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How to Lead a C3G Terrain Design

Brainstorming

Want ideas for what to create? Check out our previously designed Destructible Objects and Terrain in our Books of Index thread. Prior to creating your design thread, post your design or concept in the C3G Terrain Makers Thread. This will give the Terrain Department Members an idea of what you are seeking to achieve and allow for some brainstorming.

Requirements and getting approval

All designs require you to at least be a C3G Ally. Terrain Department Design threads cost 5 points to start and do not take up a standard C3G design slot. If you’re an Ally, you’ve got 5 points burning a hole in your pocket, and you’ve already submitted your idea to the Terrain Makers Thread for a little brainstorming. It’s time to make your request. Simply make a post saying “I would like to request approval to LD (insert Link to previously brainstormed design).” in the C3G Terrain Makers Thread. Once the request is made, Terrain Department Members will vote for the approval of your design in the C3G Terrain Sanctum Voting Hall.

Start your thread

Once you have gathered your 5 C3G points via playtesting and gotten C3G Terrain Department Members approval, you can start your design thread in the C3G Terrain Makers subforum. If it’s a fully custom terrain piece you have created, use the template found here. The Terrain Tutorial template has all the information you will need laid out for the first post of your thread. If it’s a destructible object, use the template found here. The Destructible Object template has information for the first two posts in the thread, the second post holds the design and the third post is for any art you want the artist to use on the card (this is just a suggestion, our Art Department will use what they think is the best).

Phases of the design:

• Breathing period
• Terrain: No changes should be made to your tutorial for the first 24 hours, allowing ample time for workshopping, feedback, noticing any missed steps, or just plain perfecting the product. As the Lead Designer, you should take all feedback into consideration, resolve any issues, and apply the feedback to an updated tutorial. During this period, the thread title should be "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - Breathing." Once you have a design you and a majority of the group are happy with, you can propose we move to initial building by changing the thread title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - VOTE for Initial" and post "I propose we move to initial building" in bold. You will need a total of 5 Yea votes from C3G Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends and then you can call the vote passed.
  
  
• Destructible Object: Same as terrain, the first 24 hours is a breathing period and no changes should be made to the second post of the design thread. During this period, you will be receiving feedback on your design. Your job as the Lead Designer of the thread is to take all of this feedback and apply it or address it and put together an updated design when the 24 hours is up. During this period, the thread title should be "The Book of <object name> - Breathing" Once you have a design you and a majority of the group are happy with, you can propose we move to initial playtesting by changing the thread title to "The Book of <object name> - VOTE for Initial" and post "I propose we move to initial playtesting" in bold. You will need a total of 5 Yea votes from C3G Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends and then you can call the vote passed.
  
  
• Initial Building/Playtesting
• Terrain: The Lead Designer or a Terrain Department Member acting as the Lead Designer’s proxy does an initial build (including photos) and tweaks the design as necessary to make it work. The rough draft of the build instructions (text version only) is fleshed out at this point. After the initial build is complete and the majority is satisfied with the end result, you can then make a proposal to move to public building by posting in bold “I propose we move to Public Building.” Update the thread title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - VOTE for Public Building" and wait for 5 Yea votes from Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends again. When it passes, update the thread title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - Public Building" and post a link for your tutorial from your thread into the Playtesting Sign-Up thread.
  
  
• Destructible Object: Any Hero, Legend, or Sidekick can now run the initial playtest which may or may not lead to more adjustments being made to the design. You can then make a proposal to move to public playtesting by posting in bold “I propose we move to Public Playtesting.” Update the thread title to "The Book of <object name> - VOTE for Public Playtesting" and wait for 5 Yea votes from Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends again. When it passes, update the thread title to "The Book of <object name> - Public Playtesting" and post the object info from your thread into the Playtesting Sign-Up thread.
  
