bump

Well, your map isn't really about the Crusades. It is just a medieval mediterranean scenario, where the bulk of interesting action will take place in the west.

Personally I think it is too large.

More specific and detailed critiques/suggestions, commendations to come a bit later.

bumping for FS

OK, here we go;

1- For more unified gameplay, shrink your map. It is interesting as it is, but you don't want two central games and weird open areas, you need to cut down on the number of factions and territories. Big games are fun, but I think you need to focus on unifying and simplying the two or three main spheres of conflict to avoid awkwardness.

2- Spain and France are very, very disadvantaged. No guaranteed builds for either, (Spain *sort of* has at least build) and limited bargaining power in a conflict. (ie. not triple sphere imbalance. I might even suggest eliminating Spain as a faction (despite the important historical role the region was playing, it wasn't even Spain yet)

3- I think the Cyrene, Tripoli, Tunisia, Malta, Sicily grouping is excessive. Get rid of one of those territories. I would suggest one of the three North African ones.

4- Not to be mean, but your territory names are generally inaccurate and you cities oft misplaced.

Would you like me to offer advice on those, or is this something you plan to fix once all of the gameplay is settled?

Oh, and don't take anything I'm saying too seriously. I'm by no means a master at creating balanced Diplomacy maps.

(although do remember- the map doesn't need to be completely balanced) All you need to make sure, is that everone has expansion room, everyone has bargaining room, and that every power would be fun to play.

City placement isn't important regions are working with centuries old maps and modern maps makes accurate naming hard. I could perhaps switch Spain for Beni Graniya (Libya)

excuse me Libya and Tunis

What is the ideal number of factions for you, and what kind of gameplay do you want to see?

An ideal number is 9. Clustered gameplay, something similar to standard i.e. simple rules, balanced-unbalance factions, good player to player interaction i.e. a colony close to another power even through the colony owner is far away.

ok...now I need help with region naming