The maps contained in this package will strike many as remarkably inaccurate in a number of ways. This is entirely intentional. Each of these scenarios, with the exception of the Native American one, is inspired by a real map dating from the middle ages. These maps were full of fanciful places, omissions and errors. While these qualities may have degraded their usefulness as navigational aids, they can be invaluable to us today in understanding each culture's perspective and how they saw themselves in the world.
Compromises were made in the development of these scenarios in an effort to keep them scenarios and not make them into mods. While this may limit some elements, it prevents the crippling OOS errors that are all-too-common when mods are attempted as a multiplayer game. While these scenarios are certainly playable as single-player games, it is in multiplayer that they can truly take on their most interesting variations.
In many cases, civilizations which were not contemporaneous have been put on the maps, even if they were not present on the original map from which the scenario was derived. This is because the maps will progress from about 900AD to the present day, and there is no provision for the rise of new civilizations over time. Placing the greatest number of civilizations on the map allows for the greatest variation in civilizations available for play.
There are some major civilizations which are not playable in any of the maps. In each scenario I tried to use large empires for flavor, but to play a civ that starts with half the cities on the map would be too easy and provide a lack of balance.
EUROPEAN
Based on the Hereford Mappa Mundi, this map is typical of medieval T-O maps (so-called for the T shape made by the Mediterranean, Black, and Red Seas inside the O of the world. The east was usually placed at the top of the map and Jerusalem in the center of the world during this period. Be sure to visit the mythical places in the corners of the map...if you can figure out how to get there, that is...
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi
MIDDLE EASTERN/AFRICAN
Based on the Kashgari Map, made by Mahmud al-Kashgari c1072. This map depicts the world from a Turkish point of view, but includes African Empires as playable civs. While there were fewer mythical places depicted on this map, it is also far less accurate than the Hereford or Kangnido maps from a geographical perspective. Each of the playable civs had built empires of varying sizes that overlapped with other civs on the map. Can you recreate your chosen civ's former glory?
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmud_al-Kashgari
ASIAN
This medieval Korean map shows influences of Arab maps of the period. The shrinking of the areas at the edges of the map are not only to show perspective, but also to make a political statement. If maps are statements about how we see ourselves and our relationship to others, the Kangnido map is making a powerful statement indeed.
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangnido
NATIVE AMERICAN
This scenario is not actually developed from a Native American world map, none of which I have been able to find in Civ-suitable form. Still, I didn't want to leave out an entire hemisphere. Here you will find an accurate map of the new world...with a twist. Military might may help you conquer a few of your neighbors, but not to survive the coming times of upheaval. You will have to be creative and diplomatic to survive and prosper in this scenario.
Compromises were made in the development of these scenarios in an effort to keep them scenarios and not make them into mods. While this may limit some elements, it prevents the crippling OOS errors that are all-too-common when mods are attempted as a multiplayer game. While these scenarios are certainly playable as single-player games, it is in multiplayer that they can truly take on their most interesting variations.
In many cases, civilizations which were not contemporaneous have been put on the maps, even if they were not present on the original map from which the scenario was derived. This is because the maps will progress from about 900AD to the present day, and there is no provision for the rise of new civilizations over time. Placing the greatest number of civilizations on the map allows for the greatest variation in civilizations available for play.
There are some major civilizations which are not playable in any of the maps. In each scenario I tried to use large empires for flavor, but to play a civ that starts with half the cities on the map would be too easy and provide a lack of balance.
EUROPEAN
Based on the Hereford Mappa Mundi, this map is typical of medieval T-O maps (so-called for the T shape made by the Mediterranean, Black, and Red Seas inside the O of the world. The east was usually placed at the top of the map and Jerusalem in the center of the world during this period. Be sure to visit the mythical places in the corners of the map...if you can figure out how to get there, that is...
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi
MIDDLE EASTERN/AFRICAN
Based on the Kashgari Map, made by Mahmud al-Kashgari c1072. This map depicts the world from a Turkish point of view, but includes African Empires as playable civs. While there were fewer mythical places depicted on this map, it is also far less accurate than the Hereford or Kangnido maps from a geographical perspective. Each of the playable civs had built empires of varying sizes that overlapped with other civs on the map. Can you recreate your chosen civ's former glory?
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahmud_al-Kashgari
ASIAN
This medieval Korean map shows influences of Arab maps of the period. The shrinking of the areas at the edges of the map are not only to show perspective, but also to make a political statement. If maps are statements about how we see ourselves and our relationship to others, the Kangnido map is making a powerful statement indeed.
Learn about the map that inspired this scenario: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangnido
NATIVE AMERICAN
This scenario is not actually developed from a Native American world map, none of which I have been able to find in Civ-suitable form. Still, I didn't want to leave out an entire hemisphere. Here you will find an accurate map of the new world...with a twist. Military might may help you conquer a few of your neighbors, but not to survive the coming times of upheaval. You will have to be creative and diplomatic to survive and prosper in this scenario.
