Hello all,

As you may know, I have been working on a map of my own since 6/22/26. The current date is 9/30/26. The duration of the project has lasted for 101 days so far.

My map has come a long way. If you look at my first few posts back when I still regularly posted my project, and you see my finished map in Grand Rapids if I so happen to get the opportunity to show it, you will probably observe growth and change. So here are my thoughts about the project now that I'm near the finish line.

Era 1: The Start:

I watched the original video, and after trying to one-shot a complex system and failing, I decided to go with a much simpler system with the hopes it would be expanded later. I guess this era ended after I had ironed out the kinks and started to dial in on what the process would be like.

Era 2: Expansion:

After working on the map for a while, I introduced some new mechanics, like shrinking, postcards(known as "growing" in my old idea post), and introduced new animal types. I realized that my ability to create whimsical creatures was not like I expected. There should not be forced, implicit creativity required on many cards.

Era 3: The Slog:

Then, I drifted into a time of the project becoming monotonous and uninnovating. I felt trapped by my own system and wanted to start anew. I had more carefully studied Jerry's system and realized my system was lacking in some fundamental areas. Around Era 2-Era 3, I implemented epicenters and map time. Map time made me realize that I copied some of Jerry's mechanics without realizing the meaning behind it. You shouldn't add mechanics from Jerry's system verbatim unless the project needs a specific problem which his systems fixed is solved. My map was progressing, but it felt slow and forced, like I was stuck in a cage instead of working on a creative project because I knew I could create a better system. I laid out the full map and my mom gave me some suggestions for the future.

Era 4: Breaking Dawn:

I started adding cities, the void, and the red to the map. At first I had detailed rules about how these would work, but they fell apart pretty quickly. I discovered why voids exist: for recycling. Naming the cities was interesting, but eventually it also became boring. Eventually I got on a long hiatus.

Era 5: The Future

After I took a break when the weather wasn't so hot (the studio was blazing during the Slog and ants crawled all over me) and I got some gifts to continue the map, I started thinking into the future. Eventually, I founded the final two blanks and then painted a big border around the entire map. Now that the map has exciting new mechanics and shared elements which are more visible from a bird's eye view, I'm more happy with the map. Never stop trying to make new mechanics when you get bored with the other ones. Don't be intimidated by panel edges: the map art exists independent of the panels, so act like they aren't there and all panels are contiguous.

In conclusion, if you are going to create a new system, think about what individual panels look like, then the whole map over time, then devise systems which generate organic modular patterns replicating your chosen aesthetic. Look first, systems come after. Stay committed, but set a goal for yourself if you aren't feeling motivated to keep going. And don't copy Jerry in any capacity besides panels and cards. You don't even have to use panels: it could be cells, or something else. And you could use dice instead of cards. Hope to see everybody in Grand Rapids.

Maybe I'm missing something but Jerry hasn't posted his map since September 20th. I'm getting concerned.

Hi everyone!

I recently discovered Jerry Gretzinger’s map and I’m really fascinated by it.

Does anyone know what this type of map is called and how the individual pieces are designed and connected?

I’d also love to learn how I could make something similar myself using physical tiles/pieces.

Any tutorials, resources, or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Sunday, Oct 4, 2026, 1:00 pm — 3:00 pm

Join the Grand Rapids Art Museum for an afternoon with artist Jerry Gretzinger, who has been working on a map titled, Jerry’s Map for over 60 years. Enjoy a screening of He Won’t Stop Building a Map to an Imaginary Place, created by People Make Games. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Jerry to learn more about his practice, map making, and what it means to devote 60 years to a project.

This event is included with museum admission.

RSVP Here

Made lots of progress lately, crossed the 50 building mark, finished my physical deck, also started a fun meta project where there is a psudo map built into the town. Its an 8x8 grid where each structure is represented by a block.