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Design a Ticket to Ride Map for a Chance to Win $10,000

Posted by W. Eric Martin
14 Feb 2011
W. Eric Martin
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Look through the files on Ticket to Ride's game page here on BGG, and you'll find lots of fan-created maps for this Spiel des Jahres winner. Springfield, France, Mexico, South America, Africa, outer space – these locations and many others have been transformed into a spaghetti pile of twisty colored tracks.

Now TtR publisher Days of Wonder is challenging those fans – and anyone else interested in working on the railroad – to create a new map for Ticket to Ride, with the best design taking home a cash prize of $10,000! What's more, that design will become part of the Ticket to Ride Map Collection – a set of new TtR maps from designer Alan R. Moon that will debut at Spiel 2011 this coming October.



Here are the contest details from Days of Wonder:

Quote:
Map designers must submit an official entry form describing their map, postmarked no later than April 15th. Submissions will be reviewed and the most compelling designs selected for further play-testing. Days of Wonder will make the final Grand Prize selection and contact the winning map designer by June 30th; the winning map will be unveiled at the Essen Spiel Fair in October of 2011. Official rules and entry form for the $10,000 Ticket to Ride Map Design Contest are available on the Days of Wonder website.

Best of luck to all who enter – even though you don't have a chance against my Ticket to Ride: Being John Malkovich entry!
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Logan Mann
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Very cool of Days of Wonder to support its fans like this. And very exciting to hear about a map collection being released.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:04 pm
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April 15th deadline. Hmmm... seems like there's something else I need to get done before then. Oh well, I'm sure that can wait. This is WAY more important!
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:34 pm
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Rick Baptist
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Very excited to hear about the new release! DoW is the best.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:41 pm
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April 15th deadline. Hmmm... seems like there's something else I need to get done before then. Oh well, I'm sure that can wait. This is WAY more important!


Oh, you're fine. Taxes are due April 18th this year, so you can finish the map, submit on the 15th and do your taxes over the weekend.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:50 pm
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Eric, show us your TtR: Being John Malkovich map!



edit:typo
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  • Edited Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:54 pm
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Trent Hamm
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The game itself isn't important. Spending time intellectually jousting with likeminded folks is the real reason to game.
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I had a great idea for a map for TtR, but I'm not sure I have the graphic design skills to pull it off.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:07 pm
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trenttsd wrote:
I had a great idea for a map for TtR, but I'm not sure I have the graphic design skills to pull it off.


I'm going to enter anyway. I just think this idea is too good to pass up.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:32 pm
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Just out of curiosity, do you know if licensed maps (like a Being John Malkovich) will be possible, or will cause immediate elimination? I am sure there is a fee for getting a movie license... perhaps Days of Wonder would not be open to that.

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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:47 pm
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casperthegoth wrote:
Just out of curiosity, do you know if licensed maps (like a Being John Malkovich) will be possible, or will cause immediate elimination? I am sure there is a fee for getting a movie license... perhaps Days of Wonder would not be open to that.

If the license is $20K, then I suppose your prize for winning the contest is to pay DoW $10K.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:52 pm
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I'd love to see DOW publish MiddleEarth, Lovecraftian and Hogwarts Express TtR maps.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:56 pm
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Days of Wonder Official Rules wrote:

In consideration for reviewing your submission, you hereby warrant that you hold, and assign and convey, all rights in the submission (including copyrights, trademark rights, and patent rights) to Sponsor free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or further payment obligations.


Unless you hold the copyright (not to be confused with a license or a right under Fair Use), Days of Wonder doesn't want and won't take your entry.

Sorry to those suggested licensed maps. I'd love to see a Middle-earth map as much as anyone (assuming, of course, the necessary thematic changes were made).

- Neil Wehneman
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:13 pm
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landaras wrote:
I'd love to see a Middle-earth map as much as anyone (assuming, of course, the necessary thematic changes were made).

- Neil Wehneman


Ticket to Riders of Rohan? Ticket to Eye?
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:43 pm
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Quote:
By checking this box, I agree that I have downloaded, read and understood, and agree to be bound by, all the terms of the Small World Design Contest Official Rules.


Copy/paste rush...
in page 3 of the Contest Form.
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  • Edited Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:37 pm
  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:36 pm
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Brace yourselves folks. When the winning entry finally gets produced, it's going to be an expensive expansion. The first place prize is $10,000 plus 12 copies of the expansion, with the prize valued at $10,700, which means that each copy of the expansion costs $58!!!
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 6:58 pm
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Perhaps a NSFW version titled Ticket to Writhe? So many possibilities...
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:01 pm
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helioa wrote:
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By checking this box, I agree that I have downloaded, read and understood, and agree to be bound by, all the terms of the Small World Design Contest Official Rules.


