Commonwealth of Marathon

[Alfred.Jones]

Quite an impressive plan you have there Dustin! It will look fantastic once you have it all terraformed.

And who let you back into LE??

Can't wait for more

[mightygoose]

nice planning on the region.... although i would consider breaking up the smooth curve of the original bay, it would help intergrate your changes...

[homefryes]

Hey, Dustin, just stopping by to let you know I was here! I like the new frame for your pictures. That gives me an idea for my own! It's always fun to pick up ideas from others' work, so thank you! I'm even thinking that I might go back and update my previous pictures too. There aren't too many ... would just have to re-link, but that's no big deal.

This new expanded region of yours does indeed look like quite a task to work on. Would love to see you get it all done! I'm thinking my 30 tiles will be challenging enough to manage (the region has 35, but 5 are all water); so good luck with yours!

Best regards
-- Don

[bat]

Yes, great plan on the region there! And the new frame for your pictures is looking really good!

[Sheep49]

Heh, Dustin. It seems that you're going to be occupied for a while...

Seriously though, great planning! What is a region size, BTW? Because it seems pretty big... Sorry, I meant BIG. I have only one comparition off the top of my head - 3RR in more urban setting. I'm looking forward to the formation of the 'CoM Development Team'

From what I've seen in the preview pic, the region is going to look very good - the coastal part is really awesome. However, as every rose has its spikes, it's pretty flat. I would suggest adding some variety in terrain height, preferably in the lower-left corner of the map, as it looks pretty... boring (no offence intended).

And finally, the lot. Good one, the choice of the pathe texture is superb. I really like the trees, too! And it's going to be seasonal, which is another awesome thing. As it's the work in progress, I won't comment really on the detail quality of the lot... yet Though if I can suggest something, how about putting some benches along the path? Of course, after you add some street lamps. I think the lot could get some new energy and realism with them. But I'm pretty sure you had them in your mind already

Also, if you need any help with new Marathon's street names, look no further - I'm offering my help here on SC4D in posts, PMs, or you can contact with me by e-mail or MSN Anything to help you have more time for working on that beautiful MD itself!

Keep up the great work! Can't wait for more.
Piotr

P.S.: Don't forget to demolish that old Maxis' fire station!

EDIT: Great, I forgot to comment on the border. Well, I love that logo! It captures the essence of Marathon: modernism (the overall look of the logo) and tradition (the little thingie next to the 'm'). Good work!

[KoV Liberty]

Yeah... I've triede just putting the regions into my regions folder but that doesn't seem to work.  Anyways I cannot wait to see the new region developed!

Alex

[Pat]

Dustin love the new logo's you are using!!! Far as what I see of the Church Park it looks sweet and I would love to see more for sure.... The maps are looking real good and I cant wait for more!!!

[rooker1]

Hello Dustin,
Sorry I haven't commented as much as I normally do.  I have been pretty busy at work (while I was there) and very busy at the new house, painting and repairing a few things here and there.  Than I get home late at night and try to help with the packing.  Well, as you know I moved in on Saturday and it went very well.  But unpacking and trying to pu everything where it belongs or in it's new spot is sometimes harder than it sounds.  I am very anal about where things go and how they are placed.  With the kids though, I have found myself getting  a little better.
Enough about me.....
Your MD is coming along very well and I love the map you choose.  Same as the one I work on.  But the new additions you'll be adding in look fantastic and I love how and where you placed in Marathon Island. 
Great work as always.
I'll look for you later, have a great day.

Robin 

[carkid1998]

LE is Addictive!!

what are the blue lines on the map???

[Battlecat]

Looks like it'll be a pretty interesting coastline once you're done.  Hope you've also got plans to add some hills later on!  Nice looking plaza you're working on as well.  Very cool! 

[dedgren]

Tile G look like an urban stunner, Dustin.  I'm all caught up again, and I have to tell you that Marathon only gets better with each post.  HOF-bound, or I'm a potted plant.


David

[JBSimio]

The new map looks great, Dustin!  The first draft looks very logical to me... not to mention very promising indeed.  I don't recall off hand if there is already a seaport on (or planned for) Marathon Island, but it seems to me that your new map has a great location pre-designed in the "back bay" to the west of your land extension.  Given the little curve you put in your future land mass there, it would appear that you're already thinking of extending that harbor?  (If not, might I be so bold as to suggest it for consideration?)  I tend to disagree with the multiple comments regarding hills though.  This type of shoreline with barrier islands strikes me as being primarily low-lying and flat.  Yes, some elevation changes would certainly add some visual interest to the map, but I'm personally just not sure how well it would fit.  Either way... those are just a couple of my thoughts which may or may not mean much of anything!    I'm sure whatever you come up with is going to look great and I'm looking forward to watching it all come together.

Until next time,
JB

[metarvo]

This looks like quite an undertaking, Dustin, but I know you can do it.    The map, logo, and lot all look very good.  It might be a good time to think about the method you will use to connect Marathon Island to the mainland.  It looks like an extension of the mainland will reach close enough to the island that a bridge could connect the two, but ocean areas often have ferries as well.  Not only will car traffic need a connection, but I'm sure you'll determine the best way for the railroad to leave the island.  Keep up the good work, Dustin!

