Resistance Base/Asteroid Mine Preorders are Live!

      I decided to take a little detour and sort of spontaneously put out a little side map as I continue work on MAP PACK 9: WAR TORN GALAXY. As a result, a new double-sided poster map will be released Friday, December 2nd. the 2 new locations represent a "loose interpretation" Of the Resistance base in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as The Asteroid Mine, inspired by the Mining Facility, Paragus, in SW, Knights of the Old Republic 2. 

     As always the maps will be one double-sided poster, printed on high-quality poster paper, folded, and feature terrain markings for easy game play. The maps will also be included in the ever-expanding digital compendium.

    The cost is 15 dollars, shipped for US orders, and 18 dollars for world-wide shipping. AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT, 15 YEARS AND GOING STRONG!

Shipping Options

US ORDERS $15.00 USD OUTSIDE THE US $18.00 USD

    

   

Currently Available for Commissions!

I am currently booking work for July 2022 and beyond! I am a multi scale, multi-genre cartographer, I can make a map as small as a spaceship galley, or a map of an entire world. I create maps of any location in any reality or setting. I want to work with you. While I believe my work speaks louder than words, I bring more to a project than just my art. I will give you the same regard, respect, and passion for your passion project that I would give any major publisher. I will guide you through my entire process from pencil to printer, to ensure you get exactly what you conceptualize. If you have a deadline, I will respect it and treat it as my guiding light. Please enjoy a sample of work. 

 Freelance Commission, Deck Plans to the "Spry Nomad"

Two of my Sci-Fi maps I'm rather fond of. A wilderness bunker thats been carved into the side of a mountain, as well as the "Royal Militia HQ", an elegant and high-tech center located in an "old-world" styled plaza on some peaceful world.

Details are important to me. Tiny details. I believe that even if the conscious mind doesn't notice them right away, the eyes will pick up the details and signal the brain to get into character. little things on a table help move the story. Glowing intricate tech screens and out of place chairs add life to an environment. Please enjoy these examples of my passion for details down to the pixel.

My fascination with cartography started at an early age when I was introduced to Dungeons and Dragons, I found myself more enthralled with the maps than I did the games. Here are some examples of fantasy styled projects I've worked on. Here you will see my range in scale from dungeon to continents, as well as some of the tricks I use to create cool map assets.

 

Here is an example of my cyberpunk-themed maps. In 2019 I had the opportunity to work with R. Talsorian games on their updated version of the iconic Cyberpunk RPG. I was lucky enough to have my work included in the Cyberpunk Red Jumpstart Kit. It was a huge honor and a career landmark for me. These are not maps included with their set, but work inspired by my time with them.

This is the Night Market, a back alley marketplace where you can find everything to stolen produce, to explosive ordinance. It's a 24x36 inch poster, on a 1.5-inch grid. This was initially designed to be used with Heroclix, but it will hopefully be the first in a series of my own line of digital products for use with any cyberpunk-themed RPG's

Here are some of the close up details. The deatils take a little more time, but It adds to the mood and helps players and game masters have a more immersive experience. Cyberpunk to me as a location means living in a huge world, while ironically constantly struggling to find space. I try to put these concepts into my maps, by creating clutter as seen in the pawn shop and alleyways. Texture and lighting are vital as well. Neon lighting juxtaposed with grime, and something as simple as a scuffed up diner floor can evoke dystopian concepts and help get into character.

Does it get anymore dystopian that Elon Musk and his Cybertruck?

Outside the city walls, remnants of the world before. Again, and example of how important texture is to me.

Here's an example of an ongoing cyberpunk project I'm working on as part of planned subscription service for a perpetual dysopian city. This is a good example of how I make city scale maps, and even at this scale, my passion for detail and mood are vital to my work

One of my independent product lines was a line of 3rd party Heroclix compatible maps. the brand was named Mighty Maps. I had a I had successful run over about 3 years, but the demand for Heroclix maps was diminished by the rate that WizKids puts out their own maps, as well as several other companies putting out 3rd party maps. I'm using much of the work I did to create smaller and gritter encounter maps tentatively called "Mean Streets". These are good examples of more realistic settings in a more modern-themed maps.

I've been very luck to have a long standing relationship with a very wonderful independent gaming publisher called "Evil Robot Games."

The partnership has been very fruitful and I've been able to produce a plethora of different ships and environments. for them. Recently, I've been active in there steampunk campaign setting called "Age of Steam" and it's given me exposure to Victorian and Wild West themes.

 

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING OUT MY WORK.

