{"id":309626,"date":"2024-12-17T07:59:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T13:59:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/?post_type=articles&p=309626"},"modified":"2024-12-16T21:53:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T03:53:54","slug":"christmas-project-fantasy-map-maker","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.meeplemountain.com\/articles\/christmas-project-fantasy-map-maker\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Project (Fantasy Map Maker)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year, I did a review of Fantasy Map Maker<\/a> and was able to ask the game\u2019s creator, Harry Metcalf (aka Doopy Games), a few questions<\/a>. I gave the original version of the game 4-stars, but I recommend getting the Improved Edition<\/i><\/a> instead. With the tweaks and adjustments made in this new version (and the inclusion of The Continent<\/i> game variation), this game has risen to a higher status.However, in this article, I wanted to share with you a Christmas Project I did for my friends and myself.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer<\/b>: prior to delving into this project, I contacted <\/i>Mr. Metcalf via email<\/i><\/a> and made sure he was alright with my doing this. After all, I had backed for one print-n-play copy of this game. It was a short conversation, but we came to an agreement as to how I could move forward with this. If you have plans to do something similar, please reach out to him.<\/i><\/p>\n

A Good Physical Copy<\/h2>\n

Print and play is all good, but when it comes to making things like the cards that go into this game, I lack the talent to do it well. Mr. Metcalf had printed and made the cards for me when I got my review copy of the original edition, so that was not an issue. I can make the cards, I suppose, and for me, I can sleeve the results. I do have friends that are not as interested in sleeving their games<\/a>. As a result, when I got my files for the Improved Edition<\/i>, I knew I was going to need help with the cards.<\/p>\n

It was while I was contemplating having the good folks over at Print & Play Games<\/a> do the printing of the cards for me that I started thinking about going whole hog on this thing:\u00a0 get a nice printed and bound rulebook, laminated copies of the player sheets, etc. That was when the idea of making these as gifts for friends and family started entering into my head. Economies of scale meant that the cost per set would go down the more sets I made. The project had begun!<\/p>\n

A Case<\/h3>\n

I was looking for something that would be good to hold everything together. I searched a few places that make plastic boxes as replacements for older board games, but none of those seemed to be what I really needed. Then, while looking on Amazon, I found some A4 document storage boxes by a company called PerKoop<\/a>. The rulebook file is formatted to A4 so this seemed perfect. I did some measuring for the other stuff, and so these were perfect. I was able to get a multi-color set of 6 boxes which set my project\u2019s limit: I would be making six copies of the game.<\/p>\n

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These cases are pretty tough,and they come with various colors of latches. They are perfect for this project!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\n
\n \n
\n \n <\/div>\n <\/span>\n
\n \n PerKoop 6 Pcs Clear A4 File Box Document Plastic Storage Box Paper Plastic Case Board Game Storage Containers Magazine Protector File Holder Organizer Box Plastic with Buckle Office School Supplies<\/span>\n <\/a>\n
\n $32.99<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n Buy Now\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n

A Rulebook<\/h3>\n

The download for the Improved Edition<\/i> has everything set up for either A4 or Letter sized paper, except the rulebook. The rulebook only comes in A4. Having worked to convert a file from one of those sizes to the other, I know why this was only in one format. I cannot tell you how much I wish the United States would drop the old sizes of paper and standardize things on metric. There are so many advantages!<\/p>\n

My book printing company of choice is Lulu<\/a>. Getting things ready for a private project on the site was easy enough. The turn-around-times for Lulu are quite good, and the print quality (in my experience) has always been exceptional. So, I put in an order for six copies in standard quality A4 paper printed in color. What I received was absolutely perfect!<\/p>\n

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I have to wonder why America resists the move to metric (especially in the office). A4 is a wonderful paper size.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Player Sheets<\/h3>\n

A long time ago, I got a Scotch Laminator and some laminating pockets for letter-sized paper. It has been sitting in my craft room with me intending upon pulling it out and giving it a run! But, my life got chaotic and busy and so I was never able to do so. Until now. I printed all the player sheets. There are nine, so with six copies, this means I had to print 54 sheets:<\/p>\n