Working on a Free RPG Map website

[Gamer Printshop]

Since I obviously create an endless stream of maps - some for commission, some for contests, some just experiments on new techniques, and of course maps for my own projects. I've been looking to create a platform to post gazateer information regarding my Kaidan setting, as well as promote other projects I'm working on - so I came upon another idea.

I am building new website called FreeRPGMaps.com where I plan to offer two encounter scale maps per week (posted on Mondays and Thursdays) in 1 inch = 5 foot scale as free downloads, available as whole map PDFs, letter-sized sliced map PDFs, with hex, square or no grid, as well as some formats especially for Virtual Terrain applications. I will also post these free maps on RPGNow store as free downloads, with ads pointing back to my sites and projects.

I also just started my first blog,  Free RPG Maps Blog using Wordpress (the free version for now, until (if) I generate enough traffic to need a commercial account. One post, an inrro more or less, I won't start posting maps until the main website is done, so probably sometime next week. Although a separate website, I plan to put a button link on my main site pointing to this blog, and a link from their back to the site.

Once I'm done maybe I get some CBGer's as visitor/members to my blog - that's probably asking too much :P

I'll update this thread when the website is complete.

GP

[Ninja D!]

Sounds really cool.

[Gamer Printshop]

Starting to think BIG now. Though the domain name will remain the same, I am thinking of calling the site Free RPG Maps & More - then networking with my industry connections to have a bunch of RPG publishers, illustrators and cartographers to post their free content on the site too. (Rite Publishing, Kobold Quarterly, LPJ Publishing, Adamant Entertainment, etc.)

The site is going to include a News Page, one or more Blogs, a Gallery Section with Slide Show (of new content), with a section especially for the free maps I post, a Forum site, a Yellow Pages for the RPG Industry, a Classified Ads section, a Social Networking section and more features. All run on a Content Management System.

Perhaps I'm biting off more than I can chew, but these are my current ideas...

Thoughts?

GP

[Superfluous Crow]

If you know people at Adamant, can you ask them what is up with their Bas-Lag adaptation? :D
But it sounds pretty cool, I'll stop by sometime and check it out.

[LD]

GP- Don't want to discourage you. But, if might be a better idea if you just use a RSS and try to tie their update feeds into yours with links to their materials. (You may need permission for that, but check the legal status and you might be able to link to their feed through yours without permission).

What you are suggesting seems remarkably close to Wizards' failed idea of Gleemax as a repository for all RPG publisher's free content.

Good luck, nonetheless.

[Gamer Printshop]

Well WotC has failed at lots of things, like their intention to create a viable VT app for the DDi subscription - its not like others have not succeeded at doing what they have failed to do. And I don't mean to force all RPG publishers to post their free content on the site. Also, I'm looking at this website as a sales platform as well, as I plan to create an online RPG store, like RPGNow. I am considering only charging 10-15% of all sales giving publishers more return from their sales than other online stores. Its just in the last three years I have developed professional relationships thru my map work with a number of major publishers giving them another promotional front, thus giving my site more credence with their presence on my site.

Anyway, I'll look into the RSS feed point you made for its viability, but I was hoping to just attract those I know, which inturn may attract others in the industry because of their presence on the site.

I see the idea as an online magazine/community/gallery/E-store - not just a repository of free RPG material (that is just one of the attractors to bring visitors consistently to the site.

GP

[Ninja D!]

When I visited the site, I had hoped for an RSS feed, too. Unless you're running an active community, such as this site, an RSS feed is the way to get people to keep checking back.