Here on Business - Tolkien Forums

Wickedyoungman

Being lies with Eru - Rank 1

Status: Offline

Posts: 2

Date: Aug 27, 2007

Here on Business	Permalink

Hi all! I am embarking on a project that some of you might like. I will be getting into graphics design soon, and I plan to eventually create a virtual 3D Arda that will eventually be put into a video game where players will be able to explore it freely. It will feature all continents including the Dark Land, the walls of the sun, and other lightly explored territory. (since so little is known about the dark land and the walls of the sun, I can do almost anything with them, but I will stay true to the rest of the "planet") What I will need is a scientific, dead on accurate map that includes every continent. Preferably one of the second age right before the fall of numenor. __________________

The Secret Fire

Soldier of Beleriand - Rank 3

Status: Offline

Posts: 129

Date: Aug 28, 2007

Permalink

Not to discredit your idea, but there are already several mass-market Lord of the Rings games with fully developed worlds that are at least *somewhat* accurate. I think they all focus on the better known parts of Middle-earth and could be improved, but unless you're making this simply for your own enjoyment, it's going to be a massive and difficult undertaking that will require a lot of knowledge and several people. Still, I like to draw maps of my own of Middle-earth sometimes for fun so I understand.

I'm not sure what to recommend you as a map - the accuracy of maps we have is already hotly debated. The only maps that I know of with actual real-world distances are the maps in Karen Wynn Fonstad's "The Atlas of Middle Earth". All other maps I've seen are either from Tolkien himself, or vaguries. The book is available on Amazon. Also, the Encyclopedia of Arda has some decent maps.

-- Edited by The Secret Fire at 23:49, 2007-08-28

__________________

Bilbo Baggins

Thorin Oakenshield - Rank 6

Status: Offline

Posts: 1109

Date: Aug 29, 2007

	Permalink
You could also have a look at the 'Maps of Arda' section found somewhere on Tolkien forums. That has quite a few maps as well. __________________ You want it for Yourself!

Wickedyoungman

Being lies with Eru - Rank 1

Status: Offline

Posts: 2

Date: Aug 29, 2007

Permalink

Those games that are out right now do not focus on the lesser known lands. My map will be a second age arda where even the lesser known lands will be available. I'll check out that atlas of middle earth as I want this to have dead on accuracy. The reason I was a bit leery about the maps in the maps of arda section was because they seemed kinda sketchy.

This is no light endevor, this will be a public release. I will stort it out and see how it goes and decide whether or not to realese it as an online game.
The first thing I create will most likely be numenor.

__________________

Bilbo Baggins

Thorin Oakenshield - Rank 6

Status: Offline

Posts: 1109

Date: Aug 29, 2007

	Permalink
I know a bit about distances and places so give me a PM if your interested. __________________ You want it for Yourself!

Tolkien Forums

Topic: Here on Business