Help DM Andy Explore the Unknown
Added 2023-07-06 18:53:54 +0000 UTC
Hi everyone! Those of you who have been with me for a while might be aware that for the past few years, I have been mapping and have done so while maintaining a full-time "day" job. Mapping is my passion, and it is where I want to spend my focus, time, and energy 100%. As you can imagine, it is challenging working both a 40 hours a week full-time job in addition to often more than 40 hours of map work weekly. I've been entertaining the idea of leaving my day job to focus on DM Andy maps full-time and making this my sole income (as terrifying as that sounds). I'm quickly learning there will never be the "right time" to make this plunge, and I've never been much of a risk taker either. The thought of cutting my income in half to pursue this full-time is both exciting and terrifying at the same time.
However, this is my passion. Every day I think about maps, strive to improve my skills, and find new ways to improve your experience with my work. This excites me to wake up each day, and I am very proud of the work I've done in this space and am so grateful every day for each of you who have supported and believed in me.
So the time has come to plan my exit strategy from my day job into being a full-time map maker. Of course, I need to ensure that DM Andy Maps will support my family, put food on the table, pay rent and keep the lights on.
This is why I am doing this poll. I want DM Andy Maps to be of the best value I can make for you and to help fill any needs within the community that I can! I want to plan my business strategy for the next year, ensure I continue to give you value, and make your job as a GM in whatever RPG you are running as easy as possible.
This is why this poll is so important to me. I avoid bothering you too much with updates and polls I deem unnecessary. There is a lot out there fighting for your attention and engagement, and I don't want to add to that noise.
With that said, I would like to ask for your time to consider what tools I can develop to make my page here an even better experience for you. The list I have created below represents all of the initiatives I plan on pursuing over the next year. However, this helps me prioritize my time and ensure I can meet the most significant demands first and foremost.
I'll keep this poll open for a week closing next Thursday, the 13th, and your input will be highly valuable.
I'm trying to lead with courage in the face of the unknown and want to ensure I give the community as much value as possible!
So please select the one item below you would like to see most so I can begin planning how best to approach it and integrate it into my work in the future.
My deepest thanks,
DM Andy
Comments
I vote for making walls/lights/etc. for the maps for VTT. And if you need someone to help you I'd be willing to work on them for ya! I already have most of Curse of Strahd already in my Foundry. :D
Dilldwarf
2023-07-11 03:08:22 +0000 UTCSci-fi themed maps seems to be a very common thread here and I am pretty excited for it! I'd love to branch out into more sci-fi esque genres such as high tech sci-fi but also gritty sci-fi (40k grim dark settings), Fallout style maps and the like. If I end up going this route, I will create a second channel to keep the fantasy and sci fi work separate. Then folks can choose what they would like to support. Thank you for your suggestions!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 18:15:46 +0000 UTCThank you James so very much for your kind and supportive words. I'm truly blown away by the support and generosity of the RPG space and I've met some really incredible folks. I love hearing how my maps are used and I know if I ever switched back to running in-person sessions I too would use a monitor because battlemaps are an essential part of my DMing experience. Out of curiosity, when you use a map for a TV set up, what to you look for most? Do you choose the large file for resolution purposes? Is there anything more I can do when preparing map files that will help support a TV display? And yes, I'm excited about Animated maps for sure! I found some really need tools that will help guide me down th is road and looking forward to offering them to our community here. Thanks for your feedback!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 18:13:33 +0000 UTCYour words are so touching; thank you SO much! I'm so happy to hear you have found value in the maps I made for CoS. That is what lead me to create maps in the first place, was I wanted a cohesive and constant style across the board for just about any map I needed for the module. There are so many excellent map makers out there, but I found myself mixing styles which I don't like doing. Of course, navigating around IP issues while trying to maintain the business can be tricky, but as long as I work in the adjacent or "inspired by" areas I think I can still support the modules. Of course the fan content policy helps me re-create work that has already been done (such as Ravenloft) so long as its free to the community as well. I'm excited to give the same love and attention to Ghosts of Saltmarsh and I know there are needs for other modules as well (Keys to the Golden Vault, ToA, other domains of dread, etc). I'm less experienced with Pathfinder but hoping to learn more about their system and maybe cover some of their adventures with full map support as well. Thank you very much for your support and feedback and I hope you will continue to find value with my work!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 18:10:06 +0000 UTCPyram has been an amazing friend and peer and I value our partnership so much. I'm very excited to continue working with him on not just CoS / GoSM but other projects as well!! Thank you for all your support over the years and what you have contributed to the community as well! The collaborative nature of the RPG community has been just incredible!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 18:02:24 +0000 UTCI LOVE the idea of covering more domains of dread. Even as I do maps inspired by other modules like Saltmarsh, I try and create "gloom" versions so be used for horror themed games. I love your suggestions of asylums, undead pirates, etc. All up my alley! And the connected maps would be a really fun project too. Maybe I can create a series of roads or forest maps that "connect" on the edges. It might take some logistical work to ensure they all match up but would be really fun!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 18:01:00 +0000 UTCThis is excellent feedback; thank you! I have to admit I'm not familiar with the Starfinder system, but I'm hoping to be able to create more sci-fi-inspired maps. If I go this route, it'll be on its own channel like "DM Andy Maps - Sci-Fi"
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-10 17:57:53 +0000 UTCI voted for other genres. In addition to DnD, I'm getting into Starfinder. Although there are some map makers who make sci-fi maps, I haven't found any that provide the level of detail that you do on you maps. So personally that would help a lot. My second vote would be on VTT integration like Foundry or Roll20 as I use both of those virtual tabletops. But for me that's more of a time saver because I *can* import and configure the maps myself if needed.
