http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/4770 ... educed.png

This retconned sector-based map changes a few things about the way that systems are taken and organized in the setting. Current mapped areas have been consolidated into clusters, which have their own minimaps which are now in progress, and the general size of the map has been increased by 1000%. There are now no more 'rogue systems' outside of clusters, and generally every existing system can be shoehorned into an established cluster or one of the tentative 'frontiers'.

I have some additional considerations, but these will come after the initial map reform has been completed.

Sample Sector Maps:
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/338/ ... ster02.png
http://img41.imageshack.us/i/bardcluster.png/
http://img687.imageshack.us/i/newneplesliasectorl.png/

Does this even count as a retcon? Everything's basically in its place, the map is just much cleaner.

It is most definitely a RETCON. Because the scales are totally different. Using an earlier prototype Ex had shown me, it would take 16.6 days for a Plumeria Gunship to get from Yamatai (Planet) to the edge of KMS using CDD vs 2 days on the current map. Even at Fold this new scale changes the dynamics current map Yamatai - KMS 120 LY = 2 hours, this new scale 16.6 hours

Not to mention the effect this would have on the current fronts in the war.

And it effectively requires a marjor rewrite of the YE 30 Armastice.

Woah. I totally support a new map.

The one presented here is so much cleaner, organized, and has eye-candy to boot!

What do you guys think of the idea of having a wiki page for each sector and assigning map update duty to the Faction Manager that dominates each sector? This would let the maps be updated much faster so that battles and such could be shown on them as they happen.

Also: Photosharing sites are blocked at work for me.

Sounds like a good idea, for some reason I can only view about 80% of the big map, all the other sector maps I can easily see. Weird.

Exhack, would you be willing to experiment using a square grid for the cluster maps instead of the present circular patterns?

I'm having some trouble being able to relate to the distances shown in your cluster maps - I'm not sure why, but I find them slightly disorienting. I really like the idea, though, so I'm hoping putting a more present grid scale in it could help.

I was thinking that you could perhaps use a 10ly spaced grid at 50% transparency. Each square 10ly could be called a sector. We'd even be able to base a coordinate system on that ( "Azalae, you are ordered to join with the assembling fleet in sector 03,21 of the Samurai Sector").

I don't have a problem with the circular grid, but whatever form the grid should be visible at all times, on some of the maps, Nepleslia and BardCluster the grid disappears.

And as for Wes's suggestion about having the FM's update it, as I said I like the idea, but a set of standards would have to be put in place for consistency.

Why not use the space map we have now as the core cluster and then add in new clusters as requested away from the core cluster on a new sector map?

That way we wouldn't loose the current map, we wouldn't have to do retcon duty, and we wouldn't be replacing a system that works fine now with a new system that has all the same attributes.

Why not?

Because I like the idea of using the Mishhu war and the highly mutable borders it brings about to make an update of an aging starmap.

Because I feel that the starmap, even as it expanded, also sort of got this cluttered up look. This is like spring-cleaning, SARPstyle!

Because I'm not conservative in the face of something that is a graphical facelift. It helps gives the site a more professional look.

Because I'm not moved by the fear of doing retcon duty on something which is essentially 8 years old. Just in looks alone, Exhack's map is already an improvement. with some rethinking of other variables, it could actually be quite superior.

Because I think Exhack star cluster idea, where you can add new stars in select clusters to 'explore them', or create new star clusters in order to open new regions for a GM to use for select purposes is a good idea.