in discussion RPG VT / General Discussion » Trying to gauge interest in new battlemap-making software
An update, 7 years later:
The Kickstarter to get MapForge made was a success. The app got made, and this became the website for it. The app can be used for free (in low resolution), or you can purchase a license for a one-time fee.
Over the years, many follow-up crowdfunding campaigns allowed further development of the software (e.g. adding support for hex maps and isometric maps, in addition to top-down maps) and tons of content was developed for use in the app, covering all major genres (Fantasy, Modern Day, Sci-Fi, Post-Apocalyse, etc.).
There are currently a staggering 237 content Add-Ons for MapForge (!!!). 60 of them are free, the rest are commercial products, with prices starting at $4. Most Add-Ons are for personal use only, but these Add-Ons allow for publishing and commercial use.
You can download the app from here if you'd like to try it out. This page will give you an idea of how often updates are released.
I think that about covers it. Oh, and a few years ago, I also created a companion app called TileForge, for making geomorphic tilesets. Similar model in that you can try it out for free, and a one-time-fee license unlocks high-res output.