3D Map Idea
 

This is an idea I just had. It's probably unrealistic to see it implemented in SE IV, but maybe it can be used for SE V!

I would like to see a 3D map introduced into the game. It would add more depth and strategy to the game, not to mention more realistic.

Here's my idea:

With either the galatic map or system map, you would have an isometric grid on the bottom of the window. Objects (systems, stars, planets, ships, etc) would occupy different heights (along the z axis) with a faint line pointing to the grid to give the x and y axis co-ordinates.

If done neatly, this could be a wonderful improvement from the current 2D universe!

What do you think?


Visit the Spoogy Federation at: http://spoogyfederation.tripod.com

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

Nice idea. Perhaps SE V or VI will have this feature. In addition, make the map look like space. Instead of a grid with white cubes, make it look like space with differant color stars that represent systems.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

This is something that I would like to see in the game (much later Versions, of course)... Have local galactic space represented as a sphere that can have it's position changed by four controls in the corners (rotate x-axis, rotate y-axis, rotate z-axis, zoom). The system map wouldn't really need to be 3D, since systems (as far as we know http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif are flat anyway. Would be nice to have a hex grid instead of a square grid, though http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif And 3D combat space that works on a coordinate system, with engines rated by thrust, meaning one engine pushes that escort a lot farther than that dreadnaught. And weapon facing, factors for inertia and gravity, seperate supplies for weapons, crew consumables, and fuel... Lots of things that will be really neato, but probably won't happen http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

I can still dream! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

well, if you look at the galaxy, its mostly flat anyways.

You could use the map editor to make a multi-level map.

If you want a system directly above some other one, just place it one square away.

You could have systems:

.....A...W
X.....B.....Y
..Z...C.....

Pretend A,B & C are above each other in space.
A connects to B, B connects to C.
B connects to WXY &Z.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

Yeah I know what you mean... I would love to see a game that goes into detail and respects physics. It could be done, the game would have to be "simultaneous turn", and your position would be more of a "Emperor" controlling the people that control your empire (i.e., you would have less control over the small details). The system could be dynamic (planets actually orbit the sun), and movement between planets would have to be planned (best orbit position, fuel supply, etc.). This extra detail would probally mean that the game would have far fewer systems, and more emphisis would be place on good habitial worlds (for the particular race: Gravity, Atmosphere composition/pressure, Terrain, Radiation, hostile weather/life, etc.) and the LONG process of terraforming.

I dream too (in color and surround sound!)

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

The best 3D map and ship movement display that I have ever seen for space warfare was "Ascendancy". The AI was brain dead but the map for the system and the galaxy were great.
The worlds would rotate around the sun. It was like a bit of a jigsaw finding out were the links between the systems went.

One problem for animated system like that is Stellar Man instead of attacking a planet just put a sun in it's flight path, it's cinders for the world!

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

I don't see any benefit to 3-D on the system map, it's more a strategic map, but a 3-D tactical combat map would be great! If you had fields of fire and different weaknesses from different angles you could have more interesting tactical combat. Maneuver and ship size/type would be more important than they are now.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

This seems to be a popular discussion.

Someone mentioned that star systems are relatively flat - which is true - so maybe the system map should remain 2D. But, I would really like to have 3D maps for combat and galatic views!

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

You should not knock the 3D galaxy, it looks fantasic. You can spin it around, zoom in/out.
Adds a real good feel to the game.

But the 3D combat would be great. I think that the programming for that would be very hard to do, to get it change which components are destroyed first depending on which part of the ship was hit.

The game "Ascendancy" did not really allow for behind shots and like that but it would be great to have different turrents which allow limited firing angles etc.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

3D Combat that follows the same rules as the current combat would be relatively easy. The only big changes would be using 3 location co-ordinates rather than 2. The programming would be similiar, but a little more complex. The hit caculations would be still based on distance (even though the formula would be a little bit harder!)...

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

You may want to check out the 'Stellar Legacy' project at Sourcefourge.

Most information can be get from the mailing list, though, so look for mailing list info on the project home page at:
http://stellarlegacy.sourceforge.net...ling-list.html


Arralen

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

Anyhon remember Frontier: Elite II ? That had a good 3D galaxy map which you could grab hold of and view from different angles. It also respected the fact that the galaxy (our galaxy, anyway) is many millions of times wider than it is tall (ie a disc rather than a sphere.)

Adding a 3D map to SE would be nice but would not affct gamplay, since relative distance is unimportant (due to the warp point approach to FTL travel.)

Frontier also had very good physics - it was all very realistic with gravity, inertia, thrust etc. Unfortunatly that realism made the ships rally difficult to control, and it was almost impossible to intrcpt or fire on other craft. Coming into orbit around a planet and landing without the auto pilot was nigh impossible (I have managed it once or twice=-)

The thing is space travel is really complicatd and difficult (which is why I'm not wrinting this from my office on Mars=-), so in ordr to retain playability you hav to sacrifice a crtain amount of realism.

£0.02 (*Kerching*)

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There is an exception to every rule. Including this one.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

Does anyone remember the original Star Control? Before they added a storyline? It was mostly a space tactical combat game, but if you recall, the single player game showed a rotating '3D' map. You could click on the system and move ships from there to a connecting point on the system map. I think it was a nice compromise between 2D and real 3D, especially considering this was at a time waaaaaay before 3D accelerators came around. Or am I just geezin'? http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/tongue.gif

I also really like the way the starmaps are done in Imperium Galactica II.

zen

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

I still have that game. It runs on four outa six of my machines at home.
From 2Mhz 8086 http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif
to 486-66Mhz
under DOS
If you have a 10Mhz machine, you'll get full speed drawing SC's 3d rotating map.

Win 98 dosen't seem to support it, though. win gives an "Invalid instruction".

One sweet game. Trying to hit another Earth Cruiser with those seeking Nukes is tough!
That game has seekers, point defence, cloaking, fighters, shields, crew subVersion http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif, regenerative "armor", inertialess engine, self-destruct, crystalline weapons, etc.
And the tactical combat is great. You can swing past the planet for a gravity assist, avoid the asteroids. A real cheap tactic is to go into a really low orbit around a planet and launch seekers each time you pop out, and the planet will absorb a lot of fire for you.

Ahh, memories.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

I can't decide whether to be frightened of the fact that you have a 2MHz machine or that it's one of SIX computers in your home. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Everything you said definitely brought back memories, tho! heh heh...you know, for such an old game, it had great physics and was just plain FUN! I especially liked the ability to multiplay on the same keyboard. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif So it really doesn't run on Win98? Even if you made a customized .pif for it? I haven't made a .pif since Win95...lol.

zen
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Everything's fun and games until you slingshot yourself into a planet.

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

2Mhz?!? ...isn't that a calculator!

Re: 3D Map Idea
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> Does anyone remember the original Star Control?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>One thing about the 3D display in Star Control really frustrated me. The warp lines only displayed when you were giving movement orders, and only for the system the moving ship was in. Many times I took a guess which route led where I wanted to go, and discovered that I'd guessed wrong and was stuck in a dead end.

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Cap'n Q