  
• Public Building/Playtesting
• Terrain: At a minimum, 2 Public builders test out the build instructions taking photos along the way and pointing out any problems or needed adjustments. Public builders will play a game or two with the terrain as well to show their effect on the battlefield. Once you have received enough building/testing info and all Terrain Department Members are satisfied, you can propose we move to Final Editing. Make a bolded post that says "I propose we move to Final Editing" and change the thread title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - VOTE for Final Editing" You once again need 5 Yea votes from Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends to pass the vote. When it passes you can update the title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - Final Editing"
  
  
• Destructible Object: Just like terrain, At a minimum, 2 Public Playtesters will test out the design. It is highly recommended that you playtest your own design as it helps you as the Lead Designer understand what changes “if any” need to be made to the design. Once you have received enough testing info and all Terrain Department Members are satisfied, you can propose we move to Final Editing. Make a bolded post that says "I propose we move to Final Editing" and change the thread title to "The Book of <object name> - VOTE for Final Editing" You once again need 5 Yea votes from Terrain Department Members, Heroes, or Legends to pass the vote. When it passes you can update the title to "The Book of <object name> - Final Editing"
  
  
• Final Editing
• Terrain: During Final Editing, the build instructions, including relevant photos, are finalized. The Art Department will create a PDF file off of the build instructions you have provided. Once the PDF is complete it is proofread. The terrain is 3D rendered for Virtual Scape. Once the Lead Designer and all Terrain Department Members are happy, the final vote for release takes place.
  
  
• Destructible Object: Final Editing is usually pretty easy these days as we keep the wording fairly tuned throughout the process, but this is where we finalize the wording and then the Art Department will create the cards for the design. Once the Lead Designer and all Terrain Department Members are happy, the final vote for release takes place.
  
  
• Release
• Terrain: Once all of your test build information is linked in the thread, you can propose that we release the design. This vote is different, you need to tag all C3G Heroes and this follows the standard rules for releasing a C3G design, so updating the title to "The Book of <terrain tutorial name> - VOTE for Release" is important. Last but not least, take a link and post it in the Books of Index thread.
  
  
• Destructible Object: Once you have the cards, all your playtests and other information is linked in the thread, you can propose that we release the design. This vote is different, you need to tag all C3G Heroes and this follows the standard rules for releasing a C3G design, so updating the title to "The Book of <object name> - VOTE for Release" is important. Last but not least, take a link and post it in the Books of Index thread.

Building Rules

Spoiler Alert!

1) (Height Requirements to Enter/Occupy Buildings)

When designing buildings that can be entered, we assign a height to each door (example: Height 6). These will be listed in the SP of the Book for that building and in the instructions. Any figure with that height or less can enter that door as long as that figure also meets width restrictions.

2) (Width Requirements to Enter/Occupy Buildings)

Most doors will be one hex wide entrances. Others, which we'll specify later, may be larger. For one hex wide entrances, only single or double based figures meet the width requirements to enter (i.e. Galactus would not meet the width requirements to enter one of these doors).

3) (Terrain Type for Roofs)

The default terrain type for building roofs will be concrete. Alternate terrain types can be named as applicable (i.e. if we did the Australian capitol building, we'd want grass terrain on the roof).

4) (Terrain type for bases)

These will be specified with each base (and will usually consist of asphalt, concrete, or grass, but this will be a case-by-case basis).

Old Version:

Spoiler Alert!

C3G Terrain Design Process – Very Similar to the Unit Design Process (no ERB):

Spoiler Alert!

Design Phase
LD posts the initial design idea (including preliminary build instructions? Or just basic concept?)
48 hour breathing period for discussion before any changes/votes
Once design is “set” have a standard vote*

Initial Build Phase
The LD or a Builder acting in the LD’s proxy does an initial build (including photos) and tweaks the design as necessary to make it work.
The rough draft of the build instructions (text version only) is fleshed out at this point.
After discussion, if everyone is satisfied with where it’s at and the Initial Builder signs off on it, have a standard vote.

Playtesting
A minimum of 2 additional builders test out the build instructions (taking photos?) and point out any problems or needed adjustments.
Ideally, testers would play a game or two with the buildings as well to show their effect in gameplay (?).
Once both builders sign off, another standard vote takes place.

Final Editing
The build instructions, including relevant photos, are finalized.
Art creates a PDF off of the build instructions.
The final PDF is proofread.
The building is 3D rendered for Virtual Scape.
Once the LD is happy, another standard vote takes place.

(Possible) Final Test
A blind tester from the public is asked to test build the design to check for any end user issues.
Final tweaks are made as necessary.
Once the LD is happy, the LD proposes a Final Vote to On Deck.**


Glossary
*Standard Vote = A vote proposed by the LD that takes 48 hours or until all 11 members have cast a vote, majority wins
**Final Vote = A vote proposed by the LD that takes 48 hours or until all 11 members have cast a vote. The vote most be unanimously in favor from all voters (no nays).