[Ronin]

Heya

Im pretty new to Shadowrun and being a GM.  I use maps, boards, markers and even the odd miniature to keep track of exactly where everybody is in combat situations.  however, nowhere seems to sell near-future game boards, they're all fantasy or space opera sci-fi.  Does anyone know where i can get my hands on some game boards or maps suitable for shadowrun? Im running a short campaign in Neo-Tokyo with an even shorter mission in either Shanghai or Vladivostok (I haven't decided yet) but im having to make do with my rubbish hand drawn sketch maps. Iv heard about some downloadable software which allows you to create your own maps and print them off.

[raggedhalo]

Campaign Cartographer is excellent, and I highly recommend it.  Rather than looking for near-future stuff, look for modern stuff.  CC has a modern expansion with appropriate bits and bobs.

Round here, people also tend to recommend the PDF of Sprawl Sites and I believe the Runner's Toolkit has some maps in too.  I also make use of a book called Critical Locations (for D20 Modern) and Thrilling Locations (for a 1980s James Bond RPG).  Amazon Marketplace or the second-hand bin at your FLGS are probably your best bets for finding those.

[Glorthoron]

Another really good idea:  Google "floor plans" for whatever you are looking for. 

[CanRay]

Campaign Cartographer is excellent, and I highly recommend it.  Rather than looking for near-future stuff, look for modern stuff.  CC has a modern expansion with appropriate bits and bobs.

Round here, people also tend to recommend the PDF of Sprawl Sites and I believe the Runner's Toolkit has some maps in too.  I also make use of a book called Critical Locations (for D20 Modern) and Thrilling Locations (for a 1980s James Bond RPG).  Amazon Marketplace or the second-hand bin at your FLGS are probably your best bets for finding those.

I had a friend refer to "Campaign Cartographer" as "AutoCAD with cheesy graphics" and designed quite a few buildings with it nicely (Complete with bathrooms.).

I can't encourage people to buy Sprawl Sites enough, it's an amazing book that I wish more RPGs would make versions of!  (D&D did a fair bit with their maps in Dragon and Dungeon Magazines when they were putting them out.).  Too bad the best store with a used bin (A whole wall, actually!) is the one shop I refuse to even enter.

[FraustyTheSnowman]

Dunjini has some modern textures/maps also. I haven't picked up the software yet, so I don't know how much, but I've seen a few maps people made for SR with the program, and it seemed to work.
I'll second googling "floor plans", as I just went through and got a bunch of hospital and asylum maps that way.
Critical Locations is a good book, raun a mission using the "acrtic research facility" map out of there just the other day.

[Ronin]

Cool, thanks guys!  I think between all these ideas iv probably got a map for every location.  Iv even got a map of Mos Eisley Cantina from Star Wars. Just have to think of a reason for the PCs to have a fight in a desert bar 

[CanRay]

Just have to think of a reason for the PCs to have a fight in a desert bar 

Escaping from Aztlan.  Done. 

[Mirikon]

Just have to think of a reason for the PCs to have a fight in a desert bar 

Escaping from Aztlan.  Done. 

Dibs on Snake.

[Fizzygoo]

Runner's Toolkit includes "4 laminated maps of Sprawl Site locations"