Demand for Maps and Map Books

[jamesmishler]

Hey all,

I know there is a demand for the 17"x22" blank hex sheets.

I've got a small supply of the originals still available here:
http://www.adventuregamespubs.com/AGP00103.htm

And once those are gone, will be printing a line of new hex sheets, essentially the same though on white paper and with black rather than sepia ink.

What about other maps? Is there a demand out there for:

A revised edition of the Campaign Hexagon System?:
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/Item0047.html

A revised edition of the Fantasy Cartographer's Field Book?
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/Item0240.html

A blank 20"x29" hex sheet that includes space for all 18 maps on it, as was included with the Tarantis product?

What about the old Village/Castle/Island/Temple/Caves series of blank maps that could be dropped in anywhere? Is there a demand for these kinds of products?

And by demand I mean more than "Yeah, I'd want that, but only if it was free on the Internet." A 48-page booklet with 44 maps would run at least $12 MSRP, probably more due to the cost of the cartography (it being essentially 100% art, the cost would be much higher on that end).

The thing is, for books like the VCITS Series, there seems to be plenty of competition out on the web these days. For example...

201 Random Cave Maps
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/php4/archive ... fileid=230

This excellent booklet. Virtually impossible to publish in print format (200+ pages). Absolutely free as a PDF on the Internet. Is there any way to compete with this, even using the Wilderlands hex sysem? I just don't see it...

Wilderlands Hex Sheets yes, certainly. The rest... I dunno.

What do you think?
_________________
James Mishler

Main Man, Adventure Games Publishing
jamesagp1@gmail.com
http://adventuregamespublishing.blogspot.com/
http://jamesmishler.blogspot.com

[Omote]

Really, a book like the Fantasy Cartographer's system and the Campaign Hexagon system could be combined into one book. Actually, is there any real use for the Fantasy Cartographer book anymore? I can see the Hexagon System paper being a worthwild purchase, but I'm not sure how much in demand there is for this anymore. With the internet, hex paper is easy to print off as needed.

Personally, I think a combo of these books would be neat, but not sure how practical. As long as there was the 17"x22" map sheets, possibly sold in lots of 4-6 like the old GURPS maps, would be awesome.

For nostalgia sake, well I'd love to see the old pads of hex paper back.
-O
_________________
> Omote's Advanced C&C stuff <
Duke Omote Landwehr, Holy Order of the FPQ ~ Prince of the Castles & Crusades Society

[Treebore]

I would lover to have them done, but I don't see it being realistically profitable.
_________________
The Ruby Lord, Earl of the Society

Next Con I am attending: http://www.neoncon.com/

My House Rules: http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/viewtopic ... llordgames

[Melan]

jamesmishler wrote:
What about other maps? Is there a demand out there for:

A revised edition of the Campaign Hexagon System?:
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/Item0047.html

No.

Quote:
A revised edition of the Fantasy Cartographer's Field Book?
http://www.acaeum.com/jg/Item0240.html

No.

Quote:
A blank 20"x29" hex sheet that includes space for all 18 maps on it, as was included with the Tarantis product?

Probably not much.

Quote:
What about the old Village/Castle/Island/Temple/Caves series of blank maps that could be dropped in anywhere? Is there a demand for these kinds of products?

Maybe as PDFs, but I suggest the cartography's costs would exceed profits.

Quote:
This excellent booklet. Virtually impossible to publish in print format (200+ pages). Absolutely free as a PDF on the Internet. Is there any way to compete with this, even using the Wilderlands hex sysem? I just don't see it...

There isn't.

[robertsconley]

Sorry to be negative about this but considering that blueprint and poster printers are available throughout the US, that the formats you listed are available in free PDFs I don't see much demand for a print product. For example my own site at home at earthlink dot net/~wilderlands

Now if you had a source for pebble paper and sepia ink that may be a different story.

[Geoffrey]

jamesmishler wrote:
Hey all,

I know there is a demand for the 17"x22" blank hex sheets.

I've got a small supply of the originals still available here:
http://www.adventuregamespubs.com/AGP00103.htm

And once those are gone, will be printing a line of new hex sheets, essentially the same though on white paper and with black rather than sepia ink.

If and when I need them, I would gladly purchase such white-and-black 17"x22" hex sheets, IF...

The hex lines and numbers do not overpower pencil markings. I have some hex sheets that someone printed out for me, and it's darn near impossible to see or focus upon a pencil-drawn map upon them. There are these prominent black lines that drown-out the pencil markings.

The black hex lines and numbers would preferrably be in a very light grey (or another color). The hex numbers would need to be clearly readable, but that can still be done with very light grey ink.

I hope my rambling is getting my points across.

As for the other sorts of maps you mentioned, James, I wouldn't be interested in purchasing them.

[jamesmishler]

Sounds like it was pretty much as I expected. Maybes on the big hex sheets, no interest in the others, which, as mentioned, can readily be found on the web...

Thanks for your input everyone!
_________________
James Mishler

Main Man, Adventure Games Publishing
jamesagp1@gmail.com
http://adventuregamespublishing.blogspot.com/
http://jamesmishler.blogspot.com