Karl Knarr
2023-07-10 13:16:10 +0000 UTCAs many have stated before, your maps are amazing and were the sole maps I used to run my CoS campaign. My players were always amazed by the quality of the maps I threw up on the screen. I don't utilize online VTT like Foundry or Roll20, so I personally am not interested in those, but I know so many others are. My set up is a tv in the middle of the table in which i use the Dynamic Dungeons editor/player to display your maps. I am voting for animated maps, as I would LOVE to see your art style with some animation. Regardless of which path you take though, I am a full time supporter of you and your maps. If the quality of your maps are this awesome while not being your main focus I can only imagine how rad they'll be when it is your main focus. Ever since I found you in the Reddit threads with your maps, I've been sold. Keep up the great work Andy and your fans will support you always. - James
Einjuden
2023-07-09 19:03:14 +0000 UTCHi DM Andy! I'm also a map designer, and I really love creating maps, even in a physical tabletop setting. I use Photoshop extensively, with ambient lighting, assets, and everything else. I'm someone who values the visual aspect of the table, and in the case of online play (using Foundry/Roll20), these software tools can make the game much more epic than just the theater of the mind in RPGs. It brings me satisfaction when there's a cool visual reference combined with storytelling! I've made many maps, and I know how much work it can be. It truly requires a lot of dedication, even when using dedicated software like Inkarnate. It's not just about creating; it's about being mindful of object scales, scene composition, lighting, and especially, when working on official campaigns, staying true to the original author's references and not missing anything. It's all about getting as close as possible to the original material. Do you know what made me support you? I'm going to run COS (Curse of Strahd). I could create the maps myself, but I know how time-consuming it can be. And just like in your example, creating maps unfortunately is just a hobby for me; I have another job to support my family. So, I looked for artists who maintain a unique style across all their maps, but who also pay attention to details, scene composition, lighting, and scales, just like me. And I found your material fantastic. The campaign was all here, with a consistent art style, creating a cohesive and immersive experience from start to finish. I didn't think twice. I supported you, and now I'm integrating everything into Foundry. Perhaps focusing on acquiring official RPG campaigns from companies like Wizard and Paizo and providing complete maps and some extras could be a path to follow. I would love to have your courage to dedicate myself solely to map-making, but I support you in your pursuit of success and your dream of working with what you truly love.
Heber Maia
2023-07-08 16:00:26 +0000 UTCI really liked your collaboration with Pyram King to make CoS an even more epic campaign. I can only hope that this continues for other campaigns, and that it goes all the way for Ghost of Saltmarsh.
JM Tixu78
2023-07-08 13:38:34 +0000 UTCI would love other types of horror, in different settings. Space stations, carnivals, asylums, steampunk stuff, Undead pirate islands - whatever. Other Domains of Dread as well. I also have so much trouble finding specifically night/rain at night maps, which is why I'm thrilled you offer them. And I'd never say no to forest road/moors road/etc maps that are simple and can 'connect' like tiles that I can flip between [not sure that makes sense as I write it, hopefully, it does]. I know they have them in real life but that won't really help me. I've been struggling to find something like this for Barovia, because I want to add more encounters along the roads, and my group is 100% online - two of its members are in Germany even lol. So the more visual immersion I can bring with roll 20, the better. Thank you for asking for our opinions though! I wish you so much success with this. You're my favorite map maker. :) And although I can't speak for everyone else, I'd happily move up a tier if there was a new one with a larger support amount for you.
Nervodyne
2023-07-08 03:13:45 +0000 UTCI would love some maps themed for Starfinder, perhaps even tying into some of the adventure path books.
Alan Bengs
2023-07-07 22:09:50 +0000 UTCLots of hype on spelljammer in the comments, but I love that you mention Cthulhu <3 I'd love to give our briney cosmic friend some love! Even a mix of 1920 / late 19th century London-era would be awesome. Really enjoyed working on that clocktower map and would love to be able to provide maps for the Shadows in the Dark type genres as well.
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 20:06:26 +0000 UTCWhen I say themed maps, I mean simple themes like a series of swamps, ponds, back alleys in a generic town or even town centers with fountains/markets/festivals. The type of maps that can be used for quick encounters or to just set the mood.