Copy/paste rush...
in page 3 of the Contest Form.


Darn, found our Easter Egg already.

Now fixed... whistle

Eric @ DoW
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:10 pm
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curtc wrote:
Brace yourselves folks. When the winning entry finally gets produced, it's going to be an expensive expansion. The first place prize is $10,000 plus 12 copies of the expansion, with the prize valued at $10,700, which means that each copy of the expansion costs $58!!!


But we're talking about a multiple board Map Pack here aren't we?
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:23 pm
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The terms and conditions say:

' In consideration for reviewing your submission, you hereby warrant that you hold, and assign and convey, all rights in the submission (including copyrights, trademark rights, and patent rights) to Sponsor free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or further payment obligations.'

So does this mean that if you don't win, Days of Wonder are free to make your version into a game without any payment?

Not sure if this has already been discussed, but if so, my apologies.

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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:30 pm
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Erich wrote:

Darn, found our Easter Egg already.

Now fixed... whistle

Eric @ DoW


A Small World TTR map, eh?
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:44 pm
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manchuwok wrote:
curtc wrote:
Brace yourselves folks. When the winning entry finally gets produced, it's going to be an expensive expansion. The first place prize is $10,000 plus 12 copies of the expansion, with the prize valued at $10,700, which means that each copy of the expansion costs $58!!!


But we're talking about a multiple board Map Pack here aren't we?


YES.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:45 pm
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ravells wrote:
The terms and conditions say:

' In consideration for reviewing your submission, you hereby warrant that you hold, and assign and convey, all rights in the submission (including copyrights, trademark rights, and patent rights) to Sponsor free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or further payment obligations.'

So does this mean that if you don't win, Days of Wonder are free to make your version into a game without any payment?


In theory, yes, but that's unlikely to happen. When Days of Wonder held its Small World design contest in 2009, it ended up handing out more awards than originally announced, including a publishing contract for what became the Tales and Legends expansion in 2010.

This statement is more of a CYA clause so that if you submit a TtR map of, say, Manhattan, then DoW later releases a TtR: New York expansion, you will have no grounds for suing the publisher.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:55 pm
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ravells wrote:
The terms and conditions say:

' In consideration for reviewing your submission, you hereby warrant that you hold, and assign and convey, all rights in the submission (including copyrights, trademark rights, and patent rights) to Sponsor free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances or further payment obligations.'

So does this mean that if you don't win, Days of Wonder are free to make your version into a game without any payment?

Not sure if this has already been discussed, but if so, my apologies.



The short answer: Yes, you're correct (though this would make us look like jerks and hardly qualify as a good PR move then, eh? whistle)

The more detailed explanation, courtesy of our legal friend and counsel: We receive numerous submissions and continue to develop our own ideas internally. Because certain evolutionary concepts in a game are relatively obvious, if we did not have language like this in our agreement, we would subject DOW to spurious claims. We respect that this could make some people decide not to submit their ideas, but I can assure you that DOW conducts itself with the utmost integrity and prides itself on the relationship it maintains with the game development community.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Eric @ DoW
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  • Edited Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:07 pm
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Brilliant, thanks!

I know that DOW are a reputable brand and I do love your games, which was why I was surprised to find the clause in there, but I can understand your reasons for CYA.

We've been debating this over at our forum (we were thinking of making your comp our monthly contest) but someone pointed out the clause and I thought I'd come here to get clarification.

Thanks again, Eric and Eric!
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 8:25 pm
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Don't have the ability to do it but would love to see some space based TTR fun. Ticket to Saturn anyone?


My ultimate dream of a TTR would be a Walt Disney World TTR including all the parks/hotels. Wish I knew some people in marketing at WDW.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:11 pm
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Win, win idea. I'm sure they'll end up printing 20k, or even 50k or more copies of it, so $10k is cheap, compared to the royalties they'd otherwise have to pay.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:45 pm
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millercv wrote:
My ultimate dream of a TTR would be a Walt Disney World TTR including all the parks/hotels. Wish I knew some people in marketing at WDW.


I have thought of this for years and thought it would be awesome (and I don't use that word lightly). Little monorails or the Disney train could be used as pieces.

I thought of also using WDW for a licensed version of Pandemic as well. The four theme parks could have different spells by different Disney villains affecting everyone and the roles could be Disney characters.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:56 pm
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Bigspoon816 wrote:
millercv wrote:
My ultimate dream of a TTR would be a Walt Disney World TTR including all the parks/hotels. Wish I knew some people in marketing at WDW.


