven Outpost is a good example. I'd intended it more as a place to be visited, but I could see wanting to include more space around it, for more varied encounters (an attack upon the outpost by Giants, etc...) I will try one of these out and see if it scratches that itch for you! =)
Jeff Todd
2020-10-08 03:59:08 +0000 UTCYou do an awesome job with the quality of your maps. However, it would be great if you have surrounding terrain maps that match quality of the structures you've created. For example .. dwarf outpost is cool.. but what if you designed 3-6 surrounding map tiles of wilderness areas. Ranged weapon/spell attacks can only be appreciated fully with large map boards.
Adam Cowan
2020-10-08 01:34:02 +0000 UTC
