The Random Map Generator
 

First of all, the random map generator went beyond my expectations and I like it very much. It's probably my favorite new thing in Dominions 3 and I figured it deserves its own thread.

OK, so I've figured out how to fish out random maps I like that are created for games (just go into the save game directory), but there are some things I would like to know about the random map generator utility that is under Game Tools. What does ruggedness mean? What is a good pixel size for a given map, that is, how many pixels by how many pixels is appropriate for, say, 300 or 400 provinces or 40 for that matter? Is there any chance in the future of having a wraparound option?

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

My only gripe is that sometimes it puts mountains that are half in the sea, haha.

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

I like the random map generator as well. I don't have any answers to your question but I can verify that if you're making a map with 800 provinces about 3200*2400 pixels does a good job.

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

Yep, the generator is pretty cool overall, we've just started a 3 player blitz yesterday night, and the small map was rather interesting. It was very strategical, the mountains were placed in the perfect positions, but maybe we were just lucky with that random map. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

I was very impressed with the random map generator... it's a great improvement!

Only one technical problem I've seen is how the random map generator places the victory crowns. The provinces with 2 or 3 point victory crowns will only show one crown. Perhaps the 2 and 3 point victory crowns can be made with different appearances.
(EXAMPLE = Silver Crown_1pt, Gold Crown_2pts, Gold Crown with diamonds_3pts)

Only two visual dislikes I've seen. One is the rivers, perhaps with a future patch they can look as equally great as the rest of the map. Another are victory crowns will sometimes appear on the borders making it difficult to determine the exact location.

Only one suggested improvement would be having a few provinces which provide one-way traveling. Even if this cannot be included within the random map generator hopefully the functionality will be introduced as a .map edit command.

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

This has been discussed in the Dom2 forum months or even years ago already - it is not possible with the current way maps work: Either 2 provinces are neighbours, or they are not. If they are neighbours, you can travel between them. Unpassable mountains are in fact non-existant neighbour connections.

If this would be changed, there would have to be 2 neighbour declaration in the map file - bringing it to 2x the size and, more importantly, invalidating all maps currently available... .

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

No it wouldn't. Simply adding a new optional format to the #neighbour line would allow old maps to work just as is, while something like :

#neighbour 23 -> 40

Would mean that it's one way travel - 23 neighbors 40, but not vice versa. Doesn't double the .map file size either, nor does it make it any more difficult to validate, unlike if there had to be a line for each direction (which is what you were thinking, I suspect) :

#neighbor 1 10
#neighbor 10 1 (works)

#neighbor 211 290
#neighbor 290 210 (oops!)

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

Hmm... I think I'm missing the point. Why would this be such a great improvement? I don't think it would do much more than annoy me... Also, what is the thematic justification for such a situation?

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

As a mapmaker I know several different ways to make use of one-way provinces thus providing more interesting maps. Currently all provinces provide only two way access which leaves fewer options in providing creative maps.
The thematic justification is that these would be one way teleporters. Another scenario justification is a magical mountain or forest where armies can only travel one direction.

Re: The Random Map Generator
 

Also, currently water province linked by a river are connected, but if a river is too strong/fast/wild to go back the other way...