I have thought of this for years and thought it would be awesome (and I don't use that word lightly). Little monorails or the Disney train could be used as pieces.

I thought of also using WDW for a licensed version of Pandemic as well. The four theme parks could have different spells by different Disney villains affecting everyone and the roles could be Disney characters.



I like the cut of your jib, sir. By the way, your spoon is too big.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:07 pm
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GamesOnTheBrain wrote:

...$10k is cheap, compared to the royalties they'd otherwise have to pay.

Sure is. One might almost wonder whether outsourcing to fans on the cheap could be seen as perhaps a tad...exploitative?

Nevertheless, I ordered my first-ever copy of Ticket To Ride on February 12, and the contest opened on February 14...so who am I to reject such a meaningful coincidence?

 
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:29 pm
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logan_mann wrote:
Very cool of Days of Wonder to support its fans like this. And very exciting to hear about a map collection being released.

Yup. I was hoping Dexter would get the Japan map to play on.
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:30 pm
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Sounds like a fantastic contest. Homebrewed maps already seem a popular undertaking around here.

I'm curious if new mechanics are allowed, or if people should stick to the established rules for rail/tunnel/ferry lines?

For example, the Murmansk line in Nordic Countries has specific rules that are exceptions to the game's regular rules set.

A Japan map in the files section here has a 'rainbow' line requiring one card of each available colour.

Speaking of Japan...

rvinyard wrote:
Yup. I was hoping Dexter would get the Japan map to play on.


I'd love a Japanese map too. Monsters belong in Neo-Tokyo!
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  • Edited Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:48 pm
  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:32 pm
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rvinyard wrote:
Yup. I was hoping Dexter would get the Japan map to play on.


It seems likely that the Japan map Moon was talking about in the thread announcing the newest expansion will be included in this map pack. So it seems more likely that the winner of the contest will be somebody who presents a map they hadn't considered.

ninja
 
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:38 pm
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It's pretty tough to think of a map that isn't a copyright/trademark infringement or one that is obvious to anyone (i.e. Japan, China, etc.)

 
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  • Posted Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:54 pm
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mstachiw wrote:
I'd love to see DOW publish MiddleEarth, Lovecraftian and Hogwarts Express TtR maps.


Ticket to R'lyeh!
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:08 am
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ralpher wrote:
It's pretty tough to think of a map that isn't a copyright/trademark infringement or one that is obvious to anyone (i.e. Japan, China, etc.)



There is more to a map than the map itself

(rules, routes, tickets etc.)
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:54 am
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TheHat wrote:
GamesOnTheBrain wrote:

...$10k is cheap, compared to the royalties they'd otherwise have to pay.

Sure is. One might almost wonder whether outsourcing to fans on the cheap could be seen as perhaps a tad...exploitative?

Nevertheless, I ordered my first-ever copy of Ticket To Ride on February 12, and the contest opened on February 14...so who am I to reject such a meaningful coincidence?



I don't think it is exploitation myself. Employees don't get paid royalties unless these are specifically negotiated. The way to look at it (if you win) is that the job of creating the game has been outsourced to you for a fixed price of US$10k - which is very good money. Also bear in mind that DoW are taking all the risk.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:15 am
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Hmm...has anyone compiled a list of existing fan maps? If not, is there a macro here on the Geek that would help us out?

Also, I take it we don't know anything about the composition of the official map pack to date, correct?
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 4:09 pm
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rtwombly wrote:
Hmm...has anyone compiled a list of existing fan maps? If not, is there a macro here on the Geek that would help us out?

Also, I take it we don't know anything about the composition of the official map pack to date, correct?


People who created fan maps prior to the contest are welcome to submit those (provided they were the original creator, of course).

And no, we haven't revealed the composition of the collection yet.
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 5:49 pm
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Erich wrote:
And no, we haven't revealed the composition of the collection yet.


Which makes this contest a bit of a guessing game as it's likely you won't choose a map that you've already invested some of your own effort into.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:33 pm
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In the entry form it asks you not to add many (if any) new rules. And they prefer no new components. Obviously if this is going to ship with only maps and route cards, they want you to be able to use the trains, cards, and stations you already have. They also suggest not providing a picture unless it is of really good quality. My guess is they will probably want their own artists to give it the same flavor as their other games anyway. Since you are not going to provide the route cards until after they ask for a copy, what are we supposed to say about our game to make them pick it.

"It is a map of China, but it is way better than all the other China submissions you will receive because the Beijing to Shanghai route is a 5 link instead of a 6."

