I just finished re-scaling my Kirinioth world map in Wonderdraft. It's now a monstrous 8000 x 4500 pixel, 59.2 MB PNG file (I've uploaded the much smaller JPG). I added a hex grid to it, scaled very closely to the original hex grid on my campaign map. I plan to have it printed on a 48" x 36" neoprene mat or a laminated, semi-gloss poster (sized to perfectly fit into the gaming table I built a few years ago).
I like the idea of a neoprene mat a little better, but with the size of the hexes, I think using wet erase markers or window cling decals may make more sense than trying to use game pieces. With the cover left on the table, wet erase or decals also won't be in any danger of being knocked around if a toddler decides to jostle or climb the table either. A laminated poster will also come in around 50% of the price of the neoprene mat.
An alternative idea is to zoom the map in to just the campaign map. It's an isolated area, mostly secluded from any outside world events, so it would make sense to do. That way I could scale up the hexes significantly, making it a little easier to use with game pieces. Finally, a pro toward the neoprene mat! I'll try to decide on which version of the map and which medium to have these printed on tomorrow.
I've got one of the older versions of the civilization board game, and with a few tweaks, I think I could adapt a lot of it into doing what I'd like with this. I'll need to zoom in on an era for the tech tree, but also add in some magic "techs." Then I can steal a few ideas from Civ 5 and Civ 6. The religion systems in these games are far too simplistic for what I have in mind, and with the pantheon already set, I'll be able to focus on implementing complete religions (for the most part), rather than haphazardly picking traits that probably don't end up making sense anyhow.
I also have hundreds of blank playing cards that were purchased with the intent of building out a dungeon raid board game. After I found out something like that already existed, these got put aside, unused and sad.
Now, I'm not sure which direction to go in with resource placement. Do I want to place resources on the map before printing? It makes sense from an I-already-know-where-they-are standpoint, but if I involve anyone else with playing this as a game, it may be better to place resources during play. By not placing them on the map immediately, I might be able to turn this into a fun, and re-playable game, which has some appeal. I'm all for going totally overboard with this as a one-time history lesson for my setting, but if I can get use out of it another time, that'd be a nice bonus.
I should probably add something here.