Michael Losinski
2023-07-06 20:02:53 +0000 UTCI agree, tiles would be a great addition
Michael Losinski
2023-07-06 19:59:57 +0000 UTCI was going to choose VTT integration, however, I think there are plenty of ways to accomplish this with other collaborations like what you have going on with Pyram King. In my opinion, you should branch out and tackle additional themed maps or new genres. I chose that option because if you plan on doing this work full-time I wouldn’t want you to lose your love of mapmaking and view it solely as a job or to burn out completely. Small themed sets can keep things fresh for you while also providing a lot of value for patreons like me. Also as Umek mentioned, I would love to see some separate tiles such as roofs, prefab tables/clutter/rooms, and environmental extras like wells/wagons/crates that can be added to your maps to allow us to customize a bit.
Michael Losinski
2023-07-06 19:59:14 +0000 UTCReally good to hear! I have backed Ghostfire Gaming's Aetherial Expanse which feels very Spelljammer adjacent, and I've been a huge fan of the movie Treasure Planet from my youth so very much interested in launching into that genre if I can free up bandwidth. With an extra 40 hours a week, that will help tremendously!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 19:53:15 +0000 UTCI need to learn more of the Fantasy Grounds space. Most of my VTT knowledge is Roll20 as the platform I personally use to run games and I have tinkered with Foundry to test maps in. Hoping to expand out to Alchemy RPG (I backed them on KS) and Fantasy Grounds. Looking to launch into the WebM space so that's great to hear. If I do another genre outside of fantasy, I would create that on a different page or platform like Ko-fi so that folks can choose which (or both) of my work to support.
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 19:51:28 +0000 UTCThat seriously means so much to me!! To know you and others have faith in me to continue to produce the maps that help to enhance your game means the world to me. Thank you SO much!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 19:49:16 +0000 UTCTrying to keep the focus narrow, but I do plan on hitting everything on that list eventually. Your vote just helps me maximize where the biggest need is for now. I love DM Lair's work and have followed his YouTube for a long time now. I see he also creates maps using Inkarnate on his store but I wonder if he'd be willing to partner with me in the future. Of course the current creators (LBH and Pyram) have been amazing to work with and I'm hoping Pyram and I dive into more projects in the future. I have heard of moulelinette and other map-making peers have used it. Definitely, something I want to pursue once I have the bandwidth to do that.
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 19:48:35 +0000 UTCLove hearing what other campaigns/settings other DMs are heading into. I am currently backing Ghostfire Gaming's Aetherial Expanse setting which feels very spelljammer adjacent and would love to make maps in that space. For the Sci-fi / spell jammer-esque types maps I might do a new Patreon page (or use another platform like Ko-fi) entirely to keep the fantasy and spell jammer work separate. But as a big Treasure Planet fan, I'd LOVE to work in this space!
Andy D'Amato
2023-07-06 19:45:02 +0000 UTCOther genres: space/spelljammer, modern/futuristic cities, 1920's Cthulhu-esque, other dnd modules/fantasy maps, underwater,
Taralynn Richmond
2023-07-06 19:32:32 +0000 UTCI mentioned this to you already, but I like to add this again here: I would love to use your maps together with theripper93's Levels module in foundry. That means switching away from Inkarnate to something that supports transparent backgrounds so that you enable yourself the option to provide tiles with transparency at some point would be high up on my wishlist.
Umek
2023-07-06 19:20:48 +0000 UTCWe just started a SpellJammer campaign and would absolute love maps to fit it. Honestly as many general maps as we can get would be awesome. We run 4 campaigns and so we are always needing to reuse maps. Hope everything works out!!
Daniela
2023-07-06 19:12:03 +0000 UTCIf you plan to expand the genres you cover, I would like to see them added as an additional/different tier of support. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, fantasy maps are the only genre I intend to use and your fantasy maps are the reason I support your work. That said, with Fantasy Grounds recently providing support for animated (WebM/8) maps, I'd love to see it included in your work.
E Rad
2023-07-06 19:00:55 +0000 UTCWhatever you do in the future, know you'll have my support! I concur with NotALeaf, you've practically elevated my CoS campaign to the next level.
Wasp
2023-07-06 18:59:36 +0000 UTCHey mate this is awesome to see, can we vote for more than one thing or do you think that you need to keep your focus more narrow? Have you been in touch with DM Lair at all? (First guy that popped into my head there) To add I went with VTT integration, you can charge a premium for that feature and if you work alongside moulelinette you can have your maps imported into Foundry via moulinette's feature as well (Tom Cartos does that) which may help you get more patrons as well
Dungeon of Terra
2023-07-06 18:57:25 +0000 UTCYou’ve been an actual life saver for my Curse of Strahd campaign and my players absolutely love the maps you make (they’re getting ready to finally take on castle Ravenloft). After CoS we’re diving into spelljammer so would love to just see more maps from any other genres to spark my DM brain to make them work!
NotALeaf
2023-07-06 18:56:58 +0000 UTC
