MapForge is already fantastic for making isometric maps, but bringing even more isometric mapping content to MapForge's Add-On format will allow the creation of more varied maps and will better support making maps intended for popular gaming genres.
Since then, much more isometric content has been developed, to better support the Fantasy and Post-Apocalyptic genres.
Now, it's time to bring even more isometric content to MapForge's convenient Add-On format. This time, the focus is on the Modern Day and Post-Apocalyptic genres.
This campaign is to fund the creation of 13 new isometric content Add-Ons for MapForge, whose aim will be to allow the creation of Modern Day and Post-Apocalyptic maps. This new content will supplement all the great isometric content that is already available for MapForge.
If you're not already a MapForge user, no problem, since during this campaign you can pledge for a discounted MapForge license as an Add-On to your pledge. So even if you have zero interest in isometric mapping (or perhaps in the Modern Day and Post-Apocalyptic game genres), you can join the growing MapForge userbase and go make some nifty top-down or hex-tile maps.
Isometric maps were made popular by many computer RPGs and strategy games. A lot of people, however, might be familiar with the map style but not necessarily with the technical term "isometric". Maps made with with isometric graphics can create spectacular, richly detailed visuals.
For GMs of pen-and-paper RPGs, such maps are often more useful as visual aids than as tactical battlemaps that you would move tokens around on. However, some virtual tabletop programs (aka VTTs) now support isometric maps, and that number should gradually increase.
While the majority of potential backers of this project will likely be tabletop RPG gamers, isometric mapping is something that non-gamers can really enjoy, too. Creating isometric maps/illustrations is a fun, creative, and rewarding activity that anyone, regardless of drawing skill (or lack thereof) can enjoy.
If you're not alreadyfamiliar with MapForge, here's a quick recap:
MapForge is easy-to-use software for Windows and Mac OS that makes high-quality maps for printing or for use in virtual tabletop software (e.g., Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, Foundry VTT, Arkenforge, etc.).
It can be used for free (no license required for low resolution output).
There are a staggering 60 free content Add-Ons available for MapForge, to start you off with over 9000 mapping assets covering a variety of game genres and mapping styles.
You can download and try the software out for yourself, to evaluate it and see for yourself if the program is what you want/expect it to be.
The following video shows how quick & easy it is to put an isometric map together in MapForge (I recommend setting playback speed to 1.25x).
Thirteen isometric mapping content Add-Ons will be produced by this campaign, with a total of around 4600 assets. You may pledge for any or all of the Add-Ons, regardless of which pledge level you selected. All Add-Ons in this campaign have a resolution of 128 pixels per cell, and they all work well together since all the assets were created in the same style and by the same team of artists.
To preview the contents of each Add-On, I've made this handy YouTube playlist to make it easy to watch all of this campaign's videos. Or just watch the inline/embedded video previews below, if you prefer.
Generic Buildings ($12, ~850 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Distinctive Buildings ($6, ~300 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Roads & Sidewalks ($7, ~ 435 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
City Props & Decor ($7, ~460 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Civilian Vehicles ($4, ~90 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Trains & Rails ($6, ~260 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Military ($6, ~175 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Rustic Nature ($12, ~850 assets, mostly genre-independent, with some Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Floors ($7, ~360 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Roofs ($7, ~330 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Ruins ($7, ~240 assets, Modern Day and Post-Apoc)
Graveyard/Cemetery ($5, ~105 assets, contains some Modern Day content, but most assets are suitable for any genre)
Mines ($4, ~140 assets, mostly genre-independent, with some Modern Day and Sci-Fi)
(And there's much more art where this came from, so if this campaign succeeds there will probably be many more sets to come in a future crowdfunding campaign, in the same style and resolution)
Note that the final asset count for each Add-On will likely vary a bit from what is estimated below, as I might need to move some assets around between Add-Ons.
IMPORTANT! All content Add-Ons that will be developed by this campaign are strictly for "Personal Use Only". Publishing or commercial use of this content is not allowed (but refer to the campaign's FAQ if that's something you're interested in). If you are interested in purchasing Add-Ons that allow commercial use, look here.
All MapForge Add-Ons are in a closed/proprietary format, and the content cannot be accessed outside of the MapForge software. MapForge v1.3.8 or higher (due to be released in January 2025) will be required to use the Add-Ons produced by this BackerKit campaign.
If by chance you have already purchased mapping content in PNG format, you should be able to use it in MapForge, albeit without the added convenience provided by the Add-On format, which offers benefits such as asset organization, speedy asset browsing, a tag-based search feature, and more.
Funds raised by this campaign will be used by Battlegrounds Games to cover the cost of developing/porting the Add-Ons, and paying the art licensing fees. If this campaign is successful, I will be working on fulfilling the Rewards as soon as possible (I have already begun work).
If you want any content Add-Ons produced prior to this campaign, you can order them from the MapForge web store, and receive them right away (no need to wait for this campaign to end). Click this link to see just the isometric content Add-Ons.
Whether or not you choose to make a pledge to this campaign, I would greatly appreciate it if you could mention this project to friends or family members who might be interested. I've made it easy to do so; just click on one of the links below to help spread the word.
Last but not least, I'd love it if you would follow Battlegrounds Games on any or all of these social media sites, so you can stay apprised of all the latest news and developments. And consider signing up to the MapForge mailing list.
All rewards for this project are digital downloads, so shipping is neither a factor nor an added expense.
All of the third-party content being ported to MapForge's Add-On format already exists, so there won't be any delay in getting any content from any content creator. The art is already in my possession and licensed from them.
Now that I've already produced over 200 MapForge content Add-Ons, I have a very solid grasp of how long porting content to MapForge format takes, and I continually strive to further streamline the process, for faster turnaround.
In short, this is an extremely low risk campaign, and one with a relatively quick delivery date. If you are new to MapForge, please be sure to try out the free version of the software prior to pledging.
