Over the last few months several wargear mapmakers have been creating new maps all with a single theme (Pangaea).  A friendly contest got a bit more serious when Tom put up $100 for the winners.  Everyone is invited to vote on these maps to help decide the winner.  The only requirement is that you must play at least one game on every map in the contest before voting.   Voting will be open until Midnight GMT September 15th.  To vote just post in this thread with your ranked preference for the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd best map.

The Contestants:

• Pang Age - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Pang+Age/
• Pangaea and Panthalassa - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Pangaea+and+Panthalassa
• Pangaea - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Pangaea
• Pirates of Pangea - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Pirates+of+Pangea
• Pangaea: Rise of the Chimp - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Pangaea%3A+Rise+of+the+Chimp
• Sleestaktica - http://www.wargear.net/boards/view/Sleestaktica

More details and discussion about the contest can be found at this thread:
http://www.wargear.net/forum/showthread/1523p1/Map_Making_Competition_-_Pangaea_-_$$$_Prize_Deadline_June_10th

Sleestaktica is a Pangaea board? 

Do I have to play at least one public game on each map or do private games count too?

Sleestaktica is certainly "Pangaea themed" (both the map and the description).

CK- No one can guarantee your safety from Mad Bomber if you play private games ;)

We all agree to shutup once the votes start coming in right? Someone has to count it.

didn't think it had to be public.

weathertop wrote:

didn't think it had to be public.

I don't see why it would have to be public.  We're rating the board, not our skills.

The original reason given was to ensure voter integrity. We decided in favor of trusting people. Private games are fine.

We previously discussed whether these could be private games, and no one advocated for requiring public games, so the default consensus was to be on the "honor" system and allow private games.

IMO Sleestaktica stretches the definition of a Pangaea themed map, but if you look closely, all of the continents have territories on multiple continents (hope that made sense), and it takes place in the distant past so in those senses it fits.  We made an early decision not to be too strict as to what fits within the theme for qualification purposes.  That said - we never really discussed the criteria for voting.  I assume it will be some combination of gameplay, graphics, and overall fun, but how voters decide to rank the maps is up to them and they could also factor in how well a map incorporates the theme.

Ozyman wrote:

I assume it will be some combination of gameplay, graphics, and overall fun, but how voters decide to rank the maps is up to them and they could also factor in how well a map incorporates the theme.

i assumed so too.

I see a lot of the mapmaker contestants in my games. Do they too get a vote? (Not terrible as they'll just cancel each other out except in 2nd/3rd votes!)

The  mapmakers do get to vote, although I was not planning on voting for my own map, because I don't think I can be impartial. 

Hugh wrote:

I see a lot of the mapmaker contestants in my games. Do they too get a vote? (Not terrible as they'll just cancel each other out except in 2nd/3rd votes!)

Contestants shouldn't get to vote.  There's money involved.  I see no reason they can't participate in the games and ensuing discussions.  For all I care, they can lobby for their boards  (Free beer and ice cream has been known to sway my vote ). 

I agree that the mapmakers shouldn't get a vote -- keeps everything clean and fair. Other than that, I see no reason why they can't play in some of the games.

:(

Raptor wrote:

:(

Just assume that all map-makers vote for their own maps.  After all, they did submit them to win, right?  Any other votes by them for second or third place puts them in a position where they can manipulate the numbers.

M57 wrote:

Raptor wrote:

:(

Just assume that all map-makers vote for their own maps.  After all, they did submit them to win, right?  Any other votes by them for second or third place puts them in a position where they can manipulate the numbers.

I can follow your logic and will go along with what the masses decide.

But I don't have to like it.

I would hope that the six of us have enough respect for each other not to pull a dick move like that

Raptor wrote:

M57 wrote:

Raptor wrote:

:(

Just assume that all map-makers vote for their own maps.  After all, they did submit them to win, right?  Any other votes by them for second or third place puts them in a position where they can manipulate the numbers.

I can follow your logic and will go along with what the masses decide.

But I don't have to like it.

I would hope that the six of us have enough respect for each other not to pull a dick move like that

I don't question that for a moment, but the site shouldn't risk (no pun intended) any semblance of impropriety.  It's the smart thing to do. 

i'd agree with you raptor, and don't see there being any real degree of dodgy-ness; but i think M57 makes the best point. perception is reality.

Voting on the maps is part of the fun, and it would be a bit  sad if the six of us were restricted from that.  How about if the six of us agree to either:

• Vote for our own map in first place
• Not vote for our own map at all

Either one should cause any votes for ourselves to cancel each others out.  Personally I'm for option two, and was planning on doing that anyway, but maybe it would be more fair if all the contestants agree to it?

I am not sure that I will vote for my own map (I like short games and mine isn't a quick play board).  I entered the competition for fun and needed some motivation to construct something territory based.  With that said, I will try my best to be impartial and vote for what I like (game-play, graphics, theme, innovation, fun-factor, and replay ability are among things I will consider).