If you're interested in getting some work done, please email me at MATT.FRANCELLA@GMAIL.COM

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Map Pack 8 Finished Product

 Here's a final look at the finished maps. VERY proud of this set. The maps are currently in PRE-PRESS at a local printer. As always, I'm still taking orders for copies, so look over to your right, and order yours sooner than later!

Jungle Tomb

Skyrail Terminal

Off-World Embassy

Imperial Checkpoint

Frigid Outpost

Desert Palace

Desert Marketplace

Ancient War Academy

Skyrail Station

 Here's a close up look at the Skyrail Station featured in Map Pack 8. This map had a few inspirations, The primary notion for it came from the train robbery scene in Solo: A Star Wars movie, along with a recent visit to train station, as well as recollections of going to the Smithsonian via the Metro Redline as a kid. 

This map was actually kind of a hassle to make. The biggest hassle was trying to figure out how to make the train track work and what kind of terrain it should be. Furthermore I had to reconcile the existence of the bridges over the train track, The simple answer, they're retractible bridges. 

Abandoned Temple is now Jungle Tomb (These things happen)

 Looking through the old maps, I kind of realized I was treading water creatively with this map. I intended to make some modifications to the environment, and it became something else entirely.

 

Preview of the Abandoned Temple (or IS it Abandoned?)

 Plugging away on the finishing touches on Map Pack 8. Tonight I fiddled with the map I'm calling "Abandoned Temple" 

Or is it abandoned? Is it even a temple? I don't know. I feel like this is the kind of place that a Sith Lord may pull strings and make the big wheels roll, or perhaps a band of mercenaries have occupied some old tomb and are using it as a safe house.

Here is a preview. 

Map Pack 8 is going to print in just a few weeks. This will be a very limited print run and many copies have already been reserved, so place your order now! 

Updates to "Imperial Checkpoint"

 The Imperial Checkpoint as you've seen it was an incomplete work. While it obviously needed more art completed on it, I was OK with the floorplan. It was suggested that a few minor tweaks would make it more viable for the small but perennially passionate group of people that still play Star Wars Miniatures competitively. Although initially hesitant to start taking requests like this (because it's a slippery slope on several different levels) I decided that the tweaks would not affect me too much. Here is an update on the floor plan. Still have a bit of work to do, adding objects and getting the lighting right, but it's shaping up nicely!

Imperial Checkpoint is part of Map Pack 8, which will go to print next month. Preorder your copy sooner than later, as this will, as always be a very limited print run! Preorder options are on the right of this page.

Thanks, Matt Francella

Preorder Armored Cartographers Map Pack 8 Now

Hello, and welcome to the currently-under-construction home page! As discussed on Facebook, Armored Cartographers Map Pack 8 is just about finished, and pre-orders start tonight. The new set contains 4 double-sided poster maps, 8 maps in all. EXPECTED release date is September 24th, 2021. 

      This is an unusual set for me. I usually set out to make a new map pack and focus on nothing else. This one happened gradually over the last few years when the mood struck. As a result, there isn't a strong established theme, or any huge connecting mega-maps. It's actually made from pure love and leisure.

      In some aspects, it could be considered a "bootleg/reboot" set. Is "Rebootleg" a word? A couple of the maps are older maps that I desperately wanted to update. others are from old floor plans I had been sitting on. others are the result of freelance projects that the clients were kind enough to permit me to share with the public. 

      I considered starting a crowd funding campaign, but decided to cut out the middle-man and fund this myself. However, these preorders are VITAL to offsetting production expenses. 

 Here's a look at the maps: 

Abandoned Temple

SkyRail Terminal

Ancient War Academy

Desert Marketplace

Desert Palace

Frigid Outpost

Republic Embassy

Imperial Checkpoint (Still under construction)

Product Specifications: 

-34x22 inch double sided poster maps

 -Will have colored terrain markings for gameplay clarity (There won't be any available without the markings, sorry) 

-Maps will be folded for easy storage (a small handful MAY be available flat, but no guarantee) 

-gloss coated 

Prices 

-45 dollars per pack US orders 

-55 dollars per pack Canada 

-60 dollars worldwide. 

 

2 Copies: 

 -85 Dollars US ORDERS 

-100 Dollars Canada 

-110 Dollars worldwide 

Purchase using paypal. 

      ANY DELAYS IN PRODUCTION WILL BE ADDRESSES TO THE PUBLIC PROMPLTLY AND WITH 100 PERCENT TRANPARENCY 

Digital Copies 

      If you own the digital compendium, no purchase is neccasary. The new maps will be added to the folder You can purchase JUST THE NEW MAPS for 10 Dollars, release will the same date as physical copies. THANK YOU, AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!! -Matt Francella

Shipping Options

United States $45.00 USD Canada $55.00 USD Worldwide $60.00 USD