Garden Contest - GALLERY (Patreon)

Hello, one and all!

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who submitted a map to our third Map Making Contest! As usual, I've updated the USERMADE MAP GALLERY on my website, where you can take a closer look at all the maps that have been submitted!

All contestants can hit me up on Discord or via email at crossheadstudios@gmail.com to receive some bonus content as a thank you (there are some people who haven't received bonus content from last time I think, so feel free to hit me up as well!) The winner of this poll wins the 250$ tabletop gift card and I will make a Patreon poll next where you can vote for your favorite creations!

The poll will be open until next Friday (March 4th) and the user with the most votes will also be inducted into the Hall of Champions on Discord!

Making a selection of only 10 creations was a bit more difficult this time around, so many amazing creations were submitted. Be sure to check them all out in the gallery!

HERE ARE OUR CONTENDERS:

1. LILBLUESTEM - BOTANICAL GARDEN

Kicking it off with a Garden Themed Bang is Lilbluestem with this beautiful Botanical Garden. Featuring both indoor and outdoor sections, it is just filled to the brim with highlights. My personal favorite is the wooden construction on the right of the house, engulfed in vines with a lovely wooden bench to just admire the views. 

2. GUI K. - GARDEN HOUSE

This Garden House by Gui K. is up next and instead of just one battlemap, this one consists of 3 variations of the same map as the garden slowly comes to life. First the Cerberus attacks, a token is included in the attachments, and then the carnivorous plants become superpowered and attack. I just love the teeth and tongs on those. Wonderful!

3. TARSIZ - EVENING AT THE TERRACE GARDENS

What I love about the terrace gardens by Tarsiz is just that wonderful curved coastline at the bottom of their map. Don't get me wrong I love all the curves in this map, they are such a unique take on building maps, which are often a lot more angular in design. I am probably guilty of doing this myself as well haha, so a great lesson to be learned!

4. CALMROSIE - STRAWBERRY ESTATE

Moving on from the Gardens into the Strawberry Estate by CalmRosie is just a perfect transition. The estate itself features loads of Botanical elements, it feels like it could be parked right next to any of the previous maps I just submitted and it would feel right at home. The estate has two levels with loads of rooms to discover, fit for a King!

5. BENJAMIN SALMON - DISNEYPLACE

Disneyplace by Benjamin is my type of map with lots of cultural references to explore and the perfect setup for a one-shot adventure. I believe Benjamin has shared some of the stories behind Disneyplace in the Discord channel if you'd like to read more because it's definitely worth exploring the backstory of this wonderful map.

6. GABBY BANGERT - DRUID'S GREENHOME

Gabby has submitted this wonderful map of a Druid's Home and I just love all the use of green not just in the plants and trees but also the carpets, chairs, etc. it just really makes this map pop in my opinion. All you need in the end is just those nice little colored highlights of the bleu and pink tree to make it stand out.

7. WOJCIECH - WOODLAND ADVENTURE

This massive and beautiful map by Wojciech takes us deeper into the forest to visit some wonderfully unique locations. Including a hidden tower, a magical tree (which is has been put together using some really interesting asset combinations), multiple campsites and a whole cave to explore! There are so many ways to explore them as well, not just a single approach that you find in lots of maps of this type. Really great work!

8. AUSTINL - ELVEN GARDEN

Moving deeper into the forest is where I'd imagine we'd find these hidden elven gardens by AustinL. I just love the post-production work in this piece, really brings out the sunlight casting an almost magical highlight over the entire map. My favorite part of this map is the high grass on top of the hill, I hadn't used the grass for this purpose but it really brings another dimension to this map.

9. DAN STEEL - SUNKEN SHIP EXCAVATION

Dan Steel's Sunken Ship map is another great example of some wonderful postproduction work. Using these beams of light and the shadows they cast to elevate the map and the mystique of what is going on here. I love how the ship sticks out from the ground below, little elements of the mast scattered across. It would be wonderful to get a glimpse of whatever is going on beneath the surface!

10. LUKAS HAGG - TEMPLE FORTRESS

This four level temple fortress by Lukas Hagg is our final inclusion in the Garden Contest. It features a roof level and bell tower which you can find on the usermade gallery to get a view of the entire building. I just love that bell tower and using the tables for its floors is a wonderful idea. Gives it an extra dimension and natural feel!

Thanks again for all the submissions! I really enjoyed going through them all. I will be taking some time before I submit the next contest, which will probably feature some of the assets I'm currently in the progress of finishing up. If you'd like to catch a glimpse of what that is exactly always feel free to stop by the discord and see what is going on in my Crosshead Diary, I try to update it whenever I have something interesting to share!

The next post will be the poll itself, so be sure to cast your vote!

-Bert | Crosshead