Obviously this is going to take some outside of the box thinking to make your game standout. I need to ponder more.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 6:51 pm
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Ossian Hawkes
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Do you think this map pack is going to include Switzerland?

Seems like a smart way to bring it back into print.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:58 pm
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Lee
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Piqsid wrote:
In the entry form it asks you not to add many (if any) new rules. And they prefer no new components. Obviously if this is going to ship with only maps and route cards, they want you to be able to use the trains, cards, and stations you already have. They also suggest not providing a picture unless it is of really good quality. My guess is they will probably want their own artists to give it the same flavor as their other games anyway. Since you are not going to provide the route cards until after they ask for a copy, what are we supposed to say about our game to make them pick it.

"It is a map of China, but it is way better than all the other China submissions you will receive because the Beijing to Shanghai route is a 5 link instead of a 6."

Obviously this is going to take some outside of the box thinking to make your game standout. I need to ponder more.


Yeah even so though I'd still try to have a map ready. If they like your description they will contact you and ask you to send in two prototypes (board, tickets, train cards, and any other pieces) for them to play test with before deciding the grand prize.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:29 pm
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Eric Hautemont
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manchuwok wrote:
Erich wrote:
And no, we haven't revealed the composition of the collection yet.


Which makes this contest a bit of a guessing game as it's likely you won't choose a map that you've already invested some of your own effort into.


Not really: If a map submission really attracts our attention (for whatever reason), and happens, by chance, to be based in the same geographical location as one already in the works, we'd try to find a solution.

As some have already commented, we haven't been that strict on precise geographical locations for our maps, in the past.

Eric @ DoW
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:50 pm
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Mark Klassen
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Erich wrote:
Not really: If a map submission really attracts our attention (for whatever reason), and happens, by chance, to be based in the same geographical location as one already in the works, we'd try to find a solution.

As some have already commented, we haven't been that strict on precise geographical locations for our maps, in the past.

Eric @ DoW


Exactly what I hoped to hear. Thanks.
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:01 pm
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Mark Josef
United States

New York
So it sounds like we're not so much designing the map, as creating a theme which you will then design the map for? Or am I missing some part of the submission process?

Nevermind, I learned how to read and then went back and used my new skills to determine that if they like the your submission, then they'll ask for an actual map.
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  • Edited Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:51 pm
  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:41 pm
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Sicaria Occaeco
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ravells wrote:

I know that DOW are a reputable brand and I do love your games, which was why I was surprised to find the clause in there, but I can understand your reasons for CYA.


It's pretty standard.
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:15 pm
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Michael Schroeder
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Niagara Falls
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Does the map have to be a real geographic area? Or can it be an entirely fictional place/theme?
 
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  • Posted Tue Feb 15, 2011 10:30 pm
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kevin long
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There are lots of fan made maps out there. Is there a file of graphic goodies to make maps with - such as the scoring border and track bits for making those routes on the map?
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 12:59 am
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RoyN
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Sicaria wrote:
ravells wrote:

I know that DOW are a reputable brand and I do love your games, which was why I was surprised to find the clause in there, but I can understand your reasons for CYA.


It's pretty standard.

Yes, you can find discussion (probably more than one) running around somewhere in the (game designers?) forums on this general topic.
 
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:47 am
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William Wood
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dravack wrote:
Yeah even so though I'd still try to have a map ready. If they like your description they will contact you and ask you to send in two prototypes (board, tickets, train cards, and any other pieces) for them to play test with before deciding the grand prize.


Gee, assuming you don't use any strange new components, I hope they have access to trains and train cards...
 
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:50 am
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Lee
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mst3k4ever wrote:
dravack wrote:
Yeah even so though I'd still try to have a map ready. If they like your description they will contact you and ask you to send in two prototypes (board, tickets, train cards, and any other pieces) for them to play test with before deciding the grand prize.


Gee, assuming you don't use any strange new components, I hope they have access to trains and train cards...


Well I didn't mention trains ^^ but I guess I did put down train cards my bad lol but honestly doesn't really matter does it? =P


"(including a playable version of the map
described in their Submission form, along with all Destination Tickets and any other
map-specific components and/or rule sets that might be required to play-test the
Submission)"

Is what I ment.
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  • Edited Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:59 am
  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:57 am
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William Wood
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dravack wrote:
Well I didn't mention trains ^^ but I guess I did put down train cards my bad lol but honestly doesn't really matter does it? =P


"(including a playable version of the map
described in their Submission form, along with all Destination Tickets and any other
map-specific components and/or rule sets that might be required to play-test the
Submission)"

Is what I ment.