[Dark_Jedi06]

Wow! I love how you're coming along on that map, Marathon fits in just right and the coastline looks gorgeous.

And what's this I hear about the LE being addictive? No one ever told me that, now I know why I spend so much time with it. Marathon just gets better and better.

[thundercrack83]

Alfred.Jones: Thanks, my friend! And I'd love to know how let me back into the LE, too—I have a bone to pick with them! Take care!

mightygoose: Your idea about breaking up the curved shoreline is a good one, too. I do believe that I'll be looking at some ways to make it happen. Thanks for your input!

Don (homefryes): Hi, Don! It's great to see you here, again! You're so right about learning from others' work—I do believe that I've picked up more than a thing or two in Ashtabula myself! See you over there on the shores of Lake Erie, my friend!

bat: Thank you, my friend! I'm glad you like them!

Piotr (Sheep49): Hi, Piotr! The region is 9x9 large tiles, with the Marathon Island section broken up into medium tiles. And thanks for your wonderful comments on the region, as well! Elevation changes have been on my mind for areas, but that's a bridge I'll cross when I get there, unfortunately. If I start icing the cake before it's even baked, I may run into some trouble! Right now, I'll stick with the elevation that mapmaking legend blade2k5 used when he made that section of the map, and see where it goes from there! Thanks for dropping by!

Alex (Drfitmaster07): I'm sorry that you haven't gotten your region woes straightened out, my friend. Good luck, and thanks for taking the time to drop in here!

Pat: Thanks!

Robin (rooker1): Not a problem at all, Robin! It's great to see you here, however often it may be, my friend! I'm glad to hear that the move went well and the unpacking isn't too bad, either! And isn't it a coincidence that I chose the map that you've used? Great minds, eh? Hope all is well!

carkid1998: Indeed it is! Oh, and the blue lines on the map are section that I'm hoping to add onto it in the game. Sorry if I didn't make that clearer! Take care!

Battlecat: Thank you, my friend!

David (dedgren): Hi, David! Thanks so much for your very kind words, my friend!

Jon (JBSimio): Hey, Jon! There is definitely a seaport facility in the works for Marathon, but the big question has been where. The location you've chosen—if I'm reading your explanation correctly—seems like a great one, so it will be added to the short list which, as of now, has one location on it...yours! Oh, and about "being so bold" to make a suggestion? Be bold! Be bold! All suggestions are more than welcome here, my friend, from everyone. Just scream 'em out!

metarvo: Ferries! I knew there was something that I was missing! I'm glad it came up before we got too far into development. Ferries are absolutely something to take into consideration, and it's all thanks to you! Thanks so much for bringing it up, my friend! Hope to see you again soon!

Dark_Jedi06: Thanks! And yes, I just heard the LE is quite addictive, too! Is there a transdermal patch for the LE like there is for quitting smoking? Thanks for stopping by!



Still plugging away at our Cathedral Park (working title). Here's an in-game render of the current version—

Needs some more people I think, as well as lamps...Sorry, Piotr! Forgot those!

I'm also debating whether to change out the pink cherry trees for some seasonal ones to the entire park changes with each season, but I'm not sure yet. I do like the idea of driving on the road next to the highway where you're surrounded on both sides by trees, though.

Oh, and we're already close to 1100 comments! Your support is unbelievable, friends, and it means so much to me.

In a bit!

[Pat]

Dustin 5 away!!! BTW I want that park man that is stunning!!!!

[Battlecat]

Nice, I like that park a lot.  Personally I like the cherry blossom trees, but seasonal trees would look great there as well!

[warconstruct]

marvellous work with, this city newspaper is splendid ! Very good work in all the fields, I visit this MD regularly !!

[Sheep49]

I'm pretty embarrassed that I haven't realised that the original map is by blade2k5 - sorry Troy!

Hmmm... Short update - short comment, I guess... Not much to say about the lot to be honest. It looks great, especially with those pink trees. I wouldn't change them, even if they were to be changed to the awesome thing that are the seasonal trees. And I don't know if that will look good, but... I was wondering if planting some flowers on the lot would look nice? Perhaps you could just try it.

And no problem with forgetting about lamps! It's not that important, really... And aren't those big poles with banners act as the light sources? I don't know because I haven't used them yet, but I can say that they look nice. And it needs more people, indeed. Especially on the upper side.

Well, overall, great job! Keep up the great work
Piotr

[JBSimio]

Hi Dustin,

The new lot is coming along nicely.  I've always liked the cherry trees as well, but I agree that some seasonal ones would be nicer.  I know there are some seasonal (or at least semi-seasonal) trees out there that may come close to the same size and look, I just can't think off hand exactly where they are.  CSX, MJB, and SimGoober would all be good packs to check for something like that though.  Oh... and just to clarify, here is where I was trying to describe for the seaport. 



Hope all is well, my friend!
JB