There still seems to some confusion on the location of the [u]"Last City"[/u] so I thought I'd compile all the info from two main sources and put it together as well as add any new information that should appear or that I missed. First up [url=http://halo.bungie.net/Account/Profile.aspx?memberID=60784] SonicJohn's,[/url] amazing post on the old Bungie site (Seriously, I swear this guy is the new Sherlock Holmes of games): [quote]INTRODUCTION It's been a long time since I've posted anything near this big. I'm a little tense and afraid of it due to its sheer immensity, but I'm gonna give it a good go. But first, a quick note about "Destiny". It's the name of their next game. Just to clear up any confusion some folk may have about the name of the thread. It hasn't been officially announced by Bungie as of yet, but multiple sources on the Internets would also tell you the same. I'm sure none of you are strangers to the Bnet's fancy background. In all of its dazzling mystique and curious appearance. Are those galaxies? Star-charts? Constellations? Feathers? Bacon? Well, there's a Destiny blog out there that I believe a lot of the Universe-forum regulars may be familiar with; [url=http://misriahsolutions.com/articles/waiting-for-destiny/]Waiting For Destiny.[/url] They've been doing a fantastic job over the past few months. Making fantastic progress at compiling information, providing theories and posing queries. A lot of fantastic work. THE STAR CARTOGRAPHER What I'm specifically interested in is what the author, Daniel Duncan, has compiled on [url=http://misriahsolutions.com/articles/waiting-for-destiny/3/]Page 3.[/url] [url=http://misriahsolutions.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/continued_cartography.png]A composite image[/url] of the entire set of images that have been found so far. In it you can see a lot of very curious things. Two things, in particular, being two very noticeable and out of place pure white circles. These both seemed rather too odd to be a natural part of the environment that we've been used to. I had initially considered that they might be bowls in the ground, but, and Daniel has drawn the same conclusion, that these tie in with Dead Orbit somehow. My first reasoning for this is that in previous images of these areas of the map, they aren't there at all. This makes me believe they are mobile of some sort. Additionally, looking at the - what we assume to be - Dead Orbit graphic shirt, it seems there's a link between it and the "two random dots" found on this card. At least, I think there must be. They seem pretty important (well, they're not exactly pretty to look at, and certainly don't fit in with the rest of the image, so it's curious that they exist). You can also see one [url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?cid=31904]here.[/url] I really like the composite image he made, but I wasn't convinced with the [url=http://misriahsolutions.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/simple_map.jpg]mini-map color example [/url]he made. So I've decided to analyse the image and make my own, complete with a Key. THE MAP OF DESTINY [url=http://http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/destiny_map_001.jpg]* Step 1[/url]: Initial Underpainting - COMPLETE Involved isolating the painting strokes from the black background and miscellaneous images in the original composite image, and deciding what sort of ground is located where in the image. Also came to a conclusion about the various graphics found in the map and constructed a key to help you understand the map clearer. [url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/destiny_map_002.jpg]* Step 1.1[/url] - Made some minor edits to the map (mostly the central mountain). [url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/destiny_map_003.jpg]* Step 2: Topography Redux[/url] - COMPLETE Involved repainting the composite image to make the entire image cleaner. * Step 3: Refined Painting - In Progress Will essentially involve adding extra layers of light/dark values to the underpainting to provide a sense of lighting. I plan on concentrating on the centre of the image. [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRoh1EitMcI]Step 3.1 [video][/url] - Tested my painting in 3D to see how it looked. Pretty good so far. [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5WlmsN8yw]Step 3.2 [video][/url] - Updated the model with a much crisper mountain shape, and volcanoes! [url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/destiny_map.jpg]Step 3.3 [image][/url] - Did some work on water-depths. * Step 4: Texturing & Highlights - Pending Will give the entire image a lot of rugged texture and bring a large degree more of realism to the image (with rocks for the mountains, trees and cityscapes). * Step 5: Polishing - Pending By this point, all that will essentially be left will be cleaning up the known areas of the map to make them look really good. Some brightness/contrast shifting, colour correction (if need be) and maybe some wallpapers. * Step 6: Expansion - Pending After I complete Step 5, it should really be a case of expanding out further, perhaps with any new map piece findings, or. * Step 7: Waiting For Destiny - Pending Waiting to find out whether my vision is correct, or not. BONUS - 3D MODEL [url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/clean_3d_001.jpg]* Clean 3D Model of Mapet [/url] [url=http://dl.dropbox.com/u/3252482/Destiny/overlay_3d_001.jpg]* Overlay 3D Model of Map [/url] [/quote] SonicJohn's original post with some images and info that I didn't include: [url]http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=68213981&postRepeater1-p=1[/url] Now secondly [url=http://www.bungie.net]Mooster Chief's[/url] not as complex but still very interesting post on the current site: [quote]This post is heavily referencing an in-game Destiny screenshot of the Last City in the recent GameInformer. Sadly I cannot post this, but you guys should check it out its a great article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Puertoprincesa_chart4343_1904.jpeg This real-life map from 1904 was found on Wikipedia after a quick search. It is a match to the background of the slides from the GDC. A compass symbol already used by Bungie can be found in the top right corner. The following is my representation of the Last City in former Puerta Princesa, the Philippines: http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y441/Adklavon/LastCityMap1_zps65264796.jpg The Yellow X is a mountain that the sun is directly behind, and due to the high activity level of the City I assumed it to be a sunset. This would make this mountain close to West from the viewpoint's perspective. I assumed the city would be close to the real port city from 1904 (Green X), yet i place it on the other side of the bay. The Red X is the mountain under and left of the traveler. It is a little behind but seems to be close to the City center. The City is shown to have 3 concentric, circular walls. The inner area, shining brightly, is most likely a sanctuary where Warlocks study and give praise. Huge buildings are seen reaching toward the surface above them. This is perhaps the safest place in the solar system. The middle ring looks to have bright, straight rows of lights, the 'suburbs'. Bright spotlights shine on the traveler. On the outside of the third ring slums have been raised, probably outside city walls but having too many people is still hopeful for humanity, right? I believe the viewpoint is from the Tower, where Guardians preside. Just outside the City, built to watch over the cove and most likely the sprawling slum that has encompassed the City. The small towers on the outside wall might be for individual factions, or might be for defense. The main highway connects the Tower to the Traveler, and is used by what looks like many flying vehicles or trains.[/quote] Original post here: [url]http://www.bungie.net/7_A-Map-of-our-Last-City/en-us/Forum/Post?id=60402603[/url] Just want to reinforce all I did was put the info into one post and I'm looking for more! If I've missed something or you've had a revelation about the city please message me or post. Other Photos: * [url=http://i.imgur.com/HAhu2yj.jpg]Concept[/url] to [url=http://i.imgur.com/nWx9SMB.jpg]Google earth[/url] [b]*Friendly challenge to the community*[/b] Perhaps someone skilled in geography could have a go at figuring out how to work out if the last city will actually fit in the area and if so how? from the newer images of the city.