Right. And what I meant was the contest rules seem to indicate you need to send them a complete prototype (if your entry is chosen), but I would hope that they would have trains and train cards, so that finalists need only send the map and ticket cards (plus whatever else they tack onto the base game, if anything).
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:19 am
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Jeff
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mst3k4ever wrote:
dravack wrote:
Well I didn't mention trains ^^ but I guess I did put down train cards my bad lol but honestly doesn't really matter does it? =P


"(including a playable version of the map
described in their Submission form, along with all Destination Tickets and any other
map-specific components and/or rule sets that might be required to play-test the
Submission)"

Is what I ment.


Right. And what I meant was the contest rules seem to indicate you need to send them a complete prototype (if your entry is chosen), but I would hope that they would have trains and train cards, so that finalists need only send the map and ticket cards (plus whatever else they tack onto the base game, if anything).


For $10,000 I'll send them a shrink-wrapped copy of TICKET TO RIDE in addition to my prototype so that they have enough trains and such to play my prototype with.

What I am far more worried about is getting to the point where I need to send them my winning submission in the first place.
 
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 6:36 am
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Lee
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mst3k4ever wrote:
dravack wrote:
Well I didn't mention trains ^^ but I guess I did put down train cards my bad lol but honestly doesn't really matter does it? =P


"(including a playable version of the map
described in their Submission form, along with all Destination Tickets and any other
map-specific components and/or rule sets that might be required to play-test the
Submission)"

Is what I ment.


Right. And what I meant was the contest rules seem to indicate you need to send them a complete prototype (if your entry is chosen), but I would hope that they would have trains and train cards, so that finalists need only send the map and ticket cards (plus whatever else they tack onto the base game, if anything).


I'm going to say no you don't need to send in trains or train cards.

"map-specific components"

Those wouldn't be map-specific. Unless you do a theme like Disney or something. But I'm not an official or anything so might want to keep checking to see if a DoW member posts.

@HauRuck lol for 10k clams I'd send two copies of ticket to ride. But what part are you stuck on or don't understand?
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  • Edited Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:38 pm
  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:10 am
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Matt Walton
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W Eric Martin wrote:
TtR: New York


They could include a bunch of plastic 'X's and 'O's!

At least then it would double up as a huge tic-tac-toe board
 
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:34 pm
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Mark Kaufmann
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When we ask for prototypes to be sent, we would not require someone to send trains and train cards along with it - only the map specific items such as tickets, map, etc.

Mark - Days of Wonder
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 7:16 pm
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Nate Downs
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I hate to be continuing to pester you with questions about this - what level artwork are you expecting on your play test map? To what degree will art on the map have an effect? I mean... I am absolutely not an artist.
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 8:52 pm
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Mark Klassen
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casperthegoth wrote:
I hate to be continuing to pester you with questions about this - what level artwork are you expecting on your play test map? To what degree will art on the map have an effect? I mean... I am absolutely not an artist.


I would expect that it's not very important at all.
 
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:02 pm
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Eric Hautemont
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manchuwok wrote:
casperthegoth wrote:
I hate to be continuing to pester you with questions about this - what level artwork are you expecting on your play test map? To what degree will art on the map have an effect? I mean... I am absolutely not an artist.


I would expect that it's not very important at all.


Correct. Our focus is not on getting the prettiest map - though that won't hurt your chances of catching our attention either! !

We care more about playability, gaming appeal, originality, etc.. than about raw graphic design skills. Even if your board was the prettiest of them all, it's highly unlikely it we would publish it as is anyway.

Hope this helps.

Eric @ DoW
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:59 pm
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Drinky Drinky
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But if I design my map after the supervolcano takes out Northern America, It will be less like T2R and more like Fallout.
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  • Posted Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:33 pm
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Darren Martin
United Kingdom
Lincoln
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Somebody should design a ticket to ride Yorkshire map. Sadly I haven't got the time or the artistic talent to do God's country justice! The east coast main line running from Edinburgh to London (passing through York) could be a major route (using the Swiss map idea of connecting points off the map like countries), with smaller ones into the Dales or over towards Scarborough or Lancashire smaller easier to complete routes but for less points.
 
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  • Posted Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:29 pm
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Jay lastname


Idaho
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mstachiw wrote:
I'd love to see DOW publish MiddleEarth, Lovecraftian and Hogwarts Express TtR maps.


Well, I doubt this could be published but I can help you out with a Middle Earth TtR map.
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  • Posted Thu May 12, 2011 6:33 pm
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Jack Darrington
United States

Utah
See the problem with this contest is that every Joe Schmoe who thinks he's a graphic design genius will submit a board and then come on here and talk about how awesome it is. ugh.
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  • Posted Fri Jun 3, 2011 9:48 pm
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