Hey gang, I am looking at using Google Maps instead of trying to create maps for Port Loren and Gran Quivera.  I also figured everyone would have access to Google Maps via a PC or a phone.  If this is going to be a problem for anyone, please let me know.

I have created a short list of locations including Workplace's for each character, the Start Location for the game, the Port Loren Star Port and the location of the Wormhole.  Before I post the link here I'd like to get someone to be a guinea pig and test it our for me, PM me if you are interested and available :)

Thanks to the guys who tested things for me, here is the link to my list of locations so far:

https://goo.gl/maps/M1woBNCc4wyCJRNm8

The real world city is Bangkok, which we will be substituting for Port Loren.  Each of you should have a 'Workplace' location in that list.  As a test for everyone to check out the map I will let each of you decide on a 'Home' location for your character, then we just how to figure out how you guys can share that location with me and I will add it to my list.

The "Start" location for all of you will actually be The Victory Monument and your work locations should be in a rough ring around that, we will do the same for your "Home" locations.  In Google maps when I load it I get a street map and in the bottom left of my screen is an icon for the satellite view, so using that view is probably the best place to scan around the map and find residential locations.  There are quite a few apartment buildings already labelled on the map, so those are probably good locations for you to use as "Homes"

As you can see, the original map maker was a Vrusk, so many of the notations are in Vrusk (Thai) although there is also a lot of information in PanGal (English)

In reply to GM (msg # 2):

Slightly N of the Athenee residence is a place called Witthayu Complex. That'll do for me. I see a place just W of that where JJ can do his repairs.

I have added that as your residence and there is already a location on that list for JJ's "Workplace".  I am assuming as soon as I add new locations to my list that everyone will be able to see them?  I'd like to be able to add my own labels to map locations but I don't think it is possible for gaming purposes, at least i haven't stumbled across it yet.

In reply to GM (msg # 5):

Yes, JJ has a work place, but he also "temps" for friends and locals at a local tech store in his off hours! That'll be a small back-of-shop tech office at Pratunam Market, WNW of home, near to the office.

I can see all locations you mention. I cannot add places to the map, though (maybe that's intended).

However, Pip's residence could be in the large red-roofed quadrilateral at: 13.759707123636643, 100.52899973058676

(you should be able to copy/paste these coordinates in Google Maps to see it, then add to your custom Port Lorien map?).

I am still figuring out how to do a lot of stuff in google maps so I have no idea where to paste those co-ordinates. I don't see anywhere in my map view that shows co-rds?

Try clicking anywhere on your Port Lorien Map: a search box should appear top left of the page?
In that box you can paste 13.759707123636643, 100.52899973058676  and it should locate it on the map for you to add.

Failing that, here's a visual reference of Pip's residence on the map in relation to the Victory Monument:

https://i.imgur.com/wUtQ0H3.jpg

Thanks, I didn't know you could put the co-ords in there, it worked fine :)

SO that building is a government building and a little to the left of that is an apartment block, so I made that Pip's residence.  I figure if we are using an actual city map then we will try to use appropriate locations where possible.

There is some method to my madness, some of your Workplaces are office blocks.  I think all three characters with Robotics skills have Copy Shops as Workplaces :)

Gambling is illegal in Thailand except for the government lottery and a couple of race tracks, so Tain ended up with one of the race tracks for his Workplace instead of a Starplay casino :) and Rayek got a Gym (Martial Arts)

I am also hoping this help when you guys running around the city looking for stuff later in the game, different shops/shopping centers/transport hubs can be used for what they actually are :)  We can even use the Directions part of google maps to figure out how long it takes to get to locations on foot or in various vehicles etc

In reply to GM (msg # 11):

Great stuff!

Now we just need to have the chapter 0 thread to get started!

Just a quick step-by-step so those that haven't done so yet (and don't use googlemaps) don't have to fiddle too much to share your locations with the GM, etc.

- Click the GM's map link-- https://goo.gl/maps/M1woBNCc4wyCJRNm8

- Hit the Back button within google maps, upper left side (not your browser back button;-).

- Hit the "+" button, at the bottom of the left hand side bar to Add a new list.  Enter a list name and create.

- Click on the map for any location.  Press save (left hand side bar) and select your created list.  (and add labels etc)

- You can go back to your list offhand by either selecting 'view list' for the location you just added or just going to the Menu (upper left) and selecting it under 'saved' in your places.

- Viewing your list click the 'share' icon (top blue bar, 3 connected dots to the left of your list name) and then simply press 'get link to share' and copy & paste the link to the gm.

https://goo.gl/maps/qBPZ4GQ1xdARbf8eA